ISSH was founded to serve the needs of international and local families in Schaffhausen and the wider areas of Winterthur, Thurgau and North East Zurich. The school and its facilities are owned by the International School of Schaffhausen Foundation. There are two governing bodies with different roles: the school board and the foundation board. The foundation board meets twice a year and is responsible for the facility development. The school board meets five times a year and is responsible for the overall running of the school.

Together the boards decide on the overall strategic development. All board members are active or retired leaders in their field in local or international businesses or politics. They contribute to the development of ISSH on a voluntary and honorary basis. Some of our board members have been serving the ISSH community from the school’s beginnings. 

Continuity in leadership and long-term vision is no doubt one of the strengths in leadership at ISSH. The Head of School is a member of the school board and has full operational control of ISSH. She is assisted by the school leadership team (SLT), which consists of the Deputy Head/ Middle School Principal, the Primary Principal, the High School Principal, and the Head of Administration.  Over and above the day-to-day running of the school, the SLT focuses on determining the short and long-term goals in order to meet the overall development targets set by the boards. SLT meetings are held on a monthly basis and include topics like finances, infrastructure, and resources, safety, communication, staffing, and events.