Transforming leadership development through technology-enabled equity, diversity and inclusion with Education in Motion
About
Accelerate is a leadership programme designed to challenge, connect and foster personal and professional growth for middle leaders across Education in Motion’s global network of 15 international and bilingual schools. Established in 2018, the programme was at risk of cancellation without significant adaptation and innovation due to changing budgets and the need for greater inclusivity.
Education in Motion’s leadership development programme has revolutionised the way the organisation drives pedagogical excellence and equips middle leaders with the skills, mindset and experience to support 11,500 international students to ‘Live Worldwise’. Find out how they redesigned a much-loved programme to further drive their high-performance culture, inspire leadership excellence, and transcend cultural differences. Spoiler alert: key to their success was the combination of a new and innovative use of technology alongside a pioneering facilitation model which they framed as ‘technology-enabled equity, diversity and inclusion’ (EDI).
Education in Motion (EiM) are a group of 15 international and bilingual schools (including 2 in the UK, and 9 in China) with 3,000 teachers and support staff. Their strategic vision is to create world-leading schools that enable students to make a positive difference. In 2018, they created a custom learning journey for English-speaking middle leaders to help them achieve this vision, and in 2021 a second programme was introduced, delivered in Mandarin for Chinese-speaking staff. These programmes won a Brandon Hall Group silver award in 2021. But business drivers came that demanded change:
- Cost efficiency: The two programmes served 2% of the workforce but used a significant percentage of the professional learning budget.
- Retention: Staff turnover is a persistent challenge for international schools. Retaining talent is crucial to support continuity, deepen institutional knowledge and ensure high-quality educational standards. Although EiM’s turnover was lower than sector average they wanted measurable improvements.
- Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Ensuring equal access to professional learning for both English and Mandarin speakers was critical.
EiM and Impact began by finding a way for English- and Chinese-speaking participants to experience one programme. Ensuring equal access to professional learning opportunities is a fundamental aspect of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and we researched and invested in adaptive digital platforms and transformed our delivery methods. We framed this as ‘technology-enabled EDI’.
Accelerate is now a nine-month, multi-modular, blended leadership programme. It is EDI accessible and uses a learner-centred, experiential approach anchored to business needs. Core design principles include cross-cultural cohorts, dual-language resources, collaborative development groups, and a modular structure for skill-building and reflection. The programme includes a rigorous orientation, live and self-led learning modules, ongoing reflection, and a post-programme application phase. Senior leaders (many ex-participants) co-facilitate and coach, benefiting both facilitators and participants.
The programme goes beyond training, focusing on growing mindsets, skillsets, and knowledge. It pushes boundaries by incorporating an approach to leadership development most associated with the business world, alongside EiM’s internal pedagogical expertise.
Innovative elements:
- Hybrid delivery model blending virtual and in-person experiences.
- Leadership projects tackling live challenges within each participant’s school.
- Using technology to support equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), providing all staff with equal access to development opportunities, regardless of language.
- Experiential activities, leadership action theory, immersive challenges, and development centres for authentic skill-building and reflection.
Accelerate has delivered on desired outcomes and business needs. ROI and success are formally measured and are evidenced by strong quantitative and qualitative data:
- Cost efficiency: Merging programmes has resulted in a six-figure saving, reallocating resources to wider professional development.
- Retention: Accelerate participant retention rate is 133% better than sector average.
The programme has inspired cultural change and business projects have driven real change in schools. With a Net Promoter Score of 8.7, the demand to participate in the programme has surged among both participants and facilitators. The programme’s inclusive, technology-driven approach now informs other learning initiatives across EiM.
Award winning
In 2025, Brandon Hall Group awarded Accelerate silver in the best unique or innovative leadership development category.
Vivienne Robinson, Head of Professional Learning at Education in Motion had this to say: “What Impact bring to the table is the human element. They take the time to understand our needs and continue to refine the programme to ensure its ongoing relevance and impact. This commitment to quality and collaboration is reflected in the external recognition the programme has received through excellence awards.”
Find out more about our approach to including technology in learning