We Support International Schools

About

We identify and source exceptional talent for international schools worldwide.

 

 

 

Founded in 2011, we provide leadership search, recruitment and consultancy to schools spanning continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

 

 

 

Leadership Search 

Appointment of school leaders & SLT.

 

 

 

Recruitment 

Contingent recruitment of teachers & middle leaders.

 

 

 

Consultancy

Associate Consultants helping schools prosper.

Further details coming soon.

 

 

 

Here are some of the international schools who have used our services.

 

Team



Tom Arnold Director & Founder

Tom is a qualified teacher having taught in the UK and Switzerland. He also gained substantial experience of international education recruitment before founding Compass in 2011. In this time he has recruited for and visited many international schools worldwide.

 

Heather Thompson Senior Consultant

Heather joined Compass in 2015 bringing with her 25 years of recruitment experience. Heather’s expertise has been supporting clients and candidates in the Middle East and Africa and she herself has relocated many times with her husband who is an international Head.

 

Honoria Arnold Marketing & Accounts

Honoria is an accomplished educator and school leader with over 30 years of experience in UK primary schools, 16 years as a Headteacher and more recently as an Executive Head across two schools. Honoria has significant experience in  recruiting teachers and senior leaders.

 

Kevin Page Associate Consultant

Kevin began his teaching career in his native New Zealand and has been working in IB international schools across Switzerland, Germany and Austria. As a former international Head of School and school board member, he is widely experienced in recruiting senior leaders.

 

Rachel Wright Senior Consultant

Rachel has an extensive background in recruitment. Having worked within UK based recruitment consultancies and subsequently taken the step of relocating overseas, Rachel is suitably placed to support the many candidates looking to take this vital step in their careers.

 

Ian Tysoe Associate Consultant

Ian is experienced in the UK independent and international sector, leading day and boarding schools in Dubai, Switzerland and the UK. He has inspected with ISI, Ofsted, and is a Team Evaluator for CIS. Ian has been a housemaster, director of boarding and head of several boarding schools.

 

Gillian Greenwood Associate Consultant

Gillian has led schools in the UK, Havana, Tokyo, Jakarta, Qatar, Zambia, Spain, Egypt and Romania. She has experience in establishing new schools and leading successful BSO inspections. Gillian has been a member of IAPS, JCIS, FOBISIA, NABSS, BSME, CIS and COBIS.

testimonials

“In addition to Compass’s highly professional service is their personal attention and commitment to our school. When needed I am able to receive almost immediate attention and am confident that the Compass personnel have taken time to understand my school, its profile and our philosophy. Not only is this important in successfully placing potential teachers but has also built a strong sense of partnership with Compass and a feeling that they clearly want the best for BSGC.”

Julian Clark, HeadmasterThe British School of Gran Canaria, Spain - COBIS, BSO

testimonials

“The professionalism and personalised service that I received from Compass Education Consultancy is unlike any other company I have worked with. The consultants made me feel so comfortable and brought a caring individual service that always left me feeling valued. They are incredibly trustworthy, very professional and go that extra bit to get the posting that suits me. Thank you Rachel!”

Avril Phillips, EYFS PrincipalHarrow International School Shanghai, China

testimonials

“I have worked very closely with Tom for many years. Tom has always ensured that candidates have a personalised experience as he knows all of our schools very well. We have had lots of positive feedback from teachers who have come to us, through Tom. His support, professionalism and approachable manner has meant that we are always able to recruit outstanding teachers. Tom follows rigorous safer recruitment procedures and can also be relied on to help during difficult recruitment periods.”

June Donnan, HeadteacherKing's College School La Moraleja, Spain - COBIS, BSO, IAPS

testimonials

“I had a great experience when searching and applying for a new position with Compass Education Consultancy. Their communication throughout the whole process was fantastic, and I felt informed and ready for each stage of the application process and then the interviews. Thank you!”

Kevin Irvine, Head of PrimaryThe British School of Gran Canaria, Spain - COBIS, BSO

testimonials

“We are very fortunate amongst British International schools in that we rarely have to use teaching agencies to fulfil our staffing requirements – however when we do we go first to Compass! The service is always personalised with a knowledge of our school and specific needs. We do not get plagued by emails advocating all and sundry “excellent” teachers – they only respond when we contact them. They are meticulous in supporting our Safer Recruitment policy and practices by facilitating reference checks and appropriate police checks. All in all a first-class, non-invasive service.”

