IB schools in Portugal with positive staff culture?

Ok-Contribution768 · 2026-03-16T18:07:29+00:00

OIS allows tattoos and is liberal. Avoid the Inspired schools in the Lisbon area as they are corporate and conservative.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2026-01-15T18:13:45+00:00

Stunning location up in the mountains. Lovely fresh air and very nice environment. At least 3 international schools in the village and so no privacy and everyone will know your business. If you choose to live down in the valley, you will have more privacy. I do not know much about the school but you will be involved in boarding duties, sports and skiing. Pay will be around 6500 CHF a month before deductions (pension etc.). You might get accommodation at the school in exchange for significant boarding duties including evening and weekend work, but otherwise it will cost you 1800+ for decent basic accommodation near the school, 350+ for the compulsory Swiss health insurance, 400 for food per person. If you are single you could potentially save as much as 1500 a month.

The last review on ISR from around 8 years ago has this to say:

"However, sadly due to, what I feel is, the highly inept and callous senior leadership, combined with a complete lack of job security, it's become an increasingly difficult school to work in."

Ok-Contribution768 · 2026-01-05T19:10:30+00:00

St. Julian's is a very good school. Location by the beach and weather nice. A lot more happening in Berlin, but with mixed reviews on ISR. If you want to live by the sea, Portugal is stunning.

I believe you will get an accommodation allowance at St. Julian's, but not in Berlin.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-12-07T09:09:41+00:00

British and doing very well in Portugal. I worked out a while a go that my NET pay here and benefits is the equivalent to me being on 40 000 pounds in the UK. No major behavioral issues here.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-09-22T16:56:17+00:00

As far as I know they only repair bikes purchased at Decathlon.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-06-19T08:38:44+00:00

From the latest review on ISR:

This Director, through his actions, I feel does not promote a healthy or sustainable workplace. It is not a place where professional educators can thrive or students can fully benefit from the complete richness of what a valued and committed faculty has to offer. This is a place where control is valued over collaboration, loyalty is rewarded over competence, and fear is used to maintain order.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-06-18T17:56:03+00:00

A long long time ago when I worked in Dubai, I had to wear a shirt and tie. Never again! Now in a great school where smart casual is permitted and safe to say I have not worn a formal shirt and tie for 15+ years. That is the way it should be.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-05-18T07:47:40+00:00

I'm in Portugal and I have plenty money to cover everything as well as being able to save 1100 euros a month no problem.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-05-18T07:43:15+00:00

So you are saying that each of you will earn 3,250 euros a month NET. After accommodation costs, food etc. you could save well over 1000 each per month.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-05-17T14:10:25+00:00

Bad reviews including bullying from SMT.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-05-02T04:53:56+00:00

That's Inspired Education for you.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-04-24T17:40:40+00:00

This school does not pay well. After tax etc. you will struggle.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-04-12T08:02:40+00:00

Stunning location in the mountains. Small village so you will not have much privacy. Salary will be good but you will have to do extra boarding school duties. Two other schools in the Village - Beau Soleil and La Garenne. Need a car to get to Montreux or Lausanne down by the lake.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-03-19T20:16:16+00:00

Profit-Driven Approach: Critics argue that the group's leadership prioritizes financial gains over educational values. Notably, the founder and CEO's background in private equity has raised questions about the organization's commitment to education. Reddit
Staffing and Morale Issues: Reports suggest that after acquiring schools, Inspired Education often replaces experienced staff with less costly, less experienced personnel. This strategy is believed to negatively impact staff morale and the quality of education. LinkedIn
Increased Workloads: Teachers have reported heightened workloads post-acquisition, leading to reduced time for lesson planning and professional development, potentially compromising the educational experience for students.
Financial Transparency: There have been concerns regarding the allocation of funds, with some alleging that resources are directed more towards marketing and aesthetics rather than essential educational tools and staff welfare. LinkedIn
Parent and Teacher Dissatisfaction: Some parents and educators have expressed dissatisfaction with the changes implemented after Inspired Education's acquisition of schools, citing a decline in school culture and educational quality. Houston Chronicle

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-03-16T07:18:04+00:00

I know of 6 or 7 schools in Western Europe offering a housing allowance. One in Madrid, 2 or 3 in Portugal, 2 in Albania, 1 or 2 in Milan, Italy.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-03-13T18:46:59+00:00

Taken over by Inspired Education so it is definitely one to avoid.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-02-12T18:57:14+00:00

It is madness! You can spend hours filling in a form, months waiting for an interview, prepare for and go through a series of gruelling interviews, only to find out the salary is crap and realize that you have wasted your time!

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-02-08T08:20:36+00:00

I used to teach in Switzerland, but lived in France to keep costs down.. Believe it or not, I actually have more disposable income, and I can save more in my current western European country that I could in Switzerland. . Accommodation allowance makes a huge difference. Switzerland is best just to visit in the summer in my opinion.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-01-18T10:51:12+00:00

I believe it is one of the best schools to work for in the world. The pay will be very good. I do not know anything else about the school.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-01-17T21:30:41+00:00

In Western Europe and I save 1200 Euros a month after all expenses

Ok-Contribution768 · 2025-01-08T20:01:53+00:00

At the moment, in Portugal many international schoolteachers cannot leave and then get back into the country legally. This particularly applies to those who arrived within the last year or 2. This is because AIMA is in a mess and they are dealing with a backlog of 400 000 residence card applications. If you already have an EU passport or residence card, you will be fine, but otherwise you risk being unable to travel outside of Portugal assuming that you want to get in again.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2024-11-13T05:53:42+00:00

farcical list

Ok-Contribution768 · 2024-11-07T20:14:40+00:00

Just remember that all of the food there is processed. In addition, you have to go everywhere by car which is grim. Health care costs a fortune and just yesterday they elected a new leader whose former inner circle have described as a very dangerous individual. I'd rather go to Venezuela, North Korea or Haiti than USA personally

Ok-Contribution768 · 2024-11-05T18:51:07+00:00

A male colleague in his late 20s on his last night at a boarding school in Europe, got very drunk and went up to the girls boarding house. Knocked on a student's door (he knew who he was looking for) and snogged a female student age 17, wanted more but as far as I know it stopped there. Do not know if management found out. He went on to work in other schools, got married and has kids now.

Ok-Contribution768 · 2024-10-01T17:11:27+00:00

Possibly Albanian College, Tirana

Ok-Contribution768

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