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Communication – both verbal and written – is undoubtedly one of the key skills most of us use in our daily work lives. This communication is highly purposeful; we have a goal and an aim for what we are trying to achieve. Some of us may use mathematical skills; negotiating budgets; calculating ratios of staffing or allocation of resources.

They learn a myriad of things – which can broadly be placed into three categories – the learning of knowledge, the learning of skills and the learning of attitudes.Traditionally schools were set up as pillars of knowledge. In 1854 Charles Dickens in his novel ‘Hard Times’ highlights the purpose of schools as to: “Teach these boys and girls nothing but facts.

What should the role of schools be in preparing young people for this complex and challenging future? How does the pedagogy and curriculum need to change to best prepare young people for the uncertainty of the future? One of the main drivers of change in the late 20th Century was the speed that science and technology developed and the effect this had in delivering social and economic change.

Much of this short article will discuss why international mindedness is so problematic, so let me declare my commitment to it as an idea (and hopefully as an attitude and as behaviors). I am fortunate to be a Trustee of the Alliance for International Education. I have also been closely involved in the development of both the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC)…