This week, we spent five minutes with James Slocombe, the director of Planet Education Networks and education consultant at the Elizabeth School. He tells us about recruiting students in Central and South America, collective learning and re-learning to embrace his own mental absorbency.
Introduce yourself in three words or phrases.
Educator, Entrepreneur (could I say Edupreneur?), occasionally indecisive.
What do you like most about your job?
I can’t claim to be an educator without a willingness to constantly learn. Having spent the early part of my career in international K-12 schools (proprietorial, charitable, and PE-owned groups) as a teacher, deputy and headmaster, I recently made the transition into Higher Education.
(Re)learning to embrace my own mental absorbency, engaging in professional development and exposing oneself to different perspectives has reminded me how enriching learning within the international education sector can be.
Of course, this only works because I have an employer with values similar to my own.
As a workplace, Planet Education Networks embraces collective learning. Yes, PEN is a commercial enterprise with commercial objectives and high commercial ambition; but, widening participation in, opening access to, and celebrating the transformative power of learning is integral to our shared purpose.
Proudest career moment?
The Covid pandemic provided no shortage of challenges to educators around the world, and the challenges of a headmaster in an international boarding school seemed insurmountable at times. Opportunities were hard to identify.
Nonetheless, I was tasked with improving the school’s brand awareness, distinctiveness, perception and performance (both academic and commercial), so that when “normal” teaching and learning could resume, we’d have a springboard on which to jump.
It was done, and the school was successfully rebranded and relaunched while remaining constantly in operation. The school continues to thrive under that brand, and is therefore my proudest career achievement to date.
“With India set to join the US and China… as one of three economic superpowers, who wouldn’t want to benefit from first-hand linguistic knowledge?”
Best work trip?
Too many to count, but recruiting students in central and southern America was always a hoot! I have a soft spot for Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia too.
I have always been inspired and intrigued by the perceptions of prospective students and parents who are willing to invest in their education half-way across the world.
Worst work trip?
When I find myself on a delayed-connecting flight, which means overnighting somewhere where you hadn’t intended…
How did you find yourself working in international education?
Frankly, the British weather. And a wanderlust.
Biggest challenge to your profession?
In K-12, the horizon includes a change of government and the risk of VAT being charged on independent school fees/removal of charitable status.
In HE, the general UK funding settlement, the recent NAO report into franchise provision, and the predominantly negative (and unfair) narrative for independent HE.
What’s the most interesting trend you’ve observed in our industry recently?
The phenomenal ability for independent HE providers like The Elizabeth School of London to open access and widen participation in higher education, both in the UK and internationally, at such scale so rapidly.
If you could learn any language instantly, which one would it be, and why?
Hindi. With India set to join the US and China in the next half century as one of three economic superpowers, who wouldn’t want to benefit from first-hand linguistic knowledge of the region?
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