International Education in Portugal: CLIP’s Head of School on RTP
27 Dezembro 2025
Clipping
Existe um sentido de “belonging” muito, muito presente, um sentido de pertencer a uma comunidade, muito especial e quase única. — Isabel Morgado, Head of School, in RTP2
Mrs Isabel Morgado, Head of School at CLIP, joined RTP2’s ‘Sociedade Civil’ (Ep. 175, ‘Escolas Internacionais’, 5 December 2025) for a discussion on how international schools are shaping education in Portugal.
Watch the full conversation here
Our Head of School, Mrs Isabel Morgado, was recently invited to take part in a deep-dive conversation on International Education alongside representatives from St. Julian’s School and Inspired Education Group, in a discussion moderated by RTP journalist Luís Castro for the programme “Sociedade Civil”. Mrs Morgado reflected on what families are increasingly looking for in education today: academic rigour paired with a holistic approach that nurtures the whole child.
During the conversation, Mrs Morgado emphasised that an international education experience is defined not only by curriculum choices, but by what happens around and beyond the classroom. At CLIP, this includes a wide range of opportunities that allow students to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop transferable skills across areas such as debating, Model United Nations, entrepreneurship, Media and Design, arts, sport, and student-led clubs.
A central theme in Mrs Morgado’s contribution was the importance of belonging and the role adults play in shaping it. As she shared during the programme: “Existe um sentido de “belonging” muito, muito presente, um sentido de pertencer a uma comunidade, muito especial e quase única.” She explained that this sense of community is built daily by teachers and staff through presence, care, and a commitment to going beyond the lesson — supporting students academically, emotionally and socially.
Mrs Morgado also highlighted how leadership can be intentionally cultivated from an early age. Opportunities for student voice and responsibility, through representative roles and leadership structures, help students learn how to contribute, communicate and represent their community.
Finally, she spoke about the long-term impact of community, pointing to the strength of alumni networks in supporting students beyond graduation. When former students remain connected, mentor younger students, and provide guidance for life abroad, the school experience extends into a meaningful network of belonging and support — often across borders and over many years.
