GEC CircleTable: Transforming Education (The Curriculum)
For the first webinar, Nic Ponsford (Founder and CEO of the GEC) and Circle expert, Meena Wood would love to invite you to be part of our GEC CircleTable: Transforming Education to explore models of school curriculum and assessment that work in the best interests of ALL children.
The recent DfE Curriculum and Assessment Review Consultation aim was for “evolution and not revolution”. Sir Ken Robinson famously opined “Education doesn’t need to be reformed … it needs to be transformed”. This is the context of the webinar we wish our panellists to explore.
Summary bio (Hosts)
Meena Wood MBA Ed Leadership, Board Member of Chartered College of Teaching, Honorary Fellow of Education Leadership Academy Univ of Birmingham, Patron of
English Speaking Board, Editorial Advisory Board for The Day. Meena Kumari Wood is a former HMI (Ofsted), DfE and LA Senior Adviser, FE College Principal and Principal of a Secondary Academy. She is a registered KHDA inspector in Dubai. She works across British and International Education sectors, conducting in-depth reviews of school curriculum and assessment and provides guidance on quality assuring teaching and learning through instructional coaching for staff. Her expertise lies in the
National Curriculum, Northern Ireland, Wales and International Baccalaureate curricula. She has worked with Indian schools over the last six years on assessment systems in line with the National Indian Education Policy.
Her training workshops focus on ED-Tech, pedagogy, assessment, leadership, governance and school improvement. She is a keynote speaker for UK and International events, including FED, BSME (Dubai), Eduexcellence ( India) and the Northern Ireland Inspectorate and has contributed evidence at two Government Select Committees on Ofsted and Oracy Skills. In addition, she hosts international webinars and has contributed to a variety of podcasts on future proofing education and inspection.
Meena has authored journal and media articles for Impact (Chartered College), RSA, SchoolsWeek, Teach Secondary, TES and BSME( Dubai) and published two books
Assessment of Prior Learning & Bilingual Learners; Conversion of Overseas Qualifications for the medical and teaching professions (Routledge 1995) and Secondary Curriculum Transformed: Enabling All to Achieve ( Routledge December 2020). ‘Secondary Curriculum Transformed’ features on the core reading list for the MEd in Educational Leadership (University of Birmingham). This successful handbook draws on UK and international school case studies showcasing excellent practice and reflects Meena’s passion for placing learners’ aspirations and needs at the heart of curriculum, so all young people may flourish
as knowledgeable, self- reflective thinkers and Global Citizens.
Nic Ponsford
Her work, grounded in doctoral research, champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education and beyond. As the creator of the GEC Platform—the first intersectional data platform for inclusion and well-being—Nic’s innovation earned her the D&I Tech Initiative of the Year award at the 2024 Inclusive Awards. She also leads the GEC Circle, the world’s largest network of inclusion experts.
A former Advanced Skills Teacher, examiner, and ‘Outstanding New Teacher’ awardee, Nic is also a Harvard author and has contributed to TES, The Guardian, and Schools Week. She is a sought-after keynote speaker and has been headhunted by the Department for Education (DfE) for several landmark initiatives, including the EdTech Demonstrator Project and the Assistive Technology Programme.In addition to her role at GEC, Nicole serves as Co-Head of Education for Microlink, the UK’s leading provider of assistive technology, workplace adjustments, and accessibility solutions. Since 1992, Microlink has supported over half a million individuals with disabilities and health conditions to succeed in education and employment.
Speakers Include:
Neelam Bhatti (International; Whole School Inclusion Coordinator Dubai)
Michael Norton (International; Head of Secondary Collegiate Dubai )
Harmeet Sahota (Secondary and Assessment Executive Headteacher London
Al Kingsley MBE (Global, Edtech)
