Gillian Hammond on Digital Literacy as a Core Learning Priority

We are delighted to share that Gillian Hammond, Principal of Aspen Heights British School, was recently featured in an exclusive interview with Edarabia

Featured in Edarabia: Our Principal Speaks

We are delighted to share that Gillian Hammond, Principal of Aspen Heights British School, was recently featured in an exclusive interview with Edarabia - one of the Middle East's most trusted and widely read education platforms. The interview explores how Aspen Heights British School is preparing students for a rapidly evolving world through digital literacy, personalised learning pathways, a deep commitment to wellbeing, and a culture where confidence, resilience, and responsible decision-making are woven into every school day.

In this insightful conversation, Ms Hammond shares how the school approaches AI literacy, supports Students of Determination, nurtures the whole child, and empowers both teachers and families as partners in learning.

Aspen Heights British School achieved Outstanding across all standards in the 2025 British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation - the highest possible recognition of educational quality. As part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global network of over 100 schools across more than 25 countries, the school combines this local excellence with internationally benchmarked standards and a proven Learning Improvement Process (LIP™).

"Education is ultimately about people - nurturing confident, compassionate, and capable young individuals who are ready to shape the future. When strong values meet high expectations, extraordinary things happen." — Gillian Hammond, Principal, Aspen Heights British School

You can read the full interview on Edarabia here: Gillian Hammond Highlights Digital Literacy as Core Learning Priority.

AI as a Fundamental Literacy, Not Just a Tool

At Aspen Heights British School, AI is understood not simply as a tool, but as a fundamental literacy. The approach focuses on building understanding before application. From the earliest years, students explore concepts such as pattern recognition, problem-solving, and digital responsibility. As they progress, this develops into explicit teaching about how AI works, its limitations, and its ethical implications. By secondary, students are critically evaluating AI outputs, understanding bias, and applying AI in purposeful, curriculum-linked contexts.

The progression is deliberate: from passive use to informed, responsible creation — aligned with best practice across the ISP global network and in step with the UAE's national AI education agenda.

More Connected, Without the Screens

Following the 2025 nationwide smartphone guidelines, Aspen Heights British School has seen an impact that has been both immediate and very positive. There has been more face-to-face interaction, stronger peer relationships, and better engagement in lessons. Social times feel more connected and purposeful, and students report feeling less distracted and more present during the school day.

The change has not been about restriction - it has been about helping students refocus on wellbeing and genuine human connection.

Keeping Students Competitive and Principled

Aspen Heights British School takes a staged, age-appropriate approach to AI that balances national requirements with the long-term need for independent thinking. For younger students, the focus remains on foundational digital literacy, critical thinking, and safe habits - without reliance on generative AI.

For older students, AI is introduced as a powerful tool, but always through an ethical lens: they learn when to use it, when not to, and how to question what it produces. In some cases, students are deliberately asked to complete work without AI support, so they first develop independent thinking and subject mastery. This ensures Aspen Heights graduates are globally competitive - and principled, discerning users of technology.

National Identity Within an International Community

At Aspen Heights British School, great emphasis is placed on relevance, identity, and connection in the teaching of national subjects. Arabic, Islamic Studies, and National Identity are not taught in isolation - they are woven into the wider life of the school through cultural immersion, real-world contexts, and cross-curricular links.

The aim is for every student, regardless of background or nationality, to develop a genuine appreciation of the UAE's heritage and values - and to feel both respect for and connection to the country they all call home.

Three Non-Negotiable Skills for the 2030s

Ms Hammond identifies three essential qualities every Aspen Heights student must develop:

• Adaptability - the confidence to navigate change and grow alongside an evolving world

• Critical thinking - the ability to question, analyse, and make informed decisions

• Character - integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility towards others

At Aspen Heights British School, these are considered just as important as any academic qualification - reflecting the wider ISP commitment to developing future-ready learners.

Preparing Students for an Uncertain Future

At Aspen Heights British School, careers education is framed around pathways and possibilities - not fixed outcomes. The school focuses on developing transferable skills rather than narrowing choices too early. Through enquiry-based learning and real-world problem-solving, students regularly work on cross-curricular projects that require them to research, collaborate, and present solutions to authentic challenges - linked to both local and global themes.

The goal is not to prepare students for a single career, but to equip them with the mindset and capability to grow alongside an ever-changing world and to lead the way.

Through ISP's International Learning Opportunities (ILOs) and over 100 global university partnerships, Aspen Heights students are supported to reach their chosen destinations - with 93% of ISP students going on to achieve exactly that.

Personalised Learning: Knowing Every Student Deeply

Personalisation at Aspen Heights British School is key. Data is used intelligently, but teacher insight is equally valued to understand each learner deeply. Through regular progress tracking, targeted interventions, and enrichment pathways that allow students to go deeper in areas of strength, every student's potential is recognised and developed.

