Kent College Dubai achieves International Centre of Excellence Award

November 24, 2025

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Kent College Dubai is a school where inclusion lives in every breath, every hallway, every act of teaching and care. There is no need too large, no problem too minor, for this kind and dedicated staff. The school simply embodies inclusion. From the integrity of its systems to the humanity of its staff, from the confidence of its students to the culture of connection that binds its entire community together, this is an environment of extraordinary practice and profound purpose. Its achievements are the result of years of consistent, strategic leadership, powerful relational investment, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right for every child. The strength of this school lies in the coherence, credibility, and clarity with which inclusion runs through every strand of its work.

Inclusion is everyone’s business

There is a shared philosophy that inclusion is everyone’s business. “Everyone is an inclusion teacher.” It is a message heard consistently, not as rhetoric, but as a reflection of lived reality. The site team, the Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), the Admin staff, the teachers and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), understand their role in creating a safe, accessible, and empowering environment for all students. They are not only experts in pedagogy, inclusion practice, wellbeing, therapy, and leadership, they are emotionally intelligent, personally invested, and visibly committed to every student and colleague they serve. And as a result, students are enthusiastic, vibrant learners that are keen to grow and expand their horizons. They are encouraged to support their peers and to uplift each other. These young people reflect the very best of what inclusive education can produce: secure identities, proud self-expression, and a clear understanding of the value of difference.

Leadership plays an important role in implementing the school’s inclusive vision. These are professionals who understand nuance, lead with heart, and operate with immense technical proficiency. They speak with fluency about inclusion because they live it. The Inclusion Governor is crucial to ensuring that student voice, family perspectives, and inclusive practice are championed at governance level. Moreover, there is evidence of robust challenge, review, and future-planning in relation to the strategic direction of inclusive development. The presence of such structures affirms that inclusion is not reliant on individuals, it is structural, intentional, and sustainable. Staff commitment to inclusion is consistent, and this is a result of consistent professional development and tailored training. Staff voice is valued and elevated. Retention is strong because people feel seen, respected, and developed. This is what happens when a school invests in its people to build genuine purpose.

A safe space to learn

There is a pride in the physical space at Kent College Dubai. The building is clean, safe, and excellently maintained. The facilities team, security personnel, and reception staff contribute meaningfully to the school’s identity as a place of dignity and safety. They are part of the inclusive culture, and they are rightly acknowledged here. The walls are full of student achievement and celebration, and highlight the values of the school. Every wall, every display, every resource is part of the school’s inclusive message. Corridors are a canvas for student voice and contribution. From the Learner Profile animals to the Head Boy and Head Girl messages, from themed galleries to real student work, inclusion is a living part of the school. The Sensory Walk, built in collaboration with FS2 families, is a perfect example. Each tile tells a story. It is tactile, personal, and rooted in community. New starters can see themselves reflected in the space before they ever walk into a classroom.

Trust is an invaluable part of the school’s inclusive vision. Students trust their teachers. Parents trust the leadership. Staff trust each other and everyone is trusted to carry the school’s inclusive mission. Supported by this trust, students are not afraid to make mistakes and try new things, safe in the knowledge their teachers will guide them towards improvement. From the earliest years to the sixth form, students demonstrate a fluency in inclusion that could only come from deep, cultural exposure. In corridor conversations, in daily interactions, in lessons, and in workshops, the same traits emerge: kindness, curiosity, connection. Individuality is not only accepted but nurtured and platformed. Students are given the space and the tools to express who they are, and to find subjects that interest and engage them.

Engaging and empowering lessons

Lessons are highly engaging, and encourage team work alongside independent thinking skills. There are a variety of learning opportunities on offer to help develop skills and to build confidence for learners with additional needs. Inclusion is carefully woven into the curriculum, so every learner can be supported at their point of need. The school’s extra-curricular offering is exemplary, with every interest considered. Events such as the Inclusion Talent Show are testament to its inclusive ethos made physical. Photographs of students performing, smiling, and belonging are framed and honoured.

Kent College Dubai takes feedback seriously and understands the importance of listening to emerging needs. Therapists, parents, staff, and students share their experiences and thoughts, all helping to build an inclusive environment that supports all learners.

Parents support inclusive ethos

One of the most powerful features of Kent College Dubai’s inclusive provision is its partnership with parents. This is a school that does not see parents as customers, clients, or critics. It sees them as participants and partners in the educational journey. Parents describe this school as a lifeline. They often describe feeling unheard, misunderstood, and pushed aside in previous settings and how, in coming to Kent, they have finally found clarity, humanity, and respect. They understand the school’s focus on inclusion, and are thrilled to be active participants and recipients of it.

The success of Kent College Dubai is not accidental. It is built on strategy, clarity, and a long-term commitment to values. There is nothing improvisational about the school’s inclusive culture. It is curated, lived, and stewarded through professional intelligence and ethical consistency.