Wednesday June 10, 12:30 – 13:30
Cost: From £55
Location: Online (Watch live or on catch up)
Content overview:
Asking for, listening to and acting on the voices of our students is vital to fostering inclusive school communities and ensuring we’re working supportively and collaboratively for our students and their best interests. Student voice is also increasingly important in inspection work.
This webinar will provide practical guidance on how to effectively gather, champion and respond to international student perspectives, especially where language and cultural barriers may limit likely or possible engagement. The session will explore ways to create meaningful opportunities for international students to share their experiences and ideas, ensuring their voices contribute to day-to-day school life and long-term decision making. Suggestions will be aligned where possible with inspection frameworks and demonstrate a commitment on student inclusion, wellbeing and development.
Training topics will include:
- The importance of student voice and cultural considerations
- Creating meaningful opportunities for student voice
- Linking student voice engagement with inspection
- Acting on student feedback: from listening to implementation.
Learning outcomes:
- Understanding of the cultural dimensions of international student voice
- Strategies to implement meaningful student voice mechanisms
- Suggestions to translate feedback into action and foster a culture of inclusive decision making.
Kieran Jones, Director of Boarding at Oxford International College
Kieran Jones has nearly a decade of experience as a boarding, pastoral and operational leader, currently serving as Director of Boarding at Oxford International College. With a strong focus on safeguarding and student wellbeing in high-performance environments, Kieran leads a large multi-site boarding provision for international students. He is actively involved in the wider boarding sector, contributing to professional networks, conference panels and sector discussions. Kieran has also authored and contributed to published articles, including work with the BSA, sharing expertise in international boarding settings. He is passionate about developing forward-thinking boarding environments that balance care, professionalism and student voice and independence.
Jill Storey, Head of School, Villiers School
Jill holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Jill has also achieved a Higher Diploma in Secondary Education and Teaching from University College Dublin, a Graduate Diploma in Additional Educational Needs (AEN) from the Church of Ireland College of Education, and most recently, in 2023, a Graduate Diploma in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion from the University of Limerick. She is currently completing qualification in Coaching Practice & Ethics (Specialising in Educational Leadership Coaching).
Jill taught English and led the Additional Educational Needs (AEN) department at Villiers School for more than eleven years, before being appointed Head of School in 2011. Under Jill’s leadership, in 2017, Villiers was the second school in Ireland to be authorised as an IB World School. Jill leads the DEI Working Group in Villiers School, and her passion for equity and inclusion consistently inspires the entire school community.
Susan Peña, Admissions, Marketing & Communications Manager, Villiers School
Susan is an Alumna of Villiers School and holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the National University of Ireland, Galway, as well as an International Diploma from Shannon College of Hotel Management. Susan’s background is in Hotel Management, with 12 years of experience in hotels and resorts in both Europe and the United States.
Susan returned to Ireland with her family in 2018 and joined the team at Villiers School. Susan is a DEI Lead at Villiers and has a particular passion for people, relationships, and celebrating diversity.
In 2020, Susan achieved a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Limerick, with a research focus on Marketing and Communications, and most recently, in 2023, achieved a Graduate Diploma in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion from the University of Limerick.
Susan is currently a member of the Diversity & Inclusion in Education Network (DIEN) in Ireland and is a mentor in DEI for Network Ireland.
