Written by: Stella Wekesa, Regional Senior Communication Manager
Convening Future-Ready Education: How the British Council is Supporting Human Capability Development in Saudi Arabia
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its education transformation under Vision 2030, schools are being asked to do more than adapt – they are being challenged to fundamentally rethink leadership, skills development and how learners are prepared for a future economy shaped by technology, innovation and global connectivity.
In January 2026, the British Council convened this conversation through the inaugural KSA Schools Conference, bringing together over 120 senior education leaders for a two-day national dialogue on what it truly means to build future-ready schools in the Kingdom.
Individual sessions drew between 92 and 118 participants, reflecting strong and sustained engagement across both days. The audience represented a diverse cross-section of the sector, including private national and international schools alongside the British Council’s 75+ Partner Schools in Saudi Arabia. Regional participation further underscored the conference’s convening power, with delegates joining from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The event was honoured by the presence of the Director from the Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who attended as Chief Guest, alongside the Director of the Ministry of Education, Bahrain, who participated as a delegate, reinforcing high-level institutional interest in the agenda.
Rather than focusing on incremental reform, the conference was designed as a platform for systems-level thinking, connecting research, policy priorities and school-level practice to support sustainable human capability development.
Leadership that Enables Change
A central theme throughout the conference was the evolving role of school leadership. In her keynote session, Education for Tomorrow: How Schools of the Future Will Shape National Progress, Kathleen O’Hare – Chair of the Northern Ireland Skills Council and International Education Consultant at the British Council – challenged leaders with a powerful analogy:
“Is your kitchen fit to deliver your aspirational menu?”
The question resonated strongly. It encouraged schools to reflect on whether their internal systems – planning cycles, decision-making structures and stakeholder engagement processes – are aligned with their ambitions.
Kathleen highlighted practical considerations for meaningful leadership transformation, including:
- Introducing multiple planning cycles rather than relying on a single annual plan
- Actively incorporating key stakeholders into decision-making
- Building realistic strategies that are aligned with institutional capability
The message was clear: delivering transformative outcomes requires leadership models that are intentional, inclusive and fit for purpose.
This perspective was reinforced in a high-level panel discussion featuring school leaders from across the Kingdom and the region, who shared how leadership must evolve to empower innovation, enable teachers and respond to rapidly shifting skills demands.
Skills, English and Economic Opportunity
Another cornerstone of the conference was the role of skills, particularly English, in shaping opportunity and employability. Research-led insights from the British Council’s Future of English initiative highlighted English as a strategic enabler of global competitiveness, while also raising important questions around teacher relevance, technology integration and evolving learner expectations.
Sessions explored how schools can balance academic outcomes with critical thinking, creativity and digital literacy, positioning language capability as central to broader human development rather than as an isolated subject area.
Several schools expressed interest in strengthening their English provision following the conference, including solutions aimed at enhancing both staff capability and student outcomes, a clear signal that dialogue is translating into practical next steps.
Partnership in Action
What distinguished the KSA Schools Conference was not only the diversity of voices present, but the depth of collaboration across sectors. Participants included representatives from ministries, private and international schools, higher education institutions, vocational providers and industry, creating a rare space for cross-sector dialogue.
Breakout sessions enabled practical discussion on leadership development, AI and technology in education, student wellbeing, parent engagement and operational readiness.
A particularly engaging moment came from Alexander Owens, Teacher of English and Drama at the International British School, Kuwait. Presenting his Action Research Project, he demonstrated how integrating drama into everyday pedagogy can foster motivation, deepen curriculum engagement and create opportunities for richer understanding.
Rather than viewing drama as an optional enrichment activity, Alexander encouraged leaders to see it as a core teaching tool, a practical example of how innovation at classroom level can support national capability ambitions.
Spotlight on Schools sessions further showcased how Partner Schools are already translating strategy into practice through innovation, research and creative approaches to learning.
From Dialogue to Delivery
Momentum has continued beyond the event itself. The British Council has received one formal Expression of Interest through official channels, with a further five schools indicating interest in follow-up engagement.
As part of ongoing partnership development:
- Presentation materials and digital certificates will be shared with all delegates
- Targeted follow-up conversations are underway with schools exploring partnership and programme opportunities
- Schools interested in strengthening English provision are being supported through tailored discussions
These next steps ensure that the conference serves not as a standalone event, but as the beginning of sustained collaboration aligned with Vision 2030 priorities.
As Matthew Knowles, Country Director, British Council, Saudi Arabia, noted, the inaugural KSA Schools Conference marked a significant milestone in supporting the Kingdom’s education ambitions – bringing schools, policymakers and partners together to shape the future of learning as Saudi Arabia invests in skills and human capability.
By creating space for honest dialogue, research-led insight and partnership-driven action, the KSA Schools Conference demonstrated how collaboration can move beyond conversation to measurable impact.
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey towards a future-ready education system, the British Council remains committed to supporting schools, partners and policymakers in building the leadership, skills and capability needed to thrive – together.