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2023 SPEAKERS

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Eric Sheninger
Associate Partner
International Center for Leadership in Education
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Diana Osagie
Founder; Author
Courageous Leadership and The Academy of Women's Leadership; Courageous Leadership and Women in Leadership
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d’Arcy Lunn
Group Head Sustainability & Global Citizenship
Education in Motion (EiM)
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Safiya Ibn Garba
Senior Director Global Programmes and Learning; Founder and Programme Director
Generations For Peace; Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative
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Anita Gleave
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Chatsworth Schools
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Faiza Mubeen
Founding Head of Inclusion
Beech Hall School Riyadh
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David Ardley
Founding Principal
Beech Hall School Riyadh
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Samantha Whay-Jenkins MBE
Executive Director of Operations
Durham School for Girls Doha
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Vanessa Whay
Principal
Durham School for Girls Doha
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Siju Philip
Head of Innovation
Global Indian International School
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Zaineb Mahdi
Director of Innovation and Technology - Wellington Cluster; Assistant Headteacher
GEMS Education; GEMS Wellington International School
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Nalini Cook
Head of Global Research
ISC Research
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Soha Hmaidan
Chief Advancement Officer
King's Academy, Jordan
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Simon O’Connor
Director; Chief Education Officer; Board Member
Deira International School; Al-Futtaim Education Foundation; COBIS (Council of British International Schools)
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Dr Carla Caviness
Founding Elementary Principal
Dubai Schools NAS
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Sandra Tichagwa
Director of Educational Technology
Liwa Education
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Baz Nijjar
Principal Advisor - Education Technology
GEMS Education
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Dr Irenka Suto photo
Dr Irenka Suto
Assistant Director of Assessment
Cambridge University Press & Assessment
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Dr Hunada Kanbar
Chief Learning Officer
Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), Sharjah, UAE
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Sasha Crabb
Founding Principal
Victory Heights Primary School
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Esther Mustamu-Daniels photo
Esther Mustamu-Daniels
DEI Lead; MENA Network Lead
British School Muscat; WomenEd
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Tracy Moxley
Founding Executive Principal
Citizens School
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Dr Steffen Sommer
Director General
Misk Schools, Saudi Arabia
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Philippa Wraithmell
ISC Research Edruptor 2022; Assistant Principal - Digital Learning and Innovation; Author
Rashid and Latifa School; 'The Digital Ecosystem'
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Sagarika Sriram
Founder & CEO - K4B World (Kids4abetterworld); Board Member - Children's Advisory Board UN CRC (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child); Climate Advisor - United Nations; Advisor - CRIN (Child Rights International Network); COP 27 Delegate
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Mike Glanville
Chief Safeguarding Officer
The Safeguarding Company (formerly One Team Logic)
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Shruti Narang photo
Shruti Narang
Head of Primary
The Millenium School, Dubai