Stuart Smith, HeadteacherSt Catherine’s British School, Greece - COBIS, BSO, HMC

testimonials

“The professionalism and personalised service that I received from Compass Education Consultancy is unlike any other company I have worked with. The consultants made me feel so comfortable and brought a caring individual service that always left me feeling valued. They are incredibly trustworthy, very professional and go that extra bit to get the posting that suits me!!! Thank you Rachel!”

Laurence Bell, Director of Technology LearningBritannica International School Shanghai, China - COBIS

testimonials

“Compass have been instrumental in searching out and presenting teachers for St George’s School of the highest calibre. Tom has a unique ability to understand the values that are essential in a teacher at St. George’s School and always presents those who will match with these values. He understands the unique qualities of a school and quickly identifies these and then is able to make stunning matches very quickly. I could not recommend Tom more highly; I never look anywhere else for recruitment; why would I when he is delivering such an outstanding service.”

Jenny Aviss, PrincipalSt. George's International School, Switzerland

testimonials

“Compass have been great from start to finish. From the first phone call where they got to know me and what I wanted out of a job so they could find me the perfect role. To checking that everything was secure and going to plan once the contract was signed. If you’re looking for a teaching role, Compass can help.”

Maria Mahfouz, ScienceModern English School, Egypt - COBIS, BSME, BSO

testimonials

“It has been my pleasure to work with Tom and the team at Compass, from the outset they were keen to get to know the school and its ethos to ensure that any candidates were suitable. They provided an extremely professional and efficient service, providing a range of candidates as well as being in constant contact. Through Compass we secured a wonderful new Early Years leader in a very short timeframe. I will definitely use Compass again and thoroughly recommend them.”

Gareth Evans, Head of PrimaryBritish International School of Tunis, Tunisia - COBIS, BSO

testimonials

“I contacted Rachel Wright at Compass when my family and I decided to move from Bahrain and go on our next adventure. From the onset, Rachel was professional, prompt, and knowledgeable. She helped me secure a job within a couple of months and was always available to help guide and advise me. I have no hesitation recommending Rachel and the team at Compass.”

Katie Bilner, EYFSSt. Louis School, Italy

testimonials

“Compass have provided excellent support for our annual recruitment efforts for 3 years. We regard their match of ‘school and teacher’ as carefully considered, and our students have benefited from a number of excellent appointments – teachers who are highly competent in the classroom and passionate about teaching. Heather Thompson is incredibly responsive to our needs and refers high calibre candidates for interview. I very much appreciate that Heather is as committed as I am to finding the right teachers for our school!”

Nicola Singleton, Whole School PrincipalModern English School, Egypt - COBIS, BSME, BSO

testimonials

“Heather’s direct approach with outlining the teaching position, honesty when answering questions, consistent communication, and swift replies made everything an easy process for me. I would highly recommend Compass Education Consultancy and can’t thank Heather enough!”

Connor Akers, Primary PYPBrookes Moscow, Russia

testimonials

“I have worked with Tom Arnold for over 9 years including him in supporting 2 start up schools. Tom and Heather bring a professional approach to recruiting. Their personal and professional manner ensures that there is a right match for both the teachers and the school. Heather has been an amazing addition to the team. They offer an excellent service in a very challenging market. When opening a new school this year, and needing to build a new team, I knew I would turn to Compass.”

Vanessa Whay, Founding PrincipalDurham School for Girls Doha, Qatar

testimonials

“Compass Education, and specifically Tom Arnold, were truly instrumental to me when looking for and finding the next step in my career path. Tom was incredibly supportive at every stage of the recruiting process, understanding very easily my own philosophy as a teacher and matching all the skills, abilities and experiences I had to offer with the right school that will value and potentiate them even further. I am very grateful I had such an amazing guide when making such an important decision, and I hope every teacher gets to experience it too!”

Alicia Calderon-Fort, Performing ArtsSt. George’s School, Switzerland

testimonials

“I have worked with Tom for almost five years. From the outset, Tom was keen to get to know our school and me as a leader, thus gaining an in-depth knowledge of the school and advising prospective teachers accordingly. Teachers feel re-assured that they are receiving sound advice and we are equally reassured that teachers are coming to us with their ‘eyes open’. Because of the excellent communication and relationship established between us and Compass, we have recruited some truly excellent, happy staff. I am very much looking forward to continuing our relationship in the years to come.”

