Inclusion & Wellbeing MENA 2024 - Dubai - Inclusion (Day 1 - 22nd May)

Deepen and enrich your inclusion and wellbeing strategy and culture, evidence impact, and ensure everyone thrives.  

#oeMENA

Chaired by Gareth Morewood, our Inclusion progamme takes place on Wednesday 22nd May at the Sofitel Downtown Dubai.

Registration (08:00 - 08:50)

Welcome from Optimus Education (08:50)

Chair's Welcome (08:55 - 09:10)

Gareth Morewood, Educational Advisor, Studio III

Meet demand with an effective Inclusion strategy (09:10 - 09:40)

Lead your school wide strategy for supporting students of determination ensuring high quality support for all.

Louise Dawson, Education Consultant and Inclusion Specialist

Berna Bouwer, Corporate Head of Inclusion, GEMS Education

Nargish Khambatta, Senior Vice President - Education, GEMS Education

Supportive technology (09:40 - 10:00)

Empower your students, teachers and learning support assistants with supportive technology.

Alex Gray, Head of Science, Dubai British School, Leader & Founder of DEEP Professional

Questions and answers (10:00 - 10:10)

Workshop Choices (10:15 - 11:10)

1A. Support learners through differentiation and scaffolding

Provide support structures for your students, enabling progression of subject understanding without leaving anybody behind.

Emmanuel Awoyelu, Specialist Teacher and qualified SENCO

1B. Empowering multilingual learners: A strengths-based approach and technology

Discover how a strengths-based approach and innovative technology can enhance English language learning. Gain insights and strategies to celebrate linguistic diversity and optimise learning outcomes for multilingual learners.

Jenny Loach, Head of Education - International, Flash Academy

Lily Shaekhova, Head of EAL, GEMS FirstPoint School

1C. ADHD: teaching self-regulation

Understand the complex need of students with ADHD and support those learners with self-regulation techniques.

Dr Diksha Laungani, Educational Child and Adult Psychologist, The Psychology Center at the Carbone Clinic

Morning refreshments, networking and exhibition (11:10 - 11:50)

Workshop choices (11:50 - 12:45)

2A. Identification methods - what can you put in place before diagnosis?

Take a proactive approach to supporting students whilst they undergo assessment, implementing support strategies early to enhance social and academic progress.

Gareth Morewood, Educational Advisor, Studio III

2B. Able, gifted and talented inclusion

Engage your most able students and prevent stagnation of progress through individualised planning.

Andaleeb Ishteyaq, Head of Inclusion and Pastoral Care, JSS Private School Dubai

Dr Lokeswari Mahendren, Professional Development Specialist, JSS Private School Dubai

2C. English language learners

Lead high quality English provision and improve learners access to the curriculum in the classroom and communication with teachers and peers.

Gemma Donovan, Head of Whole School EAL, South View School, Dubai

Lunch, networking and exhibition (12:45 - 13:45)

Workshop choices (13:45 - 14:40)

3A. Upskill teachers and building confidence

Develop your teaching staff’s toolkit to work with students of determination, enabling consistent and confident teaching.

Gareth Morewood, Educational Advisor, Studio III

3B. Behaviour as communication

Effectively manage behaviour of students, ensuring students feel safe and able to focus on learning.

Sarah Johnson, Phoenix Education Consultancy

3C. Dyslexia

Unlock strategies to support dyslexic students, enhancing reading, writing, and comprehension in inclusive classrooms.

Zara Awan, Head of Learning Support Services, The Developing Child Centre

Afternoon refreshments, networking and exhibition (14:40 - 15:00)

Workshop choices (15:00 - 15:55)

4A. Create effective individual education plans

Tailor provision, meet diverse need, and drive student success with individual education plans.

Louise Dawson, Education Consultant and Inclusion Specialist

Aparajita Sahoo, Head of Inclusion, JSS International School

4B. Navigating parental culture

Communicate effectively with the parent community, ensuring aligned visions for support.

Victoria McKeown, Primary Inclusion Leader, Sunmarke School

4C. Developing social skills

Prioritise oracy and social skills, developing students' confidence at navigating through social school environments.

Emmanuel Awoyelu, Specialist Teacher and qualified SENCO

Action your learning (16:00 - 16:15)

Reflect on the lessons you have heard today, and pinpoint three objectives to take back to school.

Gareth Morewood, Educational Advisor, Studio III