Tom Ferguson, Head of Dwight School Seoul, on the cultural nuances of leading an IB school in South Korea
“You very quickly have to unlearn a lot of things you think you know.”
Next to join us on Heads & Tales is Tom Ferguson, Head of Dwight School Seoul, the city's first full IB Continuum school. Speaking to Walter Kerr from his office in South Korea, Tom reflects on a career path that has spanned an array of industries and countries. Before moving into education, Tom had dalliances in hospitality, marketing and even IT – all experiences he credits with making him the man and leader he is today. That varied background has led to him approaching his headship with fewer assumptions and a greater willingness to listen, learn and ultimately adapt.
Tom dives into what it really means to lead an international school in the bustling metropolis of Seoul, where academic pressure, parental expectations and cultural nuances around hierarchy and tradition all play a key role. He's candid about the reality check of first arriving, quickly pivoting his methods to suit a new context, despite a wealth of experience working in schools around the world. He emphasises the importance of staying true to the school's values: he is explicit with parents about what Dwight Seoul stands for and the learning environment if offers, and why sometimes that's not right for everyone.
🎙️ Episode highlights
Crossing cultures: how South Korea's cultural expectations around hierarchy and respect have shaped Tom's style of headship.
Learning to slow down: Tom very quickly realised that observation and listening were more valuable than quick wins at the start of his time at Dwight.
Honesty with parents: why being clear about what the school is (and isn't) reduces friction and builds trust with prospective parents.
Showcasing student voice: how Dwight's SPARK programme creates genuine responsibility rather than flash-in-the-plan leadership experiences.
Unlearning leadership habits: why international headship forces you to question practices once taken as gospel.