Stefan Rumistrzewicz, HeadteacherKing's College Murcia, Spain - COBIS, BSO

testimonials

“We have always found contact with Compass to be friendly and professional. They are extremely helpful during the recruitment process and approach any discussions in a respectful and personal way. There is no pressure and we have always felt supported during every step of the process regardless of our final decision. We have always felt that there is a desire to do what is right for us without any strings attached and we hope to remain in contact for years to come.”

Tom & Rosanna Millinchip, Primary KS2 & MFLWindsor School, The Bahamas

testimonials

“We have been very pleased with the service offered to us from Compass. As a result of the personalised service Compass has provided we have filled our vacancies with outstanding teachers. I know that, even at very short notice, Compass will respond quickly to our needs and ensure that the match between teacher and our school is perfect. I can thoroughly recommend Compass to you.”

Dawn Akyurek, Chief Academic OfficerKing's Group - COBIS, BSO, HMC, IAPS

testimonials

“Rachel has always gone that extra mile; from the initial recruitment stage, to liaison with my future employer during the visa process and then she kept in touch once I started to ensure I was settled into my new role. During the COVID-19 crisis she took the time to check if I was well and offered continuous support in terms of recruiting for my team. You couldn’t ask for much more from any recruitment company and I would certainly recommend Compass as I feel the support is genuine, professional and very much appreciated. Thank you Rachel!”

Amanda Bland, Academic DirectorLUC Pre School, China - COBIS

testimonials

“Our staffing needs are often difficult to fill but Heather at Compass wasn’t fazed at all by our demands. Very quickly she found us a number of applicants for the position we needed to fill and these were high quality candidates. What impressed me most was the attention to the detail of our specific requirements and the close and timely ongoing support through the process. Compass had been recommended to us and we’d have no hesitation in recommending them to other schools.”

David Lewis, PrincipalTLC Private School, Cyprus

testimonials

“I have been working with Heather Thompson for a few weeks before I got recruited in an established educational institution in Africa. Her frequent courtesy calls and follow-ups have maintained our close and long working professional relationship. She is a responsible consultant, often going the extra mile and rendering her services even after a recruitment cycle is successfully executed. I find the consultancy professional, diligent, and productive with a very good understanding of the academic market.”

Sridhar Vittal, IB Mathematics & ComputingÉcole Ruban Vert, Gabon - AISA

testimonials

“Finding ourselves in need of a Higher Level IB Physics teacher at very short notice, we decided to contact Tom at Compass. This turned out to be a very good decision. Within a matter of hours we received the CV of a well-qualified teacher who was available, for a short term contract, immediately. We had a replacement teacher of the highest quality in front of our students in just over a week ! I will certainly be using Compass again, if and when the need should arise.”

Ian Tysoe, PrincipalInternational Concept for Education Dubai, UAE

testimonials

“Tom managed to find two important positions I needed in a critical time. He came personally to visit ISC, spent some days in the Como area to have a clear idea of what living and working here can be. He accurately interpreted my requirements and represented me well in finding good candidates. I would thoroughly recommend Tom and would be pleased to work with him again.”

Emanuela Ferloni, PrincipalInternational School of Como, Italy

testimonials

“Compass Recruitment competently and with amazing speed helped us to find a teacher at very short notice. Most impressive was the company’s personalised service that located exactly the right person to match our specific requirements. Not only did Compass solve a problem for us, they took care to ensure we had an experienced and well respected practitioner to join the teaching team.”

Anne Howells, PrincipalBritish International School of Stavanger, Norway - COBIS, BSO

testimonials

“We used Compass to recruit an outstanding Physics teacher during an emergency situation in Term 2. The efficiency and helpfulness of Compass was outstanding, as we filled the short-term post quickly with a top class candidate. Thank you!”

Paul Barrie, Deputy Head Upper SchoolThe British School of Milan, Italy - COBIS, BSO, HMC

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International schools who wish to enquire about any of our services,

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News

COVID-19

  COBIS recently contacted several Heads of member schools and supporting members to share their thoughts on how the teacher supply situation might look post COVID-19. Compass was able to share some of our thoughts as to how the teacher recruitment market might be affected once we are able to move forward from this pandemic. […]

Supporting New Staff

  Accepting a new job in a new country brings with it some degree of uncertainty for a teacher. Whilst this can add to the experience and anticipation, it can also increase anxiety levels in the strongest of candidates. The period of time in-between a candidate accepting a job offer through to the start date […]

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