The Purpose of Education

Simon Sinek’s "Start with Why" is one of the most watched TED Talk of all time. The idea of starting with the end goal in mind resonates deeply in education, whether we are talking about a single lesson or, more broadly, about the overall purpose of education: What do we actually want the students to take away from their learning?

At Nord Anglia, where we have schools across different cultures and communities, the question of “Why?” becomes even more complex. How do we adapt education to make sure it stays relevant for an evolving and interconnected world, shaped by culture, identity, and opportunity? Our students have diverse dreams and ambitions, and it's our job to get them there. This means looking beyond grades and test scores and taking a pragmatic approach to focus on the bigger picture “How are we preparing our students for the world ahead, and are we going about this in the right way?”

As an educator, this isn’t just a theoretical question; it shapes how I teach, how I interact with students, and how I think about education. In doing my Master's program, I valued the opportunity to explore diverse educational perspectives, and this reinforced the idea that education's primary goal is to prepare citizens who will contribute meaningfully to the world they inherit. Regardless of context or era, this goal remains constant, though the means to achieve it may differ.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): A Lens for Education

Across all NAE schools, we embrace the idea that DEIB is a lens, through which we can understand the world and actively contribute to change. This concept is expressed in our vision:

Every one of our schools has leaders dedicated to DEIB and Social Impact, and they collaborate to bring this vision to life. This is not just about giving students knowledge—it’s about fostering empathy and equipping them with the skills to engage with both local and global communities in meaningful ways.

Here’s how we bring these values to life in our classrooms:

• Encouraging curiosity and respect: Students are urged to be open-minded, tolerant, and empathetic toward all individuals.

• Critical thinking within the curriculum: We promote reflection on how and why societal attitudes and beliefs have evolved.
• Global awareness: Our curriculum includes explicit teaching on the Sustainable Development Goals and the Conventions on the Rights of the Child.
• Community engagement: Students actively participate in acts of service within the local community, learning the power of collective action to create social change. Service Saturdays were introduced at BISC South Loop last year as an opportunity for families from the BISC-SL community to come together on a Saturday to support local social impact organizations. At BISC Lincoln Park, parents have organized a number of family service events over the course of the year.

Real-World Examples of Social Impact and DEIB in Action

Chicago, with its rich history of both inequity and social change, offers a unique context for learning about social impact. Our students frequently engage with local organizations that work tirelessly to create change for disadvantaged groups. We invite these organizations into our school to share their stories and highlight the tangible impact they have on local communities. Here are some examples:

• Storytelling with Big Shoulders Stories: In December, our students attended a powerful storytelling event at South Loop's Black Box Theatre. Storytellers from local non-profits shared their journeys of resilience and self-discovery, reflecting on how they helped diverse communities feel seen and valued. This event highlighted the importance of storytelling as a tool for empathy, understanding, and connection—skills essential for social impact.
• Chicago Student Refugee Coalition: Founded by high school students, the CSRC has grown into a powerful organization dedicated to helping young refugees integrate into their new communities. Our students were proud to contribute to their mission, donating toys and games that supported refugee children. This act of giving was part of a broader understanding of how students can engage with global issues on a local scale.
• HHPlift – Empowering Through Skills: This Chicago-based social enterprise helps individuals build economic independence through skill development. On a recent Field Trip, Year 10 students learnt more about how this organization provides vocational training and jobs ‘for people who need them the most’.

• Wembley to Soweto Foundation: At a recent assembly in Lincoln Park, some of our students learnt about the origins and the impact of a UK based organization having an impact on different communities across the Globe and currently working with groups in Chicago. The Foundation works around the world in some of the poorest communities, with young people who feel they don't have a voice, that they don’t matter, that they have fewer opportunities; they have no confidence, and they don't know how to change their circumstances or help others.

Through photography these communities learn how to use the lens of a camera to tell their stories in a unique and impactful way and then share their stories with the world. Telling a story is always a powerful tool for communicating our experience of the world to others; visual images can often convey reality and create connection in ways that words cannot. 

Our students participated actively as they listened to David Westhead, a founding member of this charity, who described how the concept for Wembley to Soweto was born in 2012, during the Soccer World Cup in South Africa. While none of these students had born then, they showed an impressive degree of knowledge about the presence of the Vuvuzuela throughout this competition! And of course, impressed our visitors with their commitment to Social Impact and their understanding of core values, such as empathy and respect, that are fundamental to this work.

Education as a Force for Social Change

Through such experiences, our students not only gain a better understanding of the global issues at play but also develop a deeper sense of their ability to make a difference. Education, when aligned with the global goals of DEIB and Social Impact, becomes more than just the acquisition of knowledge—it becomes a tool for transformation. We are preparing our students to not only succeed in their careers but to actively shape a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.

Get Involved

The work doesn’t stop here! Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, there are countless ways to contribute. Get involved in local initiatives, start conversations about DEIB, and look for opportunities to make a difference in your own community. Education is a powerful tool for change—let’s use it to create a better future together.

Some options for getting involved include:

• Join the LP Park Clean up on April 27 – look out for more details shortly!
• Service Saturdays have been very well attended and in fact, the final event of the year, at the Greater Chicago Food Depositary is now fully booked – but look out for more opportunities next year!
• Be part of the selection committee for Chicago Scholars, interviewing applicants for the new Scholar class of 2030. With interview dates throughout April, you can sign up here.

Judith Scholes, Director of Inclusion & DEIB

British International School of Chicago, Lincoln Park & South Loop Campuses