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IQM is the only national inclusion award in the UK. For over 20 years and in over 20 countries, schools, MATs and Local Authorities use the Inclusion Quality Mark to recognise exemplary inclusive practice.
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Celebrating Inclusive Education Across the Middle East
November 24, 2025
Inclusive education is growing rapidly across the Middle East, and IQM has been part of that development for many years. Our team is consistently active in the UAE and neighbouring regions, working with schools that are shaping cultures where every learner feels they belong.
September 2025 marked an important moment for inclusion in the UAE. It was the first time the IQM International Inclusive School and Centre of Excellence Awards were presented via ceremony outside the UK and Ireland.
In this article, we share the schools recognised, the work behind their achievements, and why the movement is gaining momentum across international settings.
Why is inclusion on the rise in the Middle East?
Inclusion has increasingly become a defining feature of education across the UAE and its neighbouring countries. It sits at the heart of national ambition. The UAE’s 2025-2030 Vision places people and human development at the centre of the UAE’s long-term plans, and the commitment to Students of Determination is woven through this vision.
Dubai’s KHDA reinforces this direction by setting clear expectations and providing framework guidance around leadership, culture and meaningful provision. Inspectors explore how well schools remove barriers to learning and how confidently staff can adapt teaching for a diverse student population.
The aim is not compliance. It is consistency. Schools are encouraged to create environments where every learner participates confidently and where families feel part of the process.
Inclusion has become part of the region’s educational identity.
Across the region, schools are strengthening pastoral support, investing in specialist roles and adapting their learning environments. Many are also choosing to work collaboratively in cluster groups, sharing practice and learning from one another. This reflects a broader shift in the region toward education systems that reflect the diversity of each community.
IQM has supported schools on this journey for more than 20 years. The work we do in the Middle East builds on long-term relationships with international schools and a shared commitment to making inclusive practice part of a school’s daily life.
The first IQM International Awards Presentation in Dubai
In September 2025, Dubai hosted the very first IQM International Awards Presentation outside the UK. The event took place at GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai, itself an IQM Centre of Excellence.
Leaders from across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Thailand came together to recognise schools that have committed to strengthening inclusion over time.
The atmosphere felt equal parts celebration and shared purpose. Every school celebrated had completed a rigorous journey to achieve either the International Inclusive School Award or the International Centre of Excellence Award.
Their achievements reflected not only strong provision but also collaborative leadership, reflective practice and a deep belief in the value of inclusion.
The ceremony also highlighted the breadth of inclusive excellence found across different types of international schools: different contexts, different communities, yet a common belief that students thrive when inclusion is woven into everyday school life.
The ceremony was delivered by IQM’s leadership team: CEO Joseph McCann, supported by the dedicated IQM team: Director of Education Eilish McCann, Executive Lead for School Improvement Kevin O’Neill, and Executive Consultant Dr Kenny Frederick.
Together with school leaders, they celebrated the growing network of schools across the Middle East that are placing inclusion at the centre of their educational identity.
It was a moment that honoured both the work already done and the direction this region is confidently moving toward.
Recognising schools leading the way for inclusive education
The 2025 award recipients represent a diverse group of schools across the UAE, the wider Middle East and Asia. Each one has demonstrated a consistent commitment to shaping environments where every learner is welcomed, challenged and supported.
Their achievements sit within a wider, growing movement across the region and beyond, where IQM continues to work alongside schools and partners like EdV to strengthen inclusive practice on the ground.
These schools show what is possible when inclusion becomes a shared priority across the whole staff team.
Extended congratulations to:
International Inclusive School Award Recipients (2025)
Click on each school to read more about their journey with IQM and the International Inclusive School Award.
International Centre of Excellence Award Recipients (2025)
Learn more about each school’s journey with IQM and the International Centre of Excellence Award.
The benefits of the IQM process for international schools
International schools in the Middle East are aligning their development with regional priorities from the 2030 Vision and global priorities, such as UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4):
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. (SDG4 Target by 2030)
Both call for education systems where every learner has meaningful access to high-quality learning.
The IQM process supports this by helping schools build clarity, consistency and shared purpose across their whole community. Many schools say the greatest benefit is the cultural shift.
Working with IQM has shown us how far we’ve come and how much more we can grow.
Sarra Ben Ammar, Principal, Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School, Abu Dhabi
Inclusion becomes a whole-school responsibility rather than the remit of a single team.
Every member of the school team begins working from the same set of values and expectations, which creates a stronger and more dependable experience for students and families.
Well-being also becomes more visible. When schools review their practices through an inclusion lens, they begin to notice not only where pressures build but also where positive change is already underway.
The Inclusion Quality Mark process is structured yet personalised, giving international schools clear guidance without losing their individuality. It helps teams identify strengths, refine approaches, and plan long-term improvements that align with their context.
The overarching aim is to deepen inclusive practice in sustainable ways that will impact current students and those yet to join your school family.
Moving forward, together
Inclusion continues to gain momentum across the Middle East, driven by leaders who are determined to ensure every student succeeds. As more join the IQM family of schools, IQM commit to supporting their development with clarity, consistency and long-term guidance.
If you’d like to explore what the IQM journey could look like for your school, you can request a free school information pack or, if you’re ready to take the next step, register your school to get started.
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About IQM
The only national award for inclusion in the UK, IQM has been committed to recognising exemplary inclusive schools for over 20 years and in over 20 countries around the world. The three awards allow schools and organisations to celebrate their inclusive practice against nationally recognised framework.
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