Excellence in AI and Digital Innovation
From a secondary classroom in South London to leading 8 schools and 23,000 children across the UAE, Matthew brings 22 years of frontline and strategic experience. Founding Principal of GEMS Founders School, BSO Lead Inspector, and COBIS Improvement Partner, he believes school should be a place children genuinely love.
Matthew Burfield
Executive Principal & CEO, GEMS Education
UAE
Excellence in School Culture
Founding CEO of the Children's University, first Global Director of Education at KidZania, and professor on three continents, Ger champions the belief that "children can only aspire to what they know exists." A globally sought keynote speaker on equity, creativity, and the power of children's voice.
Professor Dr Ger Graus
Global Education Adviser, Dr Ger Graus OBE Consulting Ltd
UK
Excellence in Inclusion
Matthew Savage
A former Head of School turned global consultant, Matthew has spent years asking schools a deceptively simple question: do you genuinely know your students? CIS Affiliated Consultant, co-host of the Data Talks podcast, and board member for inclusion-focused organisations, he champions belonging as the true measure of outstanding.
Founder, The Mona Lisa Effect
Scotland
Early Years Excellence
Diana brings 30 years in education, including 24 as a Head or Principal across the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong. Having led day and boarding, city and country schools, she retired from full-time headship in 2024 and now governs St Paul's Girls' School, London and Kellett School, Hong Kong.
Diana Vernon
Director & Educational Advisor, Kellett School
Hong Kong
Outstanding Schools Global Awards Judges Panel
The Outstanding Schools Global Awards are adjudicated by a distinguished panel of international educational experts. While each category is overseen by a Lead Judge, the final decisions on all winners are reached through a collective deliberation by the entire panel, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and global perspective.
Dr Helen Wright is a renowned international education expert, board advisor, and executive coach with an extensive career leading prestigious schools globally. As Chair, she brings unparalleled insight and a rigorous commitment to excellence in school leadership and culture.
Chair of Judges Panel
Dr Helen Wright
United Kingdom
Emerging Excellence
Peter Derby-Crook
Principal, GIS International School KL
Awarded an MBE for services to education abroad, Peter brings 30+ years of UK and international headship to this panel. A TEDx speaker, IBO World Heads' Council member, and former HMC and COBIS leader, he looks for the school that makes families say: "This is the one."
Malaysia
Educational Leadership
Dr Eleanor Prescott
A doctorate in education, a decade in investment banking, and school-building experience across Cambodia, Peru, and Shanghai — Eleanor's career spans continents and sectors. She grew Wellington Shanghai to 1,500 pupils and holds a Master's in Economics from the University of Edinburgh.
CEO, Inspired Education Group
Peru
Outstanding School
With nearly 30 years in teaching and headship since 2007, Katie is co-founder of WISE (Women in International Schools Empowerment) and The Mentorship Hub. A former AIMS Network Chair and WomenEd Malaysia founding leader, she is a tireless advocate for equity and connection across international education.
Katie Tomlinson
Deputy Head of Whole School / Head of Primary, The British School Manila
Philippines
Lifetime Achievement
Stella Zhou
A bilingual educator with deep roots in the Wellington College ethos, Stella leads Hiba Academy Shanghai with a commitment to holistic education that also delivers results. Having joined Wellington College China in 2017, she brings a personal as well as professional perspective — her two daughters study at the school she leads.
Principal, Hiba Academy Shanghai
China
