Dubai Scholars Private School

Dubai Scholars Private School defines wellbeing as students feeling respected, valued, and safe, and actively involved in social and intellectual activities with healthy autonomy and self-esteem. The school aims for a community where all members feel secure, healthy, active, successful, responsible, respected, included, and nourished, and where learners participate in meaningful school decisions. Teaching methods contribute to a positive classroom climate, and the curriculum provides opportunities to discuss wellbeing issues. Democratic citizenship and intercultural understanding are integrated across subjects and activities to support social-emotional development. Wellbeing provision includes a dedicated Student Wellbeing and Counselling component, with mental health and happiness initiatives, social-emotional learning workshops, and wellbeing surveys, alongside collaboration with parents and teachers to reinforce a positive climate.

Dubai Scholars operates an Inclusion Support Team that collaborates with teachers, parents and other stakeholders to support inclusive education. The school identifies and supports Students of Determination (long-term physical, mental or sensory impairments) and Gifted and Talented students, and may develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for those with significant needs. A three-tier model of support is used: Level 1 provides differentiated teaching, Level 2 adds targeted support and curriculum modification, and Level 3 delivers individualized programmes with specialist input when required. The school utilizes internal assessments (CAT4, GL Assessments, NGRT) to identify needs and may provide assessment accommodations or external arrangements as part of an inclusion plan. The Inclusion Policy mandates accessible learning environments and emphasizes collaboration with in-school therapists, counsellors or psychologists, and external partners as needed, with an Inclusion Support Team overseeing implementation; the Dubai Inclusive Education Framework underpins the approach. The school is not described as a specialist SEN institution, but as an inclusive, common-learning-environment provider.

The school welcomes English Additional Language (EAL) Learners as part of its inclusive approach and explicitly lists EAL learners among learning preferences within its inclusion framework. The Inclusion Policy describes an inclusive education model that addresses barriers to learning for diverse language needs, though no separate, dedicated EAL program is publicly described. EAL support is provided through the inclusive strategy and the work of the Inclusion Support Team to ensure all learners access and participate in the standard learning programme. The governance and policy framework emphasize identification, intervention, and collaboration with families to support language development and learning.

Mental wellbeing is a core focus at Dubai Scholars, with wellbeing defined as part of the student experience and a strong emphasis on a supportive school climate. The School runs a Student Wellbeing and Counselling function as a pillar of the Student Support Services, providing safe, confidential spaces and one-to-one or group support to develop resilience and emotional literacy. Initiatives include Mental Health and Happiness Week programmes, peer-support and anti-bullying campaigns, and social-emotional learning workshops and wellbeing surveys, with active collaboration between parents and teachers to reinforce wellbeing. Wellbeing is embedded in teaching and learning through climate-positive practices and curriculum opportunities to discuss wellbeing issues.

Dubai Scholars recognises an obligation to protect and promote safeguarding and welfare in line with relevant child protection laws. Objectives include protecting children from harm, preventing impairment of health and development, ensuring safe and effective care, and achieving the greatest possible outcomes for students. Safeguarding procedures are built on well-defined prevention, protection, and reporting processes, with a dedicated safeguarding team at the school. The Safeguarding and Child Protection page sets out the policies and contact points for safeguarding inquiries.