Taking place on Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 12:00 UK / 16:00 UAE. 

As we step into 2026, the landscape of special educational needs (SEN) and inclusion continues to evolve, bringing new challenges and opportunities for educators, students, and families. This engaging webinar brings together four leading experts in the field of SEN and inclusion to explore the latest strategies, innovations, and best practices for fostering inclusive school environments.

Chaired by Dr Helen Wright, this panel discussion will cover:

• The evolving landscape of SEN and inclusion in 2026
• Innovative strategies and best practices for fostering inclusive school environments
• The importance of collaboration between educators, families, and communities
• Why inclusion is critical to empowering every learner
 

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                Speakers: 

Dr Helen Wright
Director - Global Thought Leadership Limited

Dr Helen Wright is a highly regarded global leader with an energetic career spanning 3 decades in UK and international education. She led schools and held national and international roles in education in the UK and Australia for over 13 years until 2014, before embarking on an independent portfolio career in leadership recruitment, executive coaching and governance advisory.

As a highly regarded International Education Advisor, with a warm yet determinedly incisive style, she challenges and coaches educational and other leaders globally to think and act ambitiously. She holds several Board Director roles, and she recruits international school leaders as an Associate of LSC Education. She currently works with schools, leaders and companies in countries including the UAE, China, India, Europe and the UK.

Dr Emanuel Vincent
PreK-12 School Principal - Pinkgrape Consulting 

Dr. Emanuel Vincent is Principal Consultant at PGC, with over 25 years of experience spanning instructional leadership, program evaluation, and educational administration. He has participated in distinguished programs including the Fulbright Program in Japan, the Carnegie Fellowship at Northeastern University, and the Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship. A mentor and cognitive coach with AIELOC and contributing writer for Global Education Supply & Solutions (GESS), Dr. Vincent collaborates with schools and organizations to foster inclusive learning environments and drive sustainable innovation. His work empowers learners of all ages to thrive as global citizens.

Shona OCallaghan
CEO and Founder - Empowering Creative Minds

Shona OCallaghan is a TEDx speaker, PhD researcher, and an internationally recognised educator, consultant, and advocate for truly inclusive education. With over two decades of experience spanning Europe, the UAE, and globally, she has navigated every level of education, from classroom teacher to university lecturer, department head to educational consultant.

Holding a PGCE and a Masters in Education with a specialisation in multilingual learning, Shona is also a certified Dyslexia and Literacy Specialist (ATS). As CEO and founder of Empowering Creative Minds (ECM), her consultancy is dedicated to transforming educational institutions into comprehensively inclusive, linguistically accessible, and neurodiverse-friendly cultures that genuinely support the entire community. Her impactful work encompasses teacher training, mentoring, British school inspections, and inclusive curriculum development. Shona is a trusted voice on inclusion and teacher well-being, frequently featured on podcasts and education panels worldwide.

Michelle Sakande
SENDCo - The Arbor School

Michelle Sakande is a dedicated Inclusion Specialist, educator, and wellbeing advocate with a rich international background spanning the UK, UAE, and Ghana. Her current role is SENDCo at The Arbor School in Dubai. Living in the UAE for almost 9 years, she has spearheaded whole-school programs focused on reading development, explicit instruction for English language learners, and staff professional development in wellbeing and positive education. Prior to living in the UAE, she worked in London as a Consultant, taught in public schools and was a Teaching and Learning Leader for five years.

As a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), Michelle is a sought-after facilitator and speaker, recently presenting at the AI in Education Summit and leading engaging sessions on dyslexia advocacy and inclusive pedagogy. Her work has received glowing praise from fellow educators, highlighting her powerful impact in shaping inclusive learning environments.

Driven by a passion for equity and community, Michelle has extended her efforts beyond her institutional roles. She played a pivotal role in the Africa Dyslexia Organizations' Dyslexia Advocates Fellowship, training over 240 educators and advocates from 35 African countries, with a focus on empowering Ghanaian communities. She has volunteered through mentoring programs, early-years teaching projects, and advocacy initiatives that promote inclusive education.