MENA School Excellence Awards 2026

Submissions have closed! Whilst you wait to hear of our shortlists, take a look at our incredible judging team!

Meet our judges

Optimus Education is proud to unveil its 2026 MENA School Excellence Awards judging panel, bringing together more than 25 distinguished experts from across the education sector. Their collective expertise spans school leadership, innovation, mental health, inclusion, sustainability, and pedagogical development.

This year’s judges include:

  • Alveena Abrar, head of AI curriculum, Paramount Education
  • Anja Nielsen, impact and partnerships lead, Sustainability at School
  • Bill Turner, Veteran International School leader and senior search associate
  • Cheryl Pavitt, inclusive education specialist
  • Claire Gadsby, consultant, trainer and author in school improvement
  • Clemmie Stewart, educational leader and coach
  • Dare Pitan, digital education lead and AI in education researcher
  • David Muir, former HM inspector (Ofsted) and quality assurance expert
  • Debra Forsyth, CEO and director, British Schools in the Middle East (BSME)
  • Dr Christine Nasserghodsi, managing partner, Verdant Education
  • Dr Fiona Rogers, deputy CEO, COBIS
  • Dr Ruba Tabari, educational psychologist and wellbeing advisor
  • Ella Savell-Boss, safeguarding consultant
  • Emma Symonds, inclusion and wellbeing specialist
  • Leo Thompson, founder of Edsplorer
  • Liz Newbon, sustainability educator and consultant
  • Louise Dawson, inclusion consultant and trainer
  • Mary Rose Connolly, mental health and wellbeing consultant
  • Mufida Said Al Digeil, co-founder and director, The Majlis Academy
  • Muna Salem Binothman, curriculum and school development specialist
  • Priya Mitchell, education consultant and mental health practitioner
  • Sahreen Siddiqui, leadership coach and educational consultant
  • Sajida Al Bashir, director of school improvement
  • Sam Garner, mental health and inclusion consultant
  • Sarah Johnson, director, Phoenix Education Consultancy
  • Zoubiya Ahmed, director, Verdant & Co and Founder, Highbright Education

The judges will carefully evaluate nominations across the award categories, before discussing their top choices with each other at panel meetings to choose winners. Their diverse backgrounds enhance the judging process, balancing regional insight with global best practice.

The MENA School Excellence Awards spotlight schools, educators, and initiatives making meaningful, forward-thinking contributions to education in the region. We thank our judges for supporting us to celebrate and highlight excellence in education.

Full details of the judging panel can be viewed on the MENA School Excellence website.