Can a Non-Selective School Deliver the IB? How ISH Supports Every Learner
Can a Non-Selective School Deliver the IB? How the International School of Hamburg Supports Every Learner
What if academic rigor didn’t depend on who a school admits—but on how well it supports every student once they arrive?
What if academic rigor didn’t depend on who a school admits—but on how well it supports every student once they arrive?
In this episode of Kids Gone Global, Sarah Reich speaks with Catherine McNaughton, Head of Student Support Services at the International School of Hamburg, about how a non-selective IB World School helps a wide range of learners succeed. They explore early intervention, executive functioning, student wellbeing, and why strong support systems, not selective admissions, may be the key to maintaining academic rigor in today’s schools.
Creators and Guests
Host
Sarah Reich
Sarah Reich, your host, serves as the Director of Community Relations at the International School of Hamburg. With a career in European government relations and public affairs, Sarah has worked within EU institutions, the consular corps, and leading international companies. Her academic and professional interests have always centred on governance and citizenship, making the mission of the International School of Hamburg—to prepare students as tomorrow’s global citizens—a perfect fit. In 2022, upon joining the International School of Hamburg, Sarah launched the Kids Gone Global podcast. This initiative aims to provide a platform for sharing the insights of experts and students in the dynamic field of international education. Through the podcast, she engages parents and the broader community in discussions about modern educational approaches and how international schools are addressing contemporary challenges in learning and growing up in a global environment.
Guest
Catherine McNaughton
Catherine McNaughton is Head of Student Support Services at the International School of Hamburg (ISH), where she leads a comprehensive, school-wide approach to inclusive and preventative student support. Her work focuses on helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through early intervention, strong executive functioning skills, and integrated wellbeing support. Originally from Ireland and later educated in the United States, Catherine began her career in special education before moving into educational psychology. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from Capella University. At ISH, a private, non-selective international school, Catherine has helped develop a tiered system of support designed to identify learning needs early and provide targeted intervention while maintaining academic rigour. Her work emphasizes the importance of preventative support, collaboration between educators and families, and the development of executive functioning skills that enable students to succeed in demanding programmes such as the International Baccalaureate. Through her leadership, ISH continues to demonstrate that inclusion and high academic expectations can coexist, ensuring that students with diverse learning profiles have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
