The International Schools Podcast

Former undercover police officer Jonathan Taylor shares his journey to becoming an online safety consultant

About Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan is an expert Online Safety & Social media Awareness Consultant who works with Schools nationally and internationally. He delivers leading Online Safety Workshops for Staff, Students and Parents.

Specialising in Child Safeguarding and spending 10 years as an undercover Police Officer, identifying Online Predators, his unique experience, accompanied with his advanced knowledge and qualifications, allows Jonathan to offer and deliver the most exclusive, progressive, and current Online Safety Workshops.

Jonathan advises and assists schools in the importance and creation of robust Online Safety and acceptable use policies. Jonathan also lectures to Child Safeguarding Professionals on how to recognise and understand Online Child Sexual Exploitation and what tools are available to help keep children safe.

Jonathan frequently appears on GB News, Talk TV, Sky News, The One Show, BBC Breakfast TV, LBC, and Radio 5 Live as an Online Safety & Social Media Consultant and has recently filmed Documentaries for Channel 4 & CBS.

Email : onlinesafety4schools@gmail.com

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Join the conversation with Alka Townend as she delves into how educators can address grief and loss in the classroom. Learn about the ways in which grief might manifest in children and understand why it is crucial for every teacher to have some knowledge around loss in childhood. Discover practical strategies, including bibliotherapy, and book recommendations, to support students through difficult times like bereavement, divorce, or migration. Alka will share her insights linked to research and her training as a bereavement counsellor. She will highlight the significant role that school communities hold in nurturing a compassionate and inclusive classroom environment and how international educators and school leaders can facilitate this.

About Alka Townend

Alka is an Assistant Professor in Education and EDI Director based at the University of Sussex. Prior to this she gained many years of experience working within different London universities as a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BA undergraduate and post-graduate education courses. Alka’s subject expertise resides in English and Drama and she enjoys opportunities to be a guest speaker at various national and international conferences including the UKLA, NATE, ICET and ELSA. Alka was also recently invited to a conference in India to share her insights and knowledge related to the use of oracy as an effective pedagogical strategy for learning and assessment in the classroom. Alka has a particular passion for children’s literature and how stories can be utilised as a learning tool and support strategy across a range of ages.

Alka’s research area is focused on childhood bereavement and how grieving pupils might be supported in their school communities. To inform this work, Alka trained as a bereavement counsellor for a national UK charity and specialises in supporting children and young people. Alka also provides educational consultancy services and recently provided support for a government funded project aimed at supporting young people in managing challenging life experiences related to different forms of loss. This year. Alka has been invited to present her research and bereavement CPD at various educational conferences including Paris, Cologne and Toulouse. Alka is passionate about teachers being provided with the appropriate skills to support loss in the classroom and has recently embedded this training across all aspects of teacher education at her university.

Alka is currently the Director for Equality Diversity and Inclusion within her faculty. She recently organised a research event focused on ethnic representation in children’s literature. She is also the national co-chair for ARTEN (the anti-racist teacher educator network).

Alka’s background experience was gained in primary teaching, and she spent many years working in both state and independent schools in England as a teacher and senior leader. 

One of Alka’s proudest achievements was when she became the Winner of Sussex Extra Mile Award (given to staff who have shown extraordinary commitment and compassion towards their students).

Alka Townend on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alka-townend-mres-ed-ba-hons-qts-0bb005106/ 

Resources

Articles for review which have open access: 
Childhood bereavement: The role of school leadership in developing inclusive learning environments : My College

Let’s talk about death: All children in England should receive grief education at school | PolicyBristol | University of Bristol

Available as downloadable reports

Research into childhood bereavement and the British school system

Vol. 2 (2023): Bereavement: Journal of grief and responses to death | Bereavement

Recommended literature resources for the classroom:

Books and resources for bereaved children up to 11 years old | Child Bereavement UK

Best children's books - Bereavement, Grief & Loss

Grief and Loss (teen) | BookTrust

UK Charity Support: (useful open access resources)

Winston's Wish: Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children

CB UK: Child Bereavement UK

Cruse: Home - Cruse Bereavement Support

Grief Encounter: Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE - Grief Encounter

Different Countries have all types of bereavement support - some sparse and some vast!  A quick google will guide your listeners.  But for starters, I have included the following outside of the UK. 

USA

NACG

History | Rainbows for All Children

Sweden

About grief - Efterlevandeguiden

Denmark

About us - Det Nationale Sorgcenter

John Mikton on Social Media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton

Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 

Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Join us for a conversation with Heather and Tim as we explore the intersection of digital skills and technology use at home and school, and how this dynamic impacts parents, educators, and students. With varying levels of comfort with technology, both parents and teachers face the challenge of adapting to constant updates and the growing influence of AI. How can schools support teachers at all stages of digital readiness to create purposeful learning experiences? And how can families and schools collaborate to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth? Heather and Tim share insights from their work in an international school setting.

About Heather Barnard

I'm a mom of two teens and a newly turned 20 year old, and an educator with over 21 years of experience, including 14 years internationally and 10 years in 1:1 device schools. As a certified digital wellness educator, I help schools, parents and teens navigate the challenges of screen time, social media, and gaming by fostering positive habits and media literacy. Through my work with schools and companies like Sersha.ai, I aim to create healthier digital environments for families and schools. When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time with my family, baking, or enjoying a good rom-com.

