Be part of the Outstanding Schools pre-event peer group. Join our WhatsApp space to share resources, questions, and connect with fellow attendees ahead of the event.

Digital Transformation & AI – AI Curriculum in Action 

What to Expect:

• UAE AI policy update and poll: Where is your school today on AI implementation? Host: Dr Neelam Parmar (AISL Harrow Schools)
  
• AI Curriculum Case Studies.
• Peer Exchange: Where are you seeing the most opportunity for AI?
• Panel Discussion: Outstanding and Ethical AI & EdTech for Schools. Panelist: Philippa Wraithmell (EdRuption)

School Operations & Business – Business Pressures on International Schools

What to Expect:

• The Reality Check: Operating Pressures & Financial Futures. Host: Stephen Morales (ISBL)
• Case Studies: Resilient School Business Models. Session Leader: Dr Farah Sarraj (Al Futtaim Education Foundation)
• Peer Exchange: Where Can We Adapt?
• Panel Discussion: Schools as Sustainable, Financially Agile Organisations. 

Leadership & Professional Development: Retaining Great Teachers and Localisation Quotas

What to Expect:

• The Leadership Tightrope: Retention, Regulation and Burnout.
• Future-Ready People Strategies
• Peer Exchange: What’s Working (or Not) for You?
• Panel Discussion: Leading Through Change in the UAE Education Sector. Panelist: Dr Catherine O’Farrell (GEMS)

Pedagogy & Student Experience: Updating Pedagogy and Student Wellbeing

What to Expect:

• The Student Experience – Purpose, Progression & Pressure.
• Case Studies: Evolving Pedagogy for Today’s Learners. Session Leaders: Alan Smith (Jebel Ali School), Michelle Sakande (Arbor School),
• Peer Exchange: Designing the Whole-Child Learning Journey.
• Panel Discussion: Teaching for Tomorrow - What Changes, What Stays. Panelists: Tomas Duckling (Dubai College), Dr Farah Sarraj (Al Futtaim Education Foundation)

11:15 - 12:00

Intimate, curated table conversations hosted by experts in:

• AI & EdTech
• The Business of International Schools
• Female Leadership
• Sustainability & Wellbeing
• Leadership & Professional Development

A prayer room will be available on-site for attendees observing the Dhuhr prayer during the lunch break.

School Operations & Business

• Case Study: Running a School Like a Social Enterprise
• Masterclass Pt. 1: Revenue Stream Brainstorm Toolkit
• Break + Finance Q&A Corner
• Masterclass Pt. 2: ESG Scorecard Walkthrough
• Submit your “next operational rethink idea”

Leadership & Professional Development

• Case Study: Operationalising Excellence 
• Masterclass Pt. 1: Talent Retention Personas.
• Break + Peer Speed Connect.
• Masterclass Pt. 2: Co-create a 12-month PD Strategy Map
• Share “one idea I’ll test with my SLT this month”

Teaching & Learning (Pedagogy) - sponsored by Renaissance 

• Case Study: Embedding Wellbeing into Academic Pathways. Session Leader: Philippa Wraithmell (EdRuption)
• Masterclass: Designing for Belonging: Inclusive Classrooms that Work for All. Session Leader: Panelist: Dr Catherine O’Farrell (GEMS)
• Break + Curriculum Strategy Corner.
• Renaissance School Case Study.
• Deep Learning, Good Character, Flourishing Lives in the Age of AI. Session Leader: Tomas Duckling (Dubai College)
  

Invite-only leadership sessions (20 max):

• AI in Action
• Financial Resilience
• Talent & Leadership
• Student Experience 

 

• Building trust between educators and leadership
• Fostering resilient school cultures
• Turning shared challenges into collective wins

Recognition of our speakers, sponsors, and community partners — including ISC Research, ISBL, and GEMS Education.

Held at the venue’s waterfront terrace lounge.

16:30 - 17:30