Destination Education UK

About Destination Education UK

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 world's most innovative schools. • The Learners: Hear directly from pupils navigating modern education. • Impact Guests: Be inspired by leaders—both in and out of the classroom—whose educational journeys paved the way for extraordinary careers. Whether we’re discussing wellbeing, academic rigor, or how a specific schooling experience changed a life, we go beyond the surface to help you align education with your family’s values.

Publisher

Ruth Benny

Category

education · kids & family · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jun 2025

Latest episode

20 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Sept 2026

   #30 Port Regis Prep School, Titus Mills

   Welcome back to Destination Education UK, I'm your host Ruth Benny, Founder of Top Schools, and today we have a real treat for you. Our guests are Titus Mills, Headmaster of Port Regis, alongside five of the school's 2025/26 Year 8 leavers: Simba, Kaichi, Karthikeya, Elsie, and Ellie. Titus Mills brings 22 years of headship experience across four schools and multiple continents, offering a deep perspective on nurturing young minds. In this episode, we take an honest, insider look at what prep school boarding feels like directly from the students, from navigating initial homesickness and unwritten dorm rules to managing exam prep and packing for senior school. Afterwards, Titus shares his philosophy on global diversity, sending children to standalone prep schools, and why joy is the core value driving life at Port Regis. Can't wait for you to plug into this conversation, so grab a cup of tea☕️ and enjoy the episode! Why Listen? Life Inside the Dorms: Hear directly from Year 8 boarders about their unwritten dorm rules, favorite meals, and daily routines. Overcoming Homesickness: Discover how young international students adjust to prep school life thousands of miles from home. The Power of Busyness: Learn how jam-packed schedules and rich extracurriculars help pupils thrive without feeling isolated. Senior School Transitions: Gain insight into how a standalone prep school supports pupils applying to multiple top-tier senior schools. Finding the Right Fit: Hear Titus Mills explain why sending children to a standalone prep school provides the freedom to choose the best-fit senior school later. Joy as a Core Value: Understand why embedding joy and community into the campus environment is essential for early education. Disclaimer: Please note that since the recording of this episode, Port Regis has updated its boarding mobile phone policy. Pupils are no longer permitted to have personal mobile phones at school. The boarding house provides a dedicated house phone that pupils can freely access to communicate with their families as needed . For more resources related to today’s episode and others, visit www.topschoolsadmissions.com Enjoy the episode for expert advice to guide your school selection journey. Visit www.topschoolsadmissions.com for more on Port Regis, and to enquire via our exclusive link. Start exploring top UK schools today! Chapter Lists 00:00 Introduction and Headmaster Insights 00:20 Meet the Pupils: International Boarders Share Their Stories 00:45 First Impressions: Describing the Boarding House 01:30 Coming from Abroad: Transitioning to the UK 02:15 Handling Homesickness and Staying Busy 03:00 Dorm Life Rules: Music, Phones, and Food 04:10 Dining and the Infamous Baguette Bar 04:50 Screen Time and Staying Connected with Home 05:35 Weekend Activities, Sports, and Campus Life 06:40 Senior School Applications and Exam Preparation 07:35 What Makes Port Regis Special: Friends and Facilities 08:20 What Students Would Change: Dorm Rooms and Sports Variety 09:40 Advice for New Joiners and International Students 10:45 Academic Support, Scholarships, and Class Sizes 11:35 Favorite Teachers and School Giggles 12:50 Boarding Memories and Lighthearted Moments 13:50 Headmaster Titus Mills on Global Diversity at Port Regis 14:50 Young Boarders: Addressing Concerns About Early Boarding 16:00 The Advantage of Standalone Prep Schools vs. All-Through Schools 17:30 Cultivating Joy as an Educational Value — Follow Destination Education: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destination_education_uk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@DestinationEducationUK[cite: 3] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destination_education_uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/destinationeducationUk Website: www.topschoolsadmissions.com The Destination Education podcast is your ultimate guide to navigating the exciting, sometimes overwhelming journey of studying in the UK. Hosted by Ruth Benny, education expert, Founder of Top Schools, and parent with firsthand experience raising children educated in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, this show delivers insights, expert tips, inspiration and practical strategies for parents and students in, or considering the UK education system. If you're a parent on this journey, start here. Follow along, and let's take the stress out of school admissions together. Watch our FREE Masterclass on UK Boarding Schools and request a non-obligatory consultation here: https://www.topschoolsadmissions.com Subscribe to our channel here: Listen to Destination Education Podcast 🎧 New episodes twice a month! Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0UTWe6azTalKupYEwrtET0?si=3d898b7e7c094fec Apple podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/hk/podcast/destination-education-uk/id1820594988 Get help to find the perfect fit UK school for your child : www.topschoolsadmissions.com 🔔 Subscribe now and hit the bell to catch every episode! Join us to learn, grow, and unlock the secrets of UK education. Visit www.TopSchoolsAdmissions.com for personalized guidance on your school selection journey. 📍 Connect with us: https://www.topschoolsadmissions.com/deuk

