YOUR STUDENTS CAN FOLLOW EVERY RULE AND STILL NOT BE READY..

THE GAP SCHOOLS SEE BUT STRUGGLE TO CLOSE

Students can

• Follow instructions.

• Recall content.

• Give the expected answer.

While they're expected to:

• Think independently.

• Structure and defend their ideas.

• Take initiative without being asked.

• Collaborate with genuine ownership.

• Communicate with conviction.

Common Ground creates the conditions to practice all of this before the stakes are real.

WHAT COMMON GROUND IS

Not a workshop. Not a one-off event. Not a motivational program.

A structured, recurring pedagogical framework — multilingual, project-based, built for Grade 3 to Year 13.

Students move from idea to public outcome. They create, argue, decide, present. Each cycle builds. Each student finishes with something they actually made.

We sit alongside existing programmes. We don't replace them. We make what already exists more visible, more purposeful, more theirs.

The student who couldn't speak in front of the class in September presents their project to a live audience in June.
That's Common Ground.

THREE PILLARS. IDENTIFIED NEEDS. CONCRETE OUTCOMES.

Pillar 01

Storytelling
& Narrative

Structuring thinking · Writing with clarity · Defending ideas · Audience awareness

Format example:

Ombrosa International School · Lyon · Feb 2026

Grade 4 and 5 students wrote, directed and acted in their second short film. They chose horror. Sensitive viewers: you've been warned!

Pillar 02

Pillar 03

Voice &
Presence

Oral confidence · Reasoned argument · Constructive disagreement

Format example:

Ombrosa International School · Lyon · April 2026

Grade 4 and 5 students chose a topic, built their narrative, and recorded their second podcast episode on the theme of what makes them happy.

Leadership
& Impact

Initiative · Accountability · Collective problem-solving · Ethical decision-making

Formats:

• Entrepreneurial project

• Civic engagement project

• Debate club - The Art of Disagreeing 

Every cycle ends with a public output. Not an exercise. Something that exists.

FOUR COMPETENCIES

Agency

Ownership of ideas, decisions and outcomes.

CRITICAL THINKING

Structuring arguments. Questioning assumptions. Reasoning through complexity.

COLLABORATION

Co-creating with genuine shared responsibility.

LEADERSHIP

Influencing without authority. Moving from intention to action.

How these competencies are developed is what the conversation is for.

"Common Ground builds exactly what the IB requires from day one: critical thinking, collaboration, autonomy. Real preparation — long before the stakes become serious."

HEAD OF PEDAGOGY

IB International School

A coherent method.

Practice what life demands before life demands it.

Frame

Build

Ship

1

2

3

A four-step methodology taking students from idea to impact in 6 weeks.

Reflect

4

WHAT THEY SAY

"We made a podcast about our firsts — the first time we were scared, the first time we succeeded, the first time we dared. When I listened back, I couldn't believe that was really my voice — and that I'd said something that actually mattered."

Student, Grade 4 · 2025-26

"I thought it was just a fun after-school club. Then my daughter explained — with real arguments, real logic — why her group made a specific decision about the film. I genuinely didn't see that coming."

Parent, Grade 4 · 2025-26

"Our IB students arrive in Year 12 expected to think independently, argue a position, and lead a project. Common Ground is the first programme I've seen that actually prepares them for that — before the Diploma makes it non-negotiable."

Head of Pedagogy, International School

"Aligns perfectly with our educational objectives. Integrates without friction."

Middle School Director, International School

Who's behind it

Over 20 years inside large international organisations and the classrooms, across +15 countries. The same gap, every time between what children and adults had been taught and what was expected of them on day one.

Common Ground exists to close that gap earlier. While students still have room to try, fail, and grow.

If you'd like to know more before reaching out — I'm happy to have a conversation.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO START

01

02

03

For schools and educators

For Afterschool and enrichment

You want to introduce a structured program alongside what you already do.

You want to offer something with real depth, real outcome, and real student ownership.

Bring Common Ground Here

You see a gap in your area and you want to do something about it.