School Talk: UAE

Chris Shrubsole
  • 5.0 (1)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to "School Talk: UAE," your go-to podcast for all things education in the United Arab Emirates. Join us as we sit down with teachers, experts, and parents to explore schools across the UAE. Each episode provides valuable insights and perspectives from those directly involved in shaping the educational experience. Whether you're a parent, an educator, or simply curious about the state of education in the UAE, "School Talk: UAE" is your window into the dynamic world of learning in this region.

Episodes

  1. The Psychology of Performance with Dr. Scott Whitfield

    27 JAN

    The Psychology of Performance with Dr. Scott Whitfield

    Send us a text Pressure can feel like a wall. We treat it as something to dodge, when it’s actually a signpost pointing toward what we value. With Dr Scott Whitfield, a UK-trained sport and exercise psychologist now building the performance psychology service at Lighthouse Arabia, we unpack how to turn nerves into an advantage across sport, school, and work. Together we explore a simple idea with big results: stop chasing outcomes you can’t control and start mastering process, exposure, and reflection. Scott explains why high performance rarely feels glamorous while you’re doing it. We talk about confidence as the byproduct of preparation, the power of courageous behaviours when belief dips, and the routines that keep you steady when stakes rise. From a rugby hooker freezing at the lineout to a student staring down exams, the tools are the same: break the task into cues, use clear self-talk, and execute basics beautifully. We dig into graded exposure—how coaches and teachers can safely simulate pressure so athletes and learners build real resilience—and why sideline behaviour and post-event questions from adults matter more than pep talks. We also look at the ecosystem around performers: parents, teachers, coaches, and peers. You’ll hear practical ways to read what support a young person needs, how to connect the dots between strength work, mindset, and outcomes, and how to design environments that beat willpower when motivation runs thin. Scott brings a strengths-based lens to neurodiversity, showing how traits like hyper-focus can fuel excellence when aligned with interest and structure. By the end, you’ll have a fresh, humane view of pressure—less about fear, more about growth—and a toolkit you can use today. If this conversation helped reframe how you see pressure, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to trade outcomes for process and step into their next challenge.

    50 min

  2. 13 JAN

    Why Are UK Schools Opening in Dubai?

    Send us a text Heritage meets heat in a market where parents compare schools across continents and every promise is tested by public inspections. We dive into why British school names like Harrow, RGS Guildford, and Queen Elizabeth are launching in Dubai, what licensing really means for day-to-day quality, and how to read fee structures without falling for a familiar crest. With KHDA transparency, informed families, and premium demand, Dubai has become a proving ground for British educational brands—and the differences between brand promise and classroom reality matter more than ever. We break down the mechanics behind expansion: branding that travels, partnership models where local operators run the show, and risk-sharing that can boost innovation or create gaps in consistency. Then we trace the push factors from the UK—rising costs, political scrutiny, and VAT on private tuition—that nudge schools to grow abroad. Using Harrow, RGS, and Queen Elizabeth as case studies, we compare UK boarding vs Dubai day fees, highlight why “cheaper” isn’t always comparable, and show how a state-funded school name shifts into a premium, fee-paying model in the Gulf. Most importantly, we share the parent playbook. Look past the badge to governance, leadership stability, inclusion, and real outcomes. Ask how closely the UK institution audits teaching, what support exists for SEND and EAL, and how the school responds when a student doesn’t fit the ideal profile. Use Dubai’s transparency—published fees, inspections, community feedback—to judge fit for your child rather than reputation alone. If the execution matches the ethos, the name becomes a strength. If not, the logo won’t fix the learning. If this deep-dive helped you see the market more clearly, follow the show, share it with a parent or educator, and leave a quick review with your biggest question about school choice in Dubai. Your insights help shape future episodes and guide families to better decisions.

