Emirates International School Jumeirah

Emirates International School – Jumeirah places wellbeing at the heart of the school community, aiming to help every pupil feel safe, valued and encouraged in learning. The school identifies and supports students' social and emotional needs through its extensive pastoral systems, including school counsellors who care for each child's wellbeing. The wellbeing policy commits to promoting wellbeing for all individuals and notes that families can receive support when required. The behaviour approach is positive and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on respectful interaction and preventing disruption. There is a zero-tolerance anti-bullying stance, with procedures to report bullying and actions to address incidents so pupils can learn in a safe environment.

The school follows a Whole School Inclusion Policy that provides inclusive provisions within a mainstream IB framework and does not present itself as a specialist SEN institution. The Inclusion Leader coordinates SEND provision and leads a dedicated Inclusion team, with staff across primary and high school. The policy identifies barriers to learning including learning difficulties, sensory difficulties, behavioural and social-emotional difficulties and medical reasons that may affect learning. A graduated Assess, Plan, Do, Review approach is used, maintained via an Inclusion Register for tracking identified students and interventions. Support options include 1:1 IEPs, small-group interventions, in-class learning support, modified/reduced curriculum, inclusive technology, exam access arrangements, in-school screeners and close partnerships with external therapy centers; Wave 3 students may require a 1:1 Learning Support Assistant paid by families. IEPs are developed for students identified as SEND/AEN (Wave 3) and are formally reviewed at least three times annually with input from the team around the student, parents and external agencies. Staff development includes KHDA-aligned training on SEND. Parental involvement is encouraged through regular meetings and an open-door policy.

The language of instruction at EIS – Jumeirah is English, and Arabic is studied from KG1 to Year 9 in line with MOE requirements; Arab passport holders follow the MOE Arabic curriculum. All students study more than one language, with French and Spanish available in the High School and language pathways implemented across years. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided, including a Language Acquisition English programme for students who are weak in English, with progression toward standard English courses when appropriate. In Years 6–8, students study English, Arabic and French or Spanish, with options to continue language study in later years; the programme also allows for additional English language support if needed, and in some cases families may be asked to provide private intensive tuition to support rapid progression. The school supports EAL within the IB language framework, with ongoing assessment and pathways designed to move students from acquisition to full English proficiency.

Emirates International School – Jumeirah is committed to the wellbeing of every student, with the aim that the school environment is safe, valued and conducive to learning. The Student Wellbeing page confirms a strong pastoral focus, including school counsellors who care for each child's wellbeing and the willingness to support families when required. The school promotes respectful interaction and a positive approach to behaviour, including anti-bullying measures to ensure a supportive and safe learning environment. E-safety and safeguarding are integrated into the wellbeing framework, with education on online risks and protective practices. The safeguarding team, including counsellors, works to identify concerns early and provide appropriate support; the policy notes two school counsellors and designated safeguarding leads as part of the wellbeing and protection structure.

A formal safeguarding policy governs protection of students, with the policy reviewed in November 2022 and aligned to UAE law and KHDA guidance. The policy defines the roles and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and includes monthly case conferences with Counsellors to update on concerns. All staff have safeguarding training and there are clear procedures for reporting concerns to external agencies when necessary. The school maintains two designated safeguarding officers and two school counsellors, with contact details provided for safeguarding queries and a clear chain of reporting. The policy also covers safeguarding in the curriculum, visitor controls, medical information management and the requirement to follow a three-tier response to safeguarding incidents.