2. 

   16 Aug 2026

   #29 Justin Hardman, 21st Century Learning

   Welcome back to Destination Education, I'm your host Ruth Benny, and today we have a real treat for you. Our guest Justin Hardman is the founder and CEO of 21st Century Learning, training teachers and leaders across Hong Kong. After serving as the Director of Technology at Hong Kong International School, Justin realized that transforming education required a much bigger ecosystem. In 2012, he founded 21st Century Learning and has dedicated his career to making sure schools don't just survive the future, but actively shape it. Justin and Ruth dive into the evolving role of technology and AI in modern classrooms, the debate between online schooling and bricks-and-mortar communities, and how parents can look past brand names to find the right cultural fit for their child. They also explore the realities of IB scores, tutoring pressure, and the shifting dynamics of international school demographics. Can't wait for you to plug into this conversation, so grab a cup of tea☕️ and enjoy the episode! Why Listen? Tech in the Classroom: Discover how schools are navigating the rise of AI and whether tech can—or should—ever replace human teachers. Classroom as a Lab: Learn why AI requires educators and students to learn, adapt, and grow together in real-time. The Power of Community: Uncover why social learning, teamwork, and human connection remain the irreplaceable core of education. Smart School Selection: Get tips on how to evaluate a school's true culture and environment beyond brand names like IB. Debunking the Scores: Hear a candid take on high IB results, the impact of private tutoring, and what standard metrics actually measure. Evaluating Quality: Explore how international schools assess teacher efficacy and why external inspection standards vary. Shifting Demographics: Understand how the term "international school" is evolving across Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific region. For more resources related to today’s episode and others, visit www.topschoolsadmissions.com Enjoy the episode for expert advice to guide your school selection journey. Chapter List 00:00 – Teaser & Episode Intro: Introducing Justin Hardman 01:42 – Justin’s Journey to Hong Kong & Background 02:43 – Growing Up: New Zealand to Hong Kong International School 05:09 – University, Economics, and Entering Educational Tech 07:05 – The Evolving State of Technology & AI in Schools 08:31 – Can Teachers Keep Up with Rapid Tech Changes? 10:13 – Navigating Teacher Anxiety & Embracing the "Classroom Lab" 11:47 – The Human Side: Social Learning vs. Online Education 12:48 – Pandemic Learnings and the Future of Bricks-and-Mortar Schools 15:43 – Government Schools vs. International School Culture in Hong Kong 18:00 – Parent Perspectives: How to Choose the Right School 21:38 – Evaluating Teacher Quality and Performance 24:36 – IB Results, Tutors, and the Academic Pressure Ecosystem 28:37 – The Mission of 21st Century Learning & Upcoming Events 31:07 – School Accreditation: CIS, WASC, and Lack of Inspection Standards 33:28 – Expanding Programs & Launching Student AI Conferences 34:52 – The Boom of International Schools in Asia & Demographic Shifts 36:34 – Leadership Transitions & "De-nationalization" Trends 39:26 – For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Schools: Does Tax Status Matter? 41:31 – The Challenges of Starting a New School from Scratch 42:38 – Focus on the Lived Experience: Closing Thoughts — Follow Destination Education: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destination_education_uk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@devodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destination_education_uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/destinationeducationUk Website: www.topschoolsadmissions.com The Destination Education Vodcast is your ultimate guide to navigating the exciting, sometimes overwhelming journey of independent and international education. Hosted by Ruth Benny—education expert and parent with firsthand experience raising children educated in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom—this show delivers insights, expert tips, inspiration and practical strategies for parents and students. If you're a parent on this journey—start here. Follow along, and let's take the stress out of international and independent school admissions together. www.TopSchoolsAdmissions.com Subscribe to our channel here: Listen to Destination Education Podcast 🎧 New episodes twice a month! Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0UTWe6azTalKupYEwrtET0?si=3d898b7e7c094fec Apple podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/hk/podcast/destination-education-uk/id1820594988 Get help to find the perfect fit school for your child: www.topschoolsadmissions.com 🔔 Subscribe now and hit the bell to catch every episode! Join us to learn, grow, and unlock the secrets of UK and international education. Visit www.TopSchoolsAdmissions.com for personalized guidance on your school selection journey. 📍 Connect with us: https://www.topschoolsadmissions.com/deuk

