Free Online CPD Course for International Schools: Leadership (With Certificate)

Strong leadership shapes school culture, drives improvement and directly impacts student outcomes.

In international schools — where expectations are high, communities are diverse, and accountability matters — effective leadership is more important than ever.

That’s why we’re excited to offer a free online CPD course: Leadership, written by Sam Strickland.

Why Leadership Matters in International Schools

International schools operate in complex environments. Leaders must often balance:

Diverse cultural expectations
High academic standards (iGCSE, IB, British curriculum and equivalents)
Staff from multiple educational backgrounds
Parent and stakeholder engagement
Inspection and accreditation frameworks

Strong leadership provides clarity, consistency and direction — creating the conditions where teachers can teach effectively and students can thrive.

High-quality CPD in leadership helps schools move from reactive management to strategic improvement.

About the Course

Written by experienced school leader Sam Strickland, this course explores the principles and practicalities of effective school leadership.

Throughout the course, you will:

Examine what strong leadership looks like in practice
Explore how to build and sustain a positive school culture
Understand the role of high expectations and consistency
Reflect on decision-making and accountability
Consider strategies for leading improvement

The course combines strategic thinking with real-world application, making it relevant for both middle and senior leaders.

Flexible, Free and Certificate-Accredited

Our CPD courses are built for busy educators. Each course:

Takes around 1 hour to complete
Is fully online (learn anytime, anywhere)
Is completely free
Comes with a certificate of completion

Whether you’re looking to refresh your practice, develop new skills, or strengthen your CPD portfolio, you can complete these courses.

Who Is This Course For?

International school teachers
Heads of Department
Heads of Year or pastoral leads
Senior leadership team
Teachers preparing for promotion

This course is for you, if you’re searching for:

Free leadership CPD for teachers
Online leadership training for international schools
School leadership course with certificate
Professional development for middle leaders

Effective leadership creates the conditions for excellence.

Perfect for international school contexts

International schools are diverse by nature. Teachers often work across cultures, languages, and educational systems, and professional development needs to be both high-quality and adaptable.

Seneca’s CPD courses help you build confidence in areas that matter most in international settings, supporting students effectively, strengthening teaching practice, and developing your professional toolkit.