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The International
School Leaders’
Guide to AI

A practical, values-driven guide to leading your school through the age of artificial intelligence with clarity, ethics and purpose.

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Published by Hachette / John Catt

About the Book

AI is sprinting … and school leaders can’t afford to stand still. In this straight-forward guide, international‑school veteran Rita Bateson steers you through the AI labyrinth with her signature warmth and wit. She spotlights the six risks of AI for schools (no tech waffle) and shows how to manage them using the Eblana 6P’s: Preparation, Policies, People, Processes, Protection and Pedagogy.

Inside you’ll find quick audits, ready‑to‑use policy templates and stakeholder frameworks for teachers, students, parents, governors, tech teams, and unions-so everyone moves forward together. By the final page you’ll hold a future‑proof roadmap that keeps learners safe, staff empowered and your whole community confident in an AI‑driven world.

Practical, ethical, future‑proof: this is your handy confidant when you’re faced with tough decisions around AI.

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About the Author

Rita Bateson

Co-Founder & Director of Education, Eblana Learning

Rita Bateson is a respected educator, author and mentor with over 20 years of experience in international education. She currently serves as the Director of Education and Co-Founder of
Eblana Learning, where she guides schools in navigating AI adoption and technological change.

Her career spans roles as Senior Curriculum and Assessment Manager at IB Global Headquarters
(The Hague) and Founding Head of Secondary at Nord Anglia International School, Dublin. A prolific curriculum designer, textbook author and sought-after workshop leader, she has supported hundreds of schools in building future-ready practices rooted in ethics and educational excellence.

Rita’s influence extends beyond curriculum development. She is a seasoned school authorisation team leader, consultant, and programme advisor, regularly commissioned by leading educational organisations to shape and enhance programmes worldwide.

The recent, wide-spread rise of AI sparked her deep dive into the technology, convinced its impact on education will be both profound and immediate. In all of her work, she pairs her long-standing IB expertise with deep AI research to bring the very best guidance to international schools.

Get the Resources

With the International School Leaders’ Guide to AI, over a dozen additional resources and practical templates are offered. Access them all by clicking here!

Deliberation Station: Teachers
AI Risk Assessment Template
AI Readiness Self-Evaluation
AI Evaluation Station
The AI Iceberg Model
AI Crisis Response Kit
AI Policy Development Checklist
AI Governance Checklist
AI Vendor Due Diligence
AI Glossary for Parents
Get the Resources

Endorsements

Leading voices in international education and innovation share their reflections on The International School Leader’s Guide to AI.

"I really enjoyed the manuscript for The International School Leaders' Guide to AI. It's a breath of fresh air for school leaders who feel like AI is another storm to weather. It takes the noise and hype and breaks it down into a clear strategy; rooted in governance, values and preparation. The reminder that leaders don’t need to be AI experts, but do need to bring clarity and confidence to their communities, is spot on. The suggested board pack, policy pointers and 6Ps framework in chapter three alone made it a very practical guide to keeping strategy front and centre while avoiding overwhelm."
Al Kingsley MBE
"The hype surrounding AI has thrown us all, teachers, students, heads, and parents alike, onto the same path to learn about, relate to and engage with this fast-evolving technology. Within the field of education, AI touches each and every one of us, whatever our role. With this multimedia book, Rita Bateson has created a wonderful tool to help us navigate not only the risks connected to AI but also to help us discover the opportunities it offers. Whether you are a tech enthusiast or a critic, Bateson’s book offers valuable insights. I especially enjoyed her approach of not only concentrating on school but also including the wider social learning community. That is the space where students learn best how to flourish in the AI era.
I hope it serves its purpose. By leaving the two first and last sentences away, you can have a shorter version, if that would be more useful."
Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General, International Baccalaureate Organization
"Rita,
Thanks again for including me in this cool moment for you. I am going to share one by one in the interest of being as prompt as possible. I enjoyed reviewing Chapter 1—it's a thoughtful and engaging start to what promises to be an essential guide for AI in education. Your blend of personal insights, podcast transcript, and practical reflections really brings the urgency of AI leadership to life, while modeling transparency with the AI use. I particularly liked the ethical considerations like sustainability (e.g., the staggering energy demands of data centers) and the need to preserve human elements in teaching, such as relationships and critical thinking. It will help equip leaders to navigate hype, avoid pitfalls like reckless implementation, and focus on equitable, value-aligned strategies that benefit students in a rapidly changing landscape."
Mike Cobb, Senior Innovation and Organizational Excellence Strategist, Mission & Data
"Rita Bateson’s AI & Leadership challenges schools to safeguard authenticity, independence, and fairness in the AI era. She calls for leadership rooted in mission and vision, ensuring classrooms remain spaces for inquiry and originality. This book is a principled guide for international school leaders, demanding that we ask the hard questions and hold fast to what makes education deeply human while engaging AI with clarity and purpose. A timely guide for keeping education purposeful and profoundly human."
Christopher Tompkins, Executive Director of NEOM
"This comprehensive gem manages to cover the vast and evolving terrain of generative AI in schools and what we as educators and school leaders should do (and not do) with this game-changing tool in our hands. Featuring a generous 'mega-folder' of practical resources to access and provocations to generate key discussions to assist decision-making along the way, the book is your personal tour guide, shining light where it's needed, pointing out opportunities and pitfalls, and helping you journey safely and productively on this brave new landscape."
Jeff Bradley, Former CEO of NEASC
"A refreshingly honest and practical guide for school leaders navigating AI implementation—grounded in real expertise, ethical considerations, and a healthy scepticism of tech hype rather than breathless evangelism."
Richard Human, Head of AI, Globeducate Network of Schools

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Expected publish date:
Spring of 2026

The International School
Leader’s Guide to AI

Other Published Titles:

  • Curriculum Design for Mathematics in the Primary Years Programme
  • Curriculum Design for Mathematics in the Middle Years Programme
  • MYP Mathematics: Year 1
  • MYP Mathematics: Year 2
  • MYP Mathematics: Year 3
  • MYP Mathematics: Years 4–5

Connect with Rita

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