#22 - Barnaby Lenon, CBE, Dean of Education, University of Buckingham
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 curtain on the evolution of the UK system. We discuss the "dumbing down" of exams, the reality of VAT on school fees, and the age-old debate of single-sex vs. co-educational schooling. Barnaby shares candid stories from his days at Eton and Harrow, offering a rare perspective from the very top of the independent sector. Grab a cup of tea ☕️ and join us for this masterclass in British education!
Why Listen?
The Headmaster’s Journey: Hear how Barnaby "fell into" teaching at Eton and eventually led Harrow.
O-Levels vs. GCSEs: Discover why Barnaby believes the modern curriculum has "dumbed down" and what that means for your child.
The Single-Sex Debate: Get an honest take on whether boys and girls actually learn differently (and why most schools go co-ed).
VAT & School Closures: A realistic look at the impact of VAT on school fees and the "buffer" provided by international franchises.
The Knowledge vs. Skills Conflict: Learn why Barnaby argues that knowledge must always come before skills in a secondary setting.
Spotting a Great Teacher: Expert advice on what parents should really look for when evaluating the quality of teaching.
For more resources related to today’s episode and others, visit www.topschoolsadmissions.com.
Chapter Lists
00:00 Introduction to Barnaby Lenon, CBE
02:23 Barnaby’s Own Education: From "Hopeless Student" to Oxford
04:46 The Evolution of Exams: O-Levels to GCSEs
07:14 The Fairness of Terminal Exams vs. Coursework
09:42 Primary Education: Flexibility and Standards
12:10 Defining Academic Outcomes at Age 11 and 16
14:39 Teaching at Eton without a PGCE?
17:00 Independent vs. State: The Resource Gap
19:21 The Impact of VAT on Independent Schools
21:42 The Rise of UK School Franchises Abroad (Harrow Hong Kong)
24:04 Single-Sex vs. Co-ed: Does it Really Matter?
26:24 Sticks and Carrots: Motivating Boys in the Classroom
28:40 Why Boys' Schools are Disappearing
31:04 Transitions to Leadership: From Teacher to Headmaster
33:29 Teacher Training at the University of Buckingham
35:56 What Makes a Great Teacher?
38:20 The Skill of Managing Large Classes
40:29 Knowledge vs. Skills: Why Knowledge Still Wins
43:24 The Argument Against Maths until 18
45:11 Advice for Parents: Recognizing Quality in the Classroom
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The Destination Education UK podcast is your ultimate guide to navigating the exciting, sometimes overwhelming journey of studying in the UK. 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, and practical strategies. Are you a parent starting this journey?
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