Meet the Executive Head: Daniel Crabtree, Geneva English School

As Daniel Crabtree takes on the role of Executive Head at Geneva English School (GES), he brings together a commitment to academic excellence and a belief in the importance of knowing every child as an individual. We spoke to him about his journey into education, guiding students from their first days at school through to university, supporting families through transitions and his ambitions for GES’s next chapter.

Congratulations on your appointment. What inspired you to take on the role of Executive Head at GES?

Exactly what brought me here five years ago: a school that combines academic excellence with a caring, supportive international community.

That commitment runs throughout the school, from our Early Years Foundation Stage to our A-level programme. One of the great joys of working at GES is meeting children and their families when they join us at the age of three, then watching those students progress through the school and prepare for university.

With GES now part of Inspired Education Group, we have the stability, resources and investment to build on these strengths and take the school forward. It’s an exciting time for GES.

Your career has included teaching, pastoral leadership and preparing students for competitive university courses. How have those experiences shaped your approach to school
leadership?

I followed the A-level pathway myself, studying five A Levels before going on to read Biological Sciences at Oxford University. I also studied the history and philosophy of science, which allowed me to explore interests beyond science alone.

After graduating, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in education. I began teaching A Levels at a sixth-form college before moving into school leadership in the UK, where my focus was on providing an excellent academic education and helping every student achieve their potential.

I then had the opportunity to join GES and establish its A-level programme, working with students, families and colleagues to develop the school’s academic ambitions. That experience has led me to my current role, where I bring the same commitment to academic excellence and individual student success to the leadership of the school as a whole.

GES offers an English educational pathway from preschool through to A Levels. What are the benefits of that continuity?

One of our great strengths is that we welcome children from the age of three and can support them throughout their educational journey, right through to university preparation.

In the early years, social learning is central to our approach, with children learning in a bilingual environment that combines English with a strong Frenchspeaking element. As they progress, our phonics programme provides a foundation for reading, writing and language development.

Our primary curriculum offers a broad education, combining core subjects with humanities, technology and the arts. Students then move into Key Stage 3, where we continue to follow the English National Curriculum while bringing an international perspective to subjects such as history, geography and languages.

These years provide a foundation for GCSEs and, subsequently, A Levels. Throughout this journey, we develop a deeper understanding of each student’s strengths, interests and aspirations, allowing us to provide the right support and challenge as they grow.

For families more familiar with the IB Diploma, what should they understand about the A Level pathway?

A Levels allow students to choose a combination of subjects that reflects their strengths, interests and ambitions for university.

We start by looking at where each student hopes to go next, considering their intended degree course and the entry requirements of universities in different countries. From there, we help them select the subjects that will support their plans.

For example, a student interested in medicine might choose biology, chemistry and mathematics, while someone considering law might focus on English, history and French.

Students can specialise in a smaller number of subjects or, where appropriate, take up to five A Levels. This flexibility allows us to tailor each programme to the individual, helping students build on their strengths while keeping their future ambitions in mind.

“Taking the time to get to know each student helps us understand their individual needs, recognise their strengths and support them in fulfilling their potential.”

You have emphasised that every child and family is known individually. What difference does that make to the
learning experience?

I think this is one of the first things parents would identify as special about GES. Our teachers and school leaders know every child and family personally. Nobody is a stranger.

Our primary classes typically have around 14 or 15 students, giving teachers the opportunity to understand each child’s starting point and provide the right balance of support and challenge.

As an international school, we welcome children from a wide range of backgrounds and educational experiences. Taking the time to get to know each student helps us understand their individual needs, recognise their strengths and support them in fulfilling their potential.

That personal approach extends to families, too. Our teachers and leadership team are accessible to parents, whether they have a question, need advice or simply want to discuss how their child is getting on. We understand that choosing a school is one of the most important decisions parents make, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Moving schools can be a significant transition, particularly for families arriving from abroad or moving from the Swiss system. How does GES support students through that process?

The key is careful preparation and close communication between our teachers, pastoral team and families.

For students moving from primary to secondary school, one of the biggest changes is the shift from having one main class teacher to working with several subject specialists. Close collaboration between our primary and secondary teachers helps us support children through this transition.

For those joining us from other schools, including local Swiss schools, the process begins with the family’s first enquiry. We invite them to visit, offer taster days and introduce students to their future classmates and the English curriculum, helping them become familiar with their new environment before they start.

We don’t rush this process. The first month is particularly important, and our admissions team, transition team, Head of Secondary and I stay in close contact with families to make sure each child is settling in well.

Our priority is that children feel happy, comfortable and supported. Once they have that sense of security and belonging, they can focus on their learning and begin to thrive.

GES has recently joined Inspired Education Group. What opportunities does this create for the school?

GES and Inspired Education Group share a strong commitment to academic excellence and high aspirations for every student. Joining the group gives us access to greater resources, infrastructure and investment, providing a strong foundation for the school’s future development.

It also opens valuable opportunities for our teachers to connect with colleagues across an international network of schools, exchange ideas and learn from educators working with different curricula and approaches.

For our students and families, this means we can continue to develop and enrich the educational experience at GES while preserving what makes our school special: the individual attention, close relationships and supportive community that are central to who we are.

Finally, what would you most like families considering GES to take away from this conversation?

First, that every child and every family is known by name. That personal connection Is fundamental to who we are.

Second, that we have high academic aspirations for every student. We work hard to ensure that each child makes progress, builds on their strengths and achieves their potential.

And finally, that GES is a happy place to learn, where children feel supported and enjoy coming to school.

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions parents make, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Above all, we want families to look back on their decision to join GES and feel that it was a positive and rewarding choice for their child.