Bavarian International School appoints John Barker as next School Director
John Barker will take over from Dr Chrissie Sorenson on 1 August 2026
The Bavarian International School (BIS) in Munich-Schwabing and Haimhausen is pleased to announce the appointment of John Barker as its next School Director, effective 1 August 2026.
Following an extensive global search spanning eight months, Mr. Barker emerged as the clear front-runner among over 60 outstanding candidates. The Brit brings exceptional international leadership experience to the role, including his current position as Director of the International School Hannover Region and his former career position at the Harrow International School Bejing. His appointment marks a welcome return to BIS, where he previously served as Deputy School Director and Secondary School Principal from 2014 to 2019.
“In John, we found a leader whose vision, experience, and educational philosophy perfectly align with BIS's values and aspirations," says Marc Aghili, Chair of the BIS Supervisory Board. "His proven track record, passion for education, and familiarity with our community make him uniquely qualified to lead BIS into its next exciting chapter.”
The transparent search process was built on substantial community input (e.g. Supervisory Board, Leadership, teachers, admin staff, parents, students) that shaped an educational leadership profile emphasizing innovation, pedagogy, and belonging. The final stage saw three finalists visit the Haimhausen Campus and participate in over 15 interviews each, with more than 120 community members involved in the selection process.
Upon accepting the position, John Barker shared: “I am honored to return to BIS and lead such a dynamic, innovative school. BIS is a truly special place, with remarkable teachers and a vibrant international community. Guiding BIS into its next growth phase is a tremendous opportunity I embrace with excitement and deep respect.”
John Barker will take over on 1 August 2026 from Dr Chrissie Sorenson, who has headed the school since 2014. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr Chrissie Sorenson for her professional and passionate work over the past 12 years to develop the Bavarian International School into the quality benchmark it is today. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours from 2026 and look forward to a smooth transition with John Barker,” says BIS Supervisory Board Chair Marc Aghili.
The Bavarian International School (BIS) is a non-profit IB World School with approximately 1,250 students from 70 nations at its campuses in Munich-Schwabing and Haimhausen.