Heather Barnard on Social Media

Instagram: @techhealthyfamilies 
Website: www.techhealthyfamilies.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherbarnard/  

About Tim Evans

Tim is the Learning Technologies & Data Coordinator at the American International School of Guangzhou, China. Holding a Masters in Educational Technology, Tim brings a wealth of expertise to his role, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. He is passionate about using technology in the classroom to enhance the whole teaching and learning experience. Originally from Wales, UK, Tim has led digital change in his home country and internationally in Spain, in Hong Kong, and most recently the UAE. 

Tim Evans on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-evans-26247792/
Twitter: https://x.com/edTechEvans 

Resources

PEW Research https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/internet-technology/user-demographics/age-generations-tech/

Sonia Livingstone
https://www.lse.ac.uk/business/consulting/experts/sonia-livingstone  

Anne Collier and Net Family News
https://www.netfamilynews.org/about/anne-colliers-bio  

Common Sense Education
https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship 

Common Sense + Seesaw
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10yf5W9SzvoRnJeldqunbCayOxErPY9DrohGo4f4NNB8/edit?usp=sharing 

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsevents.com

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial

Welcome back to The International Schools Podcast! In this special episode, hosts Dan Taylor and John Mikton share their reflections on 2025 and offer insights for the year ahead.

Join us for this conversation on the vital issue of Online Child Protection, spotlighting the leadership and efforts of key figures from the Council of International Schools (CIS). Jane Larson, Executive Director of CIS, alongside Dan Furness, Head of Safeguarding and Wellbeing at CIS, are at the forefront of this work, shaping policies and providing guidance to international schools. We also hear from Leila Holmyard, Global Safeguarding Consultant, researcher and current Safeguarding Lead at Frankfurt International School, who shares practical insights from her PhD research and experience. Together, they address the current challenges in safeguarding children online, tips for prevention and response, and how school leaders can create safer digital environments within their communities.

About Jane Larsson
Executive Director, CIS

Jane Larsson has led the Council of International Schools (CIS) as Executive Director since her appointment in 2010. Over the past 25 years, Jane has led the international education community with a focus on the development of collaborative partnerships to enable and support educational exchange and the development of international and intercultural perspective. Prior to her appointment at CIS, Jane was Direc­tor of International Partnerships with the Visiting International Faculty Program (VIF) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she led outreach to promote international educational exchange, establishing relationships with minis­tries of education, universities, internation­al schools and educational associations. 

She began her career in international education as the Director of Educational Staffing and Publications for International Schools Services (ISS) providing recruitment services and resources to international schools. Jane lends her voice to key topics shaping the future of international education, those which enable school and university communities to provide socially responsible leadership as they continually develop their programs. She currently serves as Chair of the International Taskforce on Child Protection and on the Board of Directors of the International Commission Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelarssoncis/ 

About Leila Holmyard
Safeguarding Lead, Frankfurt International School

Leila Holmyard has extensive professional experience in safeguarding and child protection in international schools. She is a safeguarding consultant for a number of international schools and organisations, including the United World Colleges, Council of International Schools and Faria Education Group, as well as being Safeguarding Lead at Frankfurt International School. Leila has worked with international schools across the world and conducted her PhD research on safeguarding in international schools in Europe, Asia and Africa. She is also a volunteer for the International Task Force on Child Protection, WomenEd Germany, and the ISS Diversity Collaborative. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-holmyard-04767995/   

About Dan Furness
Head of Safeguarding and Well-being, CIS

Dan Furness joined CIS in September 2023. Dan’s primary responsibility as Head of Safeguarding and Well-being is to support the CIS membership community as it identifies and addresses child protection and student well-being challenges. This includes designing and delivering professional learning opportunities such as the Foundation and Deep Dive workshops in Child Protection and Safeguarding. Dan is available to support schools to strengthen their culture and systems, developing resources to educate and promote effective practices, and providing thought leadership and partnership across the international education sector.

Prior to joining CIS, Dan worked in international schools in South Africa, South Korea, Germany and the Netherlands leading boarding, student support and safeguarding. Dan has also worked as an independent consultant in safeguarding and has a history of supporting staff professional development over a range of safeguarding-related areas including the following: child protection and safeguarding; safer handling and restraint; restorative justice and shared concern; response to intervention (a tiered approach to school support); and inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. He has also provided supervision for other DSLs and school counsellors.

Dan is a qualified counsellor and social worker, with an undergraduate degree and masters in social work from the University of Bath, and a second masters in educational leadership and management from the University of Buckingham.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-furness/?originalSubdomain=nl  

Resources

• https://www.cois.org/about-cis/child-protection/resources
• https://www.icmec.org/icmec-resources/
• https://www.cois.org/about-cis/child-protection/resources
• https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/sextortion/
• https://www.childnet.com/safer-internet-day/
• https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/ 
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-reporting/report-remove/ 
• Generative AI: A whole school approach to safeguarding children

John Mikton on Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmikton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmikton
Web: beyonddigital.org

Dan Taylor on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appsevents 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/appdkt 
Web: www.appsedu.com 

Listen on: iTunes / Podbean / Stitcher / Spotify / YouTube

Would you like to have a free 1 month trial of the new Google Workspace Plus (formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education)? Just fill out this form and we’ll get you set up bit.ly/GSEFE-Trial