Admission done well: success for everyone

Claudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support, International School of London
Julia Love, Director of Admissions, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
In conversation with Fiona Murchie

For many parents, corporate HR global mobility teams and relocation professionals the admissions process for a prospective relocating family can seem intimidating and complicated. We discuss with our expert panel, how the best schools that really understand the needs of relocating families, ensure a positive experience for everyone.

In a lively and informative discussion you will learn:

How admissions teams understand and listen to the needs and wellbeing of international families today

Explore the admissions process with key timelines and what parents need to provide

What the best schools do well to support the transition of students, families and their own staff

How admissions departments can support corporate companies with their strategic planning to successfully relocate individual and groups of families to a new region

About the International School of London (ISL)

Founded in 1972, The International School of London is a co-educational school for students age 3-18. An International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, ISL London offers the Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years Programmes (MYP) as well as the IB Diploma.

About the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)

Established in 1965, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) has become known as a centre of excellence in the world of international education. ISKL is a co-educational, private, not-for-profit school responsible for the learning journey of over 1,500 students aged 3-18 years from more than 65 countries, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

ISKL offers a robust international curriculum that combines leading North American educational frameworks with global best practice. The curriculum recognizes that students are on a lifelong learning journey and is driven by ISKL’s mission to challenge each student to ‘Be All You Are’ and develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge, and understanding to become a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.

ISKL offers a range of high-quality, transdisciplinary pathways that enable every learner to choose the curriculum best suited to their abilities, interests, and aspirations. In 2020-2021 two new innovative High School options, PRAXIS 2030 (Grade 9 and 10) and the Pursuits Program (Grade 11 and 12) were added to the curriculum. Both focus on enhancing student agency and self-directed learning.

In Grade 11, students can choose to undertake the full two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), or combine individual IB, Advanced Placement (AP), and High School Diploma courses via the ISKL Pursuits Program to create a customized program that meets the specific individual needs of each student.

As the longest-running World IB School in Malaysia, ISKL has seen more than 1,500 students graduate with an IB Diploma over the past 30 years, representing a ninety-seven percent pass rate. This flexibility creates further education opportunities with ISKL students receiving acceptances from leading universities worldwide.

ISKL is accredited internationally through the Council of International Schools (CIS), and in the United States through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ISKL has a strong focus on service and sustainability across its divisions and is a member of the Eco-Schools organization and the Green Schools Alliance.

Speaker Biographies

Claudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support, International School of London

Claudia Hakim

Claudine is currently the Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support at the International School of London. She was the founding Head of Secondary at ISL Surrey and leader of the award-winning Crossroads Transitions programme. Claudine leads the Student Support department and is passionate about fostering well-balanced and inclusive international communities.

Claudine holds a Masters degree from the University College of London, Institute of Education in Educational Leadership and Management and a BA in Psychology and Counselling from Richmond International University.

She is Vice-Chair, Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN).

Julia Love, Director of Admissions, International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), Malaysia

Julia Love, Director of Admissions, The International School of Kuala Lumpur

Julia Love is currently the Director of Admissions at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Before joining ISKL in July 2012, Julia worked in private school admissions in both the USA and the UK.

With over 20 years’ experience in Boarding, Primary, Secondary and International schools, Julia is passionate about and committed to ensuring that school placement meets the requirements of every child.

Additionally, having spent a good portion of her childhood overseas attending British, German and International schools, Julia understands first-hand the complex transitional needs of children during international relocation.

She has participated in numerous international conferences, having presented and led training sessions on topics relating to school placement and the educational needs of Third Culture Kids (TCK) in Global Transition.

Host: Fiona Murchie, Managing Editor and Founder, Relocate & Relocate Global

Fiona Murchie, Managing Editor, Relocate Magazine and Relocate Global

Fiona Murchie, has over 25 years’ experience in management and HR publishing and global mobility. From this unique perspective, she combines understanding of the HR and global mobility market with knowledge of business drivers and an appreciation of management thinking and the wider influences on company and regional growth brought about by changing global markets, demographics, economics and geo-political factors.

She launched Relocate magazine in 2004, to promote creativity and best practice in mobility, explore new topics, and stimulate debate on relocation-related subjects. Relocate Global has become the leading multimedia for international managers, HR, global mobility and relocation professionals, with a growing international reputation for thought leadership, innovation and people support.