Dhaka : New Horizon Crescent International School (NHCIS), Dhaka, has been recognised as a finalist in the Leadership in teaching Award category at the British Council Partner Schools Awards 2026.
NHCIS was shortlisted alongside Daffodil International school and Cider International School, which was announced as the winner of the category. As a finalist, NHCIS was also honoured with an Award and Certificate of Finalist Recognition, marking an important milestone for the school and its growing professional learning culture.
At the heart of NHCIS's journey has been a deliberate focus on teacher development, curriculum ownership and instructional leadership.
Under the leadership of Principal Maryam Noor Yunus, the school has worked to move beyond the traditional understanding of teachers as curriculum implementers. Teachers have been encouraged and supported to become curriculum designers, professionals who understand not only what they teach, but why they teach it, how learning should progress, and how the curriculum can be shaped around the needs of their learners.
This philosophy is reflected in the school's professional development and collaborative planning practices. Teachers regularly engage in collaborative planning, professional learning sessions, classroom reflection and curriculum development, creating a culture in which teaching is viewed as a professional craft rather than simply the delivery of a prescribed syllabus.
“I believe that the strongest classrooms are built by teachers who are given the opportunity to think, design and create, not simply follow. When teachers become curriculum architects, they develop a deeper understanding of learning, and that understanding naturally finds its way into the classroom.” said Maryam Noor Yunus, Principal of NHCIS.
The school's approach places particular emphasis on developing teachers as curriculum architects, professionals who can connect curriculum objectives, pedagogy, assessment and the individual needs of learners. The aim is to ensure that curriculum thinking does not remain on paper, but is translated into purposeful classroom experiences.
For NHCIS, the British Council recognition therefore represents more than a finalist position. It is a recognition of a professional culture the school has been intentionally building: stronger teachers, greater curriculum ownership and more purposeful learning for students.
The recognition also reflects the collective contribution of the NHCIS teaching team, whose commitment to professional learning and collaboration continues to shape the school's academic journey.
“We are proud to be recognised alongside another strong school in this category,” Ms. Maryam Noor Yunus added. “For me, the greatest achievement is seeing my teachers grow in confidence and professional ownership. When teachers become thinkers, designers and architects of learning, they are able to create classrooms where teaching and learning can truly reach their potential.”
NHCIS continues to develop its academic programme around its broader vision of nurturing wise thinkers, innovative creators and responsible global citizens, with a strong emphasis on student agency, meaningful learning, academic excellence, purposeful character development and service to the community.
The British Council Partner Schools Awards recognition is a significant milestone in this continuing journey and a celebration of the teachers and the leader who are shaping it together.
About New Horizon Crescent International School
New Horizon Crescent International School (NHCIS) is an English medium school at Dilu Road in Dhaka committed to developing academically strong, confident and responsible young people through meaningful learning, student agency and purposeful character development.
