SIL to explore global partnerships

We’re excited to announce that our Early Years Education Partners will be attending GESS Dubai 2025 – the leading education exhibition and conference in the UAE.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the team to not only explore new markets but also gain powerful insights that will strengthen and extend their work locally and beyond!  

What is GESS?

GESS (Global Educational Supplies and Solutions) brings together educators to explore the latest developments, connect, share ideas, and build partnerships.

11-13 November 2025
Dubai World Trade Centre

Why now?

Participation in GESS Dubai marks a significant milestone for the team.

Building on extensive experience across the UK early years sector, they are known for building strong relationships and delivering support that is practical, achievable, and tailored to each setting’s unique context.

Their work is grounded in the latest research and evidence, ensuring that the support they offer is timely, relevant, and impactful.

Building on these strong foundations, they are perfectly positioned to explore new opportunities and further develop their current practice.

The team will showcase their offer across… 

• Leadership & Self-Evaluation
• Attainment & Progress Data
• Child Development & Qualifications

Meet the team @GESS 

Kim Salisbury
Kim is the Early Years Education Partners Team Manager at SIL, bringing over 20 years of experience in the early years sector. Her career spans roles as an early years teacher and school leader, and she now plays a pivotal role in shaping quality and leadership across a diverse range of early years settings.

Kim recently completed a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, further strengthening her strategic insight and reflective practice. She works in close partnership with leaders across schools, nurseries, and childminding settings—both on-site and online—providing tailored support in strategic planning, quality improvement, and professional development.

As a trained facilitator of national leadership programmes, Kim also designs and delivers bespoke leadership training for SIL. Her work extends to strategic collaboration with local authorities, academy trusts, and nursery chains, ensuring that leadership development is embedded across all levels of early years provision.

Kim’s approach is grounded in a deep understanding of child development, a commitment to continuous self-evaluation, and a passion for empowering others to lead with confidence and clarity.

Kate Williamson
Kate is an Early Years Education Partner with over 20 years of experience in early years teaching and school leadership. Her journey into teaching was inspired by her time as a social work assistant, where she witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of high-quality early years provision.

Kate is a passionate advocate for closing the disadvantage gap and champions effective outdoor learning and enabling environments that support every child’s development. With a proven track record of leading change, she has successfully guided early years settings toward outstanding inspection outcomes, demonstrating her strength in driving quality improvement.

Her expertise spans a wide range of early years contexts, where she has supported improvements that have led to enhanced attainment. Currently studying for a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL), Kate applies her growing strategic knowledge to the development of new programmes and the enhancement of existing services at SIL.

Kate’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, excellence, and continuous improvement across the early years sector.

Sam McKenna
Sam is an Early Years Education Partner with a rich background in education, having begun her teaching career in Key Stage 2 before discovering her passion for the early years. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to child-centred practice and inclusive support for families from diverse communities.

An experienced school leader, Sam works closely with early years settings to develop bespoke curriculums and foster strong partnerships with families. She has delivered numerous CACHE-accredited programmes nationally and has created train-the-trainer models to support local authorities nationwide, contributing to sustainable professional development across the early years education sector.

As a Forest School Lead, Sam is a strong advocate for physical health and outdoor learning, recognising their vital role in holistic child development. She brings this ethos into her work with settings, helping to embed outdoor provision into everyday practice.

Currently undertaking an apprenticeship in Project Management, Sam is applying her growing expertise to strategic planning and effective change management within SIL and the schools and settings she collaborates with.

Sam’s work is driven by a passion for innovation, equity, and empowering educators to lead meaningful change in early years education.

Say hello! 

You’ll find Kim, Kate, and Sam at Stand P24 in the UK Pavilion.

They’re looking forward to connecting with early years professionals from around the region, sharing insights, and exploring new opportunities to collaborate.