My career to date stems from my interest in student engagement and the opportunity to see a student take a path that wasn’t previously available to them on the basis of their studies, and flourish. As a teen, I used to work part-time with my mum in student recruitment, and I think the experience really shaped how I view higher education. I still remember meeting international students who had come to Ireland in the 1990s to study education here and at the time hearing of the impact it had on them, their perspectives and their careers. Ireland was quite monocultural back then, and it was fascinating to meet these students. Learning how students from Africa and South America experienced Ireland and then navigated college life had a profound impact on me and the value of education to change their direction in life. Navigating the Scale of Global Campuses My current role with UCD is exciting and no two days are ever the same. I am very lucky to have a highly experienced team to support UCD’s activities and ensure students have a very good experience regardless of where they study with us. The time difference between Ireland and Asia can sometimes be challenging if a student's needs are time-sensitive.
Food services
Running an effective school meal service requires solving challenges around nutrition, sustainability, logistics, and staffing. The Lunch Bag has emerged as an innovative response to these pressures. Founded by Ray Nangle and Ger Killian, the company has transformed how children across Ireland access nutritious food. When Ireland began exploring hot school meals, The Lunch Bag identified the limitations of existing approaches. Instead of adapting an unsuitable system, the company developed a central production approach that prepares meals efficiently and delivers them to schools for regeneration. “We wanted to change a culture,” Killian explains, highlighting the company’s wider ambition beyond simply providing food. The Lunch Bag built an ecosystem focused on educated eating, where children, families, and schools are connected through technology, nutrition, and community engagement. Technology Driving Personalised Nutrition The company operates from a 75,000 sq ft facility in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, sourcing quality ingredients, with a focus on Irish suppliers. Its bespoke multilingual app allows families to choose from daily meal options while managing dietary requirements. Allergen information is integrated into the ordering process, ensuring unsuitable choices are automatically removed. The data-driven ordering system supports sustainability by improving stock accuracy and reducing food waste. The Lunch Bag balances efficiency with environmental responsibility. Nutritional information and detailed breakdowns are available to parents and children on the app and the website. Meals are designed to be low in salt, sugar, and fat, while familiar favourites are reformulated with healthier ingredients. Children receive detailed nutritional information through the app. The company also developed the Poe Project, an online educational resource that helps children understand what goes into their meals.
CO-ED Independent Prep School
No two children think, feel or learn in the same way. More parents want schools that recognise this, spark curiosity, honour individuality and help every child grow into confident, capable and compassionate learners . That’s precisely what families find at Prospect House School, a leading co-educational prep school in southwest London for children aged 3 to 11. Across beautiful sites beside Putney Heath, the school combines the warmth and personal attention of a village community with the ambition and breadth of a top-tier institution. It follows a curiosity-led curriculum enriched by vibrant arts, varied sports and a strong focus on emotional intelligence and pupil agency. Learning is designed to be joyful yet academically rigorous, with every pathway tailored specifically and genuinely to the child’s strengths, needs and interests. This inclusive ethos welcomes all pupils, providing tailored support that feels natural. Proudly co-educational, the school maintains a genuine 50:50 gender balance, fostering collaboration, respect and equitable development from the earliest years. “Admissions are non-selective with no early testing or filtering. Testing four-year-olds for school entry is like trying to rank acorns before they’ve even had a chance to grow into trees! Children join with enthusiasm and potential, then flourish from day one in small classes around eighteen with a six-toone student-to-teacher ratio, in our individualised learning pathways,” says Kelly Gray, head teacher.
Student Accommodation Services
Finding student housing should be hassle-free. Many students, especially those coming from outside the European Union, face difficulties in finding comfortable accommodations across Europe. For instance, in major university cities, skyrocketing rents and subpar living conditions leave students scrambling for a place to call home. SHED Living is changing this narrative, offering modern, affordable community-focused spaces where students can live, learn and thrive. In this interview with Education Insider Europe, Eglė Garnienė, SHED Living group general manager for the Baltics (I Asset Management), provides insights into SHED’s expertise in student accommodation. She emphasises how stylish co-working spaces enable students and young professionals to balance their responsibilities and comfort needs. With student housing being a problem across Europe, how Is SHED providing a suitable alternative and alleviating the situation? Finding quality, affordable student housing in Europe is increasingly difficult, particularly in major university cities where demand far exceeds supply. Over 50 percent of students struggle to secure accommodations that balance comfort, convenience and cost, with cities like London, Berlin and Warsaw facing critical shortages. In Central and Eastern Europe, students often have limited options—outdated dormitories, overcrowded flats or expensive private rentals that fail to meet their needs. Our mission at SHED is to address this challenge through purpose-built student housing via our Student Housing Funds. We have launched high-quality, student-focused accommodations in Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, with plans for expansion across the CEE region. More than just a place to sleep, our properties foster supportive communities where students thrive academically and personally. With flexible lease terms, modern, fully-equipped rooms and dedicated study areas, we offer an exceptional living experience at an affordable price. Expanding our portfolio, we aim to alleviate the student housing crisis and provide a much-needed alternative to traditional options. Our vision is to build safe, thriving communities where students can live, learn and grow—free from the stress of inadequate housing. How does SHED create a supportive, community-driven living experience for students? What makes SHED unique in the student housing space? Under SHED, we provide safe, engaging environments where students can focus on their studies while enjoying a balanced life. Operating high-quality, purpose-built accommodations in Vilnius, Riga and Krakow, we are expanding this year with two new locations in Warsaw to meet the rising demand for student housing in these regions.
