The LifelongLearning Award: a milestone achievement recognizing innovation in sustainable staff development for international schools in China
PeerSphere was honored with the prestigious Lifelong Learning Award at the recent China School Awards ceremony held in Beijing, and this significant recognition celebrates PeerSphere’s innovative approach to sustainable staff development in international schools.
The Lifelong Learning Award acknowledges organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to continuous professional development and created sustainable learning environments for educators. PeerSphere stood out for its context-specific, community-driven approach that addresses the unique needs of international school faculty and staff in China.
“Being recognized alongside established international schools is a testament to the impact our community has made in such a short time,” says Ewen Bailey, co-founder of PeerSphere. “This award validates our vision of creating meaningful professional development opportunities through peer-to-peer connections.”
The China School Awards involve 11 awards given out annually by the British Chamber of Commerce in China.
A Year of Remarkable Growth
The award comes at a pivotal moment for PeerSphere, which has experienced extraordinary growth over the past year. The community has nearly tripled in size, now boasting 2,600 members across various schools in China and beyond.
“What began as a small community of passionate educators has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem for professional growth,” comments Michael Iannini, fellow co-founder at PeerSphere.
Community-Centered Approach to Professional Development
What sets PeerSphere apart is its unique approach to professional development, as it creates spaces for authentic collaboration and connections through community where educators can share knowledge, work on challenges, and grow together.
“We entrust our community hosts to facilitate welcoming, relevant and impactful learning communities, and the members of those communities set the learning agendas each year,” explains Ewen. “This work is really authentic, and that’s why it aligns with the purpose of the Lifelong Learning Award.”
During the awards ceremony, Michael accepted the Lifelong Learning Award, and PeerSphere representatives had the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their peer learning models which are rooted in sustainable professional development ecosystems. The recognition highlights the effectiveness of PeerSphere’s vision for creating a lasting impact for all stakeholders in international schools.
Looking Ahead: Deepening Community Connections
With this recognition as motivation, PeerSphere is already planning significant enhancements to further strengthen its offerings in the 2025/26 academic year:
- Bespoke Community Groups: Creating dedicated spaces for participants from specific international schools and/or groups of schools
- Enhanced Onboarding: Implementing improved processes to welcome and integrate new members
- “Home Groups”: Establishing small pods within communities to foster deeper connections
- Personal Learning Journeys: Developing a dashboard for members to track their professional growth
- Recognition System: Offering badges, certificates, and other methods to acknowledge member engagement
“We’re particularly excited about our ‘home groups’ concept,” explains Ewen. “By creating smaller communities within our larger network, we can ensure every member feels connected and supported throughout their professional development journey.”
Supporting Community Champions
PeerSphere recognizes that the strength of any community lies in its most engaged members. Looking forward, the organization plans to develop comprehensive resources for community hosts, including professional development materials and enhanced onboarding support.
“Our hosts are the heartbeat of our communities,” says Ewen. “We’re exploring new ways to recognize and empower these champions who drive engagement and create meaningful learning experiences for their peers.”
A Foundation for Future Success
As PeerSphere celebrates this prestigious recognition, the team remains focused on addressing ongoing challenges while expanding its impact. Regular debriefs with the coaching team and targeted strategies for specific community groups demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
The Lifelong Learning Award represents not just a celebration of past achievements at PeerSphere but a milestone for ongoing and future innovation. With a growing membership and industry recognition, PeerSphere is well-positioned to transform professional development for international educators across China and throughout the region.
