Parents increasingly expect schools to support children’s emotional and physical wellbeing alongside academic success. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City has responded by becoming the first UAE school partner of King’s College Hospital Dubai to appoint a dedicated on-site Health and Wellness Coordinator, creating a joined-up approach that supports students, parents and staff.
The initiative reflects growing awareness that healthy children are better placed to learn, while strong partnerships between schools, families and healthcare professionals can help identify concerns earlier and encourage healthier lifelong habits.
Whole Community Wellbeing Moves Beyond Traditional School Healthcare
Most schools provide access to doctors and nurses to support students’ immediate medical needs. However, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City is expanding that model by embedding wider health expertise into everyday school life.
Working alongside King’s College Hospital Dubai, the dedicated Health and Wellness Coordinator will help deliver programmes that focus on physical health, emotional wellbeing and preventative care across the entire school community.
The partnership will include age-appropriate wellbeing programmes, nutrition initiatives, staff health assessments, family seminars and practical lifestyle guidance delivered by King’s dietitians, lifestyle consultants and occupational health specialists.
Rather than treating wellbeing as a separate pastoral initiative, the school aims to integrate it into daily learning and community life.
Why Early Wellbeing Support Matters
The move comes at a time when research continues to highlight the importance of supporting children’s wellbeing from an early age.
According to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 14. Meanwhile, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children who are obese between the ages of seven and 13 face a significantly greater risk of premature cardiovascular disease before the age of 55.
Together, these findings reinforce the important role schools can play in promoting healthy lifestyles, recognising concerns early and helping children develop habits that support long-term physical and emotional health.
A Whole-Child Approach to Education
Dan Clark, Founding Principal of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City says,
“Our ambition is to develop confident, capable, and compassionate young people who are equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. We believe that children learn best when they feel healthy, supported and emotionally secure, which is why wellbeing is woven into every aspect of school life rather than sitting alongside it. Our partnership with King’s College Hospital Dubai allows us to extend that support beyond our students to parents and staff, creating a connected community that works together to help every child flourish. That is what a truly whole-child education looks like.”
The school’s wellbeing strategy extends beyond healthcare. It also includes initiatives that promote belonging, character development and positive relationships throughout school life.
Parents remain central to the approach. Regular workshops and expert-led seminars will provide practical advice that families can apply at home, helping to create consistent wellbeing practices between school and home.
Healthcare and Education Working Together
Dr. Hasan Alogaily, Family Medicine Consultant at King’s College Hospital Dubai adds,
“A child does not exist in compartments. Their physical health, emotional wellbeing and learning are deeply connected. Parents are their children’s health architects, teachers understand how they develop every day in school, and clinicians bring medical expertise. By bringing these perspectives together, we can identify concerns earlier, intervene sooner and support children in developing healthier habits that benefit them throughout their lives.”
This collaborative approach reflects a growing trend within education, where schools increasingly recognise that academic success is closely linked to student wellbeing, family engagement and access to specialist support.
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
In addition to its healthcare partnership, Queen Elizabeth’s School continues to develop programmes that support every aspect of a child’s development. QE Flourish and QE House focus on pastoral care, belonging and character education. Meanwhile, QE Futures and QE Connect encourage students to explore future pathways while building connections with wider communities and professionals.
Students also benefit from partnerships with ISD Dubai Sports City and the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Program, giving them access to professional coaching and high-quality sports facilities through the school’s Elite Football Programme.
For parents, educators and school leaders, the initiative highlights how schools can increasingly become centres of community wellbeing rather than places focused solely on academic achievement.
For further information on Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, please visit,
Further Reading
- KHDA Confirms Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City Opening in 2026
- Sir Alastair Cook Joins Queen Elizabeth’s School Dubai Sports City to Champion UAE Launch
- Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City Appoints Dan Clark as Founding Principal