    9 min
  3. Hoiho Coffee: Rethinking Caffeine, Community, and Coffee Culture

    6 JAN

    Hoiho Coffee: Rethinking Caffeine, Community, and Coffee Culture

    Send us a text A yellow-eyed penguin, a gut-health experiment, and a stubborn belief that decaf can taste brilliant set the stage for a candid conversation with Hoyho Coffee. We trace how a personal nutrition journey turned into a decaf-first brand in Dubai, why most people accept mediocre coffee, and what it actually takes to build a business that respects both flavour and sleep. We open up about the origin story: learning that coffee is a fermented, gut-friendly food; realising caffeine timing matters for deep sleep; and discovering that great decaf is rare but possible. From there, we dive into the hardest chapter—launching a physical café. The numbers didn’t lie: rent, permits, staffing, and delivery apps pushed them off-mission and squeezed margins. The pivot to an events-led model changed everything. Face-to-face service increased bean sales, strengthened storytelling, and kept quality at the centre without the drag of fixed overheads. You’ll hear how two co-founders split roles and protect their relationship: teaching skills translate into leadership and networking, while branding, finance, and logistics keep the engine running. We talk honestly about social media pressures, why patience beats trend-chasing, and how Dubai’s coffee community—roasters, organisers, and fellow founders—made the journey less lonely and more practical. We also unpack caffeine myths with performance and sleep in mind, offering a simple rule: enjoy your morning buzz, then switch to decaf at midday to protect recovery. If you care about coffee, entrepreneurship, or the reality behind “location equals success,” this conversation delivers useful, hard-earned lessons. Subscribe for more stories at the intersection of education, community, and building things that last. If the episode resonated, share it with a friend and leave a quick review—it helps more listeners find thoughtful conversations like this one.

    36 min

  4. 23/12/2025

    Why Dubai Schools Are Finishing at 11:30 on Fridays

    Send us a text Dubai private schools will finish Fridays no later than 11:30 a.m. starting 9 January 2026, aligning with the nationwide shift to a 12:45 p.m. Friday sermon and prayer time on 2 January 2026. We unpack what this means for families, school leaders and students, with clear steps to cut through rumours and plan well. We break down the timing rules and why the “no later than” language matters, then move into the practical details that shape your week. Expect bus pick-ups to shift, drop-off routes to adjust and staggered dismissals by phase to reduce congestion at the gates. We look at how ECAs and Friday activities may migrate to Monday–Thursday or compress into short, high-yield blocks, and how competitive fixtures might cluster midweek. For working parents, we map realistic options: revised pick-up windows, supervised holding areas up to a defined time, and smarter morning programming that protects learning while easing the rush to prayer. Curriculum time remains intact Monday to Thursday, so the focus turns to timetable design: tighter transitions, cleaner lesson blocks and rebalance minutes that keep core subjects strong. We also explore the possibility of online learning on Fridays for students in Grade 6/Year 7 and above, noting KHDA’s requirement for parent consultation and approval. That means real timetables, attendance tracking and safeguarding online, with short, targeted sessions that deliver feedback, consolidation and small-group support without wasting minutes. If you’re a parent, you’ll leave with a clear checklist: confirm exact Friday finish times, understand staggered dismissal plans and bus changes, review ECA updates, and know your supervision options and costs. If you’re leading a school, the win is clarity: one strong message with dates, times and logistics, delivered early and repeated often. Share this episode with a friend who’s swimming in WhatsApp rumours, and subscribe for follow-ups as schools publish their plans. Got details from your campus? Message us on Instagram so we can spotlight what’s working across Dubai.

    6 min

  5. 09/12/2025

    Running The London Marathon for Whizz Kidz

    Send us a text A marathon can be a personal summit, but this time the climb has a bigger view. I’m running the London Marathon to support Whizz Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, and I’m sharing the plan, the purpose, and the gritty bits that make 42 km possible. You’ll hear how a tailored wheelchair can transform a child’s daily life, from school corridors to sports pitches, and why funding equipment and skills is the difference between watching from the sidelines and joining in. I pull back the curtain on my training week, from low‑heart‑rate recovery runs to steady efforts, tempo blocks, and long runs that teach the mind to stay calm when the legs want out. We get practical about fuelling and gut training, the pre‑run meals that never backfire, and the recovery habits that keep you moving after a back flare-up. I talk through strength and mobility, the once‑a‑week ice bath, and building a life that actually fits the plan around work, kids, and early alarms. A recent 10K PB shows how stacking quiet, consistent weeks builds the kind of confidence you can’t fake on race day. Whizz Kidz sits at the heart of every mile. We explore the real costs of specialist wheelchairs, the programs that build independence and leadership, and the relief families feel when a child finally gets the right fit. London still has the best atmosphere I’ve ever raced in, and this time the crowd noise doubles as a reminder that purpose beats pain when the final stretch bites. If this story moves you, share it with a friend, spread the word about Whizz Kidz, or support the fundraiser through the link. Subscribe for updates, leave a review to help others find the show, and tell me what challenge you’re training for next. To find out more, visit https://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/ To donate, please visit my Just Giving Page

    12 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

Welcome to "School Talk: UAE," your go-to podcast for all things education in the United Arab Emirates. Join us as we sit down with teachers, experts, and parents to explore schools across the UAE. Each episode provides valuable insights and perspectives from those directly involved in shaping the educational experience. Whether you're a parent, an educator, or simply curious about the state of education in the UAE, "School Talk: UAE" is your window into the dynamic world of learning in this region.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Shrubsole
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 School Talk: UAE