At RSJ, we believe in preparing young people not just for university or work, but for life and that means helping them explore multiple futures with confidence, creativity, and purpose. This belief was echoed powerfully during my recent visit to the Rugby School Global Colloquium in the UK, where Heads and Principals from across the Rugby School Group gathered to share ideas, experiences, and aspirations.
Among the many themes explored such as leadership, AI, assessment, and coaching, one stood out to me in a deeply personal way: the importance of intentional life design. It brought to mind the Odyssey Plan, a framework developed at Stanford University that encourages individuals to map out three distinct five-year life paths. Not to choose just one “right” answer, but to imagine and design multiple versions of a fulfilling future.
It’s an antidote to the pressure many teenagers (and adults) feel to find the one “right” answer about what comes next. Instead, it prompts bigger questions:
- What excites me?
- What values do I want to live by?
- What would I try if failure weren’t a concern?
One path might build on what you’re doing now, another might follow a long-held passion, and a third might take you somewhere entirely unexpected. Each is valid and the process of designing them encourages courage, creativity, and clarity.
And of course the beauty of the Odyssey Plan is that it asks us to zoom out, to step away from narrow definitions of success, and to imagine multiple possible futures.
In the same way, our schools whether in Japan, Thailand, Nigeria, or the UK are each designing their own educational odyssey. We are united by our shared heritage and values, but each community is charting a course that reflects its local context, student needs, and bold ambitions. It was inspiring to meet Dr Adam England, Founding Principal of Rugby School Nigeria, who spoke with passion about the school opening in September 2025 and the journey ahead. His reflections reminded me that growth doesn’t come from certainty, rather it comes from contemplation, exploration, iteration, and collaboration.
After returning from the Colloquium, I’m more certain than ever that as we keep growing and evolving both as a Group and a School that we are in an increasingly strong position to offer new, exciting possibilities for our students, through international exchanges, shared initiatives, and deeper collaboration between our schools. Just like the Odyssey Plan, we are not locked into a single future and the opportunities for our students are limitless.
