When James Barrett first joined OneSchool Global in February 2020, he didn’t quite know what to expect. Finding his role through LinkedIn, he visited a legacy OSG campus for an interview – and was instantly struck by how different it felt from every other school he had worked in.
“There were no classrooms. It was a true Learning Centre, with breakout spaces and environments designed for independence,” he recalls. “I knew straight away it was something different – and I wanted to be part of it.”
James joined as a Primary Lead Teacher, and just weeks later, the pandemic turned everything upside down. Expecting bad news during a meeting, he instead learned that OSG wanted him to step up. With the retirement of a colleague, he was asked to lead not one, but two campuses. From there, 
opportunities came quickly. He became UK Head of Primary Mathematics, then stepped into an Assistant Director of Studies role covering primary across the UK.
Later, when he and his wife sought international experience, James moved to Guangzhou, China, to lead primary education at an international college. But OSG was never far from his thoughts. While reaching out for a reference, James discovered a new role had opened in Europe — one that matched his skills and ambitions perfectly. After moving through the interview process, he was back at OSG.
Today, James supports 11 campuses across Europe, working across seven languages and curriculums. The challenges are big, but the rewards are bigger. “It’s fast-paced but packed with so many opportunities. The professional development is amazing, the students are brilliant, and the culture is supportive and welcoming,” he says.
For James, returning to OSG was like coming home: “The people are incredible, the community is inspiring, and it’s been fantastic meeting new colleagues while reconnecting with familiar faces.”
His advice to anyone thinking of joining: “Do it. Just do it.”
To learn more about our career opportunities, visit: https://www.oneschoolglobal.com/work-with-us/
06 October 2025
When James Barrett first joined OneSchool Global in February 2020, he didn’t quite know what to expect. Finding his role through LinkedIn, he visited a legacy OSG campus for an interview - and was instantly struck by how different it felt from every other school he had worked in.
01 October 2025
OneSchool Global’s Rachel Beyer was recently featured in Tes Magzine, where she shared how OSG structures and delivers continuing professional development (CPD) for educators.
25 September 2025
We officially opened our brand-new Northwich campus, welcoming students and staff for the first time on Friday, 5 September. The site, formerly home to a Barclays call centre, has been transformed into a vibrant, technology-enabled, modern learning environment designed to support our innovative approach to teaching and learning.