Expert-Led Webinar: When global events enter the school gate - Tuesday 5 May 2026 (Online)

This expert led interactive session supports those working in schools to respond with confidence and sensitivity when global events impact their school communities. Drawing on their experience in pastoral leadership, safeguarding and inclusion, Monia and Claire bring complementary perspectives to this work. Grounded in real-life scenarios, they offer practical strategies to help schools navigate complexity, respond to tension and maintain a strong sense of belonging across diverse communities.

Speaker information:

Monia Zahid - is Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools, where she leads whole-school strategy to build a more inclusive, reflective and values-driven culture. With a background in teaching and pastoral leadership, she brings a practical and nuanced approach to supporting schools in navigating complex social and cultural issues.

Her work focuses on helping students, staff and leadership teams engage thoughtfully with identity, language and belonging, particularly in the context of an increasingly polarised world. She has designed and delivered programmes and workshops for students, staff and parents on topics including inclusive language, navigating difficult conversations and responding to global events within school communities.

Monia also contributes to the wider education sector through conference work, workshops and partnerships with schools, supporting them to develop inclusive environments that move beyond compliance towards meaningful cultural change. Her approach is grounded in clarity, empathy and a deep commitment to equity in practice.

Claire Shooter - Claire is an education leadership and safeguarding consultant with extensive experience in senior pastoral leadership. She previously served as Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Haberdashers Elstree Schools where she led whole-school work across pastoral care, safeguarding, and school improvement. Alongside her leadership expertise, Claire holds a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. She developed the WISE programme, an informal mentoring network for women at work that offers both practical support and constructive challenge. She has also collaborated with organisations including Hertfordshire for Learning and Mary Myatt, speaking on managing conflict from a pastoral perspective. Claire now works with schools and organisations providing specialist safeguarding and leadership support helping them to reduce risk, strengthen culture and address complex challenges head-on - always with integrity, insight and practical impact.