2:05 - 2:30 PM | A Culture of Safety is a Culture of Love — Building Safeguarding into the Soul of a School
Fireside Discussion
The Conversation
Safeguarding policies can be immaculate on paper and still fail in practice, because genuine safety isn't a document, it's a culture. It's whether a child feels able to speak up, whether a teacher notices the quiet signs, whether the systems built to protect reach the people who need them.
This session explores what a genuine, embedded culture of safeguarding looks like, bringing together group-level and school-level safeguarding leadership in one conversation. It considers safety as something structural and cultural, not just procedural, examines what it takes for every child to feel safe enough to become themselves, and offers a practical conversation on building trust and care into daily school life.
Key discussion points include:
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What a genuine, embedded culture of safeguarding looks like
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Bringing together group-level and school-level safeguarding leadership
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Safety as something structural and cultural, not just procedural
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What it takes for every child to feel safe enough to become themselves
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A practical conversation on building trust and care into daily school life
Speakers
Claire Scowen Vice President, GEMS Education Claire Scowen is Vice President – Risk and Global Lead for Safeguarding and Child Protection at GEMS Education, providing strategic leadership for one of the world’s largest private education providers. A recognised expert, she specialises in safeguarding leadership, governance, compliance, and implementing international best practice. Claire has developed robust frameworks, assurance systems, and training programmes that enhance culture, compliance, and outcomes for children across diverse settings. Passionate about making safeguarding a strategic priority, she works with leaders, regulators, and multidisciplinary teams to translate policy into practice, strengthen governance, and build sustainable cultures of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement for all children.
Dr Faiza Mubeen Head of Inclusion, Beech Hall School Riyadh Dr. h.c. Faiza Mubeen is the Founding Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Beech Hall School Riyadh. A senior educational leader with over 20 years of GCC experience, she specializes in inclusive education, safeguarding, wellbeing, and school transformation, advocating for equitable learning opportunities and student-centered educational practices. She carries a master's degree in international education management from Ludwigsburg University Germany and an honorary Doctorate in philosophy of education from university of Maryland.
Kirsty Clark Head of Safeguarding/ Regional Safeguarding Lead - Middle East, Cognita Kirsty is an experienced safeguarding professional with a strong child protection and education background across the GCC. She empowers staff, supports DSLs, and champions data-informed approaches to identify trends whilst strengthening culture & provision. Combining professional rigour with empathy, Kirsty ensures every child & colleague feels safe, valued, and supported to thrive.