3. 

   21 Jun 2026

   #29 - Mark Lauder, Head of Strathallan School

   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, the essential role of co-curricular activities, and the "real-world" preparation that happens outside the classroom. From the inclusivity of Scottish "reeling" (traditional dancing) to groundbreaking approaches in student mental health through athletic development, Mark shares why education must be a "people business" first. Can't wait for you to plug into this conversation, so grab a cup of tea☕️ and enjoy the episode! Why Listen? The Scottish Advantage: Discover why a school an hour from Edinburgh can be more accessible and integrated than many in the English southeast. The "Margaret" Factor: Learn how dedicated support staff, like the school’s long-term taxi driver, become an integral part of pastoral care for international students. University Readiness: Understand why Strathallan provides single study bedrooms for all senior students to prepare them for the independence of university life. Mental Health Innovation: Hear how a bespoke "Strength and Conditioning" program saw a massive spike in girl's gym engagement and a measurable dip in mental health issues. Life 101: From sewing on buttons to understanding mortgage basics and etiquette at black-tie dinners, find out how boarding schools teach the "unwritten" curriculum. Authentic Leadership: Mark reflects on how his own upbringing and experience as a first-generation university student shaped his belief that education is a vocation. The VAT & Financial Health Debate: Get a candid, expert view on the financial challenges facing the UK independent sector and why parents should look at a school’s "people investment" over its facilities. For more resources related to today’s episode and others, visit www.topschoolsadmissions.com Enjoy the episode for expert advice to guide your school selection journey. Chapter Lists 00:00 Introduction and Connections to Hong Kong 02:10 Introducing Strathallan School and Perthshire 03:15 Pastoral Care in Transit: The Role of "Margaret" 05:40 The Magic of Scottish Reeling and Inclusive Socials 07:45 Geography and Culture: What Makes Scottish Boarding Unique? 10:42 Single Study Bedrooms: The "Liberal Arts College" Feel 15:40 The Rise of Girls in Sixth Form Boarding 19:10 Life 101: Preparing for the Realities of Adulthood 23:18 Golf, Clay Pigeon Shooting, and Using the Great Outdoors 26:22 Rethinking Mental Health Through Athletic Development 34:25 Resilience, Self-Esteem, and the "Fine" Code 47:28 Mark’s Personal Journey: From the West Coast to Oxford 57:40 The Financial Health of the Sector and the Impact of VAT 01:05:46 Public Benefit, Charity, and State-Independent Partnerships 01:12:03 Closing Thoughts Follow Destination Education: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destination_education_uk TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@devodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destination_education_uk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/destinationeducationUk Website: www.topschoolsadmissions.com The Destination Education Vodcast is your ultimate guide to navigating the exciting, sometimes overwhelming journey of independent and international education. Hosted by Ruth Benny—education expert and parent with firsthand experience raising children educated in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom—this show delivers insights, expert tips, inspiration, and practical strategies for parents and students. If you're a parent on this journey—start here. Follow along, and let's take the stress out of international and independent school admissions together. www.TopSchoolsAdmissions.com Listen to Destination Education Podcast 🎧 New episodes twice a month! Spotify link:https://open.spotify.com/show/0UTWe6azTalKupYEwrtET0?si=3d898b7e7c094fec Apple podcasts link: https://podcasts.apple.com/hk/podcast/destination-education-uk/id1820594988 Find the perfect fit school for your child: www.topschoolsadmissions.com 🔔 Subscribe now and hit the bell to catch every episode!

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Spotify

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