10 – 12 November 2026
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Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Saeed Halls 1, 2 & 3
David Leacy
Head of Design & Technology / Grassroots Leader - JESS Dubai
I’m Head of Design & Technology at JESS Dubai and an Associate Leader for Professional Development with the Teacher Development Trust. I also lead grassroots initiatives focused on onboarding and professional development, supporting staff at all career stages.
After reviewing our CPD framework at JESS, I helped design and embed a school-wide programme that takes a multi-layered approach to staff development. The aim was to create a sustainable, teacher-led culture of learning that connects professional growth directly to classroom practice and leadership development. It’s been rewarding to see how this has supported collaboration and continuous improvement across the school.
Speaker Sessions
GESS Talks Live
1628
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Developing a Culture of Professional Learning at JESS Dubai
Session Summary:
This presentation explores how a comprehensive review of JESS Dubai’s CPD framework led to the implementation of a multi-layered professional learning model. Drawing on initiatives such as Coffee & Leadership, Open Door Week, Grassroots Leadership, PD Workshops, and a structured onboarding programme, the model fosters a sustained, teacher-driven culture of learning. Each strand is designed to connect professional growth directly to classroom practice and leadership development, while onboarding ensures new staff are integrated into this culture from day one. The session will share practical strategies, lessons learned, and measurable impacts on teaching quality and student outcomes.
Speakers:
David Leacy
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Head of Design & Technology / Grassroots Leader - JESS Dubai
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