Educator’s Corner

Heading Towards Hybrid? With Mark Steed

Could hybrid schools be the answer? Mark Steed returns to the Educator’s Corner podcast to continue the conversation on remote teaching, flexible models, and reimagining the future of schooling.
Following their packed session at the COBIS Conference in London, Kai and Mark pick up where they left off. In this episode, they explore how innovative teaching models could help address two major challenges: teacher recruitment and student attendance.
In this episode, Kai and Mark discuss:
01:26 Why some schools have no choice but to go hybrid
06:21 Why paying teachers more isn’t the whole solution
07:15 What good remote teaching looks like post-COVID
10:01 The 25% problem: student absence and disengagement
13:10 The rise of online schools and the case for hybrid
22:30 Designing the Hybrid Academy: layout, tech, and student flow
27:10 How hybrid offers flexibility for both teachers and learners
30:47 From cost-cutting to curriculum expansion: the hybrid advantage
About Our Guest
Mark Steed is the Director and Consultant at Steed Education, which specialises in educational consultancy support for Schools Groups, U.K. independent schools, and English-speaking international schools. Read more about Mark here.
Resources
COBIS website
The Good Schools Guide
Jestico + Whiles - Architects of the ‘hybrid academy’
Steed Education – consultancy services
Related episodes of the Educator's Corner podcast:
Episode 19: Beyond the Myths: Your guide to international teaching with Laura Rigney
Episode 20: Going Remote: the solution to the teacher recruitment crisis?  With Mark Steed
Save the DateJoin Mark and Kai in person for an open conversation about hybrid schooling and reimagining the future of education. 🗓️ Tuesday 20 January 2026 📍 Location TBC. Follow Kai and Mark on LinkedIn for updates
Credits
Hosted by Kai Vacher
A BSM BSS production

Going Remote: the solution to the teacher recruitment crisis? With Mark Steed

Director and Consultant at Steed Education, Mark Steed, rejoins the Educator's Corner podcast to discuss solutions to the current teacher shortage. Could going remote really be the solution to the recruitment crisis? Recent survey findings from Teacher Horizons, combined with British School Muscat's venture into remote teaching for A-level subjects, suggest teaching online is here to stay.
Join us as we dive into the data from the Teacher Horizons’ survey where 1,600 teachers share their thoughts on the future of teaching. In this episode, Mark and Kai discuss key findings from the survey, such as:
85.8% of teachers said they are open to non-traditional teaching formats.
64.5% are specifically interested in hybrid teaching
15.4% want to teach exclusively in person
Data source: Teacher Horizons (2025) analysis of the hybrid/online schools survey.
 
In this episode, learn about:
00:43 The persistent teacher recruitment challenge
6:17 Factors contributing to the teacher shortage
08:01 Exploring remote teaching as a potential solution
13:41 Key insights from the Teacher Horizons’ data
17:59 Lessons learned from implementing remote teaching
23:52 The importance of varied pedagogical approaches online
27:58 The reality of specialist teacher shortages
36:59 Will going remote solve the teacher shortage?
40:41 Moving towards hybrid schools
About Our Guest
Mark Steed is the Director and Consultant at Steed Education, which specialises in educational consultancy support for Schools Groups, U.K. independent schools, and English-speaking international schools. Read more about Mark here.
Resources
COBIS website (including the upcoming conference)
COBIS accreditation reports
Steed Education - specialist educational consultancy supporting schools
Teacher Horizons - resources and reports
Related episodes of the Educator's Corner podcast:
Episode 6: The Global Teacher Recruitment Crisis: Looming challenge or an opportunity for innovation? Part 1 with Mark Steed
Episode 8: The Global Teacher Recruitment Crisis: Hybrid schooling and other innovative solutions. Part 2 with Mark Steed
Episode 19: Beyond the Myths: Your guide to international teaching with Laura Rigney
Credits
Hosted by Kai Vacher
A BSM BSS production

Beyond the Myths: Your Guide to International Teaching with Laura Rigney

Laura Rigney, Director of School Services at Teacher Horizons, joins Kai to dispel common myths about teaching internationally. Discover the realities of career opportunities, salary expectations, and the diverse experiences available in international schools.
In this episode:
02:39 Myth 1: International teachers are misfits, missionaries, or mercenaries.
06:46 Myth 2: You can't do your ECT year abroad
11:17 Myth 3: Tier one schools are the only desirable option
19:44 Myth 4: Teaching abroad is only for young, single professionals
23:25 Myth 5: Teaching abroad is financially lucrative
27:14 Cost of living and quality of life indices
32:58 Researching outgoings and taxes
39:51 Bottom Line It Round: Tips for applicants
About Our Guest
Laura Rigney is the Director of School Services at Teacher Horizons, with extensive experience placing teachers and leaders in international schools worldwide.
Resources
Department for Education (DfE) website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
FOBISIA: Federation of British International Schools in Asia. https://www.fobisia.org/
COBIS: Council of British International Schools. https://www.cobis.org.uk/
BSME: British Schools in the Middle East. https://www.bsme.org.uk/
Teacher Horizons: for salary data and international school information. https://www.teacherhorizons.com/
Join the conversation
What are your experiences with teaching internationally? Share your thoughts with Kai on LinkedIn or YouTube @BSMuscat
 
Credits
Hosted by Kai Vacher
A BSM BSS production
 

Connecting with Empathy: The Power of Human Understanding with Ed Kirwan

Can empathy be taught? Ed Kirwan, founder and CEO of Empathy Studios and Empathy Week, delves into this topic in this episode.
Discover what empathy truly means, why it's crucial for building meaningful connections, and how to cultivate this vital skill. Ed shares his personal journey, practical strategies, and insights for educators and leaders. Plus, learn about Empathy Week and how to get involved.
 
