Bateen World Academy Achieves IQM International Inclusive School Award

September 22, 2026

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Bateen World Academy has achieved the IQM International Inclusive School Award in recognition of its commitment to inclusive education.

Personalised Care Embedded in Everyday Routines

From the fully committed security personnel managing the busy traffic outside the school gates to the attentive guard at the entrance ensuring adherence to child-safeguarding protocols, to the vigilant lifeguards overseeing the pool and the carefully coordinated organisation of daily routines, the element of personalised care is unmistakably woven into the cultural fabric of the school. Every interaction, no matter how routine, reflects the school’s unwavering belief that safety, dignity, and individual attention form the foundation of an inclusive learning environment.

Collaborative Leadership and Award-Winning Practice

The Inclusion Team at Bateen World Academy exemplifies a deeply collaborative and forward-thinking approach, with each member invested in building high-quality inclusive practices across the school, an endeavour that has rightfully earned them nomination of the prestigious MENA Award and runners up position at the ADEK Inclusive Practices Award 2025. Their work is characterised by strong, transparent, and respectful partnerships with students, parents, and external specialists, including occupational therapists, speech & ABA therapists, and child psychologists.

Strong Partnerships with External Specialists

External therapists speak highly of the school’s professionalism, particularly appreciating the quick, two-way communication, open dialogue, and the consistent feedback loop that informs ongoing interventions. What began with a single student attending a weekly session has now grown into a full team of therapists working on campus with numerous students presenting a variety of needs. This growth is a direct result of the Inclusion Team’s accessible, personalised, and prompt approach, so much so that therapists routinely recommend the school to families from other institutions. Recently, this collaborative approach has also expanded to supporting exam anxiety across the school, benefitting both mainstream and inclusive learners.

Inclusive Spaces Designed Across Campus

Across the campus, whether in classrooms, PE and swimming areas, auditoriums, staircases, or extracurricular spaces, the school’s commitment to inclusivity is not incidental but intentionally embedded. Every space is designed or adapted to ensure that all students feel welcomed, supported, and seen. The accessible support with SEN facilities like wheelchairs near exits, ramp chairs for staircase, carefully designated staircase areas, and posters with pastoral, safeguarding team and first aiders, reflect the support offered to students and staff.

Celebrating Parent Engagement and Student Voice

The school’s inclusive ethos is perhaps best reflected in its many success stories: the student with selective mutism, who published the book “The Boy Who Stopped Talking”; the personal learning journey of a Primary student lovingly documented by her Inclusion Assistant in a bespoke booklet; and the vocational initiatives nurtured through “Coffee Mornings” with parents of SEN students. These examples highlight the team’s recognition that supporting parents is as essential as supporting learners. Understanding that “parents and Inclusion Assistants too need a break from their daily responsibilities,” the team accompanies SEN students on school trips, offering families a brief but meaningful respite.

Dedicated Provision and Tailored Support

The Head of Inclusion, together with the wider team and teaching staff, demonstrates deep knowledge of every learner’s profile. This understanding translates into carefully modified schedules, incorporating sensory breaks during lessons, enabling students to regulate themselves and return to learning with renewed focus. SEN students enjoy structured access to the library, swimming lessons, and quiet corner “houses,” each designed to help them reset and re-engage at their own pace.

Safe and Nurturing Inclusive Environments

The campus is enriched with multiple inclusive spaces, including three to four Inclusion Hubs, sensory rooms, an EAL room, and dedicated calm areas, ensuring students always have a safe and nurturing environment to retreat to. One particularly impactful initiative is the Lunch Time Games session, where students, who need time to themselves, gather in the Inclusion Hub to work on crossword puzzles, play indoor games, or simply reflect on their day under gentle supervision. This space fosters belonging, emotional regulation, and peer trust.

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.