Insider: It’s been 30 years since you first arrived in Warsaw to teach at an international school. What was it like back then?
Tom McGrath: In 1996, Warsaw was a very different city. Wilanów was green fields and Warsaw was paper queues. Shopping centres in the style of Westfield hadn’t yet opened, the internet was in its infancy, and the city’s international character was limited.
I remember my first Christmas in Poland and being amazed that every bar, restaurant and café seemed to shut down from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Eve. There was still a strong tradition of celebrating around the festive table in cramped apartments — quite alien to an Irishman.
In many ways it was less comfortable, a little grittier, but it was also more exotic and original. Today Warsaw resembles many other European capitals. It impresses visitors and newcomers with its ease of living, excellent transport system, safety, and well-maintained parks and green spaces.

What do you believe is the most significant change in Warsaw?
One huge improvement has been the digitalisation of services and procedures. In the pre-digital era, you could lose hours queuing to deal with bureaucracy. Lines were long, you were often sent from window to window, and customer service could be gruff, to say the least.
It did mean my Polish improved quickly — but now almost everything can be done on your phone, which has made life far easier.

And what changes have you seen in international schools?
In the 1990s, international schools were small and still finding their feet. The international community had fewer choices, and most schools operated out of converted buildings rather than purpose-built campuses.
There was also limited awareness of what international education involved. Programmes such as the IGCSE or the IB Diploma were relatively unknown, and few students aimed to study abroad. That has changed radically over the past two decades.
Recruiting teachers was also challenging, as Warsaw had an undeserved reputation as a hardship posting and far fewer international flight connections. Today it’s a much more attractive destination to live and work.

How has the British Primary School of Wilanów changed in its first decade?
When I began my headship in 2017, the school had fewer than 100 pupils. Today we’re a learning community of almost 450.
Back then our facilities were quite limited; now we have a spacious campus with excellent, modern resources. We’re fully accredited by professional bodies such as the Council of British International Schools, and we’ll undergo re-accreditation this autumn. We’ve also joined International Schools Partnership, which has helped us strengthen and expand what we offer families.

How is the school celebrating this milestone?
Anniversaries are a chance to recognise everyone who has been part of the journey, so we’re hosting a large gala celebration in March. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on our history and achievements.
More importantly, it allows us to look ahead — to plan our second decade and imagine what the school will become. We want to continue improving and expanding while ensuring that our values-based education remains at the heart of everything we do.

Finally, any advice for parents and pupils considering international schools in Warsaw?
Take your time choosing. The philosophy and values of a school really matter. Visit in person and make sure it lives up to what you see in the brochure.
External accreditations from organisations such as CIS or COBIS are helpful indicators, and many schools offer trial days — which I strongly recommend. An international school can be a wonderful experience, but it’s new for many families, so it’s important to find the right fit for everyone.