Student voice is also central - with young people actively participating in shaping their own learning journey, building genuine ownership and a love of learning.

This personalised approach is further supported by Century Tech, an adaptive learning platform, and the school's smaller class sizes - both of which ensure every teacher can know and respond to each student as an individual.

Building Resilience Through Experience, Not Theory

Resilience at Aspen Heights British School is built through experience, not just discussion. The school creates a culture where challenge is expected and mistakes are valued as part of the learning process. Through guided reflection, supportive relationships, and opportunities to step beyond comfort zones, students learn to manage setbacks constructively.

Over time, they begin to see change not as something to fear, but as an opportunity to grow - a mindset that serves them well beyond school life.

"When strong values meet high expectations, extraordinary things happen." — Gillian Hammond, Principal, Aspen Heights British School

Wellbeing at the Heart of School Life

Aspen Heights British School holds a Carnegie Centre of Excellence Award for Mental Health in Schools and a Mentl Award for Outstanding Mental Health Initiative - recognition that places it amongst the leading schools in the region for student and staff wellbeing.

The school takes a proactive approach to preventing burnout. Daily pastoral care, strong relationships with form tutors, and attentive staff help identify concerns early. This is reinforced by a dedicated wellbeing team, counselling provision, and consistent tutor time - ensuring every student is known and supported within the daily structure of school life.

Just as importantly, the school actively manages workload and encourages balance, so that wellbeing is part of everyday school life - not something separate or reactive. Parents tell us consistently that this visibility and responsiveness gives them genuine confidence in the school.

Inclusion Built on Ambition, Not Accommodation

Inclusion at Aspen Heights British School is about ambition, not accommodation alone. Every Student of Determination has a tailored individual learning plan, built around their strengths and developed in close, ongoing communication with families, so that each student can truly thrive.

The focus is always on what each child can do - and on building from there - so that every student is empowered to achieve genuine success and feel a true sense of belonging within the Aspen Heights community.

Digital Citizenship: Building a Footprint to Be Proud Of

Aspen Heights British School goes beyond simply keeping students safe online. Students are taught to see their digital presence as a reflection of their values and their future aspirations - not just a space to be managed.

Through explicit teaching and real-life scenarios within PSHE and the wider curriculum, students learn how to communicate responsibly, think critically about what they share, and build a digital footprint that actively supports their opportunities in higher education and beyond. Students leave Aspen Heights not merely digitally safe, but digitally intentional and confident.

Parents as True Partners

At Aspen Heights British School, parents are true partners in the educational journey — not simply an audience. Initiatives such as Family Iftar and International Day reflect a shared responsibility for learning and values beyond the classroom, alongside regular communication, workshops, and direct opportunities for parents to engage in their child's learning.

The school is seeing greater collaboration, communication, and alignment between home and school - and this partnership directly strengthens outcomes for every student.

Empowering Teachers: Clarity, Purpose and Professional Trust

At Aspen Heights British School, teachers are the school's greatest asset - and their confidence is key to long-term success. Staff are supported with clarity of purpose, high-quality professional development, time to collaborate, and the autonomy to implement change in meaningful ways. This includes dedicated opportunities to share best practice across departments and, where relevant, across the ISP network.

Innovation is introduced carefully, ensuring it strengthens rather than overwhelms great teaching. The result is a staff community that feels trusted, supported, and genuinely invested in the school's continuous improvement.

As part of ISP, teachers have access to over 100 CPD courses through the AI-powered Learning Hub, with globally accredited pathways for professional growth. Aspen Heights British School is recognised as a Gold CPD Centre of Excellence - a mark of the sustained investment ISP makes in the educators who make a difference every day.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Aspen Heights British School brings learning to life through its on-campus hydroponics greenhouse and animal care programme - including tortoises, fish, chickens, snails, and more. These are not enrichment extras; they are embedded expressions of the school's commitment to inquiry-based learning, environmental responsibility, and the ISP Learning.First philosophy of life skills through learning by doing.

A Message for Our Community

"Education is ultimately about people - nurturing confident, compassionate, and capable young individuals who are ready to shape the future. At Aspen Heights British School, we believe that when strong values meet high expectations, extraordinary things happen." — Gillian Hammond, Principal

At Aspen Heights British School, Where Confidence Grows is not a tagline - it is the lived experience of every student who walks through our doors. With BSO Outstanding accreditation, award-winning wellbeing provision, and the global reach of ISP behind us, we are committed to ensuring every student leaves ready, capable, and confident to shape their own future.

Read the full interview on Edarabia:

https://www.edarabia.com/gillian-hammond-highlights-digital-literacy-core-learning-priority/