Outstanding Schools Middle East Conference

Outstanding Schools Middle East is the region’s premier strategy conference for international school leaders in the region looking to enhance their school’s teaching and learning provision, management and leadership, and student outcomes.

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2023 SPEAKERS

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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Dr Farah Sarraj

Chief Corporate Officer; Director of the Centre for Excellence in Arabic

Al-Futtaim Education Foundation

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Anita Gleave

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Innoventures Education

Founding Head of Inclusion

Beech Hall School Riyadh

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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

Former 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

Whole School 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

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

DEIJ Lead; MENA Network Lead

British School Muscat; WomenEd

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Tracy Moxley

Executive Director of Schools

New Century Education

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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

Head of Primary

The Millennium School, Dubai

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Alison Schofield

Co-Founder

Centre for Educators of Bilingual & Multlingual Learners

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Andy Perryer

Head of Digital Learning - Cognita Middle East

Cognita Schools

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Rebecca Gray

Director of Education

Taaleem Education

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Marian Fletcher

Founder; Middle East Lead

The Climate Consultancy; TASS (The Alliance for Sustainable Schools)

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Shahram Hashemi

Managing Partner

Aldenham Education Group

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Samantha Whay-Jenkins MBE

Executive Director of Operations

Durham School for Girls Doha

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Zeina Abourousse

Educational Psychologist

Al-Bayan International School

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Hywel Benbow

Founder @ eira analytics; Former Senior Vice President - Global Data & Analytics at GEMS Education; 2x Data IQ Top 100 Data Leader

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Anita Stewart

Whole School Principal

Dubai Schools Al Barsha

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Jodie Drew

Principal - Boys

Rashid & Latifa School

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Claire Crew

Principal - Girls

Rashid & Latifa School

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Ben Rothwell

Headteacher; Fellow of the Chartered College

Victory Heights Primary School; Chartered College of Teaching

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Priya Mitchell

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai

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Dr Ty Frederickson

Assistant Professor, School of Education and Department of Doctoral Educational Leadership

Beech Hall School Riyadh

Chief Education Officer; Principal

Excella; Repton School Dubai

Swiss International Scientific 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 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 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 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 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 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 DownieCo-founding DirectorProject Thrive Australia

A well-organised and insightful event that provided a significant opportunity to network and share good practices.

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 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 AlamiRegional Director - MENAEducation Development Trust

The discussions by experts are meaningful and there are always practical ideas to implement and take away.

Asma SiddiquiTeaching & Learning CoachGEMS Westminster School - Ras Al Khaimah

It was a great conference. Well planned and valuable to all educators.

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 HassanMinistry of Education, Bahrain

It was a great learning experience. The keynotes were excellent. Provided opportunities for networking.

Fareeha AhmadDirector Education DevelopmentBeaconhouse Primary School

Lots of great speakers with great discussions.

Frances LennonHead of Year 5Kuwait English School

Very worthwhile, I have learned a lot.

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 BidshahriFounder and CEOSchool of Humanity

Very proud to be part of such an exciting two days. Brilliant experience.

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 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 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 CummingsHead of Primary MathsThe Sultan's School, Oman

It has been a truly mind shifting event.

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 FredericksonAssistant Professor in the School of Education and Department of Doctoral Educational LeadershipWilkes University

Fantastic speakers. Thanks for organising!

Kate GriggsFounderMadeByDyslexia

An honour to lead so many professionals through a roundtable - thank you!

Olivia RothCEOBritish Schools in the Middle East

Very thought provoking presentations. Great opportunity to network. Well organised.

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.

2023 SPEAKERS

Testimonials

THE PREMIUM EVENTS PROVIDER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS SECTOR

25+

HOURS OF CPD CONTENT

200+

ATTENDEES

4

CONTENT STREAMS

14+

HOURS OF NETWORKING

40+

SPEAKERS

4 CONTENT STREAMS

Leadership & Workforce

Wellbeing & Inclusion

EdTech & School Management

Teaching & Learning

Explore the Venue

2023 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Toddle

Cambridge CEM

White Rose Education

COBIS

International Teacher Magazine

Wilkes University

Tes

Follett

National Institute of Teaching and Education

Front of Class

Trutex

Collins

Applicaa

Cornerstones Education Ltd

Cambridge Assessment International Education

Safes School

The Association of International Schools of India

AVALLAIN

Kaligo

National Geographic Learning

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE FOR SCHOOL STAFF