how we teach

I am a passionate teacher with over 30 years’ of teaching experience and 23 years’ of educational leadership experience.

From school in Yorkshire following my O Level and A Level studies, I went to Imperial College to read Biochemistry. Following my graduation from Imperial College, I completed my PGCE at Homerton College Cambridge. I taught for two years as a science and Chemistry A Level teacher in the UK state system before moving overseas for my first International Teaching position in Colombia. I returned to the UK at the end of my contract for a Head of Chemistry position in Wimbledon, London. I worked in two further schools in and around London in academic positions of responsibility before being appointed as Deputy Head at Putney High School. I was at Putney High School for 6 years; a school that regularly featured in the top 20 schools in the UK.

After 6 years at Putney High School I was appointed as Head at Ipswich High School. I was appointed to take Ipswich High School through a period of change. The school moved from girls’ only to co-ed; from a day school to a school offering boarding. The school also moved from a not-for-profit establishment to a proprietorial for-profit school under Chinese ownership! From Ipswich High School I moved to the Middle East working for a small school group called Edureach. I was appointed as the Principal of King’s College Doha and worked there for three years (throughout the pandemic). Following a successful stewardship at KCD I was moved to the Edureach school in Muscat, Cheltenham College Muscat. The school was in the start-up phase and had two heads in the first year. I was moved from Doha to Muscat to stabilising the school and improve the school’s reputation. Alongside this position I was also the Education Director for Edureach, setting policy and implementing quality assurance acrossthe schools in the Middle East.

I enjoy playing Hockey and Diving in my spare time.

After graduating with a degree in history and politics from Keele University, Katie Benson decided to follow in the family business and train as a teacher. Following the completion of her PGCE at Leeds University, she subsequently taught in the city for the next two years. Her first overseas post from the UK was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, followed by another position in North Carolina. Prior to joining BISW in August 2014, she worked at the British International School of Budapest – another member of the Nord Anglia family.

During her career, Katie has held numerous leadership positions with both academic and pastoral responsibilities. She has obtained a leadership qualification from the National College of Teaching and Leadership and has completed the Nord Anglia Senior Leadership programme. She also facilitates leadership training for teachers across the Americas who are looking at developing their own careers.

Developing strong relationships with the families that we serve is crucial to Katie, with the goals that children should be happy and successful. Therefore, Katie strives to work in close partnership to achieve this. She is so proud to be the Head of such a wonderful school and lead a team of exceptionally talented and committed teachers. Katie believes our students are so well-motivated, respectful, interesting, and genuinely a pleasure to work with. Having such a diverse student body makes our children understand, appreciate, and celebrate different cultures, which makes BISW a truly special place.

Outside of school, Katie loves to travel and explore new places, and she spends most holidays doing so. Having visited around 60 countries so far, she still has many more on her bucket list! Katie also enjoys all aspects of theatre: acting, directing, and being an audience member.