The Future of Learning – Neil Tetley Discusses AI and the Evolution of BSB

Founded in 1958, the British School of Barcelona (BSB) is one of Spain’s leading international schools. Teaching the English National Curriculum, the school offers A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and the possibility of convalidation with the Spanish national Bachillerato qualification.

BSB has four campuses in Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges and has been rated as Outstanding in every category as a British School Overseas (BSO), making it the only school in Barcelona to receive this accolade. We spoke with executive director Neil Tetley to find out more about what this means for the school, their educational philosophy, equipping pupils with vital skills and the importance of evolving alongside AI technology. 

Congratulations on BSB retaining its ‘Outstanding in Every Category’ status in the recent BSO inspection. What does this achievement mean for the school?

I think it is validation for all the hard work from staff to provide the best education possible for our students. Having been led by an external, independent organisation, hopefully the inspection process can give reassurance to students and parents that they are in safe hands!

The BSO accreditation is considered the gold standard for British international schools. What do you think sets BSB apart and enables it to maintain such a high level of excellence?

Great staff and stability over many years have been the key. Although there have been changes of personnel, we have had the same educational direction for many years which has ensured this has become embedded. Equally we are fortunate to have a very small turnover of staff each year, providing considerable continuity and stability.

You recently joined BSB as Executive Director. Could you share a little about your background and what drew you to this role?

I studied History at Cambridge University and then have done numerous roles in education in the UK and around the world over the last 30 years. Most recently I was Principal of Hastings School in Madrid, which I loved (both the job and living in Spain). Therefore, moving to The British School of Barcelona, another Cognita school, was a logical move as it allowed me to develop my career at a bigger school and remain living in such a wonderful country.

How would you describe your philosophy and approach to education?

Academic performance is really important (and we want to help our students access top global universities) but we must be more ambitious than just good grades. We need to ensure that students have a really positive experience (meaning the culture of care is very important) and develop the qualities and attributes they will need later in life: teamwork skills, communication, resilience, empathy and so on. Very much a holistic philosophy of education.

BSB places a strong emphasis on character development. Can you tell us about your ‘Enjoy. Learn. Become’ promise? Can you share some examples of initiatives that the school implements to nurture these essential skills?

My strong belief is that we should aim to be explicit in the way that we help young people develop and become, for example, more reflective, better at collaboration and more determined. Therefore, the way we teach matters.

Rather than, for example, a teacher saying ‘work in groups on…’ they can help students understand the dynamics of effective teamwork and how to become a better team player. This should be combined with a great range of extra-curricular opportunities: sport, music, drama, Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and many others.

With advancements in AI and a shifting job market, what skills do you believe students will need to thrive in the future? In what ways does education need to evolve to keep up with these changes?

AI will revolutionise education and is both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. I think there are a number of key areas:

• How can we help students to understand how they use it well?
• How can it help teachers prepare better lessons?
• How can it help teachers with assessment?
• How can it help teachers personalise learning to a greater extent?

We are already using it but the technology will move forward at an exponential rate over the coming years.

How is BSB adapting its curriculum and teaching methods to prepare students for an increasingly digital and AI-driven world?

To put it in a slightly simplified way:

Part of it is about students developing the technological skills and literacies they need to thrive in this world. For example, we teach Computer Science (programming) up to a very high level.

The other key element is we put a real focus on students develop those distinctly ‘human’ qualities (the ability to think creatively, to persuade others, to motivate a team, etc.) that will be so important in a world where many basic tasks will be done by computers.

With multiple campuses across Sitges, Castelldefels, and the newer City Campus in Barcelona, how do you ensure a cohesive learning experience across all locations?

Essentially, we are one big team: shared philosophy, planning, procedures, etc. Having multiple sites makes us all better by allowing much greater exchange of ideas and best practice. This is combined with strong leadership at each site.

The City Campus opened two years ago—how has it evolved, and what impact has it had on the BSB community and students in Barcelona?

It has been remarkably successful and next year we will be at, or nearly at, full capacity. It has provided a high-quality option for parents and students in Barcelona city and equally enriched the whole BSB community. It has provided career opportunities for staff and enabled greater exchange of ideas about how to ensure the best possible education for our students.

As Executive Director, what is your vision for BSB in the coming years? Are there any specific initiatives or developments you’re excited about?

I am currently working on a development plan 2025-2028 and I am hugely excited. The school is doing really well but the challenge is how we adapt to ensure we are doing everything possible to help our students thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As mentioned in previous answers, the AI revolution is going to be a big part of this – making sure we harness the benefits and minimise the potential downsides.

Finally, what advice would you give to parents who are looking for an outstanding international education for their children in Barcelona?

Do your research! Not all schools are equal (despite what they say) so try to get beneath the surface marketing. If you can, speak to parents, staff or students currently at the school you are looking at to get a better sense of the actual strengths and weaknesses. It is a big decision so take your time.

Find out more about The British School of Barcelona on their website.

Read more interviews and articles on the MumAbroad blog.