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29 September - 1 October 2026 | The Arena, Riyadh | Saudi Arabia.

Andrew Elias

International Development Lead - Norland University of Early Childhood

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Andrew Elias leads Norland's growth across the GCC, working with school groups, investors and government partners to bring Norland's early childhood expertise into new settings. He has spent over 10 years in international Pre-K-12 education, holding senior brand and growth roles within UK independent and international school groups, where he was central to greenfield school launches in Riyadh and Dubai and advised on group acquisitions and sales. Based between Riyadh and Oxford, he is a well-known connector in the sector, with a LinkedIn following of over 30,000 education leaders, operators and investors globally.

Speaker Sessions

Leaders in Education 1499

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مهندسو الدماغ، وليس جليسات الأطفال: لماذا تعتبر السنوات الأولى هي الأهم

Session Summary:

الطفولة المبكرة ليست إضافة إلى المدرسة. إنها المكان الذي يُبنى فيه الهيكل الدماغي للطفل، حيث تضع العائلات ثقتها لأول مرة، وحيث تبدأ رحلة المتعلم. بالاستناد إلى رحلة نورلاند منذ تأسيسها في عام 1892 لتصبح أول جامعة للطفولة المبكرة في العالم، وعلى تطوير نورلاند الدولية عبر دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي، ستستكشف ماندي إدموند وأندرو إلياس ما يتطلبه الأمر لجلب الخبرة المتخصصة في السنوات المبكرة إلى بيئات المدارس الدولية. ستنظر الجلسة في الممارسين والقادة الذين يجعلون التوفير عالي الجودة ممكنًا، والمعايير والفلسفة التي تدعمه، ولماذا تعزز السنوات المبكرة المنفذة بشكل جيد المدرسة بأكملها: تعليميًا، وفي العلاقات الأسرية، ومن منظور التسويق والتوظيف. بالنسبة لمعلمي الطفولة المبكرة وقادة المدارس والمالكين والمستثمرين على حد سواء، الرسالة هي نفسها: السنوات الأولى تستحق أقوى خبرة.

 

 

Speakers

  • me
    Mandy Edmond | Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Norland University of Early Childhood
  • ae
    Andrew Elias | International Development Lead - Norland University of Early Childhood

Categories

  • Pre-school and Early Years
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Brain Architects, Not Babysitters: Why the Earliest Years Matter Most

Session Summary:

Early childhood is not an add-on to a school. It is where a child's brain architecture is built, where families first place their trust, and where the learner journey begins. Drawing on Norland's journey from its founding in 1892 to becoming the world's first University of Early Childhood, and on the development of Norland International across the GCC, Mandy Edmond and Andrew Elias will explore what it takes to bring specialist early years expertise into international school settings. The session will look at the practitioners and leaders who make high-quality provision possible, the standards and philosophy that underpin it, and why early years done well strengthens the whole school: educationally, in family relationships, and from a marketing and recruitment perspective. For early childhood educators, school leaders, owners and investors alike, the message is the same: the earliest years deserve the strongest expertise. 

Speakers

  • me
    Mandy Edmond | Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Norland University of Early Childhood
  • ae
    Andrew Elias | International Development Lead - Norland University of Early Childhood

Categories

  • Pre-school and Early Years

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