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PODCAST

Destination Education

Destination Education is your global window into educational excellence. While our roots began in the UK’s prestigious independent and boarding school sector, we have expanded our horizon to explore world-class curricula and transformative learning across every nation. Hosted by Ruth Benny of Top Schools, who brings over 30 years of expertise in guiding families, this series features candid, in-depth conversations with: • School Leaders & Visionaries: Discover the philosophies shaping the

education education for kids

All Episodes

46:10

#29 - Mark Lauder, Head of Strathallan School

Destination Education ·

2026/06/21

Welcome back to Destination Education, I’m your host Ruth Benny, Founder of Top Schools. Today, we are heading north to the beautiful countryside of Perthshire, Scotland. Our guest is Mark Lauder, Headmaster of Strathallan School. Mark brings over 30 years of experience in boarding education—16 of those as a Head—and a deeply personal perspective on how a truly holistic education can transform a child’s life. In this episode, Ruth and Mark dive into the unique charm of Scottish boarding,

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38:17

#28 - Jeffrey Andrews, Social Worker - Advocate

Destination Education ·

2026/06/07

Welcome back to Destination Education, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a very special episode. Instead of our usual format featuring heads of schools or educators, I’m sitting down with Jeffrey Andrews, a passionate social worker and advocate based in Hong Kong. As a third-generation Hong Konger of Indian descent, Jeffrey shares his personal, eye-opening journey through the local school system and his current work supporting marginalized ethnic minority families. In this

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39:16

#26 - Simon Wong, "Simon Sir"

Destination Education ·

2026/05/24

Welcome back to Destination Education, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a special guest who is bridging the linguistic gap for adult learners in Hong Kong. Simon, better known as Simon Sir, is a private English tutor and content creator who has built a massive following by helping Cantonese speakers master English through unconventional methods. After being educated in the US public school system and navigating the challenges of being an ESL student himself, Simon returned to

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40:52

#25 - Melvyn Roffe, Executive Head of Haberdashers’...

Destination Education ·

2026/05/10

Welcome back to Destination Education! I’m your host, Ruth Benny, and today we are joined by a true titan of the UK independent sector. Melvyn Roffe is the Executive Principal of Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, having previously led George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and served as the Chair of the HMC (The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference). Melvyn brings a "squiggly" perspective to leadership—literally. From his early days as an English teacher to a parallel career in politics

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46:58

#24 - Dr Aaron Baumgartner, Head of Elementary...

Destination Education ·

2026/04/26

Welcome to Destination Education! I’m your host, Ruth Benny, and today we are exploring the heart of international education in the high-stakes, high-pressure environment of Hong Kong. However, our guest today represents a school that intentionally steps away from the "exam factory" mentality to focus on building something more fundamental: confidence. We are joined by Dr. Aaron Baumgartner, the Elementary Principal at the American International School (AIS) Hong Kong. Affectionately known

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53:02

#23 - Jonathan Marchant, Head Snr School Epsom...

Destination Education ·

2026/04/12

Welcome back to Destination Education! I’m your host, Ruth Benny, and today we are joined by a guest who brings a fascinating "full circle" perspective to the world of international schooling. Jonathan Marchant, Head of Senior School at Epsom College Malaysia, joins us fresh off the plane to discuss the evolving landscape of boarding, the power of history in developing legal minds, and why the "destination" of university is only one part of the student journey. Jonathan’s career has taken

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46:34

#22 - Barnaby Lenon, CBE, Dean of Education,...

Destination Education ·

2026/03/29

Welcome back to Destination Education UK! I'm your host, Ruth Benny, and today we have a real heavyweight guest from the world of British education. Barnaby Lenon, CBE, is the former Headmaster of Harrow School, where he spent 12 years elevating its academic and global prestige. He has chaired the Independent Schools Council (ISC), founded the London Academy of Excellence, and is currently the Dean of Education at the University of Buckingham. In this episode, Barnaby and I peel back the

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51:22

#21 Michael John Smith - Head of Lime House School

Destination Education ·

2026/03/16

Ruth Benny, host of the Destination Education UK podcast, speaks with Michael John Smith, Head of Limehouse School, about his wide-ranging career in education, the modern challenges of parenting teenagers, and the unique environment of his boarding school in Cumbria, North England. Michael John Smith, who transitioned from a PE teacher to a behavioral psychologist and served internationally as an Ofsted inspector and principal in the Middle East, Oxford, and Thailand, before returning to

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36:37

#20 Charles Bailey, Head of Worksop College and Ranby...

