BSME Talks

As the academic year draws to a close, BSME CEO Debra Forsyth and COO Nalini Cook come together for the Season One finale of BSME Talks to reflect on a year unlike any other. From celebrating the highlights of the year to navigating the challenges posed by regional conflict and its impact on our community, Debra and Nalini look back on the events that shaped 2025–26. They discuss the difficult dec...

In this episode of BSME Talks, host Debra Forsyth is joined by three teachers currently in the UK who are preparing for an exciting new chapter in the Middle East: Poppy Russo, who is joining British International School Jeddah after previously teaching in Singapore, Charlotte Lown, who is heading to Repton Al Barsha, and George Gardine r , who is making the move to Reach British School in Abu Dha...

In this episode of BSME Talks, Nalini Cook sits down with Simon O'Connor, Executive Head Master of Harrow International Schools UAE and Founding Head Master of Harrow Dubai, to explore the realities of bringing a globally recognised school brand to the UAE. Drawing on his experience leading some of the region's most respected schools, Simon reflects on what it means to establish a new sc...

On this episode of BSME Talks, Nalini Cook, COO of BSME, is joined by Lisa Passante, Principal at Star International School, Al Twar, and Ryan Jones, Co-Founder of Teacher Recruit, to explore the current state of recruitment across the Middle East education landscape. With schools across the region continuing to recruit well into Term 3, ongoing regional tensions have created a recruitment cycle u...

On this episode of BSME Talks, Kirsty Crosby is joined by Woody Wade for an exclusive preview of his upcoming workshop at the Business of Schools Webinar Series. As Director of Wade & Co., Woody has spent years helping organisations prepare for an increasingly unpredictable future and in this episode, he shares why scenario planning is becoming an essential leadership tool for schools across t...

On this episode of BSME Talks , we revisit a standout moment from the BSME Annual School Leaders’ Conference 2026: the exciting launch of Reach British School Radio. Nalini is joined by Kirsty Robertson, Head of Sixth Form, and Zain, a Year 12 student and members of the Reach British School Radio team, for an inside look at the story behind the station. Broadcast to an audience spanning 46 countri...

On this episode of BSME Talks , Debra Forsyth, CEO of BSME, is joined by two outstanding members of our community: Rachel Higgins, Principal and CEO of GEMS Jumeirah Primary School, and Sean Sibley, Principal at Doha English Speaking School. Amid ongoing uncertainty across the Middle East, many educators have found themselves asking a difficult question: whether to remain in the region or return h...

On this episode of BSME Talks, host Alexandra White, Digital Marketing and Design Lead at BSME, is joined by Laura Earnshaw, Founder and CEO of myHappymind, and Ruby Fiddes, Assistant Head Teacher at GEMS Founders School Al Mizhar, for an insightful discussion on student wellbeing. Ruby reflects on the realities of returning to school, sharing how staff have navigated uncertainty while remaining g...

In this episode of BSME Talks , we explore Staff Wellbeing During Times of Crisis. Host Kirsty Crosby, Professional Learning Lead at BSME, is joined by Sofiah Shakeel, Early Years Student Wellbeing Coordinator at Repton Dubai and BSME Wellbeing Network Lead, and Ilia Lindsay, Head of Psychology at Komodo Wellbeing, for a timely and thoughtful conversation on supporting staff through uncertainty. S...

In this episode of BSME Talks , Nalini sits down with Giles Pruett, Executive Principal of Arcadia British School and BSME Executive Committee member, for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at leading a school through one of the most fluid periods in education - just as UAE schools prepare to return to in-person learning on Monday, 20th April. From navigating fluctuating student engagement to tackli...

On this episode of BSME Talks, Nalini is joined by Tom Duckling, Headmaster of Dubai College, revisiting his fantastic workshop at this year's BSME Annual School Leaders' Conference - but through the lens of today's regional uncertainty. What is the true purpose of school—and does it change in times of crisis? From the power of phronesis (practical wisdom) to the contagious nature o...

In light of the ongoing regional instability, we hope first and foremost that you, your families, and your school communities remain safe. The strength of BSME lies in our collective resilience. It has been inspiring to see school leaders, teachers, and partners already mobilising to share best practices and free resources.  Debra Forsyth, CEO of BSME, provides an overview of the steps the BSME Co...

On this episode of BSME Talks, Debra is joined by Emily Konstantas, Founder & CEO of The Safeguarding Alliance. Safeguarding is integral to operations here at BSME and so it's wonderful to sit with Emily and hear about the ever-growing integration of comprehensive safeguarding practices in the region - and beyond! The pair cover the British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition and...

Welcome to BSME Talks - Why This Podcast, and Why Now In our very first episode, Nalini Cook (COO, BSME) and Debra Forsyth (CEO, BSME) introduce BSME Talks , a podcast dedicated to showcasing the unique experiences, insights, and innovations of educators in international schools across the Middle East. We explore why this podcast was created, what listeners can expect from future episodes, and how...