Why Every International School Needs a Continuity Plan

In an increasingly unpredictable world, the need for operational resilience has never been more evident, just ask the passengers recently stranded at Heathrow Airport, where a sudden power outage led to cancelled flights, chaos at check-in counters, and plenty of unplanned sightseeing in Terminal 5. While a school may not handle international departures, the consequences of operational disruption can be just as far-reaching for students, staff, and parents.

From political instability and natural disasters to cyber threats and health emergencies, the potential for crises to interrupt the educational environment is significant. For international schools, which often operate in complex regulatory and cultural contexts, the margin for error is even narrower. In this article our Senior Consultant Hans-Peter Naef argues that School Continuity Plan (SCP) is no longer a luxury, it is an essential strategic framework that schools must adopt to protect their communities, maintain stability, and preserve their hard-earned reputations.

The Case for School Continuity Planning

The value of an SCP lies in its holistic approach to risk management, operational resilience, and stakeholder reassurance. It ensures that learning can continue, albeit through alternative means, when in-person classes are disrupted. This might be due to a sudden pandemic resurgence, civil unrest, or infrastructure failure. A sound SCP outlines procedures for transitioning to online learning platforms, managing staff and student safety, protecting digital assets, and maintaining financial solvency.

Parents, regulatory bodies, and accrediting organizations increasingly expect international schools to be proactive rather than reactive. An SCP helps schools meet these expectations by demonstrating a commitment to safety, continuity, and excellence.

Key Components of a School Continuity Plan

A successful SCP comprises multiple interlocking elements, each addressing a specific area of risk or operation:

1. Risk Assessment & Mitigation A risk assessment identifies the full spectrum of possible disruptions, including geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, pandemics, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Mitigation strategies are then developed, for example, implementing robust cybersecurity protocols or establishing health response procedures.

2. Crisis Response Plan This component includes a well-defined communication strategy for emergencies, a clear chain of command, and detailed safety and evacuation protocols. The goal is to ensure that all staff, students, and parents know what to expect and how to respond in various crisis scenarios.

3. Academic Continuity To ensure uninterrupted learning, the SCP must outline digital learning platforms (e.g., Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams), strategies for remote instruction, and training programs for teachers. This component is critical to sustaining educational delivery when physical classrooms are inaccessible.

4. IT & Data Security Given the rising incidence of cyberattacks, schools must have protective measures in place to secure sensitive student and staff data. Regular backups, secure cloud-based systems, and staff training in cybersecurity best practices form the foundation of digital resilience.

5. Financial Contingency Planning Disruptions can jeopardize tuition revenue, especially if families are financially affected or question the school’s ability to deliver services. A continuity plan should include tuition flexibility, emergency budgeting, and diversification of revenue through grants or partnerships.

6. Ongoing Testing and Updating A static plan is a vulnerable plan. Schools must regularly test their SCP through drills and simulations and revise the document annually to reflect new risks, technologies, or lessons learned from previous incidents.

Building a Continuity Plan: The Five-Phase Process

Sage Consultancy recommends a structured five-phase approach for implementing an SCP. This model ensures clarity, ownership, and practical relevance to the school’s specific context.

Phase 1: Establish Governance and Leadership The process begins with the formation of a School Continuity Committee (SCC), consisting of senior leaders, IT and security personnel, finance and HR heads, and a designated SCP Coordinator. This committee defines the plan’s objectives and scope and clarifies which types of disruptions the school is preparing for.

Phase 2: Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis (BIA) A detailed risk assessment identifies vulnerabilities across operations—from student safety and IT infrastructure to legal compliance. The BIA complements this by determining how long key functions can be disrupted before significant harm occurs and identifies which dependencies must be restored quickly.

Phase 3: Strategy Development This includes preparing emergency responses for different scenarios, such as evacuation for natural disasters or lockdown protocols for security threats. Schools must also design remote learning infrastructure, secure alternate campuses if necessary, and identify backup suppliers for critical materials and services.

Phase 4: Communication and Training A SCP is only effective if all stakeholders are aware and prepared. Communication plans must include emergency contact systems and media protocols. Training sessions and drills should be conducted regularly for staff, students, and even parents, ensuring they are familiar with procedures and expectations.

Phase 5: Testing and Continuous Improvement The final phase emphasizes regular testing, quarterly drills, IT stress tests, and tabletop exercises, alongside structured reviews to keep the plan relevant. Updates should be informed by real-world experiences, stakeholder feedback, and shifts in the external environment.

The SCP as a Strategic Asset

An effective School Continuity Plan is not just a set of emergency procedures; it is a strategic asset. It reassures parents and staff of the school’s reliability, supports compliance with international accreditation standards, and underpins long-term financial resilience. Moreover, it fosters a culture of preparedness, agility, and confidence across the school community.

At Sage Consultancy, we believe that every international school, regardless of size or location, can benefit from a tailored SCP. We support schools through each phase of the planning and implementation process, ensuring the final plan is comprehensive, actionable, and embedded into the school’s operational fabric.

As global uncertainties persist, a School Continuity Plan is no longer optional, it is a cornerstone of responsible school leadership.