Rob Ford

Director

Heritage International School group in Chisinau, Moldova

I was previously Principal of Wyedean School, Gloucestershire, UK, where I led a school that is nationally and internationally known for its innovative holistic curriculum and developed model of global learning. I am co-founder of the IB schools network in the SW of England. I am a long-serving British Council Ambassador, an advisor and keynote speaker at many international conferences for the British Council and other similar organisations, and have worked with and advised schools and school boards around the World.

Recent articles from Rob Ford

  1. Keeping hope and learning alive in Ukraine

    Rob Ford, CEO & Director of Heritage International Schools-Moldova, reflects on the situation in Ukraine, two years on from the invasion.

    • Alumni Engagement,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • Teacher & Staff Recruitment,
    • Wellbeing in Schools
    Read article 2 minute read
    Rob Ford
  2. Tales of the unexpected: how to handle strange conversations

    Rob Ford, the CEO and Director of Heritage International School, shares insights into some of the less predictable discussions he has experienced as a Head and what can be learned from them.

    • Alumni Engagement,
    • Leadership Coaching,
    • School Leadership
    Read article 2 minute read
    Rob Ford
  3. Towards a professional learning community

    CEO and Director of Heritage International School, Rob Ford on the belief in 'skills, competencies and trusting the autonomy of teachers' to produce a highly effective learning community.

    • Alumni Engagement,
    • Leadership Coaching,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership
    Read article 3 minute read
    Rob Ford
  4. An international Head's perspective on recruitment and retention in the UK

    In this article, CEO and Director of Heritage International Schools, Rob Ford reflects on his experience and suggests ways in which the UK can improve teacher retention.

    • Alumni Engagement,
    • Continued Professional Development,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • Teacher & Staff Recruitment,
    • Wellbeing in Schools
    Read article 3 minute read
    Rob Ford
  5. “The only journey is the one within.” Finding your best self

    In this reflective piece, seasoned school leader Rob Ford, emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability, offering advice to incoming leaders while expressing gratitude for the lessons learned through a challenging summer of recovery and family moments

    • Continued Professional Development,
    • School Leadership
    Read article 3 minute read
    Rob Ford
  6. The strike, the bandsaw, and a 40-year friendship: How I met the teacher who changed my life

    The transformative power of education needs to be celebrated, argues Rob Ford, as he shares the story of how a teacher changed his life trajectory

    • School Leadership
    Read article
    Rob Ford
  7. Why the best legacy of a school leader is good succession planning

    Rob Ford explains why investing time and resources in succession planning is crucial for any school

    • School Leadership
    Read article
    Rob Ford
  8. Ukraine War: The View from Moldova

    Rob Ford, director of Heritage International School in Moldova, tells of how the school community is living with a war on its doorstep

    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice,
    • School Leadership
    Read article 3 minute read
    Rob Ford
  9. Centring Social Responsibility and Active Citizenship

    Analysing why social responsibility and active citizenship needs to be a key value for any international school

    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • Work Skills & Global Citizenship
    Read article
    Rob Ford
  10. Why International Schools Should be Focusing on Perspective and Agency After the Pandemic

    The aspects of education that schools should focus on in light of the pandemic.

    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • Wellbeing in Schools
    Read article 3 minute read
    Rob Ford
  11. Why Should Schools be Thinking Local, Acting Global?

    The true purpose of teaching and education, how international schools can get back to that in the wake of the pandemic, and how Global Learning can encourage communication and collaboration after a long period of isolated learning

    • Curriculum & Assessment,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • Work Skills & Global Citizenship
    Read article
    Rob Ford
  12. Global Learning, National Identity, and Global Citizenship

    What is global learning, why it is important to students at international schools, and what are the long term effects that it can have on students and schools?

    • Curriculum & Assessment,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement
    Read article
    Rob Ford
  13. How Should School Leaders be Adapting Their Style for the Current World?

    Comparing the leadership and education styles of the UK and Moldova and what can be learnt from the experience of working in both countries.

    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • Wellbeing in Schools
    Read article
    Rob Ford

Rob Ford's recent questions

  1. No one forgets a good teacher. As an educator, who do you remember having a strong influence and impact on you as a student?

    • Continued Professional Development,
    • Teaching Theory, Practice & Implementation
    2 answers
    Asked by: Rob Ford on 01/11/2022
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  2. How can we make our students real global citizens?

    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • Work Skills & Global Citizenship
    1 answers
    Asked by: Rob Ford on 15/11/2021
    View full question
  3. When cultures collide, are we more practical than ethical?

    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice,
    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership
    1 answers
    Asked by: Rob Ford on 15/11/2021
    View full question
  4. What truly makes an international school, international?

    • School Culture & Community Engagement,
    • School Leadership,
    • School Marketing & Admissions
    Asked by: Rob Ford on 15/11/2021
    View full question