admin When Dr. John Knight assumed leadership of St George’s British International School in Rome, he stepped into a legacy that already stretched over six decades. An educator with nearly thirty years of experience and a proven record of building strong, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments, Knight was drawn to St George’s not only for its outstanding academic reputation but also for its position as one of the most internationally diverse schools in the world.
“Education,” he reflects, “is not just about academic outcomes. It is about helping young people find their voice, their purpose, and their place in the world.”
With over 1,000 students from more than 100 nationalities, St George’s represents precisely that vision: a place where cultural diversity is celebrated, academic standards are world-class, and the holistic growth of every student is prioritised. Under Knight’s stewardship, the school is amplifying its global reputation, investing in ambitious campus projects, and shaping a model of education that is both future-ready and deeply rooted in values of inclusion, respect, and curiosity.
“Education is not only about results—it’s about helping young people find their voice, their purpose, and their place in the world”
– Dr. John Knight
Building on a Distinguished Career
Dr. Knight’s professional journey spans the UK and continental Europe. Beginning his career as a mathematics teacher, he progressed through senior leadership roles at The British School of Brussels, serving as IB Coordinator, Deputy Headteacher, and later Head of Secondary. Alongside his classroom experience, he pursued advanced academic study, earning a Doctorate in Education from the University of Reading with a thesis exploring student aspiration in high-performing schools.
His leadership philosophy is anchored in inclusivity, empathy, and resilience—values sharpened over decades of working in international education. A marathon runner and sports coach, as well as a parent of three, Knight brings both personal and professional investment to his role at St George’s. His own children attend the school, underscoring his belief in its mission.
Since his appointment as Principal and CEO in 2023, his focus has been clear: to honour St George’s legacy while preparing it to thrive in an era defined by globalisation, innovation, and rapid change.
A Heritage of Excellence in the Heart of Rome
Established in 1958, St George’s is the oldest British international school in Rome. From modest beginnings, it has grown into a dual-campus institution that embodies the very best of British education in an international context. Its La Storta campus, spread over 24 acres of greenery on the edge of the city, houses state-of-the-art facilities for academics, sports, and the arts. The central Rome campus, meanwhile, offers a close-knit junior school environment in the historic heart of the city, connecting students to Rome’s cultural and diplomatic institutions.
The school’s mission has remained consistent through its history: to provide a rigorous, globally recognised academic education while nurturing students’ social, creative, and ethical development. With generations of alumni progressing to leading universities worldwide, St George’s stands as a beacon of both tradition and innovation in international education.
Academics: Triple Pathways to Success
At the core of St George’s reputation is its academic programme, which combines rigour with flexibility. Students complete IGCSEs at age 16 before progressing into one of three pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), A-Levels, or the High School Diploma.
This triple-pathway structure—rare among international schools—ensures that students of different academic profiles and ambitions are supported. The IB develops well-rounded thinkers with breadth and international-mindedness; A-Levels provide deep subject specialisation for students aiming at competitive global universities; and the High School Diploma offers a comprehensive route recognised worldwide.
Outcomes are exceptional. St George’s examination results consistently exceed global averages, with many students progressing to Ivy League institutions in the US, Oxbridge in the UK, and other elite universities across Europe and Asia.
Knight sees this as more than academic success: “What makes St George’s unique is the way we blend excellence with inclusivity. We are non-selective, yet our students achieve results that rival the most competitive schools.”
Investing in World-Class Facilities
Under Dr. John Knight’s leadership, St George’s has entered a transformative phase of development. In 2024, he spearheaded the repurchase of part of the school’s original campus land which was lost in the late 1990s. This has paved the way for a landmark capital project that includes a new junior school building and a modern swimming pool.
Looking ahead, the roadmap includes further enhancements, including a new sports hall, a theatre, and upgraded academic spaces. Upcoming developments include the addition of a new swimming pool and a restaurant. From cutting-edge science labs to vibrant arts studios – all these developments are designed not just for aesthetics but to support the breadth of student life.
By 2027, St George’s aims to have among the finest international school facilities in Southern Europe—cementing its ability to attract and nurture talent from around the world.
Beyond the Classroom: Sport, Arts, and Creativity
Holistic development is central to St George’s identity. Sports, music, drama, and community service all occupy prominent places in school life.
The sports programme is exceptional, with competitive academies in basketball, swimming, and football. In 2025, the school became Newcastle United’s first international partner football school, with a full-time coach based in Rome—a partnership that sets a new benchmark for international school athletics. Plans are underway to expand academies in basketball, swimming and tennis and further broadening opportunities.
St George’s has recently achieved Athlete Friendly Education Centre (AFEC) status. This places the school among just 40 schools globally who have achieved this accreditation for their commitment to support student athletes through the challenges of studying while competing at the highest level in their sports.
Creativity thrives equally strongly. St George’s Musical concerts are renowned for their scale and professionalism, while initiatives, such as the strings programme in the junior school, ensure all pupils engage with the arts and St George’s is the second international School that has been made an Association of British Royal School of Music (ABRSM) Partner school. Visual arts exhibitions transform corridors into galleries, showcasing student talent with St George’s students regularly achieving accolades for the best results in the world.
The Model United Nations conference, now hosted annually in collaboration with UN agencies in Rome, exemplifies how extracurriculars connect students to global issues and leadership opportunities. Similarly, the Duke of Edinburgh (International Award) programme has among the highest participation rates globally with more than 95% of students completing the Bronze award this year and very high numbers going on to complete Silver and Gold awards.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
With over 100 nationalities represented, St George’s is one of the most diverse international schools in Europe. This diversity is not incidental but fundamental, creating a unique learning environment where intercultural respect and collaboration are daily realities.
Under Knight’s leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ) have been embedded into strategy. Curriculum reviews now ensure representation across subjects, while staff training focuses on understanding third-culture kid experiences. Beginning in 2025, a senior leadership working group is tasked with embedding DEIBJ principles across the senior curriculum.
The school’s safeguarding team has also expanded its remit to address the needs of groups with protected characteristics, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and supported.
“True inclusivity,” Knight explains, “is not about treating everyone identically—it is about ensuring every student knows they belong and are valued for their differences and unique identity.”
Commitment to Sustainability and Citizenship
Guided by the values of internationalism, inclusivity and excellence, sustainability has become a central part of life at St George’s. Students are at the forefront of this work, driving new initiatives, shaping the school’s long-term environmental vision and ensuring that a green mindset is part of everyday practice.
Projects such as the Olive Grove and the Community Garden partnership provide practical opportunities for pupils to learn, lead and take action. Inspired by student ideas, future plans include the creation of Green Havens and Pocket Forests on campus, designed to enrich biodiversity and provide spaces for outdoor learning.
The award of the Green School Bronze Award reflects the determination of the student body to embed sustainable thinking into daily life. The annual Sustainability Festival, led by students, brings the whole school community together to celebrate progress and to inspire further change, one action and one green step at a time.
“True inclusivity is not about treating everyone the same, but about ensuring every student feels they belong and can thrive”
– Dr. John Knight
The Road Ahead
As St George’s moves deeper into its seventh decade, the vision is clear: to remain one of the world’s leading British international schools, blending heritage with innovation.
Future priorities include completing the campus transformation, expanding extracurricular academies, strengthening digital learning, and deepening inclusivity initiatives. With these projects, St George’s will not only sustain its reputation but also redefine what an international school can achieve in the 21st century.
For Dr. John Knight, it is both a professional mission and a personal one: “St George’s is more than a school. It is a global community, and every day we work to prepare our students not just for university, but for life.”
Magazine 
