29 September - 1 October 2026
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The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.
Kym Whittle
EAL Lead - Yasmina British Academy
Kym Whittle is a Teacher of English and English as an Additional Language Lead, with over a decade of experience across inner-city London schools and international contexts, including Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive, high-quality education and brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every space she speaks in.
Kym specialises in supporting neurodivergent learners and students with additional learning needs, including EAL/ELL. Drawing on her personal experience of ADHD, she offers an authentic, research-informed perspective that challenges misconceptions, particularly around ADHD in girls and EAL/ELL learners. Kym equips educators with practical, adaptive strategies for real classrooms.
An experienced speaker and facilitator, Kym has delivered numerous professional development sessions both internally and externally and has contributed to panel discussions on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Most recently, she delivered a session on empowering EAL learners in the 21st-century classroom.
A self-confessed research enthusiast and avid reader, Kym is known for engaging, thought-provoking sessions that spark meaningful conversation and reflection. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional learning and enjoys collaborating with schools, leaders, and organisations to empower staff, support families, and improve outcomes for all learners.
Speaker Sessions
Leaders in Education
1499
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توظيف المعلمين والاحتفاظ بهم في المملكة العربية السعودية: بناء التميز في رؤية 2030
Session Summary:
تتناول هذه الجلسة تحديات التوظيف والاحتفاظ الحرجة التي تواجه المدارس السعودية بينما تحول المملكة مشهدها التعليمي في إطار رؤية 2030. بالاستناد إلى رؤى السوق المحلية وأفضل الممارسات الدولية، يستكشف العرض استراتيجيات عملية لجذب ودمج والاحتفاظ بالمعلمين ذوي الجودة العالية في قطاع التعليم التنافسي في المملكة العربية السعودية. سيفحص المشاركون الاعتبارات الثقافية، والمتطلبات التنظيمية، والمناهج المبتكرة لبناء مجتمعات تدريسية مستدامة تدعم التميز المؤسسي والأهداف التعليمية الوطنية. انضم إلى هذه الجلسة من أجل:
• التنقل في توظيف التعليم السعودي وإتقان استراتيجيات فعالة لجذب المعلمين الدوليين والمحليين
• تصميم دمج فعال للمعلمين لتطوير برامج تأهيل شاملة تدعم الانتقال الثقافي، والإرشاد المهني، والاندماج المجتمعي، مما يسرع فعالية المعلمين الجدد ويبني الالتزام المؤسسي طويل الأجل
• تنفيذ أفضل ممارسات الاحتفاظ بما في ذلك مسارات التطوير الوظيفي، ومجتمعات التعلم المهنية، وبرامج التقدير التي تتماشى مع توقعات المعلمين والقيم الثقافية السعودية مع دعم أهداف رؤية 2030
Sharlina Islam
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Head of Curriculum and Assessment - Riyadh Schools Hittin
Amal AlAmoudi
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Director - Education Leaders Institute, RSG
Categories
Leadership and Professional Development
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Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Saudi Arabia: Building Excellence in Vision 2030
Session Summary:
This session addresses critical recruitment and retention challenges facing Saudi Arabian schools as the Kingdom transforms its educational landscape under Vision 2030. Drawing on local market insights and international best practices, the presentation explores practical strategies for attracting, integrating, and retaining high-quality educators in Saudi Arabia's competitive education sector. Participants will examine cultural considerations, regulatory requirements, and innovative approaches to building sustainable teaching communities that support institutional excellence and national educational goals. Join this session to:
• Navigate Saudi education recruitment and master effective strategies for attracting international and local educators
• Design effective teacher integration to develop comprehensive onboarding programs that support cultural transition, professional mentoring, and community integration, accelerating new teacher effectiveness building long-term institutional commitment
• Implement retention best practices including career development pathways, professional learning communities, and recognition programs that align with educator expectations and Saudi cultural values while supporting Vision 2030 objectives
