Right School, Wrong Role: An International Principal's Framework For Job Hunting
During our Totally Teach Tour, we had the absolute pleasure of hearing from Principal Simon Attwood of Ningbo British International School.
Principal Attwood generously shared his insights from years of experience in international education, including what he personally looks for when interviewing new teachers. One of the most valuable takeaways from his talk was his practical framework for evaluating international teaching opportunities.
It was such a useful and honest approach that we felt it deserved to be shared more widely.
The “Right School, Right Role, Right Location” Framework
When considering a new role, Principal Attwood encouraged teachers to weigh opportunities across three key areas:
The School
The Role
The Location
Life - and international teaching - is rarely perfect. Sometimes, one of these elements won’t align exactly as hoped. The key is understanding which compromises you can live with.
What Makes Something “Right”?
There’s no universal definition of a “right” school, role, or location. What feels ideal to one teacher may be completely unsuitable to another, which is why self-awareness is essential.
Here are some factors you might consider when evaluating each area:
Right School
Values and ethos
School environment and culture
Colleagues and leadership
Curriculum
Salary and benefits package
Stability and reputation
Right Role
Responsibilities
Career progression opportunities
Working hours and workload
Level of autonomy
Expectations and support
Right Location
Lifestyle and pace of life
Cost of living
Infrastructure and healthcare
Travel opportunities
Distance from home and support networks
How the Combinations Stack Up
Principal Attwood broke these factors down into realistic combinations:
Right school, right role, wrong location → ✅ Yes
Being in the right school in the right role is one of the very best situations you can find yourself in for your teaching career and professional development. Sometimes, locations that don’t initially feel right can surprise you, and overall can be managed more easily than other factors.
Right school, wrong role, right location → ✅ Yes, as a starting point
You’re in a good spot here! By treating the role as a starting point, you have the opportunity to move internally within your school, and gain valuable experience whilst doing so.
Wrong school, right role, right location → ✅ Yes, if you can adapt
There’s no question that the ‘wrong’ school can be a challenging factor. This scenario is best managed with adaptability and focusing on a bigger picture. You might be in the ‘wrong’ school for a short term, between jobs, or to gain valuable experience in a role that will help you step into something more suitable.
Wrong school, wrong role → ❌ Regardless of location, it’s time to look elsewhere
Out of all situations, a wrong school and wrong role combination is going to offer little in return.
Why This Matters
Experienced international educators know this well: there’s no such thing as a perfect school (although some come close!).
Like any workplace, every school has its strengths and its challenges. When searching for a new role, the goal isn’t perfection, it's alignment with what matters most to you at that stage of your career and life.
Practical Steps for Teachers Exploring New Opportunities
If you’re currently looking for a new international school:
Stay open-minded and adaptable
Clearly identify your core values
Decide which elements are non-negotiable and where you can compromise
Remember that the “right” choice may also change over time
This framework is a powerful tool for making thoughtful, realistic career decisions, and one we encourage every international teacher to keep in mind when looking for exciting new job opportunities.
Thank you, Principal Attwood for your insightful advice!