Virginia International Private School achieves IQM International Centre of Excellence status

September 22, 2026

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Virginia International Private School (VIPS) in Shakhbout City, Abu Dhabi, has achieved IQM International Centre of Excellence status in recognition of its robust commitment to inclusive education and its work to ensure that students are supported throughout their academic journeys.

A clear commitment to inclusive education

VIPS has a clear vision for academic excellence, holistic development, and inclusive education. The school has implemented a systematic approach to identifying and supporting students with special educational needs (SEN) and those who are gifted and talented (G&T), with dedicated inclusion teachers and assistants delivering targeted interventions. The quality of care and support at VIPS is rated as Very Good across all phases, supported by a more effective and consistent approach to managing behaviour, attendance, and punctuality.

Transition support has also improved, particularly for students moving from KG2 to Grade 1 and from Grade 5 to Grade 6, with dedicated coordination between teachers and leadership to ensure continuity in academic and social development.

Strengthening leadership and collaboration

Significant strides have been made in leadership and governance following the appointment of a new principal in April 2025. The leadership team has been strengthened with new roles, including Grade Level Leads in the Secondary phase, line-managed by the Assistant Principal (Whole School Pastoral).

Leadership has focused on building accountability and monitoring systems for teaching and learning. Coaching and professional development initiatives, especially in using assessment data to inform planning, have supported teachers and middle leaders in improving outcomes. Teachers now regularly align learning objectives with VSOL standards and use rubrics as a foundation for assessment, with middle leaders driving this alignment through structured planning sessions.

Cross-phase collaboration is now a regular practice in core subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Ministry of Education subjects, supporting greater consistency across the school.

 Embedding literacy across the curriculum

The team has developed an English Language Learners (ELL) strategy and a “Literacy Across the Curriculum” policy to ensure literacy and reading comprehension are embedded across both English and Arabic subjects. Targeted CPD has been delivered to staff to help embed these strategies effectively.

Through strengthened leadership, collaboration and targeted support, VIPS continues to develop an inclusive approach that supports academic progress, student wellbeing and participation across all phases.

Find Out More About IQM

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com.

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.