Eye on Education

It’s mathematically impossible, but 17% of parents believe they’re raising a child with international athletic potential. So, as a Repton Dubai unveils its new Sports Village alongside global football icons like Drogba, Marcelo, Pirlo and Kaká, we ask, what does healthy competition and encouragement look like for kids?   Plus, as new research finds screens are replacing sto...

In a world driven by screens and structure, the art room is often the one place children can truly experiment, make mistakes and push their imagination. So how do schools nurture that freedom to build real-world skills? Helen asks two Dubai-based specialists. Plus, children now spend nearly five hours a day on screens outside school, yet almost half of teens say their parents don’t understan...

From native languages to Arabic and others, how do we help our kids engage with new dialects? Helen hears from the experts at Repton Al Barsha and Horizon International School. Plus, it’s shifted from the playground to phones and online platforms, but the impact of bullying remains huge. So, how do you help your child, tween or teen recover after bullying? See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

We all know our children need to learn about modern technology - but what does that look like in practice and how do we balance progress with safety? Helen is joined by Andy Perryer, Head of Digital Learning at Cognita Enrich Me and Ian Wallace, Cognita's Director of Education. Meanwhile, with 60% of the UAE's population, we learn how the British Council in Dubai is helping the nation harness the...

It’s early years admission season — from stay-and-plays to school assessments, parents are wondering how to tell if their little ones are truly school-ready. Helen Farmer is joined live in the studio by Ashleigh Thompson, Head of Junior School at Repton Al Barsha, and Stephanie Nazarian, Assistant Head Teacher and Head of EYFS at Horizon English School, to talk about what schools are r...

Teaching is about much more than ABCs. But what sets the best apart? Helen honours our educators with two school leaders. Plus, we dive into the realities of bullying in our schools - and how to tackle it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the UN to our local schools, the education world is being charged with raising a new generation who understand our climate challenge. But how do we promote a sustainable future at all ages? Helen finds out from Audrey Grossemy, Sustainability Lead at Ranches Primary School, and Repton Dubai sixth formers Arhaan Chokshy and Azlan Rehman Shah, Co-Lead Mechanical Engineers for the school’s...

We explore the transition from education into employment, especially for neurodiverse youth. Are we doing enough to support inclusive pathways into the workforce? We also take a closer look at key academic transitions — from the leap into secondary school in Grade 7 to the pressures of starting GCSEs in Grade 10. How can we help students navigate these pivotal moments both academically and e...

Should you encourage my child to play an instrument? Helen finds out how harnessing the transformative power of music for your kids and teens can benefit them through school and beyond, with Mark Tribble of Repton Dubai and Chloe Amsellem from RGSGD. Plus, from anxiety to classroom confidence, toilet and feeding issues to teacher woes, we get some expert advice on how to tackle school issues early...

From teamwork to discipline to self-confidence, sports and art classes offer more than just a physical or creative workout. So, what activities should our kids be doing to shape character, build confidence, and create lifelong friendships? Tom Asbury, Director of Sport at Repton Al Barsha, and Stephen Quinn, Principal at Horizon International School, join Helen in studio. Plus, in a world where re...

So, your kids are back in the classroom – but what do you do now to ensure the year ahead is a personal, emotional and academic success? Helen gets expert advice from Michael Bloy, Principal of Repton Dubai, and Charlotte Grieves, Head of Preparatory at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Plus, we’re joined by the business coach teaching kids across the UAE about entrepreneurship, fi...

Thousands of kids across the UAE opened their GCSE results this morning. But what comes next, and what are the options if those results aren’t what you expected, for better or worse? Plus, Adam the OT has all the advice you need for navigating back to school anxieties. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Eye on Education, we explore two powerful stories shaping students’ lives in the UAE. First, we celebrate academic achievement as A-Level results are announced, with Zareef Petkar, Assistant Principal at Horizon International School, Annette Drake, Head of Senior at Repton Dubai, and exemplary A-Level graduate Zain Junaid sharing their insights. Then, Mark Samways, Director of W...

From sports to education actiivities, keeping kids active an engaged over summer can be a challenge. Helen gets some expert advice on how to get them learning and moving, from Cognita EnrichME’s David Tangney and Mena Press of Dovecote Nursery. Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, Meta, TikTok & Snap have ALL unveiled new policies aimed at making social media safer for teens here in the UAE....

Celebrity chef Jamie has opened up about his decades-long struggle with dyslexia – revealing he only read his first book at age 33. With 1 in 10 children believed to be dyslexic, and many more undiagnosed, Oliver is calling for mandatory screening and proper teacher training. So why are kids still being left behind – and what can we do to change that? Psychologist Grainne Parish, Direc...

Boarding school in Dubai? It might sound unexpected, but for a growing number of families, it’s becoming a modern solution to an age-old question: H ow do we raise independent, well-rounded kids? This episode, we explore what boarding looks like in 2025 with Rich Myers, Head of Boys’ Boarding at Repton Dubai, and Year 10 student Teymur Aghazada, who gives us a glimpse into daily life o...

From pocket money advice for parents of primary school children to financial independence, saving and investing for older kids, how do we embed lessons about financial literacy? Helen is joined by Nadiea Mohammed from Repton Al Barsha's Inclusion Academic Support team, and Nicholas Radbourne, Deputy Head at Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Meanwhile, Dubai has made history, becoming the first...

It’s World Mental Health Week – and it’s also exam season. So how can we protect our kids’ wellbeing while exposing them to academic pressure? Coral Leach, School Councillor at Horizon International School and Asma Ahmad, Head of Pastoral Care at Horizon English School give us the lowdown. And after an unsupervised toddler caused untold damage to a Rothko in a Dutch gallery...

As the latest Reading for Pleasure conference kicks off in Dubai, a host of literarature and teaching experts join Helen to discuss the best ways to foster a love of the page at any age... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to motivate your kids - while also protecting their wellbeing See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From gaming to the arts, could nurturing your child’s passions both inside and outside the classroom lead them to a career they love? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eye on Education is on the road today, getting a glimpse into life at Repton Dubai, where more than 2,600 pupils from age three to 18 pass through the doors of the UAE's largest campus every day. From getting the balance right between academics and extracurriculars, to picking the right curriculum for your child, Helen is joined by a host of experts - and even some senior pupils. See omnystudio.co...

How do current global issues feed into the humanities curriculum, and what role do schools play in raising internationally-astute adults? Helen asks Michael Morley, Senior Assistant Head Teacher of Pastoral at RGSGD and Gavin Harrow, Head of Junior School Humanities at Repton Al Barsha. And US unis have long been on the wishlist for families here in the UAE – but are we now seeing a sea chan...

Today on Eye on Education, we talked exams, and how to prepare without anxiety, with Matthew Whittaker of Repton Dubai, and Tom Adams of Horizon International School. And if you're wondering how to talk to you kids about money, investments - and how to spot a scammer on FinTok, we had Carol Glynn of Conscious Finance Coaching and Makram Kubeisy, author of _The Missing Life Skill: A Dad’s Gui...

Who you look up to at a young age can shape your world view - so how can schools help kids find good role models? We asked Matthew Pearce, principal of RGSGD, plus sixth form scholar at Repton Al Barsha, Leila El Rafey. And with smartphone and screen time dangers once again in the headlines, we talked boundary-setting for safety with digital educator Philippa Wraithmail of Edruption. See omnystudi...