Brighton College Dubai

Brighton College Dubai uses a fully inclusive approach to social and emotional development for all pupils. An Inclusion Team led by the Head of Inclusion includes Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior SENCOs, Lead Learning Support Coordinators, and Learning Support Assistants, with external specialist support engaged when needed. The school uses a graduated system of support: Wave 1 universal teaching, Wave 2 targeted interventions, and Wave 3 individualised support to address social, emotional and mental health needs. The approach recognises social, emotional and mental health needs as common barriers to learning and provides tailored programmes through the Inclusion Team. The EAL provision supports social and academic language development across speaking, listening, reading and writing to help pupils engage with the curriculum and College life.

Brighton College Dubai supports a broad range of Special Educational Needs, including cognition and learning, communication and interaction, social, emotional and mental health needs, and physical, sensory and medical needs. The Inclusion Team comprises Head of Inclusion, SENCOs across year groups, Lead Learning Support Coordinators, and Learning Support Assistants who provide in-house supports; in some cases, external specialist support is engaged. Pupils may be placed on Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to set personalised targets where appropriate. The school identifies needs through assessments and referrals and deploys a graduated system of support (Wave 1–3) to match the level of need. Sensory, medical and other physical needs, as well as cognitive and learning differences, are among the needs the team is prepared to address, with access to external specialists when required.

Brighton College Dubai includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision as part of its inclusive approach. At admission, pupils undergo an English language proficiency assessment using the Bell Foundation Assessment Framework to determine language needs. After assessment, pupils receive tailored support through high-quality in-class strategies, targeted language intervention, and short-term intensive language support, with regular progress reviews. The EAL Team comprises dedicated staff including EAL Teachers and EAL Teaching Assistants who support Pupils across the Prep and Senior Schools. The programme aims to enable pupils to access the curriculum and participate fully in College life while developing social and academic language skills.

Mental wellbeing is addressed as part of the College's holistic approach to welfare and learning. The school recognises social, emotional and mental health needs as central to pupil development and integrates wellbeing into pastoral practice. A safeguarding framework coordinates pupil welfare, with a Deputy Head Pastoral acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and additional Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads across the Prep and Pre-Prep divisions. The Inclusion Team and pastoral staff work collaboratively to support pupil wellbeing across year groups, with tailored support for those needing extra help. The safeguarding policy provides guidance for staff and families and emphasizes proactive safeguarding and welfare practices.

Brighton College Dubai maintains a safeguarding policy to protect pupil welfare and safety, providing staff with guidance on safeguarding and outlining how the College will safeguard pupils. The College reserves the right to contact relevant authorities without notifying parents if it is deemed in the pupil's best interests. Designated safeguarding leads include the Deputy Head Pastoral (DSL), Head of Prep School (DSL), and Head of Pre-Prep School (DSL), who oversee safeguarding responsibilities. The policy invites parents and guardians to learn more or discuss safeguarding by contacting the College, via the provided channels. The school emphasises openness with parents while prioritising pupil safety when necessary.