In this webinar, panellists from COBIS Schools and the Chartered College of Teaching will explore the value of international school experience and the range of professional development opportunities for teachers and leaders in the international sector (including Chartered Status, formal training, opportunities to engage with research, initial teacher training, and more). The panellists will look at global teacher migration, recognition of overseas experience, and challenges and opportunities for teachers seeking to move or return to teaching in the UK.
Speakers:
• Dr Fiona Rogers, Deputy CEO/Director of Professional Development and Research, COBIS
• Dr Cat Scutt, Deputy CEO, Chartered College of Teaching
• Melanie Chambers FCCT, Deputy Head and Director of Professional Learning, The British School of Brussels
• Dee Saran, FCCT, Deputy Head – Teaching & Learning – Dubai College
• Grant Gillies, Headteacher, South Morningside Primary
Melanie Chambers FCCT, Deputy Head and Director of Professional Learning, The British School of Brussels
As Deputy Head and Director of Professional Learning, Melanie has spent the last 11 years of her leadership focusing on how we collaboratively create cultures that support staff learning. She has a passion to forge connections across networks that create innovative ideas and support staff in their leadership, learning and professionalism.
Grant Gillies, Headteacher, South Morningside Primary
Grant Gillies has worked in the UK for many years as a Head and in several countries internationally as a Principal. He has worked at National level the General Teaching Council for Scotland and Education Scotland, Ofsted equivalent. As part of the commitment to the leadership continuum, he is currently supporting Deputy Heads to become Heads as part of a programme for emerging leaders and works with the University of Edinburgh on the Into Headship programme. Grant has worked with COBIS supporting the Leadership programmes and recently joined the Association of Educational Advisors in the UK. His current school was shortlisted in the TES School of the Year Awards 2024.
Dee Saran, FCCT, Deputy Head – Teaching & Learning – Dubai College
Dee Saran is the Deputy Head of Learning and Teaching at Dubai College and a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Dee is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration and support and worked at the National College of Leadership and for a range of Teaching Schools across the UK. The drive to cross cultivate has continued in Dubai, she is the co-founder of the UAE Research Schools Network and is passionate about creating evidence-based networks with world-class universities. Her passion for developing innovative teaching, leadership pathways, research and quality CPD has driven the vision for Dubai College’s Center of Innovation in Learning and Teaching.
Dr Fiona Rogers, Deputy CEO and Director of Professional Development and Research, COBIS
Dr Fiona Rogers is Deputy CEO and Director of Professional Development and Research with COBIS – a membership association representing c.300 high-quality British international schools in 80 countries worldwide. Fiona leads on the planning and management of all COBIS conferences and professional development events, as well as COBIS research initiatives.
Dr Cat Scutt, Deputy CEO, Chartered College of Teaching
Cat Scutt is Deputy CEO, Education and Research at the Chartered College of Teaching, the professional body for teachers. A former English teacher, Cat’s roles have since focused on supporting teacher development both online and through face-to-face activities, with a particular focus on development using digital technology, through collaboration and by engagement with research and evidence. She has worked in education in both the state and independent sector, as well as in corporate learning and development. Cat leads on the Chartered College of Teaching’s work around teacher development and certification, including the Chartered Teacher programme, and their research activities and publications, including their award-winning peer-reviewed journal, Impact. She is currently completing her PhD at the UCL Institute of Education. She received an MBE for services to education in 2021 and has been a member of several government advisory groups.
