Beech Hall School Riyadh achieves IQM International Inclusive School Award

March 27, 2026

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We are delighted to announce that Beech Hall School Riyadh has become the first school in Saudi Arabia to achieve the IQM International Inclusive School Award. Our assessor noted in their report that, “The values of kindness, respect, inclusion, excellence and responsibility were prominent in discussions with stakeholders and throughout the school…”, and this is visible in the vibrant, welcoming, and ambitious student cohort that is proud to call Beech Hall their centre of learning. The school was founded in 2022 through a joint venture with the UK based Chatsworth Schools and Al Hokair Group, with a vision to create a fully inclusive international school at the heart of Riyadh. The school is committed to the Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom Human Capability Program which calls for accessible, inclusive, and future-ready education for all.

 

The school serves around 650 students from over 40 nationalities, with over 130 students currently on the inclusion register. Beech Hall is under the Royal Commission of Riyadh Schools (RCRC) and, as part of the Arabic and Islamic requirements from the Ministry of Education, must adhere to the mandate of not exceeding 25% quota of students with special needs. The school doesn’t see inclusion as a static initiative; as such, the inclusion team plan to expand the school to increase the overall cohort from 600 to 800, creating more spaces for Students of Determination. Beech Hall is aware of its diverse learning community, so has set clear goals to meet the needs of every learner and to share their vision of inclusion with every stakeholder.

 

Investment in Inclusion

The school is deeply committed to providing a meaningful and impactful education, so has invested significantly in its inclusive provision, resources, and staff training, and strives for the continuous improvement and expansion of its learning infrastructure. Governors at Beech Hall are passionate about widening opportunities for Students of Determination, creating additional resource centres, a children’s dentist specifically for neurodivergent students, and developing a charity designed to support inclusive practice.

Inclusion is not just a policy at Beech Hall – it is woven into the fabric of school life and finds itself at the heart of learning. It is not seen as the responsibility of one person or department; students, staff, and families alike are enthusiastic about inclusion and are keen to contribute to building a more welcoming society for every learner. The school’s Inclusion Department has seen instrumental change over the last 3 years under the Head of Inclusion, who is passionate about shaping Beech Hall into an all-inclusive school. They are supported by excellent inclusion staff, comprising of almost 80 Learning Support Assistants (LSA), 4 Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP), 2 Occupational Therapists (OT), as well as a counsellor, EAL specialist, and clinic staff.

 

Inclusion is a collaborative effort

The whole team at Beech Hall sees inclusion as a collaborative effort that is built on the foundations of open communication. Support for SEND students is tiered and LSAs are provided to ensure support is targeted and meets students at their point of need. The Griffin Nest has also been introduced this year for students who have profound learning and neurodivergent conditions. The Student Experience and Progress and Inclusion team has developed clear polices and handbooks on inclusive practice and behaviour, ensuring any incidences that take place, especially involving neurodivergent students, are dealt with sensitively. The ELISA room allows students time out to reflect and think about their actions if needed. Indeed, the comprehensive levels of support are summed up in the school’s attitude that every teacher is an inclusion teacher – everyone has a responsibility to support learners of every ability.

 

This whole-school commitment to inclusion is reflected in an inquisitive and compassionate student cohort. Our assessor was struck by the dedication of students to upholding inclusive virtues and the importance of working together to build a future where everyone can thrive. Students were able to not only share the school vision and mission but also describe examples of how they enact them throughout the school. A Grade 9 student noted to our assessor that lessons “are not only academic focused but also encourage them to look after one another and to treat everyone with kindness and equity”.

 

Inclusion at the heart of learning

Inclusion is at the heart of academic life at Beech Hall. Learning areas are spacious, displays are engaging, and classrooms are well equipped to encourage collaboration and innovative learning. Students at primary and secondary level can avail from outstanding library facilities, which accommodate both group sessions and individual support. The Student Experience and Progress (SEP) is an exceptional school asset – the team work in collaboration with the Inclusion department, other staff, and student representatives to ensure the curriculum offer is versatile and can be accessed by all students. Personalised Education Plans use observations, internal and external data, to effectively set targets and help with meaningful academic engagement. As part of a commitment to continuous curriculum development and improvement, Beech Hall hosts a variety of specialist staff, such as an EAL coordinator, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists, who help to drive positive change in student learning to improve outcomes and support. Teaching and learning is a collaborative effort at the school, as almost every teacher works with a LSA or TA to develop rich and varied strategies to support every learner.

 

Choice and variety in learning is credited as a strength of Beech Hall’s offering. Students can opt for activities that range from fitness, sports, health, to Spanish and gardening, as well as theatre productions. As part of supporting the ‘whole child’, the school has an Emotional Literacy Inclusive Support Assistant (ELISA) programme which provides staff with strategies to support students’ emotional and social wellbeing. The House System creates a positive, healthy environment for competitions and camaraderie, instilling a sense of belonging in the school community. The school also provides rich cultural experiences for all students through events such as Generation Global, Mawhiba for gifted and talented students, and select students have also been involved in the Swiss International School Dubai Mathematics Competition. The Saudi 2030 vision is very much embedded in the school’s philosophy, therefore all students have access to excellent opportunities such as travel abroad, careers fairs, and taking part in the Harvard Leadership programme.

 

Grateful for support and determination

Community extends beyond the school walls at Beech Hall. Parents play an integral role in life at Beech Hall, and parents of neurodivergent students were keen to express their gratitude for the support and determination of the school when speaking to our assessor. They described the teachers as “wonderful” and praised the work of the inclusion team in helping their children adjust to routines. Emails with concerns are responded to almost immediately, and the school adopts an open-door policy to providing in-person support for parents. Parent-teacher conferences and coffee mornings are just some of the ways that parents can engage with the school. Parents of students on the inclusion register are sent monthly updates on their child’s progress via newsletters called ‘Inclusion Connection’, which provides hints and tips for neurodivergent learners as well as information on upcoming events.

 

 

Inclusion is right at the heart of Beech Hall School Riyadh. There is a depth of feeling regarding inclusion; governors, leaders, staff, students, and parents have built a strong ethos at Beech Hall which exudes inclusive practice. It is very clear that the whole community are incredibly proud and supportive of every student, and there are great expectations for students of every ability to reach their potential. Beech Hall’s vision for the future of education is inspirational, and every learner is empowered by the school’s belief in their potential. Moreover, the school encourages every learner to create a society that embraces inclusion, creating the next generation of empathetic, innovative, and creative young people in the Kingdom.