The British Council successfully concluded the MENA UK Study Tour 2026, welcoming a delegation of 12 Egyptian partner schools to the UK for a week-long programme designed to deepen education collaboration and share best practice.
Delivered from 18–24 January in London and Cambridge, the tour brought together 46 senior education leaders and Ministry of Education representatives from Egypt, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon. Participants engaged in expert sessions at British Council HQ, alongside curated school immersions and leadership workshops translating UK insights into practical school improvement.
This year in its 12th edition, and themed: ‘Leading with Vision: Innovation, Wellbeing and Quality in Schools,’ the programme explored whole-school self-evaluation and continuous professional development frameworks that align global standards with local priorities.
Building Leadership for a Changing Educational Landscape
Key priorities included:
* AI in teaching and school operations
* Teacher recruitment, retention and wellbeing
* Inspection readiness and school improvement
* Inclusive teaching and whole-school leadership
* Governance, safeguarding and quality assurance
Participants visited leading UK schools and institutions, engaging directly with practitioners and observing effective leadership and teaching approaches in action.
Leadership Perspectives
Mark Walker, Director, English and Exams at the British Council, noted: ‘The British Council remains deeply committed to supporting schools to navigate rapid change, from digital transformation to new regulatory expectations. The 2026 tour created space for learning, reflection, and co-creation of solutions that will directly strengthen teaching, leadership and student outcomes across the region.’
Hebatullah El Ansary, Business Development Director, Egypt, British Council, added: ‘This year’s study tour reinforced the value of cross-border collaboration in rethinking what quality education can look like. By connecting UK best practice with the real priorities of our partner schools, we are supporting leaders to build resilient, future-ready institutions that deliver excellence for every learner.’
Haidy Wagdy Louis, Leader and Vice Chair, St. Fatima International School – Al Hegaz, shared: ‘The study tour offered practical insights we cannot access elsewhere. Seeing how UK schools integrate technology while placing wellbeing at the centre gave us clear models to adapt in our own context.’
Programme Highlights
* British Council HQ: Expert briefings on AI in education, safeguarding and teacher retention
* UK school visits: Lesson observations, leadership meetings and pastoral systems
* Workshops and roundtables: Ofsted preparation, digital literacy and inspection frameworks
* Cultural experiences: Exposure to UK heritage and education traditions
* Networking: Cross-regional peer learning and emerging +partnerships
A Continued Commitment to Strengthening Education
Through the MENA UK Study Tour, the British Council continues to support Egyptian schools through our Partner Schools network, leadership development programmes and ongoing professional engagement designed to enhance education outcomes for learners nationwide.
