Olivia Mottram

School Improvement and Training Manager at Aldar Education (ATA) 

Workshop Information:

In a world shaped by AI and rapid change, how can we ensure creativity remains at the heart of education?

This interactive one-hour session invites educators, leaders, and curriculum designers to reimagine curriculum as a tool for empowering future-ready learners. We’ll explore how creativity is treated within global frameworks such as; the IB, the UK Curriculum, and US Common Core. We will consider whether we are preparing students for tomorrow’s world or yesterday’s?

Backed by research on creativity’s role in brain development and emotional intelligence, as well as insights from the World Economic Forum on future skills, we’ll examine why creativity is essential, not optional.

Participants will:

·      Reflect on how creativity currently appears in their own curricula

·      Identify barriers and opportunities to embed creativity more deeply

·      Collaborate on strategies to integrate creative practices across subjects and systems

A featured case study on the Louvre Abu Dhabi will highlight how partnerships with cultural institutions can enrich curriculum design and spark imagination.

Session Outcomes:

• A curated research summary on creativity and cognition

• Access to a Padlet for collaboration and resource sharing

• Practical frameworks for prioritising creativity without sacrificing academic standards

Join us to rethink the role of creativity in education—and how curriculum can lead the way.

Biography:

With over 15 years of senior leadership experience across the UAE and UK in IB, UK, and US curriculum schools, I bring a proven track record in school transformation, inclusive education, and curriculum innovation. I believe in reimagining education; where creativity fuels learning, inclusion and wellbeing shape culture, and schools are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Currently, I serve as School Improvement and Training Manager (Primary & EYFS) at Aldar Training Academy, where I lead improvement initiatives and training across a network of diverse schools. As a former Head of Primary, I’ve successfully led IB candidate schools, improved attainment metrics, and led whole-school innovation through inclusive, student-centered approaches. My leadership is grounded in practical impact; fostering cultures of collaboration, high expectations, and continuous professional growth. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Strategic school improvement and quality assurance reviews

• Leadership coaching and targeted professional development

• Inclusive systems design aligned with national/international priorities

• Innovative curriculum and assessment reform for whole-school progress

• Building high-impact networks and cross-school collaboration and partnerships