Opening Ceremony – Dubai Teaching Conference 2025

UAE National Anthem

Qura’n Recitation

Opening speech from The principal of Dar Al Marefa Private School Dubai

Mr. Steven Giles

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.

Welcome From The Founder of Dubai Teaching Conference

Ashraf Sharaf

Ashraf Sharaf is the Founder of the Dubai Teaching Conference (DTC) and Future Aura for Training and Educational Services, and a leading figure in educational quality, leadership development, and school improvement in the UAE.

With over two decades of experience across British, IB, and national education systems, Ashraf has held senior leadership and advisory roles in schools and educational organisations across the region. He currently serves as Supervisor of Quality and Development at the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge, where he supports schools in inspection readiness, quality assurance, professional development, and sustainable improvement aligned with national priorities.

Ashraf is also an NPQ Middle and Senior Leadership facilitator, an Associate Inspector, and consultant to schools in Arabic, Islamic Education, leadership, assessment, and curriculum design. Through DTC and Future Aura, he is committed to empowering educators, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful professional learning that strengthens teaching, leadership, and student outcomes across the UAE and beyond.

Keynote Speaker

Ms. Sally Holloway

Sally has spent most of her career working in international education. Shortly after graduating, she moved to the United States to take up a position at Washington International School where she was first introduced to the International Baccalaureate. She moved to Thailand in the late 1990s where she was appointed as the founding Head of an IB school. During her 21 years in Thailand, she was an active member of the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT), serving on the committee for many years, supporting other international schools as well as working closely with the Offices of Private Education (OPEC). Sally was also a committee member for the Professional Women’s Group, a sub-committee of the British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (BCCT) and organized regular networking events and presentations for professional women in Bangkok. Sally has been involved with the IB for many years, serving on the regional council for Asia Pacific and as Chair of the Heads Council. She joined the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Board of Governors as an ex officio member between 2009 and 2010 and was invited to join the Board as an independent member in April 2011 until 2017, serving as Vice Chair the Board and Chair of the Governance Committee. Later, Sally joined the IB as Deputy Director General. Sally has taught in three IB programmes: first as a science teacher in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), and later as a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) teacher in the Diploma Programme (DP). She has watched students excel in IB programmes, whose strong emphasis on inquiry helps students develop a real love of learning. Both of Sally’s children went through all three of the IB programmes and are DP graduates. In addition to her role as a Board member at Dar Al Marefa, Sally serves on the Board of Apex 2100, an IB school in the French alps for downhill skiers. After a career overseas, Sally returned to UK, but she maintains her involvement with the international education community, consulting for the Council of International Schools (CIS), conducting membership engagement visits for schools around the globe as they apply for CIS membership.

Voice of the Students – The Future of Education

Students from Dar Al Marefa Private School – Dubai