2:05 - 2:30 PM | The Operating Models Behind the Region's Most Ambitious School Groups
Panel Discussion
The Conversation
Scaling a school group and scaling it well are two very different things. Speed is easy to chase and easy to regret; the leaders who get it right are the ones building systems, culture and conviction deliberately enough to still be standing, and thriving, years down the line.
This session brings together school leaders who've lived the realities of growth from the inside, exploring what it takes to scale with intention rather than just speed. It considers the decisions, culture and infrastructure that sit behind sustainable growth, and closes as a conversation on building a school, or a group of schools, that's excellent today and even better tomorrow.
Key discussion points include:
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What it takes to scale a school or school group with real intention, not just speed
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The decisions, culture and infrastructure that sit behind sustainable growth
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Lessons from leaders who've built and grown schools from the ground up
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Building an organisation that's excellent today and even better tomorrow
Speakers
Alan Moody Principal, Charter Schools Alan is an Irish educator who trained in England and is now leading a thriving primary charter school of almost 1,500 students in the UAE. At the heart of his leadership is a simple belief: grow people, and organisations will grow with them. Passionate about talent identification and capacity building, Alan has built his leadership around creating opportunities for others to step forward, find their voice, and realise their potential. He believes the best leaders combine high expectations with kindness, courage with humility, and strategy with humanity. Above all, Alan strives to see the person before the position—and to leave people and organisations stronger than he found them.
Dr. Adil Alzarooni Founder, Citizens School
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Tomas Duckling Headmaster , Dubai College An experienced and dynamic leader, Tom is deeply committed to placing students at the heart of every decision. With a passion for fostering a positive school culture and a belief in the power of character education, he champions kindness, collaboration, and innovation. Before joining Dubai College, Tom spent eight years in senior leadership at Aiglon College, Switzerland, where he successfully led transformative change, specifically overseeing the day-to-day running of the school and the philosophy of learning at the prestigious institution. Prior to that, he was Assistant Head at Jerudong International School, Brunei, and authored the Cambridge Resource Guide for Theory of Knowledge. Tom believes in inspiring students and staff to pursue knowledge, question assumptions, and think independently. Holding an MBA in Educational Leadership (International) from UCL and a degree in History and Politics from the University of Nottingham, Tom is a firm advocate of holistic education and is committed to applying the ideas of Aristotle and Marcus Aureliusto the future of education to ensure that academic excellence goes hand in hand with personal growth