Mel Curtis

Responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of one of Switzerland's highest profile schools. The role includes school development, innovation in teaching and learning, parent and community engagement, change management and facilitation, recruitment, academic results, admissions targets, communication and school marketing. Proven success in both 2019 & 2020 IGCSE and IBDP-100% pass rate.

Responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of one of Prague’s highest profile schools. The role includes school development, innovation in teaching and learning, change management and facilitation, recruitment, academic results, admissions targets and school marketing. Responsible for all transitional education leadership and planning for Nord Anglia Education during the school’s merger process with the Prague British School over 2017-18. Proven successful exam results 2018 IGCSE & IBDP 100% pass rate.

Responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of one of Chicago’s highest profile schools, the role includes school development, innovation in teaching and learning, change management and facilitation, recruitment, academic results, admissions targets and school marketing. Key achievements • Highlighted as an exemplar school • Met admissions target and raised level of school marketing • Awarded most improved in group - KS2 results 2015 • Successful direction of campus renovation with commended branding implementation • Introduction of the prestigious Juilliard Performing Arts programme • Introduction of an integrated STEAM programme • MIT Partner School - STEAM and Maker Space • Development of a community hub extended school • Implementation of a successful Parental Engagement Programme • Introduction of a successful innovation and Entrepreneurship programme

6-19 Yrs. BAC, IBDP. Responsible for all academic integration and transformation processes within one of France’s most prestigious private boarding schools, a new multi-million Euro acquisition for GEMS near Paris. Key achievements • Leadership and introduction of a successful application as an International Baccalaureate Candidate • Integration of the International Baccalaureate with the French Baccalaureate and FLE (Français langue étrangère) programmes • Professional development of senior leaders and successful adoption of international practices

3-18 yrs. Multiple International and National Curricula. Responsible for all academic processes, curriculum development and recruitment for GEMS mainland European operations. Key involvement with all preoperational planning through to launch including project promotion, recruitment, professional development lead, PR and Edu-tectural design. Key achievements • The successful launch and pre-operational leadership of a CHF 100 Million International IBO School in Canton Vaud, Switzerland • World Language Centre design and leadership • Due diligence lead for school acquisitions in Poland, Portugal, Croatia, France, Germany • Brand leader for the GEMS Wellington international school model • GEMS Global Pathways Programme Leader • PYP and MYP Curriculum development and staff training leader

3-18 yrs. NC, A-Level, IPC, IGCSE, IBDP, IBCC, BTEC. 2700 students. 100% pass rate IGCSE,IBDP,IBCC,BTEC Responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of one of Dubai’s highest profile schools and GEMS Wellington International School model. The role included school development, innovation in teaching and learning, change management and facilitation, inspection preparation, recruitment, successful academic results and enrolment. Key achievements • The successful transformation of an under-performing school across all areas into GEMS Education’s most profitable International School and International School model • Led the school to become the first GEMS 3-18 yrs International School to achieve DSIB OUTSTANDING status in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in Dubai under the OFSTED/DSIB framework • DSIB (Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau) - Lead Local Dubai schools consultant • DSIB - Working group member • Brand leader for GEMS Wellington international schools. Developed a scale-able ‘Wellington International’ school model - UK/IB curriculum, 3-18 yrs • The launch and support of a second linked international 3-18 school, GEMS Silicon Oasis, created in response to over-subscription and growth. The development and support of new GEMS Wellington international schools globally • Successful secondary school campus expansion and enrolment • The development and adoption of exemplar school financial reporting and budgeting processes group wide • Led GEMS first group teaching school • GEMS Education Global Quality Assurance Lead and Lead Educational Consultant - school start-ups • The creation of GEMS Education’s first full entrepreneurial leadership programme for 3-18 yrs • The development of an inclusive, multi-agency Dyslexia and Achievement Centre • Lead Principal globally for the group Parental Engagement Program • Highly successful facility and resource bidding that improved standards for staff and students • CIS - Team member

National Curriculum for England. 2000 students. Responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of one of Dubai’s highest profile primary schools. The launch and on-going leadership support of a second linked international primary school created in response to over-subscription and growth. The role included, innovation in teaching and learning, change management and facilitation, inspection preparation, recruitment, successful academic results and enrolment targets, pre-operational planning through to launch. Key achievements • The successful transformation of an underperforming school into GEMS most profitable global International Primary School and Primary School model • The successful transformation of enrolment from under subscription to wait list in 12 months • The launch and on-going leadership support of a second sister international primary school • Outstanding academic results • School improvement advisor for GEMS World Academy Dubai – curriculum (IB PYP & MYP) and leadership • OFSTED/DSIB 2009 - Good with outstanding features (1st year of DSIB inspections) • Working group member DSIB and ADEC (Abu Dhabi Education Council) • Exceeded enrolment targets with some years having a 2 year waiting list • The creation of GEMS first ‘Creative Primary Curriculum’ • The development of GEMS first inclusive, multi-agency Dyslexia and Achievement centre • The introduction of GEMS first Professional Development centre and IT Academy • Lead Education Consultant for Sheikh Zayed Private Academy , Abu Dhabi • CIS Team member

National Curriculum for England. Key achievements • OFSTED - in 1 year- Good with outstanding features • International Schools Award Consultant, Education Leeds • International Schools network leader 3-18 years, Education Leeds • Modern Foreign languages Leader 3-18 years - In partnership with Leeds and Montpellier Universities • Consultant Leader - Remodelling/Extended Schools, Education Leeds • Consultant Leader - KS2/KS3/KS4 Transition, Education Leeds • Consultant Leader - Primary Strategies, Education Leeds/Barnsley Education Authority • Head Teacher Representative, Executive Headship /Building Schools of the Future group Awards • Investors in People • Investors in Pupils • Active Mark Gold • Healthy Schools Award • Art Mark Award • International Schools Award • Teacher Training Centre status

National Curriculum for England. Appointed to remove the school from Special Measures status and amalgamate 3 schools onto the existing site Achievements • DFEE Most improved school in 1 year • Consultant Primary / Secondary Head Teacher, Barnsley Education Authority • Consultant Leader - Yorkshire and Humberside, National Leadership College • NPQH Tutor, Yorkshire and Humberside, National Leadership College • International Schools-Link Consultant- Achievers International Barnsley Education Authority

National Curriculum for England. Leadership of a school for 3-9 yrs in a demanding socially deprived area.

National Curriculum for England. Special secondment at the request of the LEA to improve a failing school in preparation for OFSTED – 3months before OFSTED. Post visit- OFSTED: positive report