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Unlocking high performance in education
Vikas Pota speaks to the world’s leading lights in education and inspirational figures whose stories deserve to be told. Top school principals, CEOs, journalists, authors, academics and government ministers reveal the greatest lessons they’ve learned from their fascinating lives as Vikas asks the most important question when it comes to transforming education: how do we drive high performance?
NEW RELEASE
Episode 23
The culture behind outstanding schools
- Simon O'Connor
What does it take to build high-performance schools in one of the world’s most competitive education systems, and why does culture matter so much?
In this episode of the EdVance Podcast, Simon O’Connor, Headmaster of Harrow International School Dubai, reflects on more than a decade of school leadership in the UAE and what sustains strong performance over time.
Simon explains why school culture, defined through shared values and daily behaviours, underpins consistency, quality and trust. He shares how high expectations, staff wellbeing and leadership responsibility shape schools that remain strong even in transient, international communities.
The conversation examines leadership in Dubai’s private school system, the role of inspection and accountability, and how schools can prepare students for an uncertain future without compromising their focus on fundamentals.
UP NEXT
Episode 24
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
Episode 24:
Education leaders worldwide are redefining what it takes to create high-performance schools. In this episode, we explore fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and practical strategies making it happen.
Don’t miss Episode 24!
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ABOUT
Vikas Pota
Vikas Pota is the Founder and CEO of T4 Education, Executive Chair of the Education Leaders Forum, and Founder of Inicio Partners.
Vikas founded the World’s Best School Prizes - the world’s most prestigious education awards - to surface the expertise and share the best practices of schools that are changing lives in their classrooms and far beyond their walls. He also established the Best School to Work programme to help schools transform their working environment and culture. Every year he hosts the World Schools Summit in the UAE - bringing together the leaders who will forge a new vision for education to meet the challenges of a world changing beyond recognition.
Vikas was previously CEO of a philanthropic foundation, has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and as one of London’s 1,000 most influential persons by the Evening Standard. Vikas was named European regional honouree for the 2022 YPO Global Impact Award.
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