Dear all,

We are delighted to announce that The British School in Tokyo will be hosting a Middle Leader JAWs on Friday 16th– Saturday 17th January 2026.

For those unfamiliar, a JAWs (Job-Alike Workshop) is a professional learning event that brings together teachers and leaders from across FOBISIA, JCIS, KPASS and IBAJ schools to share best practices, exchange ideas, and collaborate on common challenges. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues in similar roles, gain fresh perspectives, and celebrate the collective expertise within our region. This is open to Primary (Elementary) and Secondary (Middle/High School).  

This year’s theme is: “Purpose, People and Progress: The Real Work of a Middle Leader.”

This two-day event invites both current and aspiring middle leaders to step back, reconnect, and reflect on how to:

  • Lead with authenticity and clarity of purpose
  • Build and sustain high-trust, high-performing teams
  • Align leadership practice with school vision and values
  • Drive meaningful impact in teaching, learning, and wellbeing

The event will feature a mix of practical workshops, roundtable discussions, and provocations from peers—designed to leave participants inspired, reconnected, and equipped to lead with confidence.

We warmly invite colleagues from across the region to attend, and we also welcome those interested in presenting or facilitating a session during the JAWs.

Please find attached the event poster, which includes the sign-up link to register your interest in attending or presenting and also an outline of the event schedule.   Full details of the suggested themes and session formats are included in the poster links for those interested in presenting. We kindly ask that registrations are completed by 30th November at 3pm (JST).

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at omurtaza@bst.ac.jp . We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the region to BST for what promises to be an inspiring and energising event.

Best wishes,

Omar Murtaza

Deputy Head of Secondary at The British School in Tokyo