Al Salam Community School

Al Salam Community School supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through its Caring Hearts pastoral framework, which places the development of the whole child—academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually—at the heart of education. The Wellbeing and Pastoral Care framework provides universal and targeted support to help pupils manage their emotions, make responsible choices, and build resilience. The ASCS Student Wellbeing Policy defines this holistic approach using the PERMA model to develop resilience, self-confidence, and agency, and the ASCS Student Counselling Policy guarantees access to professional counselling with confidentiality. The Anti-Bullying Policy promotes empathy and inclusion through wellbeing lessons and the Komodo platform, and is complemented by a Behaviour for Learning policy. Staff wellbeing committees across the Al Salam Group support a positive SEL climate by fostering belonging and a supportive culture. The school has been recognized with the Wellbeing Award for Schools (2026-2028) for excellence in student mental health and pastoral care.

ASCS describes its approach as inclusive education within a common learning environment, including students identified as experiencing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who are Gifted and Talented. ASCS provides support, accommodations, and curricular modifications for students of determination to enable equitable access to educational opportunities. Additional fees may apply for additional staff requirements; these fees do not apply to physical disability and moderate learning difficulty where Level 1 and most Level 2 interventions are sufficient. The Inclusion Policy and Gifted and Talented Policy are published to guide practice. ASCS has earned the SEND Inclusion Award (SENDIA) for 2026-2028, demonstrating external validation of its SEND provision, including early identification, adaptive teaching, and partnership with parents. ASCS presents inclusive education within a common learning environment aligned with KHDA Inclusive Education Policy, and does not describe itself as a specialist SEN institution in public materials.

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision. Inclusion content describes inclusive education in a common learning environment, including Students of Determination and Gifted and Talented, but does not specify EAL programmes. The Dubai KHDA Inclusive Education Policy Framework is referenced within the Inclusion policy, but no EAL-specific details are provided on public pages.

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care is central to ASCS's approach to mental wellbeing, with a framework that treats wellbeing as the foundation of learning. The ASCS Student Wellbeing Policy uses the PERMA model to develop resilience, self-confidence, and agency, and the ASCS Student Counselling Policy guarantees access to professional counselling with confidentiality. The Anti-Bullying Policy promotes kindness, inclusion, and safe relationships through wellbeing lessons and the Komodo platform. The Behaviour for Learning Whole School Policy provides guidance to maintain a safe, respectful environment. Wellbeing is reinforced by staff wellbeing committees within the Al Salam Group, and the school earned the Wellbeing Award for Schools for 2026-2028.

ASCS places safety and wellbeing of every child as its highest priority; safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. The school has a dedicated Safeguarding and Child Protection Team, led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, to oversee concerns and ensure action in line with UAE and international standards. The safeguarding framework is guided by Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025), UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 (Wadeema's Law), KHDA Guidelines for Child Protection and Wellbeing (2025), and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). ASCS uses digital safety tools like Blocksi and wellbeing platforms such as Komodo to identify early signs of distress or unsafe online behavior. The Safeguarding Policy outlines how concerns are identified, reported, and acted upon, with references to the Student Intimate Care Policy, safer recruitment, and staff training. Parents can access the policy and contact the safeguarding team; students can speak to any trusted adult in school.