Testimonials

This conference is exactly what leaders in education have been waiting for. The topics covered were thought provoking with engaging speakers and professionals from the region. It is the first conference I have attended where the ‘norms’ were truly challenged, forcing principals and other leaders to really consider the practice taking place within their international schools.
Siobhan Brady
Siobhan BradyPrincipalInternational Community School – Al Falah
Truly inspirational! So many incredible speakers and peers. It lives up to it’s name “outstanding”. Reminds us of what we are all doing this for!
Dalia Elguindy
Dalia ElguindyHead of Expressive ArtsEthos International School
Mind blowing – I don’t know how you fit so much inspirational content into such a short space of time. My biggest problem will be finding a way to prioritise implementation of so many new ideas.
Peter Astbury
Peter AstburyHead of High SchoolTransylvania College
It has been exceptionally thought-provoking with the keynotes speakers, enlisting great take-aways. Round table discussions were valuable to share best practices.
Shameem Manuel
Shameem ManuelHead of Elementary Bloom Education
Overwhelming amount of incredible useful information. I don’t know where to start when I get back. Thank you!
Jon Turner
Jon TurnerVice-Principal, Academics Baobab College
Outstanding Schools Middle East was a significantly meaningful and professional conference that attracted an incredible amount of experience and expertise from all around the world. It provided perfectly designed conditions for people to connect, share and learn. There was a high standard of thought provoking and motivating sessions and a great balance between research and application relevant for current complexities in education. It was an honour to keynote and attend this event.
Andrea Downie
Andrea DownieCo-founding DirectorProject Thrive Australia
A well-organised and insightful event that provided a significant opportunity to network and share good practices.
Shagufa Kidwai
Shagufa KidwaiPrincipalPristine Private School
It was a pleasure to be part of the first face-to-face Outstanding Schools Middle East Conference. As part of the Steering Committee, it was excellent to see the discussions that we had come to life in this wonderful and very relevant conference. Held in an excellent venue, with world-renowned keynote speakers and panel discussions and roundtable conversations lead by leading international school leaders from across the region, the conference provided outstanding insight and update on the relevant issues and challenges faced by international schools. The vibrant discussions, networking with colleagues and input from exhibitors supplemented the workshop sessions and keynote addresses and made for an excellent conference experience in an exquisite venue.
Matthew Topliss
Matthew ToplissPrincipalEl Alsson British International School
It was indeed a pleasure to be involved in the event. Such fantastic speakers offering such insight. Thank you for all the hard work in pulling together the event.
Tarek Alami
Tarek AlamiRegional Director - MENAEducation Development Trust
The discussions by experts are meaningful and there are always practical ideas to implement and take away.
Asma Siddiqui
Asma SiddiquiTeaching & Learning CoachGEMS Westminster School - Ras Al Khaimah
It was a great conference. Well planned and valuable to all educators.
Justin Kirby
Justin KirbyDirector of Curriculum and InstructionGEMS American Academy - Abu Dhabi
It was a life-changing experience. I got so many ideas and best practices to use in my classroom in the face to face teaching or remotely.
Mohammed Abo Hassan
Mohammed Abo HassanMinistry of Education, Bahrain
It was a great learning experience. The keynotes were excellent. Provided opportunities for networking.
Fareeha Ahmad
Fareeha AhmadDirector Education DevelopmentBeaconhouse Primary School
Lots of great speakers with great discussions.
Frances Lennon
Frances LennonHead of Year 5Kuwait English School
Very worthwhile, I have learned a lot.
Anita Kirkup
Anita KirkupPrincipalEmirates National Schools
I had a fantastic time speaking and participating at the Outstanding Schools conference in Dubai. The speakers were insightful and the roundtables offered great networking opportunities. I wished I had brought my team to open them up to the professional development possibilities at the conference.
Raya Bidshahri
Raya BidshahriFounder and CEOSchool of Humanity
Very proud to be part of such an exciting two days. Brilliant experience.
Marie Thake
Marie ThakeDirector and People Development ConsultantTruly Inspired
A thoroughly engaging range of speakers with the most up-to-date theory and practice in the world of education. A must for educational leaders.
Helen Moloy
Helen MoloyAssistant Principal – Research, Development and InnovationGEMS Dubai American Academy
A pleasure to present alongside so many amazing people - I was truly inspired! Thank you for all your organisation.
Philippa Wraithmell
Philippa WraithmellHead of Digital Technology & InnovationCranleigh Abu Dhabi
I thought the format was excellent. I found it very valuable, I really enjoyed myself. I really liked the flipped concept. It was great to have the freedom to choose, to tap in and out of sessions before joining the roundtables at the main event.
Robin Cummings
Robin CummingsHead of Primary MathsThe Sultan's School, Oman
It has been a truly mind shifting event.
Christopher Mckenzie
Christopher MckenzieAcademic DirectorAl-forsan International School
The Outstanding Schools conference series is an ideal setting to network with colleagues around the world. As an academic institution, Wilkes University was warmly welcomed by organizers, delegates, and fellow exhibitors. Sessions were well-organized and offered highly relevant content to practitioners serving in a wide variety of organizational roles, including classroom teachers, middle and senior level leadership, and researchers. We are already looking forward to reconnecting with our new friends in Dubai 2023!
Ty Frederickson
Ty FredericksonAssistant Professor in the School of Education and Department of Doctoral Educational LeadershipWilkes University
Fantastic speakers. Thanks for organising!
Kate Griggs
Kate GriggsFounderMadeByDyslexia
An honour to lead so many professionals through a roundtable - thank you!
Olivia Roth
Olivia RothCEOBritish Schools in the Middle East
Very thought provoking presentations. Great opportunity to network. Well organised.
Trudie Masterson
Trudie MastersonSchool Principal New Cairo British International School

THE PREMIUM EVENTS PROVIDER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS SECTOR

The Outstanding Schools Middle East Conference will take place live and in-person on the 4th & 5th of October 2023 at the Conrad Dubai, bringing together and facilitating dialogue between senior school leaders, passionate educationalists, key stakeholders, and inspirational thought-leaders from English-speaking international schools across the Middle East.

Join us to discover practical solutions and best practice insights to improve leadership skills, teaching and learning outcomes, safeguarding provision, wellbeing practices, as well as EdTech and management initiatives at your school. Network with peers and thought-leaders to help improve student outcomes across the region and establish a more equitable, sustainable and innovative Middle Eastern international schools sector.

25+

HOURS OF CPD CONTENT

200+

ATTENDEES

4

CONTENT STREAMS

14+

HOURS OF NETWORKING

40+

SPEAKERS

4 CONTENT STREAMS

Leadership & Workforce

Learn how to lead effectively in a rapidly evolving sector, how to create equitable leadership opportunities, & explore best practices for recruiting and retaining outstanding teaching talent.

Wellbeing & Inclusion

Explore whole-school inclusion and safeguarding strategies to improve your school community, intersectional approaches to DEIJB, & how to safeguard staff and students’ wellbeing.

EdTech & School Management

Discover how AI will impact the future of education, as well as strategies for activating alumni & safeguarding against cyberthreats. Explore best practices for operating sustainably & effectively establishing new schools in the region.

Teaching & Learning

Establish strategies for outstanding EAL provision, discuss how to embed emerging digital technologies within your pedagogical practice, & cross-curricula approaches to environmental education.

Explore the Venue

Located conveniently in the hub of Dubai’s commercial centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, Conrad Dubai is a stylish city haven within close proximity to Dubai’s international financial and convention centre, one of the world’s fastest growing airports, as well as world-class shopping destinations.

 

The nearby metro station provides a direct access to many key locations. The hotel is also a convenient five minutes’ drive from The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower.

2023 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE FOR SCHOOL STAFF

All Outstanding Schools Middle East conferences, forums and training are Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certified. Signed certificates are available upon request.

The Outstanding Schools Middle East conference will deliver over 30 hours of CPD certified content.

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