Back

Inclusion: Every child belongs here, exactly as they are

DSIB 2023–24 | Students of Determination: Good

DSIB 2023–24 | Care & Support: Good

INCLUSION

At our school, every child is supported, whether through our dedicated inclusion programme for Students of Determination and Gifted and Talented learners, or through the everyday care every student receives, regardless of need.

Students of Determination & Gifted and Talented

An overview of how every learner — whatever their need — is identified, supported and strengthened at our school.

We look beyond labels to understand and champion a child as an individual. Our inclusion team brings together counsellors, special educators, speech therapists and learning support assistants, a SENCo and inclusion support teachers, working as one circle rather than in separate departments.

Some needs call for expertise beyond what any one school can offer alone. IHS Al Garhoud partners with some of the UAE's most respected organisations and digital platforms in this space.

Inclusion isn't only what happens in a lesson plan. Our campus includes ramps and modified washrooms, designed so physical access is never a barrier to belonging. For each child, our inclusion team personalizes the entry process, ensuring we fully understand every child's needs and are prepared to support them from day one.

ASDAN | Switch4Schools | Dubai Autism Center | Al Jalila Foundation | Rashid Centre for Disabled | Al Noor Training Centre | Special Needs Future Development Center

Care and Support for every child

Care and support reaches every child at IHS Al Garhoud – not only those identified through inclusion. Explore how it shows up in daily school life.

Wellbeing here isn't a once-a-term assembly. It's Smile Times and water breaks built into a school day. It's Fruit Break and Nutrition Week. It's a Star Student of the Month, and a SEL Corner in every classroom where a child can simply pause. From their very first year, every child has a buddy, someone who makes the unfamiliar feel a little more familiar.

Sometimes a child needs to talk to someone who isn't a parent or a teacher. We've made that easy and dignified — a simple self-referral form lets any student request time with a counsellor, handled in complete confidence. For more structured wellbeing support, we partner with Switch4Schools, bringing extra expertise into how we support every child's mental and emotional health.

Our Parent Focus Group brings a representative from every grade, including a dedicated parent voice of students of determination directly into how the school listens and improves. Regular Meet and Greet sessions keep that relationship personal, not procedural.

SEL Corners | Buddy Programme | Self-referral form | Switch4Schools | Specialist wellbeing partner | Parent Focus Group | Meet & Greet

Learn more

Download our Inclusion Policy
Counselling Services