We are delighted to share that Miss Gillian Hammond, Principal of Aspen Heights British School, was featured in Aletihad, one of the UAE's leading news publications, in an article published on 26 August 2026. Written by Sara Alzaabi, the piece looks at inclusive education in Abu Dhabi schools and across the UAE, and how classrooms are being designed around a simple fact: no two students learn the same way. The article explores how personalised learning, smarter technology and closer family partnerships help educators meet each child's needs, with the goal of making every student feel valued, supported and confident enough to succeed. In it, Gillian Hammond shares how Aspen Heights approaches inclusion, why teachers who know every child matter more than any tool, and what inclusive education means for the UAE's future. "It is about creating a system where every student can flourish." - Gillian Hammond, Principal, Aspen Heights British Schoo Read the full article here: How UAE schools are building classrooms where every child thrives Inclusion Is a System Built Around Every Student For Miss Hammond, inclusion is not about fitting students into one system. It is about building a system in which every student can flourish. The starting point is simple: every learner at Aspen Heights should feel known, supported and challenged. Respect, Kindness and Belonging in the Classroom Inclusion, in Miss Hammond's view, works because of classroom culture. Respect, kindness and a genuine sense of belonging are what make it real for children day to day. Learning alongside classmates from different cultures and perspectives brings its own benefits. Miss Hammond explained that this experience helps students grow into more compassionate leaders, confident collaborators and responsible global citizens. Technology as a Tool, Not a Replacement Personalisation sits at the centre of how Aspen Heights nurtures curious, confident learners, and technology has made it more achievable than ever. Gillian Hammond pointed to AI-assisted tools and adaptive learning platforms as drivers of more effective, barrier-free education. Technology alone, however, does not make the difference. Teachers do. "Technology gives us powerful new ways to personalise education, but the real difference is made by teachers who know every child." - Gillian Hammond, Principal, Aspen Heights British School Parents as Partners Inclusive education does not stop at the school gates. Gillian Hammond described it as most successful when schools and families work together as genuine partners. When that support is consistent between home and school, students benefit in three ways: greater confidence, stronger wellbeing and better academic achievement. That focus on wellbeing is already recognised outside the school. Aspen Heights holds the Carnegie Centre of Excellence Gold Award and the Mentl Award for Outstanding Mental Health, and ADEK rates the school 'Very Good' for community relationships. Inclusion as an Investment in the Future Gillian Hammond sees inclusion as more than a school priority. She described it as an investment in society and the economy. "Inclusion is not simply an educational priority; it is an investment in a stronger economy, a more innovative workforce and a society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute." - Gillian Hammond, Principal, Aspen Heights British School Helping every learner reach their potential, she added, will help build a more skilled, diverse and future-ready workforce, while supporting the UAE's long-term vision. A Message for Our Community Every learner at Aspen Heights British School should feel known, supported and challenged. That belief shapes how our classrooms are run, how our teachers get to know each child, and how we work alongside families. It is where confidence grows. Aspen Heights British School is proudly part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), a global network in which our students join 100,000 peers across 25 countries. Read the full article on Aletihad: How UAE schools are building classrooms where every child thrives - Aletihad
