10 – 12 November 2026
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Dubai World Trade Centre Sheikh Saeed Halls 1, 2 & 3
Joanna Gilbert
Head of Innovation and STEM Sherborne Qatar Schools - Sherborne Qatar School for Boys
Joanna Gilbert trained and worked in the UK for over a decade before relocating to Doha in 2012. While in the UK, she was involved in a British Council project linking East Yorkshire schools with partners in India, sparking her passion for inter-school collaboration and the transformative role of technology in education. This project relied heavily on digital tools for communication, resource sharing, and content creation, laying the foundation for her ongoing commitment to digital learning.
During her MA in Education, Joanna focused on multimedia literacy to support diverse learners—an approach she has continued in Qatari schools, especially with bi- and multilingual pupils. She has held leadership roles in English and ICT, and most notably served as Head of Computing and STEM at a newly opened girls’ school. There, she developed a digital curriculum from Years 1 to 8 using one-to-one devices, which is now used across all four Sherborne Qatar schools.
Currently part of the Senior Leadership Team at Sherborne Qatar Boys School, Joanna is focused on developing a curriculum designed around how boys learn best. A Microsoft Innovative Educator and Trainer, she led the Girls School to Microsoft Showcase status and now aims to do the same across the Sherborne group.
Speaker Sessions
GESS Talks Live
1628
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Panel Session: EmpowerED Tech: Actionable Strategies for Advancement; harnessing AI, collaboration and innovation in schools
Speakers:
Tai Paschall
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Head of Digital Education & Innovation - Al Yasat Private School
Darren McCormick
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Head of Entrepreneurship & Innovation "The ADHD AI Teacher" - GEMS Metropole Al Waha
Joanna Gilbert
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Head of Innovation and STEM Sherborne Qatar Schools - Sherborne Qatar School for Boys
Ahmed Ezzat Ali
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Regional Commercial Manager - Our Education for Investments
Categories:
AI and EdTech
EdTech in Action
1609
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Digital Literacy; The New Literacy
Session Summary:
In the 20th century, literacy meant the ability to read and write. In the 21st century, it includes the ability to navigate, create, evaluate and communicate through digital means. A discussion about the importance of creating a curriculum that develops crucial digital skills right across the early years and primary age range. Focused on how to build a curriculum which prepares students for their future lives in a digital world using the latest tools to support teaching and learning.
Jo Gilbert, Head of Innovation and STEM and Head of Key Stage 2 at Sherborne Boys School, has been doing curriculum development work including digital transformations since 2012 and will discuss her experiences in this insightful case study.
Speakers:
Joanna Gilbert
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Head of Innovation and STEM Sherborne Qatar Schools - Sherborne Qatar School for Boys
Categories:
AI and EdTech
Safeguarding
STEM Education
// GESS EDUCATION INSIGHTS
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