Al Ghad Charter School achieves the IQM International Centre of Excellence Award

September 21, 2026

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Al Ghad Charter School in Abu Dhabi has been awarded the IQM International Centre of Excellence Award, recognising its strong commitment to inclusion, belonging and high-quality learning for all students.

Inclusion as a defining characteristic

At Al Ghad Charter School, inclusion is not viewed as a discrete initiative but as a defining characteristic of the school’s identity and effectiveness. It is understood clearly by leaders, staff and students as a shared responsibility that shapes decision-making, teaching, relationships and the daily experiences of learners across the community.

What is particularly impressive is the extent to which these values are consistently translated into practice. Inclusion is visible not only within classrooms and support systems, but within leadership dialogue, student interactions and the wider culture of the school.

The school demonstrates strong alignment with the UAE National Policy for Inclusive Education, the UAE Wellbeing Framework and the wider ambitions of UAE Vision 2071. Senior leaders were united and highly consistent in communicating that inclusion at AGS is a whole-school expectation underpinning leadership, curriculum design, pedagogy and pastoral care.

Leadership with clarity and purpose

The school’s inclusion motto, “Leave No Student Behind,” is not simply displayed but understood and reflected across the daily life of the school. During the visit, the strength of the relational culture was immediately apparent. From arrival at the school gates to interactions throughout the day, there was a consistent sense of warmth, professionalism and belonging.

In my professional judgement, the quality of leadership at Al Ghad Charter School is a significant strength. Leadership is characterised by clarity of purpose, consistency and a strong moral commitment to inclusion. Senior leaders are approachable, highly visible and lead through actions as much as words.

Three system-level developments are having a particularly strong impact on leadership, management and accountability for inclusion. The first is the integration of inclusion within the School Development Plan and wider impact review cycles. Inclusion is not treated as a parallel agenda but evaluated directly through attainment, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing outcomes.

Second, The AGS Way has established a clear and increasingly effective framework for adaptive teaching. Leaders have communicated consistently that high-quality teaching cannot exist unless all learners are able to access and engage successfully with learning.

Third, the school has established robust identification and tracking systems that provide leaders with a detailed understanding of learner need.

A curriculum built for participation and aspiration

Al Ghad Charter School delivers a curriculum that is thoughtfully designed to secure equitable access and high levels of participation for all learners. Its intent is clear and ambitious, combining academic rigour with inclusion, belonging and future-readiness.

The curriculum demonstrates strong alignment with AERO, NGSS and Ministry of Education requirements, while maintaining a visible commitment to UAE national identity, sustainability and global citizenship.

The introduction of ASDAN pathways represents a particularly strong development within the school’s provision. These programmes are already strengthening opportunities for students requiring alternative and skills-based routes to success.

For students requiring more intensive support, the Resource Base provides carefully structured and personalised learning pathways aligned to recognised frameworks and individual learning priorities.

Teaching that responds to learner need

Teaching and learning at Al Ghad Charter School are increasingly characterised by clarity, consistency and purposeful adaptation to learner need. Leaders have established a disciplined and coherent approach to instruction through The AGS Way, which provides staff with a clear framework for lesson planning, delivery and reflection.

Assessment for learning is embedded effectively within lessons. Teachers routinely check understanding through targeted questioning, mini whiteboards, retrieval activities and short review tasks. Misconceptions are identified and addressed promptly, enabling lessons to maintain pace and ensuring that students remain engaged and secure in their understanding.

The learning environment supports accessibility and engagement effectively. Visual scaffolds, sequencing prompts, Canva-based resources and supportive classroom displays are used thoughtfully to strengthen understanding, recall and language development, particularly for students experiencing language or processing difficulties.

A culture of belonging and responsibility

At Al Ghad Charter School, behaviour, attitudes to learning and personal development are significant strengths of the provision and reflect a culture shaped clearly by the school’s EPIC values and the principle of Mas’ooliya.

From arrival each morning, the school presents as calm, orderly and highly purposeful. Staff presence is visible and proactive, with students greeted warmly and routines applied consistently across shared spaces and classrooms.

Student voice is authentic and influential, with learners expressing confidence that their views are listened to and acted upon. Transitions, enrichment opportunities and wider pastoral programmes are planned thoughtfully and contribute positively to student engagement, belonging and personal growth.

Above all, Al Ghad Charter School is characterised by the quality of its relationships. Across the visit, interactions between staff, students and families were consistently respectful, warm and purposeful. Parents spoke positively about the support their children receive and the strength of communication between home and school. Students demonstrated pride in their school and confidence in discussing their learning, aspirations and personal development.

The school continues to evolve as an ambitious, reflective and increasingly mature model of inclusive practice within the Abu Dhabi charter sector.

Find Out More About IQM

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com.

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.