The Ambition Driving Every Great School
Panel Discussion
The Conversation
Behind every truly outstanding school is a moment when its leaders chose the harder, bolder path because they believed it was right. This session celebrates those decisions — and the leaders with the conviction to make them. Because the future belongs to schools willing to be bold today.
Speakers
Dr. Tamar Demetradze Founding Head, Buckswood School Riyadh An internationally experienced school leader with expertise across the UK and Middle East. As Founding Head of Buckswood School Riyadh, she champions the distinctive Buckswood 12 Pillars Philosophy, combining innovative AI-informed leadership, teacher mentorship, and human-centred education to develop confident, globally minded, future-ready learners.
Fiona Cottam Principal, Hartland International School Fiona has worked in Dubai since 2009 joining Hartland International School in 2016 as the Principal after a successful tenure at GEMS Education. A graduate of UCD, majoring in Classical Music and English. Fiona is an elected Director and Treasurer of COBIS and sits on several working parties of the ITFCP. She is vice-chair of BISSC representing the BSME. and sits on the schools’ advisory group at The University of Birmingham Dubai and on the Enterprise Ireland UAE Advisory Board. Delivering on the NPQH programme she is a founding member of the Women in Educational Leadership Network Dubai. Fiona is currently undertaking her Doctorate with a research focus on leadership and organisation culture.
Dr Steffen Sommer Director General, Misk Schools Dr Steffen Sommer, Director General of Misk Schools, is a passionate linguist and High Performance Learning (HPL) expert with over 30 years of senior leadership experience in Europe and the Middle East. He is an Honorary Vice President of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), a co-founder of the international division of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, and an HPL Fellow. He was named one of The PIE's 50 Voices 2025 – International Schools edition.
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