IQM Centre of Excellence Status for Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School

June 24, 2025

Inclusion is not just a policy at KBZA; it is a whole school commitment. In the face of balancing global competitiveness with national identity, inclusion infiltrates and guides all aspects of school life, from curriculum design to recruitment decisions and pastoral strategy. This is embraced from the very top of the school, leading by example for everyone in their school community. The Principal provides an unwavering commitment to an inclusive and supportive education for all learners, irrespective of ability or background, supported by the Vice Principal who plays an integral role in the day-to-day implementation of inclusive policies. Biweekly meetings with the Head of Inclusion ensure that no child is left behind, and that improvement is always a continuous process in the school. The Senior Leadership team and faculty work hard to boost the aspirations of every pupil, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Alongside this, the leadership team assesses the effectiveness of inclusion policies and makes necessary adjustments based on real-time data and student feedback. Creating an inclusive education every day is a collaborative effort at KBZA, with teachers implementing IEPs within the classroom and providing special educational needs support during individual lessons. The Occupational Therapist helps students with emotional and physical health, empowering them to develop the confidence to become successful and independent young people. The Inclusion Team provides an impressive POD Awareness programme throughout the year that educates students and staff about People of Determination. Indeed, there is an active commitment throughout the school, through assemblies, corridor displays, and inclusive events, to building an empathetic and understanding educational community. The Head of Culture and Identity ensures that cultural heritage is respected and integrated into the school’s inclusion policy. It is this collaborative effort that ensures inclusion is implemented across the school, facilitating big-picture thinking and detailed provision mapping simultaneously.

Students and parents speak highly of KBZA. They appreciate the school’s unwavering commitment to creating an educational environment filled with joy and security. Staff echo this sentiment, praising the professionalism and purpose of the school. It is this humanity and alignment of belief across all stakeholders that allows every child to thrive and achieve. The school takes a holistic approach to inclusion, encompassing academic, social, emotional, and language development. Compassion and inclusion are values weaved throughout the school through visual displays. Classrooms are designed to serve as safe and welcoming spaces for students, adapted to meet the needs of its cohort. The school’s use of a bilingual, criteria-based Learning Environment Checklist shows a structured approach to excellent classroom design, carefully aligned with national and school values. Emirati identity, accessibly resources, and positive class rules help to encapsulate the inclusive ethos that drives learning at KBZA. Emirati students feel a sense of cultural pride at school, and non-Emirati stakeholders are able to gain a deep cultural fluency. Arabic language provision empowers learners, and is celebrated throughout the school, with Islamic Studies positioned as a driver for connection. Language around cultural identity and neurodiversity are notable presences in every lesson, where every learner’s voice is empowered and respected. The SEN policy is comprehensive and clear for all stakeholders. Leaners with additional needs are provided with tailored, discreet, and prompt support where needed, allowing them to learn alongside their peers in a supportive environment. SEN teachers carry out detailed assessments to ensure students can receive effective support and determine their best course of action. Ensuring the inclusive and equitable educations of all leaners is a team effort at KBZA.

Students actively engage with the school’s inclusive ethos through the Inclusion Team’s various initiatives, including outreach trips and visits, and assemblies promoting respect, tolerance, and appreciation for all learners. They benefit from the school’s celebratory displays and sensory-aware learning spaces. Students are able to see themselves represented around the school; KBZA’s culturally responsive learning allows students to grow culturally and emotionally alongside their peers, whilst celebrating and empowering differences. Students can avail of a fantastic range of extracurricular activities that nurture and develop their talents and interests. The school encourages students to expand their horizons through external competitions and events, allowing them to showcase their skills and gain real-world experience. They are incredibly proud to be the first government school in the UAE to host a TEDx Youth event – a huge milestone in creativity and confidence for learners! Learning and growth are not just on offer to students; KBZA has worked hard to establish strategic partnerships to enhance career and leadership progression. Teachers can access the PGDE program through the Sharjah Education Academy to develop pedagogical skills and professional qualifications. They are also a training partner with Best Practice Network in the UK. Including and empowering every stakeholder to aspire and achieve is a shining example of how inclusion is a whole-school commitment at KBZA.

Inclusive policy extends beyond the school gates at KBZA, with parent partnerships being a defining strength of the school. Parents feel listened to and respected, with concerns and worries addressed swiftly and effectively. Parents from linguistically or culturally diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and valued, consulted not managed. The Inclusion Team engage with families as early as possible, ensuring they are aware of all support and adjustments on offer. Parents are regularly updated about assessments through three annual reports that detail academic and personal progress. Regular newsletters, event updates, and tools that provide real-time access to student learning and behaviour points are all examples of the school’s unwavering commitment to making parents feel actively involved in school life.

Christopher Nourse, Executive Principal, told IQM that “Inclusion starts and ends with culture. Building a culture that skyrockets children’s self-esteem and motivation is like crafting the perfect recipe – one part encouragement, two parts challenge, with a generous dash of fun.” It is this active positivity and enthusiasm for creating a welcoming educational space that makes Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Awal School stand out. Staff, students, and parents are active participants in the school’s inclusive ethos. Pride in cultural identity and heritage are unifying aspects of school life and act as a vehicle for identity affirmation. Inclusive policy at KBZA is aptly encapsulated in the words of Principal Sara Ben Ammar: “At our school, inclusion isn’t a policy or provision, it’s a belief that every child belongs, every identity matters, and every learner shapes who we are and adds meaning to our community.”