International School Zurich North (ISZN)
- Ages
- 0-18 yrs
- Curricula
- A Levels, English National Curriculum, IGCSEs
- Type of School
- Day School, International School
- Languages
- English, German
About
At ISZN, our vision is to empower students to think boldly, lead with heart, and drive positive change in the world. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and challenging international education that builds resilience, respect, and kindness, preparing every student to find their place in the world.
In the Early Years, children benefit from a dual-language English–German foundation and a play- and inquiry-based approach that nurtures curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
Our Primary School (Kindergarten 2–Grade 5) builds strong foundations in literacy and numeracy while encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The programme is grounded in the British National Curriculum and supported by trusted frameworks such as White Rose Maths, Read Write Inc. for literacy, and Oak Academy for science. This ensures a coherent and engaging learning pathway, where small class sizes and close teacher–student relationships help every child develop confidence, self-motivation, and resilience — ensuring a smooth transition into the Middle Years.
The Secondary School continues this progression, offering a clear British academic pathway through Cambridge IGCSEs and Edexcel International A Levels. ISZN students consistently achieve excellent results: recent graduates celebrated top marks in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry — among the highest in Switzerland. At IGCSE, students exceeded baseline predictions, earning ISZN recognition as the top Cognita school in Europe for value-added results. These internationally respected qualifications open doors to leading universities in Switzerland, the UK, Europe, and beyond. With small classes, dedicated subject specialists, and personalised guidance, our Secondary School prepares students not only for academic success but also to embody kindness, respect, and resilience as they step into the wider world.
ISZN is more than a school — it is a close-knit, international community where every student is valued as an individual. By combining strong academics with wellbeing, performing arts, sports, and co-curricular opportunities, we help young people grow into confident, compassionate, and capable global citizens.
Christopher Derrick
Principal
Christopher Derrick joined ISZN in May 2024 as Head of Secondary and was appointed Principal in August 2026. In his dual leadership role, Christopher provides unified strategic direction across the entire school while ensuring continuity and academic excellence throughout the Primary and Secondary programmes. Originally from Scotland, Christopher began his educational journey as a P.E. teacher after graduating with a Bachelor of Education from the University of Edinburgh. Driven by a passion for holistic student development and school improvement, he rapidly advanced into senior leadership. Over his career, he has held key leadership positions in high-performing independent schools in Scotland and internationally in Dubai, where he served as Head of Sixth Form. Most recently, before relocating to Switzerland, he served as Academic Deputy at Kelvinside Academy in Glasgow. Christopher holds the Scottish Qualification for Headship (SQH) from the University of Strathclyde and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Glasgow, with research focused on developing schools as collaborative professional learning communities.
"School leadership is a privilege. My vision for ISZN is clear and steady: to ensure the academic, social, and emotional growth of every young person entrusted to our care. If our students leave ISZN with strong academic skills while living out our core values of Kindness, Respect, and Resilience, we have succeeded."
Outside of school life, Christopher is an active outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, skiing in the Swiss Alps, golf, and fitness. He lives in Switzerland with his wife, Kathryn, who serves as Head of English at ISZN.




