Award-winning Parent Power: How BIS Abu Dhabi is Doing Things Differently

At The British International School Abu Dhabi, we’ve always believed something simple: when schools and families work together, amazing things happen.

Now, we’ve got the award to prove it.

We’re absolutely thrilled to share that we’ve won the MENA School Excellence Award 2025 for Parent Partnership, celebrating the strong, meaningful relationships we’ve built with our BIS community.

But this isn’t just about a trophy. It’s about people behind it; the conversations, the ideas, the everyday moments that bring parents and school staff together. A community that listens, learns, and grows together.

What does “Parent Power” actually mean?

It’s more than a clever name. It’s how we include, empower, and collaborate with our families every single day.

It starts with listening. Parents help shape the way things work here, from our co-curricular offerings to our uniform choices. We don’t just say “your voice matters.” We show it, with real changes that reflect our community’s values.

We also tackle the topics that matter most to families, like mental health, digital safety, and academic pressure, through our Big Issue Speaker Series. You asked. We delivered. Simple as that.

And because we know honest conversations are where real trust is built, our Head’s Together sessions are exactly that, open, no-filter chats between school leaders and parents. No jargon, no PowerPoint. Just people, talking.

A school that feels like home

Our Parent coffee mornings and family workshops have become regular favourites, friendly, casual spaces where parents connect, share stories, and feel part of something bigger.

And when it comes to staying in the loop? Tools like our Parent App, Firefly, and ACE Days keep families closely connected to their child’s learning, whether they’re in the car, at work, or halfway across the world.

We’ve even facilitated in-house English classes so that language never becomes a barrier to belonging.

More than just numbers (but they tell a story…)

We know it’s not about the stats, it’s about how your child feels when they walk through the school gates each morning. But these numbers do show something important: a thriving, connected community.

• 92% of families joined at least one school event this year
• Parent App logins rose by 60%, showing how engaged families are in their children’s learning
• And our biggest-ever Union Day brought together families from 96 nationalities, celebrating unity and belonging

These aren’t just milestones, they’re signs of a school where families feel welcome, children feel supported, and everyone has a voice. The result? A happier, stronger school where students can truly thrive.

So what’s next?

More opportunities to connect. More conversations that matter. More shared wins, big and small. At BIS Abu Dhabi, we’re not just a school. We’re a family. And every parent is part of the story. We can’t wait to see you at our next event.