Cover Dr Greg Brunton, Head of School for IGB International School
Dr Greg Brunton, Head of School for IGB International School
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Through campus redesign, full International Baccalaureate (IB) programme continuity, and elite global university partnerships, Head of School Dr Greg Brunton is reshaping what purposeful international education looks like in Malaysia today
Now in his third year as Head of School at IGB International School (IGBIS), Dr Greg Brunton has emerged as the architect of a new era, moving decisively from vision to high-velocity execution.
At the heart of Brunton’s leadership is a belief in education that is both unparalleled and intentionally non-traditional. Rather than replicating the rigid classroom models of the past, he has overseen sweeping physical and digital upgrades that reshape how students experience learning–psychologically, socially, and academically.
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“The International Baccalaureate is the international standard that universities around the world prefer,” Brunton explains.
“We’re very proud to be the only international school in a country dominated by the national curriculum to offer all four IB programmes under one roof–from the Primary Years Programme in the early years to university pathways through the Diploma and Career-related Programmes.”
Above Dr Greg Brunton, Head of School for IGB International School
Dr Greg Brunton, Head of School for IGB International School
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While many international schools have only recently embraced the IB, Brunton is unequivocal about where IGBIS stands. For families making one of the most important decisions of their child’s life, depth of expertise matters.
“Think of it this way,” he says. “If you need heart surgery, do you go to a general practitioner who is interested in doing heart surgery–or to a heart specialist where all they’ve ever done, all they ever do, and all they will ever do is heart surgery?”
“The IB programmes are all we’ve ever done,” he adds. “We’re the specialists.”
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Risky business
Above IGB International School is the only school in the country that offers all four IB programmes under one roof
IGB International School is the only school in the country that offers all four IB programmes under one roof
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We want them to develop critical thinking skills and to solve problems where the answers aren’t found in any textbook or easily searchable via Google or AI.
“When I first started here, I noticed that we were turning away prospective students due to limited English proficiency, and many were being denied international education altogether.
That prompted us to create the Intensive English Academic Programme (IEAP)–a model I haven’t seen before, built around a dedicated wing focused entirely on intensive English learning. Rather than placing students straight into the International Baccalaureate programmes (IB), we designed IEAP as a full homeroom experience, where every part of the day reinforces language acquisition through a co-teaching model.
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Twice a year, we review whether students are ready to transition into the IB programmes proper—not through a test, but by assessing their confidence using English in everyday social settings, even when they share another common language with their peers.
The results have been significant. Designed as a two-year programme, over half of the first cohort transitioned into the IB in just one year–either the Primary Years Programme (PYP) or Middle Years Programme (MYP). We’re seeing far greater readiness for students who aspire to international education but need intensive language support first.”
Clear pathways
Above Rather than replicating the rigid classroom models of the past, education at IGB International School is both unparalleled and intentionally non-traditional
Rather than replicating the rigid classroom models of the past, education at IGB International School is both unparalleled and intentionally non-traditional
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“While the Diploma Programme (DP) offers a broad academic foundation that opens most doors, I’m particularly proud of the Career-related Programme (CP)–a dual-enrolment pathway for students who already know their direction and want to begin their university journey early, completing up to one year of university coursework by the time they graduate from high school.
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Currently, we offer seven specialised pathways, including one with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for students drawn to aeronautics and engineering; Arizona State University, which supports students by crafting bespoke tracks aligned with individual interests; Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) serves students pursuing art and design; Sustainability Management School (SUMAS) in Switzerland focuses on business and sustainability; World Academy of Sport (WAoS) supports students with ambitions in global sport; and IMU University provides a pathway into medicine and health sciences.
We have also recently announced another exclusive partnership with Berklee College of Music. Through online modules, students can gain an early foothold in one of the world’s leading music institutions before completing high school.”
Future ready
Above Dr Greg Brunton has overseen sweeping physical and digital upgrades that reshape how students experience learning
Dr Greg Brunton has overseen sweeping physical and digital upgrades that reshape how students experience learning
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Above all, I hope our students are respectful, as they are inclusive and supportive, caring and empathetic–in essence, good people who define their own version of success.
“As far as what we want our graduates to look like, I would say that it’s really reflected in the IB’s Approaches to Learning (ATL). We want them to develop critical thinking skills–to truly question things instead of believing something simply because they read it or heard it–and to solve problems where the answers aren’t found in any textbook or easily searchable via Google or AI.
This applies to their communication skills as well: the ability to articulate what they know, what they don’t know, and to express themselves clearly and respectfully with others. These are transferable and timeless skills, no matter what career choice they make. They are fundamentally human skills that will not be replaced by AI. Regardless of how advanced AI becomes, our students have to still be able to think, collaborate, and work together.
Above all, I hope our students are respectful, as they are inclusive and supportive, caring and empathetic–in essence, good people who define their own version of success and have the confidence to pursue it. Because, at the end of the day, even genius counts for very little if you can’t work with other people–because nobody accomplishes anything great alone.”
Learn more about IGB International School at www.igbis.edu.my, and on their Instagram account @igbinternationalschool
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Credits
Photography: Ravin Shanmugarajan
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
