The Education Consortium was founded in 2001 by Drs Andy and Merris Page-Smith to both singularly, and together, coordinate their coaching and consulting. The name was chosen specifically to highlight the collaborative nature of their ideals and has subsequently guided their work for the past 23 years. Andy as founder and principal continues to work with a range of different associates to support institutions and individuals while building leadership capacity.  Merris no longer actively consults but remains a critical thought partner as a Director.

The Education Consortium focuses on a personal approach to all aspects related to supporting school leadership through continual growth and development. As such we only work with a limited number of individuals or schools at any one time, and we emphasise the nurturing of relationships founded in trust and shared expectations. 

Our consultancy supports the development of leadership primarily through coaching. Our approach is centred on understanding and responding to the nuance of the individuals and their school environments - their systems and structure as well as their communities  and focussing on where and how they can grow and develop.

Dr Andy Page-Smith, Director & Co-Founder

Andy was born in Britain and emigrated to Tasmania, Australia as a child. He completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Australia teaching all levels K-12. Before entering international education, he worked as a consultant in literacy development and as an associate professor of education. He earned his doctorate degree from the University of Sarasota, Florida, with research on “Mentoring in Cross-Cultural Contexts”.

He spent 27 years overseas – having held leadership positions in Kuwait, Vietnam, Qatar, and Hong Kong, as well as serving on the NESA Board and President of ACAMIS for four years. In August 2010 he became the School Director of the American School of Johannesburg. In 2016 he co-founded the Collaborative for Innovative Education, a group of six international and US based schools committed to innovative education. He has also worked as an adjunct professor for Lehigh University. He has particular interest in leadership, governance, strategic planning, and school coaching. He is the recipient of numerous awards, most recently the inaugural AISA Outstanding Educator of the Year Award in 2019 and being named the International Superintendent of the Year in February 2020.