International School of Hamburg Awarded the “Healthy Employer” Certification
EUPD Research recognises the holistic health management at the International School of Hamburg
The International School of Hamburg (ISH), Germany’s first international school and a leading educational institution since 1957, has been awarded the prestigious “Healthy Employer” seal by EUPD Research. This certification honours organisations that demonstrate outstanding commitment to the health, well-being, and long-term support of their employees.
EUPD Research evaluates companies based on the Corporate Health Evaluation Standard (CHES), an independent framework that assesses how effectively organisations establish structures, strategies, and services to promote employee health. The award positions ISH among the leading institutions that invest in creating a healthy, supportive, and sustainable working environment.
The certification recognises the progress of ISH’s comprehensive “I Stay Healthy” program, a two-year project funded by Techniker Krankenkasse and running until July 2026. Guided by a steering committee of staff, leadership, board members, students, and parents, and led by the school’s Corporate Health & Wellbeing Officer, the program takes a holistic approach to health. Its focus areas include nutrition, mental health (including digital resilience), and physical health.
Through workshops, training sessions, events, podcasts, and soon a central learning database offering articles, online courses, and community resources, the initiative aims to strengthen the well-being of the entire ISH community. Student well-being is central to ISH’s mission—and the school recognises that healthy students require healthy, motivated staff.
“International education is a highly competitive field, and we want to make sure ISH continues to attract and keep the very best talent worldwide. A strong focus on health and well-being helps us provide an environment where our staff and students can thrive,” said Kathrin Hein, Corporate Health & Wellbeing Officer at ISH.
Business Director Stefan Lang added: “Education is changing quickly, and schools need clear benchmarks that show they can keep up with standards set in other sectors. Being recognised as a healthy employer shows that ISH is not only a strong partner for students and families, but also a workplace where staff can do their best work.”
Joshua Baaken, Director Social & ESG Operations at EUPD Research, confirms: “By embracing a holistic and forward-looking approach to workplace health, the International School of Hamburg serves as a role model for schools across Germany and beyond. Their efforts clearly demonstrate that healthy staff are essential to educational excellence.”
The “Healthy Employer” certification helps professionals identify organisations that prioritise employee well-being—and highlights ISH as an employer of choice, dedicated to nurturing a thriving community for both staff and students.
For more information about the award, click here.
About the International School of Hamburg:
The International School of Hamburg (ISH) is a co-educational day school enrolling students from Early Years 1 (age 3) to Grade 12. It was founded in 1957 as the first international school in Germany. In 2010 the school moved to its present campus situated in the residential district of Altona (Elbvororte), approximately 30 minutes from the centre of Hamburg. It was expanded and remodelled in 2015. The school has over 780 students from more than 60 nationalities. The school employs 114 teachers with a total of 164 employees including administration and support team. It is an experienced faculty with about 30 % having been at ISH for more than 10 years. They come from 24 different countries with most from the USA, the UK and Germany.