Top 10 Head of School in Europe - 2026
Hugo Liz de Castro is a seasoned education leader with experience spanning teaching, school leadership and institutional development. With a belief that leadership is ultimately an act of stewardship, he focuses on building strong school communities through accountability, transparency and people development while maintaining a student-centred approach to leadership. The True Purpose of Leadership I began my career as a primary and physical education teacher in Portugal in the year 2000. Working across Europe, Asia and Latin America reinforced my belief that education has the power to transform lives, communities and futures. It also taught me that while the cultures in each place might be different, all schools share the same purpose of helping young people thrive and creating opportunities that last a lifetime. Leadership is a temporary responsibility entrusted to us for a season. Schools existed before we arrived and will continue long after we leave. Our role is not to build a personal legacy but to strengthen the institution for future generations of students, staff and the community. Leadership is temporary, but its impact endures.
British Educational Services
Innovation with Purpose in Academia
Irene Talavera Fabra, Director of Academic Model and Digital Transformation, Universidad Europea
Education Services
Nourishing the Future with Innovation, Sustainability and Leadership
Kaci Kelly, Director of Child Nutrition, Ocean Springs School District
Admission Consulting
The Power of Nutrition: Are we Doing Enough?
Karrah Cullers, Director of Nutrition and Wellness, Acero Schools
Business and Management Schools
The Difference between Using Technology And Trusting It
Luke Harris, Director of Digital Strategy, Bloxham School
Business and Management Schools
Empowering Students to Lead: A New Vision for Civic Learning
Rashid Duroseau, Senior Director of Civic Learning, Democracy Prep Public Schools
IN MY OPINION
Catholic Schools
AI and the Human Future of Education
Jonnie Noakes, Director, Tony Little Centre for Innovation and Research in Learning (CIRL), Eton College
LAST WORD
Preparatory Schools
Stability, Simplicity, Strategy: A School IT Playbook
Raphael Dechief, IT Manager | Head of Technology Operations, International School of Brussels
IN FOCUS
Connecting European Minds: Digital Innovations in Mindfulness Education
Digital tools are transforming mindfulness education across Europe by improving accessibility, personalisation and practice consistency while preserving human guidance and learner wellbeing.
Digital English Learning Platforms Reshaping Europe's Education Landscape
Digital English learning platforms improve accessibility, personalise lessons and strengthen language skills, helping European learners pursue academic, professional and lifelong learning opportunities.
EDITORIAL
Advancing Education through Leadership and Wellbeing
Featured in this edition, Hugo Liz de Castro, Head of School at Newton College, has been recognised among the Top 10 Head of School in Europe 2026 for his commitment to institutional development, transparency and student-centred leadership. Drawing on international experience, he views leadership as stewardship, emphasising staff development, community trust and values that extend beyond academic results. His approach highlights the importance of preparing students to become responsible, confident and compassionate individuals.
Recognised as the Top School Meals Provider in Europe 2026, The Lunch Bag combines nutrition, technology and efficient delivery to improve school dining. Founded by Ray Nangle and Ger Killian, the Irish company serves more than 200,000 children daily through its centralised production model and digital ordering platform. Its focus on allergen management, healthier recipes and food education demonstrates how school meals can support student wellbeing while reducing food waste and simplifying delivery for schools.
Contributor Luke Harris, Head of Computing & Digital Strategy at Bloxham School, highlights the human factors behind successful digital transformation. His perspective emphasises confidence, organisational culture and purposeful technology adoption, reinforcing that digital tools should address genuine educational needs and improve teaching and learning.
Karrah Cullers, Director of Nutrition and Wellness at Acero Schools, explores the importance of nutrition education in communities facing limited access to fresh, affordable food. Through ingredient-focused learning and the Window to the World cooking club, she encourages students to discover diverse cuisines and develop healthier eating habits.
Together, these points to the fact that educational excellence goes well beyond the classroom. Good leadership, sensible use of technology and good nutrition are all factors which can help to create the kind of environment in which students can learn, develop and be ready for the future.
