Regional Updates

Schools as trusted partners 

The legacy of COVID reshaped expectations of the relationship between schools and families. During periods of disruption, schools are not only places of learning but vital sources of day-to-day structure and reassurance. This reinforces the powerful role schools play as trusted partners to families, offering stability, clear communication and continuity at moments when certainty can feel hard to come by.

Through social media channels, it has been inspirational to see the creativity and adaptability of schools across the region, which have transitioned seamlessly to remote provision while preparing carefully for a safe return to campus as soon as conditions allow.

Public examinations and partnership with families 

The announcement this week that GCSE, A Level and IB public examinations will be replaced by alternative forms of assessment will undoubtedly be a source of anxiety for families, especially those whose children’s next steps beyond school, whether university or elsewhere, depend on these outcomes.

Having led a school through both years of cancelled public examinations in the UK during COVID, I am acutely aware of the significant work schools will already have undertaken to prepare for this eventuality, under the direction of examination boards and regulators. Schools will have well-designed processes grounded in professional judgement, clear evidence and transparent communication to support young people and their families.

While the form of assessment may differ between schools and exam boards, the responsibility to ensure fairness and consistency remains the same. Judgements are not made in isolation or improvised; they are informed by a broad evidence base built over time, professional collaboration and a clear focus on each student’s best interests. In moments like these, it is important that families and schools recognise that they are on the same team, working to support students to move forward with confidence.

The long term importance of values education 

Current challenges will, of course, pass. The longer-term question for parents is how well their child’s school is preparing them for an uncertain and evolving future. Academic achievement remains fundamental, but lifelong success increasingly depends on a young person’s ability to think independently, communicate clearly, adapt to new environments and become a self-directed learner.

The best schools cultivate these qualities through cultures of challenge that encourage curiosity, creative thinking and reflection, while providing the structure and support needed for young people to make good decisions. Strong pastoral care, consistent routines and clear expectations help students develop the confidence to navigate complexity and the capacity to contribute positively within the school community and beyond.

As Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, prepares to open in August, we do so with a clear understanding of the responsibility schools carry. In a region defined by ambition and mobility, schools play a vital role in supporting young people to develop the confidence, ability and responsibility needed to engage creatively with a changing world.

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Dan Clark Founding Principal, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City

Dan Clark is the Founding Principal of Queen Elizabeth School, Dubai Sports City, a new British curriculum school opening in August 2026 for students from Nursery to Year 8, and the first international campus of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. Dan has over two decades of leadership experience in British schools, including Marlborough College and Repton School, where he won a reputation for maximising academic progress for all. 

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About Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, is part of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools, delivering world-class British education in the heart of Dubai Sports City, building on more than 450 years of academic excellence. Inspired by the legacy of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, founded by royal charter in 1573 in the UK, the school draws on a longstanding tradition of high standards and character-based education.

Opening in August 2026, QE Dubai Sports City will welcome students from Nursery to Year 8 in its first year of operation (2026–2027), with a continuous learning journey through to Senior School (Year 13), leading to IGCSE and A Level pathways. The school follows the National Curriculum for England, adapted for its international context and underpinned by the core values of excellence, curiosity, integrity, community, ambition and responsibility. The school’s mission is to nurture confident, able and responsible young people, prepared to lead happy and fulfilled adult lives and to make a positive contribution to others.

Students benefit from priority access to world-class sports amenities, with professional coaching and opportunities to compete at a high level, developing critical skills for success both on and off the field. High-potential students may join the QE Elite Sports Academy, offering advanced training, performance tracking, and access to regional and international competition. Sport is also central to extra-curricular life through QE Flourish Compete, inter-school leagues, and the QE House programme.

For further information on Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City and student enrolments, please visit: www.qedubaisportscity.com