Destination Education ·

2026/03/01

In this insightful episode of Destination Education UK, host Ruth Benny speaks with Charles Bailey, Headmaster of Worksop College, about his journey, the changing landscape of independent education, and his new vision for the school. Charles Bailey, an Oxford-educated teacher who spent over a decade at Harrow School, discusses the pivotal role his own single-sex, boarding-school experience had on his career path. Now, as head of a co-educational school, he shares how Worksop manages the

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41:49

#19 Teresa Song - Founder of Nova Scholar

Destination Education ·

2026/02/16

In this episode, Ruth Benny sits down with Teresa Song, founder of Nova Scholars, to explore how parents and students can think more strategically about higher education, university admissions, and long-term decision-making in an increasingly competitive world. Teresa is the founder of Nova Scholars, a strategic education consultancy specialising in university admissions and long-term academic planning. With a background in finance, startups, and over 15 years working with high-achieving

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48:55

#18 Lindi Smith, Head of Admissions LVS Ascot

Destination Education ·

2026/02/01

Welcome to Destination Education UK, in this insightful conversation, Ruth Benny speaks with Lindi Smith, Head of Admissions and Administration at LVS Ascot, discusses the current trends and challenges in school admissions, particularly in the UK. She highlights the impact of global events, the importance of maintaining a diverse student body, and the financial considerations families face when choosing a school. The conversation also touches on the significance of wellbeing and pastoral

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33:35

#17 Tom Webley, Director of Sport Wells Cathedral School

Destination Education ·

2026/01/18

Welcome back to the Destination Education Podcast, in this conversation, Ruth Benny is joined by Director of Sport at Wells Cathedral, Tom Webley. Tom shares his journey from aspiring professional cricketer to director of sport at Wells Cathedral School. He discusses the balance between academics and sports, the importance of instilling a love for sports in children, and the benefits of diverse sports opportunities. Tom emphasizes the significance of failure in building resilience, the

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41:46

#16 2025 Recap - Celebration of Conversations

Destination Education ·

2026/01/04

In this reflective episode of Destination Education UK, Ruth Benny summarizes key themes from conversations with educators and thinkers over the past six months. The discussion emphasizes the importance of future readiness, character education, the unique benefits of boarding schools, diverse pathways for students, the impact of academic pressure, financial considerations in education, the differences between co-educational and single-sex schools, and the critical role of parenting in

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57:26

#15 Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School...

Destination Education ·

2025/12/15

In this episode of Destination Education UK with Ruth Benny, we sit down with Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School GDST, shares her insights on girls' education, the importance of resilience and rebellion in students, and the evolving landscape of schooling. She emphasizes the need for parents to be actively involved in their children's education, the significance of school visits, and the role of kindness in school culture. Marina also discusses the challenges faced by young

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52:10

#14 Jonathan Besley, Head of Brighton College Prep...

Destination Education ·

2025/12/01

In this episode of Destination Education UK with Ruth Benny, we sit down with Jonathan Besley, Headmaster of the newly rebranded Brighton College Prep Handcross—formerly Handcross Park. Jonathan joins us fresh from a whirlwind six-day visit to Hong Kong, where he’s been meeting parents, interviewing students, and dodging both rainstorms and typhoons. We explore everything from the decision to rebrand, to the sometimes uncomfortable truth that many families—particularly in Asia—do choose

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52:55

#13 David Cresswell, Head of Barnard Castle School

Destination Education ·

2025/11/17

Welcome to Destination Education UK, in this insightful conversation, Ruth Benny speaks with David Cresswell, Headmaster of Barnard Castle School (Barney), about his international upbringing, his journey from student to educator, and what makes modern British boarding schools so relevant — and human — today.From his diplomatic childhood to Oxford, teaching, coaching, and leading, David shares how balance, authenticity, and character form the foundation of his educational philosophy. He

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55:21

#12 - Dr Michael Gray - Head of Hereford Cathedral...

Destination Education ·

2025/11/02

In this episode of Destination Education UK, host Ruth Benny chats with Dr Michael Gray, Head of Hereford Cathedral School, about what makes a truly modern education. From his own journey through the UK system to leading one of the country’s historic schools, Dr Gray shares honest reflections on co-ed vs single-sex learning, the challenges facing independent schools, and how to prepare students for an ever-changing world. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! 🎧 Why listen: Discover why

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58:17

#11 - Juliet Rolls - Founder Cambridge Academic Tuition

Destination Education ·

2025/10/20

Welcome back to Destination Education UK, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a real treat for you. Our guest Juliet Rolls is the founder of Cambridge Academic Tuition, she has been providing high-quality academic support and guidance to students from diverse backgrounds and abilities for over 20 years. Juliet holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Cambridge and a Membership of the Chartered College of Teaching (MCCT). Juliet and Ruth, discuss

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48:10

#10 - Rosie McColl - Harrow Hong Kong Head

Destination Education ·

2025/10/05

Welcome back to Destination Education UK, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a real treat for you. Our guest is Rosie McColl, former Head at Brighton Girls GDST School and current Head at Harrow International School Hong Kong! Join in as they dig into some really meaningful topics, like why girls’ education matters so much and how single-sex schools can be a game-changer for empowering young women. Rosie shares her thoughts on breaking down gender stereotypes, boosting STEM

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68:40

#9 - Martin Ashton, Deputy Head Pastoral, and Alex...

Destination Education ·

2025/09/08

Welcome back to Destination Education UK, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a real treat for you. Our guests are from esteemed Wells Cathedral School in the UK, an acclaimed music school that provides a balanced and holistic education. In this episode, we explore what really matters beyond academics. Martin Ashton, Deputy Head Pastoral, and Alex Laing, Director of Music at Wells Cathedral School, talk about supporting international students, nurturing creativity through music, and

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29 results

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