In this episode
1:57 Ed's journey with empathy
8:35 What is empathy?
11:15 Empathy vs. sympathy and kindness
16:16 Rate my empathy
17:41 Donald Trump and empathy
19:42 Steve Jobs and empathy
21:48 Is Taylor Swift empathetic?
25:00 Can you be too empathetic?
30:32 Why empathy matters
31:23 Is empathy learnable?
33:47 Practical tips for developing empathy
37:30 Empathy Week
45:21 Bottom Line It Round
46:14 Developing our own empathy
 
About Our Guest
Ed Kirwan is the founder and CEO of Empathy Studios and   Empathy Week, which promote empathy in education and beyond.
 
Articles
Demetriou, H. (2018) Empathy, Emotion and Education. Palgrave Macmillan.
Galoustian, G. (2022) Greater Empathy in Adolescents Helps Prevent Bias-based Cyberbullying
 
Resources
Born Free. Animal and wildlife charity
Empathy Week and Empathy Studios
Slido and Mentimeter survey tools
No Isolation reduces school absence with AV1 robots
 
Join the conversationHow are you building empathy in your classrooms? Share your thoughts with Kai on LinkedIn or YouTube @BSMuscat
 
Credits
Hosted by Kai Vacher
Produced by Stuart Pardoe, Zoe Snell, and Marion James
A BSM BSS production

The Slow Death of Reading

Despite England's primary school students ranking fourth globally in reading proficiency, fewer young people are choosing to study English literature, and reading for pleasure is at its lowest level since 2005. 
In this episode, Kai speaks with Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, about the global decline of English literature in education. They explore the reasons behind this shift, its connection to reading habits, and whether we should be concerned.
 
In this episode:
0:40 The state of reading4:52 English Lit versus Maths7:55 Reading as a global issue10:11 Benefits of reading more16:03 A balanced approach?19:04 Building a reading habit23:23 A book Kai will never forget24:54 No more Smartphones28:48 Vibrant school libraries36:30 Daisy's favourite poem37:50 World Book Day ideas39:40 Daisy's leadership tips
 
About Our Guest:Daisy Christodoulou is a leading voice in education and is known for her work in assessment, curriculum reform, and evidence-based teaching. She is the author of Seven Myths About Education, Making Good Progress, Teachers Versus Tech, and I Can’t Stop Thinking About VAR.
Resources & Links:
Daisy Christodoulou’s Books
No More Marking
PIRLS Report
 
Join the Conversation:What do you think about the future of reading and English literature in education? Share your thoughts with Kai on LinkedIn or YouTube.
 
Credits
Hosted by Kai Vacher
Produced by Stuart Pardoe, Zoe Snell, and Marion James
A BSM BSS production

Teach on the Beach?

Is teaching in the United Arab Emirates all about brunches, beaches, and tax-free salaries? In this episode, we delve into the reality of teaching in the UAE with the Editorial Director of Teach Middle East Magazine, Leisa Grace Wilson.
Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges of working in one of the fastest-growing international education hubs. We discuss the growing demand for international teachers, why so many UK teachers are moving abroad, and what you need to know before making the leap.
In this episode, learn about: 
2:10 Leisa's journey to the UAE6:17 Creating a community for educators8:09 Jet-set life in Dubai?10:38 Opportunities beyond Dubai13:39 Not a working holiday15:55 School inspections and expectations17:36 Teacher turnover24:55 Let's talk about money35:35 Perceptions versus reality40:45 Thriving as a teacher in the UAE46:22 Leisa's leadership tips
Learn more about teaching life in the Middle East:
Teach Middle East Magazine: https://teachmiddleeastmag.com/
Teach Middle East YouTube @teachmiddleeast
Articles
Griffiths, S. (2024). ‘Where have all the teachers gone? Classroom brain drain as Britons lured abroad,’ The Times, 8th June
Craven, N. and Hooper, R. (20224). 'The great classroom brain drain,’ The Daily Mail, 15th June
Resources
BSO Inspection reports
COBIS accreditation reports
Glassdoor for staff reviews
Credits
Hosted by Kai VacherProduced by Stuart Pardoe, Zoe Snell, and Marion JamesA BSM BSS production

Is it time to phase out GCSEs?

