Belonging by design

There comes a moment in every teacher’s life when they really do understand just how old they are, and for me it came this weekend. A former pupil of mine, who had been in the boarding house at Repton, Derbyshire in 2008, came to visit our admissions suite with his wife and beautiful daughter, having moved to Dubai a few weeks ago. We reminisced about some incredible times; events, people and the place. Almost 20 years have elapsed, but we found ourselves exchanging stories of that earlier school, recalling traditions, teachers, and moments that had stayed with us long after we had left. While the nostalgia felt good, the sense of pride was stronger. Pride in belonging to something that had shaped us and left a lasting imprint well beyond classrooms and examinations.  

Meanwhile, it was a pleasure to see on social media the ‘signing out’ day at QE Barnet for their outgoing Year 13 group, who head out into the world as well prepared as any students to tackle a world beyond school. It a real celebration of the students’ growth and achievements in the school and it got me thinking already about our plans to celebrate our first Year 13 group in 2031! 

Both were timely reminders that while schools begin with buildings, staffing plans, and timetables, they are sustained by people, relationships, and a strong sense of belonging. 

We began developing our own culture of belonging this weekend with our first informal event for founding families in the UAE at La Famiglia Dubai, a super restaurant very close to our school (I’ve become a regular visitor, and cannot recommend the pizza highly enough!). It was an intentionally simple event; good food, easy conversation, and time for families to connect without a formal agenda. It captured something essential about our ambition to be a truly local school, rooted in Dubai Sports City and shaped by the community around it.  

Parents met one another, future Elizabethans began forming early friendships, and conversations flowed naturally between families and staff. These moments matter; they create the conditions for trust, shared expectations, and a sense that school is something families belong to, not simply a service they access. Don’t worry if you missed this one; we are planning a range of other events.  

Our next event is Friday 22 May, in collaboration with our partners at Real Madrid. It’s a Found Families and Friends Football, with chance for girls and boys to make new friends and experience the coaching of the team from Real. Meanwhile, there will be a chance for parents to meet with other families (or to join the training!!) for families. You can sign up for this event here. 

This week, I have been working with the senior team on our school calendar, and we have included a range of opportunities for parents to engage in school life.  

Looking ahead, these informal gatherings will sit alongside more structured opportunities such as parent consultations, curriculum evenings, workshops, and celebrations across the year. Each interaction is another opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school.  

A genuine sense of belonging does not happen by accident. It is one of the most important outcomes a school can offer, and one of the hardest to build well. The strongest schools create it deliberately, through consistent actions, shared values, and meaningful partnerships between school and home. 

From the outset, we have been clear that QE Dubai Sports City will be a school that works with families, not simply for them. Education is at its most powerful when parents and teachers trust one another, communicate openly, and share responsibility for helping young people flourish. That philosophy has guided how we think about leadership visibility, communication, consultation, and the everyday experience of families engaging with the school. 

Belonging is modelled daily by the adults in a school. Our founding staff understands this deeply. Whether it is a teacher taking time to explain a decision, a member of the operations team greeting families warmly, or leaders being visible and available, these interactions accumulate quickly and shape culture. 

I already see this in the way our team speaks about families, not as an external audience, but as partners. This mindset signals to students that school is a place where individuals are known, voices are heard, and relationships matter. 

Work is progressing at great speed on phase two of the refurbishment project. The internal demolition works are now complete, and the work on making each space fit for the delivery of our creative and ambitious curriculum is now underway.