Regent International School receives International Centre of Excellence Award

November 24, 2025

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Part of the Fortes Education Trust, Regent International School is a well-established, co-educational school serving approximately 1,800 students from over 80 nationalities, ranging from Foundation Stage to Year 13, reflecting Dubai’s diverse international community. The school follows the National Curriculum of England and delivers Early Years Foundation Stage programme for younger learners and Key Stage frameworks for primary and secondary students. A deeply rooted culture of equity, respect, and belonging permeates every facet of school life. Inclusion is not just a policy in the school, but a thriving part of school life that every stakeholder can benefit from. Every child, regardless of background, ability, language, or need, is recognised as a unique individual and is nurtured, supported, and empowered to thrive. Diversity is not only accepted but actively celebrated as a powerful driver of learning, empathy, and innovation.

Shared understanding of inclusion

Inclusion plays a part in every aspect of school life, from daily operations to strategic vision and community ethos. Every member of the school community is encouraged to take an active role in the inclusive foundations of the school; policies are co-constructed with students, staff, families, and external partners, ensuring they are not only robust and forward-thinking but genuinely meaningful. The result is a coherent and shared understanding of inclusive practice throughout the school, observed to include every member of the school team from the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ancillary and administrative staff.

Staff wellbeing is equally valued

Inclusion is very much a vision that is lived out by every member of staff, spearheaded by the leadership team. SLT are fully committed to inclusion, and work continuously to build and improve their current culture where every voice matters. Every member of staff contributes to inclusive practice, and is fully on board with the school’s aspiration for becoming a hub of best practice. Professional development (PD) is accessible and both rigorous and relevant, with a strong emphasis on inclusive pedagogy, trauma-informed practice, neurodiversity, and mental health. Staff at all levels engage in continuous learning and are empowered to lead innovation in inclusive approaches. They are confident, well-equipped, and united by a collective mission: to remove barriers and extend opportunity for all. Staff are also stakeholders in the school’s inclusive vision. Staff wellbeing is equally valued, creating a supportive professional environment where positive relationships and open communication flourish. This extends beyond teaching staff; all staff’s needs are considered and catered for.

Evidence-based interventions

It is this sense of community that drives academic excellence in teaching at Regent International. Collaboration is key and seen as a defining strength. Teachers, Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), and specialists (including psychologists, therapists, and inclusion consultants) work hand-in-hand to deliver holistic, evidence-based interventions. Families are welcomed as true partners in the learning journey, with communication that is open, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all. They recognise that inclusion allows for every member of the school community to have a say in how education is delivered and how support is delivered, therefore ensuring all needs are met. Indeed, high-quality, inclusive teaching is a cornerstone of Regent’s success. Teachers are highly trained and skilled in adaptive practice, expertly balancing challenge with support as needed by each student. Classrooms are vibrant, flexible, and intentionally inclusive, fostering student agency, resilience, and ownership of learning.

Welcoming learning spaces

Learning spaces are welcoming and vibrant, adapted to ensure that every learner can be met at their point of need. Early Years classes are warm, with well-defined working and playing areas, using natural materials and soft lighting to create a home from home environment. Each of these classrooms have access to well-designed outdoor areas to enhance play and learning opportunities. As the children progress into later year groups, there is a sense of consistency and evolution of environment throughout. At Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, the teaching environments have been designed for the needs of older learners, with more structured displays and designed to be reflective of university study rooms.

Meeting individual needs

Effective early identification ensures that support on offer is timely and indeed exemplary. The school uses data to reflectively to design learning experiences that are finely attuned to individual needs. Individual Achievement Plans (IAPs) allow for bespoke interventions and creative teaching strategies that empower and encourage success. Regent ensures that all students can experience success, confidence, and sustained progress across academic, social, and emotional domains. Staff set ambitious expectations for all, underpinned by a belief in the capacity of every learner to achieve and contribute meaningfully. Alongside these ambitious expectations is a great focus on achievement and celebration. The school recognises and honours progress in all its forms, from academic milestones to personal growth, leadership, resilience, and kindness. This affirming culture builds intrinsic motivation, self-worth, and an enduring love of learning.

Championing inclusion

Students are not passive recipients of this inclusive ethos – they champion and celebrate it every single day! Through student leadership roles, peer mentoring, and involvement in awareness-raising campaigns, students actively shape a culture of acceptance and advocacy. Their voices are heard, respected, and used to influence policy and practice at every level, instilling in them a powerful sense of agency and belonging. There is a strong bond of trust between students and staff, and students feel comfortable and confident to speak to staff about any concerns or worries they may have. Students can benefit from a thoughtfully integrated pastoral system that ensures emotional health is prioritised through counselling services, mindfulness activities, and social-emotional learning embedded into the curriculum. Pastoral staff know the students well and provide a safe space for children to express their needs, concerns and queries. They also provide bespoke, tailored interventions, creating an opportunity for children to develop greater understanding of themselves and their peers, learning emotional self-regulation skills to better manage emotions.

Inclusion is for everyone

The school encourages students to see inclusion as a whole world issue, and something to live by beyond the school walls. They encourage students to engage with their local and global community, and to bring their parents along with them on their inclusion journey. In turn, parents report that the school staff have not only supported their children’s learning and development but also that of the children’s families through initiatives such as ‘Wisdom Wednesdays’ when school personnel lead training for parents.

In every respect, Regent International School exemplifies what it means to be a truly inclusive community. Its inclusive values are not only lived but they are modelled, taught, and continuously strengthened through reflection, action, and innovation.