Muna British Academy achieves International Inclusive School Status

November 24, 2025

---

Part of the Aldar Education group, Muna British Academy is an international school situated in Abu Dhabi, offering a British curriculum to its 700 students. With over 50 nationalities represented in the student cohort and approximately 60 Students of Determination (SOD), Muna British Academy is a vibrant representation of an inclusive environment that uplifts and supports every learner. Muna takes every opportunity to offer the best opportunities to its learners; the Thrive scholarship programme helps students from low-income families access full or partial funding towards an exemplary and equitable education. The school clearly aligns itself with the values and policies of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), having consistently achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating in ADEK inspections, highlighting its dedication to academic excellence.

Sense of belonging

At Muna, academic success, emotional growth, and a sense of belonging all work in harmony to provide an excellent educational experience. There is a strong sense of enrichment from the moment students arrive in the morning. Students are welcomed by name, younger learners are escorted to their classroom, and every student can engage in thoughtful conversations at the start of their learning day. Inclusion, like everything else at the school, is personal and tailored to ensure every student leaves as a well-rounded individual. Students are encouraged to adopt the same attention to detail and willingness to help towards their peers, such as assisting with directions, sharing resources, and participating with informal study groups. Every student is included and held up as a unique and valuable part of the Muna community, everyone plays an integral role in the life of the school.

Striving for excellence

At Muna British Academy, there is a clearly embedded culture that encourages every student to strive for excellence and flourish across all dimensions of their personal and academic development. The school provides high-quality, stimulating educational experiences within a secure and vibrant learning environment. There is a strong commitment to equity, ensuring that all students can access a broad and enriching curriculum. This provision supports positive relationships, promotes emotional and mental health, fosters resilience, and nurtures self-assurance in all learners.

Provided with the tools to succeed

Inclusion is at the core of all teaching and learning at Muna British Academy. The curriculum is firmly grounded in the English National Curriculum, which is delivered with both rigour and sensitivity to individual needs. Staff work tirelessly to meet students at their point of need across all subjects, through differentiated tasks and targeted group support from the Inclusion Specialist. Students identified as gifted and talented benefit from Advanced Learning Plans, while those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) or with diverse learning requirements receive tailored support, ensuring that every learner is provided with the tools they need to succeed. Indeed, seamless parallel learning for students who need extra support and those who are ready to tackle more advanced challenges shows a nuanced understanding of inclusive learning.

Designed so every learner can thrive

Physical learning spaces are designed to ensure every learner can thrive. Students of all backgrounds and abilities are fully integrated into a culture that values equity and belonging. Classrooms are adaptable, with learning approaches tailored to meet a wide range of individual needs, including those of students with special educational needs, English as an Additional Language, and high-ability learners. Leaders have carefully incorporated the strategic priorities of ADEK into the fabric of school life, as seen in featured displays of student led-engineering challenges and sustainability projects, and in the school’s strategic documentation on educational technology, professional training and partnerships with cultural organisations. Skilled staff work closely with families and external professionals to ensure every child receives targeted and effective support.

Identifying emerging needs

Robust, data-informed cycles of continuous improvement ensures that Muna can swiftly identify emerging needs, review pedagogical approaches and implement targeted interventions. Teachers work collaboratively to analyse assessment outcomes, discuss curriculum adjustments, and exchange effective intervention techniques. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with visual impairments, speech and language difficulties, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a range of cognitive needs are in place to ensure progress and outcomes can be monitored carefully on an individual level. The IEPs are dynamic documents, reviewed termly in partnership with parents, specialists, and the students themselves.

Innovative teaching methods

Holistic character development, through personal, social, health, and moral education, plays a key role in Muna’s inclusive vision. The curriculum is designed not only to impart knowledge but also to inspire students to develop strong character traits and essential life skills. Students benefit from programmes such as the Academy of Excellence and Gifted and Talented initiatives, which encourage leadership, creativity, and confidence. Cross-curricular links and innovative teaching methods, including strategies like Pie Corbett’s ‘Talk for Writing’ and differentiated learning tools such as the ‘Al Muna Maths Frame’ promote critical thinking and allow students to take ownership of their learning journey. The school’s “Heart, Head and Mind” framework, alongside the Zones of Regulation approach, provides a cohesive scaffold for students to understand and manage their emotional, social, and intellectual development. Even at Foundation Stage level, children can articulate the principles underlying these strategies and demonstrate peer support behaviours in both formal lessons and informal interactions.

An empowering force for good

Muna British Academy is a warm, welcoming learning environment that has used inclusion as an empowering force for good. No problem is too large, no worry is too small. Every student, irrespective of background, receives an exemplary education and is supported by a staff that believes every learner should be included and empowered to be their authentic selves.