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Effective Leadership in Education – Discussion Panel

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Moderator:

Mr Steven Giles – Principal at Dar Al Marefa Private School

Steven Giles has an extensive history in school leadership having been part of Senior Leadership Teams since 2008, with the roles of Principal and Head Teacher since 2017, Steven was part of a school leadership team which took a weak school in the United Kingdom in 2002 to an Ofsted inspection rating of Outstanding in 2011. He has a Bachelors in Education (B.Ed) and Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.) in leadership through Exeter University, a member of the coveted Russell Group. He was awarded a distinction for his work around the recognition and motivation of students in his final research and thesis. Steven has achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and is a mentor for other aspiring leaders through the University College London. He has recently been inducted as a Fellow of the Charted College of Teaching (FCCT).
Since moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2017, Steven has worked in both United Kingdom and International Baccalaureate curriculum schools. His hands on approach has been recognised by parents, students and staff, being approachable and proactive within the school community, he has created and developed positive relationships, placing student wellbeing and happiness as an integral part of their journey. Under Steven’s leadership as principal,  Raffles International School won the 2023-24 Which School Advisor Award for the best school in the UAE for ‘Value Added, Leave No Child Behind’, and was also shortlisted as one of the top 5 schools of the year award for ‘The Happiest School in the UAE’. He was nominated as Principal of the Year 2023-24 and recognised in a recent KHDA, DSIB inspection of his school as a ‘visionary principal’. He believes in positively developing and supporting his team to be the very best that they can be, and ensures students have a valued voice and are the very best versions of themselves.

Panelists 

Mr Ian Thurston – Principal at Dubai International Academy

Ian is a school Principal with a demonstrated history of outstanding leadership in education. He is passionate about educating the whole-child through rigorous academics, broad skills and character development and providing opportunity for enrichment with a “something for everyone” approach. An Economics graduate of the University of Sheffield, UK, and holding the NPQH and a Masters in Education, he began teaching Secondary Mathematics in 2003. Ian has been living in Dubai since 2007, holding various leadership positions since 2014, including Deputy Head, Head of Secondary and now Principal (PreK-G12). He is passionate about wellbeing and staff development. Vastly knowledgeable about IB education and global university placements, Ian shares his experience at conferences and through educational publications. Ian is a father of two; he believes in positivity, leading a fun-filled life, enjoying the outdoors, camping and triathlons.

 

Mr James Lynch – Principal at Ambassador International Academy

 

Mr Jon McArthur (NPQH) School Inspector , Education Consultant and a Tutor at the University of Brighton,

 

Mr Jon McArthur is a School Inspector (mainly in the MENA region), Education Consultant and a Tutor at the University of Brighton, having previously served as a Headteacher and teacher. As a teacher he has 30 years of experience, with 26 being as a senior leader and 18 as a Headteacher. He has Headship experience in both the UK and internationally, most recently at as Head of Junior School at Brighton College Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2015-2023). Whilst in the UAE, he established Brighton College Junior School as a member of the Independent Association of Prep School (IAPS) and was proud to be a member of the team who gained four ‘Outstanding’ inspection judgements from ADEK. He was also an active member of the Industry Advisory Committee, the Board advising the UAE government on strategic educational direction.

 

 

 

Mr Rob Commons – Principal at GEMS Westminster International School – RAK

 

Start Time

10:00 am

February 14, 2026

Finish Time

10:50 am

February 14, 2026

Address

Audituriam - Dar Al Marefa Private School

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