Inspiration for iBacc

iBacc was conceived by its director Dr Tim Saunders in 2016 in association with Cambridge Muslim College where he was engaged as a Research Fellow. The mission of Cambridge Muslim College is 'to develop Muslim thought leadership through world-class education, training and research.' iBacc is the fruit of Tim's experience of being a Headteacher in community schools with 80-90% Muslim pupils coupled with his research into integrative school development and an inner curriculum informed by Islamic spiritual values.

Tim is an experienced educational leader and leadership coach currently serving as Pathway Lead for the MA in Educational Leadership at Edge Hill University. He has lived and worked across the Greater Manchester and Liverpool city regions committed to the regeneration of the people and places of the river Mersey watershed as one bioregion.

He has a wealth of experience that includes Primary teacher (7 years), Headteacher (14 years), University lecturer (8 years), Thinking Skills trainer in Philosophy for Children (10 years) and Positive Organisational Development consultant (6 years). He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and as well as holding a Doctorate in school leadership and a Masters in educational management he has three postgraduate teaching qualifications in primary teaching, online and distance learning and teaching in Higher Education.

Tim’s areas of academic expertise include Integrative Educational Leadership, Mindful Educational Leadership, Religion and Worldviews Education, and Education for Sustainable Development. He is currently creating a Mindful Leadership network applying peer-to-peer methods of Co-counselling, Co-coaching and Action learning to school leader development and support.