By Ned Kelly
Victoria Benson has spent her career asking a simple but powerful question: how can we better educate?
A mathematician by training and an educator at heart, she has taught and led schools across China, Italy, and the UK—experiences that have given her a rare global perspective on what makes a great school.
Now, as the newly appointed Head of Collaboration and Innovation for YCIS Shanghai, she is turning her focus to one of the most exciting challenges in education today: bringing people and ideas together across three distinct campuses, while preparing students for a future shaped by AI and rapid change.
In this interview, Victoria shares her vision for the role, her thoughts on the responsible use of AI in schools, and why she believes the future of education lies not in technology itself, but in the uniquely human skills that no machine can replace.
On her role and vision...
My job is to make sure great ideas don’t stay locked in one classroom or campus.
With three distinct campuses, we have an incredible opportunity to learn from each other—sharing what works, testing new ideas, and growing together.
The biggest challenge is respecting what makes each campus unique while creating a shared sense of purpose.
It’s not about making three schools the same, and more about helping them learn from each other while still being proudly themselves.
On the importance of collaboration...
Over the next few years, I want to see closer collaboration—teachers connecting across campuses, students benefiting from shared programs, and innovation becoming something we do together, not in isolation.
My goal is to build strong connections and create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and trying new things.
On what 'innovation' should mean...
Educational innovation isn’t about novelty for its own sake. It’s not defined by how new or exciting an idea looks, but by the difference it makes.
True innovation is anything—no matter how simple—that genuinely improves how a child learns, thinks, or grows. It could be trying a new approach to learning, or simply finding a better way to solve a problem.
Sometimes it’s about looking at something we already do and asking, “Can we do this better?”
A great example is how we develop competencies like critical thinking. There’s nothing flashy about teaching a child to question, analyse, and reason for themselves, but it’s one of the most transformative skills we can give them.
On the role of data and AI...
With AI, data is moving from telling us what’s already happened to helping us predict what a student needs next. It allows us to personalize support earlier and more precisely.
My focus is making sure insights don’t just sit in reports but actively shape what happens in the classroom—spotting patterns early, tailoring support, and empowering teachers to make timely, informed decisions.
On the ethical side of AI...
It comes down to trust and balance. We need to protect student privacy, be mindful of bias in AI, and always make sure technology supports the relationship between teacher and student—never replaces it.
AI should push us to focus on what students can’t do with AI, rather than what they can. That forces us to prioritize uniquely human capabilities like critical thinking, communication, resilience, and creativity.
As AI takes care of more routine tasks, our job becomes even more about developing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals who can question, adapt, and collaborate with others.
On internationalism and connectivity...
International education is more relevant than ever because our students are growing up in a connected world.
It’s not just about learning about different countries; it’s about working with people who think differently, communicating across cultures, and understanding different perspectives.
On how schools are changing...
Currently, the core structure of education hasn't changed much—students still go to university and are assessed by external boards.
However, one big difference is that knowledge is no longer locked away in classrooms. Students can access information anytime, anywhere.
Teachers now need to focus on what AI cannot do: soft skills and holistic development, like social-emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and resilience.
The responsibility is shifting from delivering content to developing the whole child.
On outsourcing the labor, not the thinking...
Personally, I love using AI to build PowerPoints. That used to take hours, but now I can describe my key message, layout, and visuals, and AI generates slides in seconds.
That frees me up to spend more time on thinking and planning, rather than manual labor.
For students, my advice is simple: don’t outsource the thinking—outsource the labor. Use AI for tedious, repetitive work like formatting, but always do the intellectual heavy lifting yourself.
On the importance of knowing the student...
To ensure students still use their own creativity, the answer lies in knowing the student. Building strong relationships is still at the heart of teaching.
When you know a child well, you can spot when work isn’t their own, and you can guide them toward academic honesty through trust and personal connection.
On international insights...
Working across the UK, China, and Italy has shaped my view of what makes a great school.
In the UK, I saw the power of being genuinely data-driven.
In China, I experienced a deep-rooted respect for learning and academic rigor.
In Italy, I discovered the importance of a holistic, balanced approach—nurturing the whole child, not just their results.
On holistic development...
What excites me about bringing that to YCIS Shanghai is finding the sweet spot between all three: using data meaningfully, maintaining high standards, and never losing sight of balance and wellbeing.
Rigor and wellbeing aren't opposites—the best schools hold both together.
A holistic approach doesn’t weaken academic results; it strengthens them.
On building a complete view of each student...
We are launching a project called Student 360 Pathways to build a complete view of each student—not just academic performance, but also progress in softer, harder-to-measure areas.
We’re collaborating with a university to find better ways to track and assess growth in these skills.
On learning being shared with families...
In the past, when we rolled out ManageBac, my focus was transparency—opening up learning so it wasn’t just something happening behind the classroom door.
Parents could see what their children were studying, students could track their own progress, and teachers had a shared platform to exchange insights.
It changed the conversation from learning being reported to families to learning being shared with them.
On the relationship between school and home...
A strong relationship between school and home is essential for student success.
Parents know their children in a different way from teachers, so bringing those perspectives together helps us understand and support each student better.
For me, it’s about building an open, trusting partnership where teachers and parents communicate, listen, and work together around what is best for the student.
On the ultimate aim of it all...
I’d like our students to leave YCIS feeling confident, curious, and ready for whatever comes next.
We want them to have strong academic foundations, but also to think independently, work with others, and adapt when things don’t go as planned.
On learning and wellbeing...
The world they’re entering will continue to change, so the ability to learn, adapt, and stay curious is incredibly important.
I promise to keep every child’s learning and wellbeing at the heart of what we do, and I can’t wait to listen and grow together at YCIS Shanghai.
Open Days
Click above to see video
YCIS Shanghai is more than just a place for academic learning—it’s where future global citizens are nurtured.
During an Open Day, you’ll explore their state-of-the-art facilities, from cutting-edge science labs to art studios and performance spaces, all designed to support students' holistic development.
A key feature of YCIS Open Days is the opportunity to engage directly with the School Leadership Team (SLT) and teachers.
You’ll gain insights into the YCIS curriculum and teaching methodologies, learn how they foster academic excellence and creativity, and discover how they prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world.
The admissions team will also be on-site to answer any questions about the application process, admission criteria, or school fees, ensuring you leave with a clear understanding of how YCIS Shanghai could be the right fit for your child.
To book your place, email [email protected], call 021 2226 7666, or simply scan the QR code on the poster below.
Addresses
YCIS Shanghai Puxi Ronghua Campus
YCIS Shanghai Puxi Hongqiao Campus
YCIS Shanghai Puxi Gubei Campus
YCIS Shanghai Pudong Regency Park Campus
YCIS Shanghai Pudong Century Park Campus
YCIS Shanghai Lingang Campus
[All images courtesy of YCIS Shanghai]
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