Glendale International School

Glendale International School supports social-emotional learning through its Wellbeing Hour and a dedicated Inclusion Team. The Inclusion Team includes trained Special Educational Needs teachers, a Behaviour Counsellor, and Learning Support Assistants who develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and personalized learning pathways. Counselling sessions are available for students and parents, and Play and Art therapy are offered to support emotional growth. A Buddy system in class promotes peer support, and monthly progress meetings help track SEL development. The Wellbeing Hour offers activities such as sports, coding/STEAM, music, art, yoga, and language classes to foster well-being and mindfulness.

Glendale supports students with SEND and Dyslexia through its Inclusion department rather than describing itself as a specialist SEN institution. The Inclusion Team includes trained Special Educational Needs teachers, a Behaviour Counsellor, and Learning Support Assistants who devise Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and personalized learning pathways, with literacy and numeracy interventions and differentiated teaching strategies. Therapeutic interventions, including speech therapy, applied behaviour analysis (ABA), and occupational therapy, are provided in collaboration with external specialists. Group and 1:1 Dyslexia support sessions are offered, along with exam accommodations to ensure fair assessment, and Gifted and Talented enrichment is available via advanced learning plans. The school follows Dubai's Inclusive Education Policy Framework, KHDA guidelines, and Wadeema Law. The school does not publicly describe itself as a specialist SEN institution.

An English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme is provided as part of Glendale's Inclusion Provision. The Inclusion Team coordinates EAL support across the school as part of the IEP process, with EAL listed among core support services alongside literacy and numeracy interventions and differentiated teaching strategies. Support is integrated with other inclusion provisions to help English language learners access the curriculum.

Glendale emphasises mental wellbeing through Wellbeing Hour and a broad counselling framework. Wellbeing Hour delivers daily activities including sports, coding/STEAM, music, art, and yoga to support emotional balance and mindfulness. Counselling sessions are available for students and parents, and Play and Art therapy sessions support emotional expression and growth. A Buddy system in classrooms promotes peer support, and regular progress discussions help monitor students' wellbeing alongside academic development.

Safeguarding is addressed through the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, aligned with UAE frameworks and Wadeema's Law. The policy states that all staff are committed to safeguarding, with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Level 3 safeguarding trained and all staff receiving termly Level 1 safeguarding training. It establishes defined responsibilities, reporting procedures, and records management, including designated safeguarding roles (DSL/CPT) and escalation procedures. Online safety is integrated into the curriculum, and there are clear guidelines for disclosures, with involvement of external agencies as needed. The policy is reviewed annually to ensure effective safeguarding practice.