Alignment, capability and engagement : is your school ready for school improvement?

This paper reports on the initial developments of an International School in Abu Dhabi that has been engaged in the initial stages of a school improvement program. Investigating staff capacity for change has been the initial starting point for the newly appointed principal. Recent research from Lynch and Smith (2016) guided the school‟s action planning and the ensuing analysis helped understand teacher readiness to implement targeted school improvement initiatives. Initial findings highlight the engagement of staff, and their commitment to implementing educational change, was increased when the focus was on teacher performance. Building teacher capacity is seen as the first step for improved teaching and learning. This paper contributes to the limited data available on Middle Eastern International Schools engaging in change journeys and provides a valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities for school reform in these contexts.