Measuring What Matters — The Assessment Revolution Happening in Outstanding Schools
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Conversation
The most forward-thinking schools are quietly building assessment systems that capture something test scores never could: how a child thinks, creates, collaborates and grows. This session celebrates the academic leaders who have had the courage to measure what truly matters — and what they have found on the other side of that decision.
Speakers
Sharlina Islam Executive Education Leader, Riyadh Schools Hittin An executive education leader specializing in system-wide transformation, curriculum and assessment design, quality assurance, and school improvement. She has successfully led large-scale change initiatives, strengthened teaching and learning, built leadership capacity at all levels, developed high-performing teams, and implemented sustainable frameworks that drive excellence and improved student outcomes.
Gemma Peebles CEO, Harrison College Gemma Peebles is CEO of Harrison College and Vice President of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, a multiple award winning leader and speaker. She champions skills based education, driving programmes that prioritise learner destinations, employability and progression, building partnerships to ensure inclusive pathways into sustained employment, further study and independent futures.
Shen Megalaa Vice Principal Assessment and Data, Misk Schools With experience across Sydney, Australia, Dubai, it is at Misk Schools in Riyadh where Shen has found his calling in curriculum and assessment design and education reform, having played an integral role in supporting the development of the KS4 and KS5 curricula, and the development of the Misk Schools Diploma. In his role as Vice Principal of Assessment and Data at Misk Schools, Shen is working to ensure that students are equipped with the professional and academic recognition they need to gain access to the best education at Higher Education institutions globally. Shen’s core belief is that students of the next generation will inevitably be the best leaders the world has ever seen, and his drive is to ensure that they lead in the right direction for the right reasons.
Melanie Potgieter Assistant Vice Principal, Liwa International School Melanie is an accomplished Assistant Vice Principal with over 16 years’ experience in teaching, learning, assessment, curriculum, and school improvement across international schools in the Middle East. Holding a Master’s in Educational Leadership, she empowers educators, strengthens instructional practice, and fosters high-performing learning cultures. She has led initiatives in instructional coaching, curriculum development, professional learning, and data-driven improvement. Passionate about meaningful assessment and responsible AI integration, she enhances teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. Known for collaborative leadership, she shares evidence-based strategies, inspiring schools to embrace innovation while keeping teaching, learning, and student success central to every decision.
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