29 September - 1 October 2026
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The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.
Abena Appiah
Head of Secondary English - Arcadia British School
Abena is a Head of English and Literacy Lead working in an international British-curriculum school in Dubai. She works across secondary phases, supporting curriculum design, assessment, reading, and examination readiness within GCSE and A Level contexts.
She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from the University of Oxford, where her research focused on assessment, reading, and classroom practice, and she is a UK-accredited Lead Practitioner. Abena also works as a GCSE examiner and literacy consultant, supporting teachers and middle leaders to translate assessment frameworks and educational research into sustainable, high-impact classroom practice.
Her work centres on improving student outcomes without narrowing the curriculum, strengthening teaching clarity and confidence, and helping schools balance accountability with professional trust particularly within international and examination-driven contexts.
Speaker Sessions
Leaders in Education
1499
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Developing Educator Excellence: Building Capacity from Pre-Service to Veteran Teachers
Session Summary:
Creating exceptional educators requires a comprehensive approach that spans from initial teacher preparation through ongoing professional development. This session explores integrated strategies for developing teaching excellence across the entire career continuum, addressing the critical need to align pre-service training with in-service capacity building for sustained educational impact. The session focuses on building coherent systems that bridge the theory-practice gap, foster collaborative learning cultures, and ensure all educators—regardless of career stage—have the tools, knowledge, and support needed to maximise student success. Join this session to:
• Design integrated development pathways to create comprehensive educator development systems that align pre-service preparation with ongoing professional growth, ensuring continuity and progression throughout teaching careers
• Build collaborative learning ecosystems with mentorship programs, professional learning communities, and peer support networks that connect novice and experienced teachers in mutually beneficial learning relationships
• Implement modern pedagogical frameworks capacity-building programs that address 21st-century teaching competencies, including technology integration, cultural responsiveness, differentiated instruction, and inclusive practices
• Create sustainable support systems that provide ongoing coaching, reflective practice opportunities, and targeted professional development that adapts to individual teacher needs and career stages
