David Impey — International Education Adviser | School Improvement & Leadership Specialist
Overview
David Impey is an experienced and inspirational international educator and school leader with over 40 years’ experience across South Africa, the UK, the UAE, and India. He is an International Education Adviser and Consultant with Education Speaks and Director of English Training, supporting schools through improvement planning, inspection readiness, and staff development.
Leadership, Improvement & Inspection Readiness
David’s leadership prioritises safeguarding, staff well‑being, high‑quality teaching, and measurable student progress. He embeds inspection readiness in everyday practice through strong professional relationships, trust, and well‑designed structures and systems that support accurate self‑evaluation, targeted improvement planning, and regular review cycles underpinned by robust evidence and data.
Professional Roles and Experience
David’s career includes roles as High School Deputy Principal, Head of International Curriculum, Secondary School Principal, and Whole‑School Principal. He has led teams of over 100 staff and overseen coherent curriculum pathways across Primary, Middle, IGCSE, IB MYP, and IB Diploma programmes. He has supported more than six thousand students across two continents.
Accreditations, Inspections and Outcomes
Over a sixteen‑year period David led and hosted inspections, accreditations, and re‑authorisations with KHDA, CIS, NEASC, and the IB, achieving successful outcomes that reflected sustained improvement. Notable achievements include multiple KHDA inspections and steady school‑rating improvements from developing to very good, with several outstanding features identified.
Approach to School Development
David builds sustainable improvement through accurate self‑evaluation; clear identification of strengths and development areas; targeted improvement planning; and disciplined implementation supported by evidence and data. His work emphasises reflective practice, high expectations, inclusive leadership, and professional development embedded in daily school life rather than treated as short‑term preparation.
What He Offers
Strategic improvement planning; inspection and accreditation readiness; curriculum coherence and development; staff development and leadership transition; systems for evidence‑based self‑evaluation and quality assurance—delivered with a focus on sustainability, inclusion, and measurable impact.