In this episode, we get curious about curriculum redesign and innovation with Will Goldsmith, Headteacher of Bedales School in the UK.
Bedales, along with Latymer Upper School, made news headlines in September 2023 for ditching GCSE qualifications.
Bedales' 10-year curriculum redesign involves replacing GCSEs with their own Bedales Assessed Courses (BACs) to better equip students for the next stage in learning and life.
 
In this episode, learn about: 
2:00 Bedales’ history of innovation
4:19 Daily life at Bedales
6:21 Search for reform
10:13 A GCSE-free curriculum
13:16 Bedales Assessed Courses
19:11 Reclaiming time for learning  
25:11 Examples of courses at Bedales
28:39 The value of curriculum redesign
33:10 Universities' recognition of BACs
36:44 Getting stakeholders onboard
40:49 Small steps towards reform
44:51 The future of curriculum and assessment
46:19 Lessons learned in leadership
 
Learn more about schools redesigning curriculum:
Bedales School
Latymer Upper School
 
Articles:
Busby, E. (2023) Private school to move further away from ‘outdated’ GCSEs, headteacher says
Wiliam, D. (2013) Redesigning Schooling – 3: Principled curriculum design
 
Resources
ASCl, The Forgotten Third
The School-Directed Courses Consortium
The Times, Commission on Education
 
Credits
Hosted by Kai VacherProduced by Stuart Pardoe, Zoe Snell, and Marion JamesA BSM BSS production

Could this be more important than AI?

It seems that there is nothing more important than AI in education right now.
But what if there is something that is even more important for our students to be learning; even more important than AI? Are you ready to stay curious for a little longer to explore what that might be?
Join me, and teacher, school leader and Edsplorer Leo Thompson, as we share with you what the OECD, WEF and McKinsey all agree is a priority for education.
We also ask you to consider whether it’s time to ask your community what are the desired outcomes of learning for your students in your school? You might be surprised by the impact on your school of asking that question.
Along the way we’ll share a tool box of practical classroom strategies to help you prepare your students for our V.U.C.A world (we’ll also explain that acronym if you are not familiar with it yet!).
If we haven’t exhausted your curiosity during the episode here’s some terrific links to deepen your learning:
Leos website: www.edsplorer.com What kind of learning for SSAT: https://webcontent.ssatuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/09150124/RS2-What-kind-of-teaching-for-what-kind-of-learning.pdf
The OECD Learning Compass: https://www.oecd.org/en/data/tools/oecd-learning-compass-2030.html
The World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
McKinsey's 2021 useful model and breakdown: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work
WHO Adolescent mental health: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
 
 
Educator's Corner Episode 14 Kaipod

Why AI must not replace teachers

In this episode, we welcome Priya Lakhani OBE, Founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech. Priya discusses her transition from law to educational technology and shares her vision for AI's role in transforming education.
Our conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in AI adoption, ethical considerations in implementing AI in classrooms, and strategies for balancing AI-powered tools with traditional teaching methods.
Priya also offers her advice on the 3 ethical considerations that every school AI policy should embrace. 
Join us for this insightful conversation on the intersection of AI and education with Priya Lakhani OBE.
 
Resources:
The Institute for Ethical AI in Education
Century Tech
Priya Lakhani LinkedIn
 
Educator's Corner Episode 13
#AIinEducation, #EdTech, #FutureOfLearning, #EthicalAI, #RethinkingEducation, #EdTech, #FutureOfLearning, #RethinkingSchooling, #EducatorsCorner, #EducationPodcast,

Educator's Corner Ep 12: Beyond OFSTED, Curriculum Reform and AI

In this episode, we speak with Lord Jim Knight, a prominent figure in education and technology, about moving beyond Ofsted, curriculum reform, and the impact of AI on education.
Lord Knight, former Minister of State for Schools and member of Gordon Brown's cabinet, is currently non-executive chair of several organisations including E-Act, Century Tech, STEM Learning and COBIS. He shares his journey from theatre manager and sales rep to politician and education reformer.
Key topics discussed:
Findings and conclusions from the Beyond Ofsted review, which Lord Knight recently chaired
Challenges in moving past the paradigm of targets, testing and league tables
What Ofsted could learn from international school accreditation systems
Potential for significant curriculum reform as Professor Becky Francis begins an extensive review for schools in England and Wales
Lord Knight's best hopes and worst fears for AI in education
Advice for school leaders on implementing AI in their schools
Lord Knight offers valuable insights on reforming school inspections, reimagining the curriculum, and thoughtfully integrating AI into education. His perspective as both a former government minister and current education leader provides a unique view on these critical issues facing schools today.
 
Links:
Beyond Ofsted report: https://beyondofsted.org.uk/
Single headline Ofsted grades scrapped in landmark school reform:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/single-headline-ofsted-grades-scrapped-in-landmark-school-reform
COBIS letter to Secretary of State, September 2023: https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/specialist-sector/international-schools-call-exam-curriculum-refresh
COBIS accreditation: https://www.cobis.org.uk/services/accreditation
BSO inspections:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-schools-overseas-inspection-reports/british-schools-overseas-accredited-schools-inspection-reports
The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better (Due to be published on 7 January 2025) by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop: https://a.co/d/57jWDN4
Jim Knight | LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jimpknight