Leading Without Limits: The High Performance Learning Annual Conference

At ISN, we are proud to be part of a global community of forward-thinking schools, committed to embedding excellence in every classroom. Our recent attendance at the 7th High Performance Learning (HPL) Annual Conference, titled “Leading Without Limits” and held at De Vere Tortworth Court in the UK, was a milestone in our journey as the only HPL World Class School in France.

Representing ISN on the Global Stage

We are proud that two of our educators, Meghan Honeysett (Grade 5 Teacher, STEAM Coordinator and HPL Lead) and Grissell Medina (Kindergarten Teacher), represented the International School of Nice as workshop leaders at the conference. Their workshop, “Parents as Partners: Unlocking the Power of the Parent Community,” opened an important international dialogue on how schools can inspire parent agency with the same intentionality as student agency.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Medina shared:

"Attending the conference in Bristol was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with educators from around the world and reflect on how we can further embed the HPL mindset within our community. It reinforced the importance of equipping learners with the dispositions needed for success—such as empathy and perseverance—alongside vital skills like metacognition and critical thinking."

What it Means to be "World Class"

For ISN, being a World Class school is about ensuring every student has the tools to thrive. Ms. Honeysett noted that the conference served as an inspiring reminder of our core mission:

"We discussed how we can 'grow' high performance rather than just waiting for it to happen. By focusing on student agency—giving our students a voice in their own journey—we ensure that our IB inquiry-led approach truly puts your children at the heart of everything we do."

The HPL Vision: 10 Years of Innovation

The conference featured a keynote lecture by Deborah Eyre, the founder of HPL, marking the organization’s 10th anniversary. Her message reinforced that HPL is a holistic evidence-based framework built on the belief that all students can achieve highly, given the right teaching, mindset, and support. By harmonizing Advanced Cognitive Performance Characteristics (ACPs) with Values, Attitudes, and Attributes (VAAs), we develop confident, reflective, and independent learners who are prepared to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world.

Breaking Barriers and Cultivating Agency

The dialogue continued with Melanie Saunders (Chief Education Advisor at High Performance Learning), who celebrated the transformative power of language and student agency. At ISN, HPL is deeply embedded in our daily practice, shaping how we design learning and foster thinking skills. Saunders noted that the goal is to "remove the barrier rather than lowering the bar," ensuring every student is supported and challenged to explore their potential.

Resilience and Throwing Curveballs

Renowned cognitive scientist Guy Claxton challenged us to rethink how we support student independence. He argued that resilience is built when we allow students to "struggle" within a supportive framework. By treating students as co-creators in their learning and throwing them "curveballs," we methodically develop a genuine love for learning and character development that permeates the entire curriculum.

Parents as Partners

A highlight of the conference was the privilege of hosting our own workshop: "Unlocking the Power of the Parent Community." At ISN, we believe that moving beyond simple communication toward true partnership is essential for student success.

During the workshop, we explored:

• The evolving role of parents in supporting wellbeing and academic growth.
• What meaningful participation looks like in practice.
• Strategies to amplify "family voice" and strengthen school culture.

We used this platform to celebrate our own wonderful parent community. Your engagement, support, and active involvement are what allow us to cultivate a connected, inclusive, and thriving school environment.

Embracing the Challenge

The theme of the conference reminded us that while "familiar is comfortable," growth happens when we challenge ourselves. As we continue our HPL journey, we remain dedicated to pushing boundaries, fostering resilience, and ensuring that every ISN student has the tools to lead without limits.