Most parents don’t wake up wondering if they’re “doing enough” when it comes to their children’s education. They’re already doing a great deal: juggling work, family commitments, school drop-offs, after-school activities, and the everyday conversations that shape childhood. But from time to time, a wider conversation prompts a pause for thought.
With 2026 declared the Year of the Family by the UAE Government, families across the UAE are being invited to reflect on what helps children grow well; academically, socially and emotionally. Not because something is missing, but because the way children learn and grow continues to evolve. And in that picture, the relationship between home and school matters more than ever. NAS Dubai is proud to be part of a national movement that places families at the heart of education.
Learning thrives when home and schoolwork hand in hand
There’s something about the start of a new year that invites reflection. A pause. A moment where families sit together and talk about what they want more of.
Children don’t experience their lives in separate compartments. What happens at home influences how they feel at school, and what happens at school shapes the conversations, routines and confidence they carry back home.
That’s why education works best as a partnership. When families and schools understand each other’s roles, children experience a sense of consistency; familiar expectations, shared language and a feeling that the important adults in their lives are working together. For parents, especially in busy households, this partnership brings reassurance. You don’t need to second-guess every decision; you know what your child’s school values and how you can support that in small, practical ways.
What good communication looks like in real life
Effective communication between parents and schools isn’t about volume. It’s about clarity, predictability and trust.
Parents value knowing what’s happening, where to find information, and who to speak to when they have a question, without feeling overwhelmed. At Nord Anglia International School Dubai, communication is designed to support modern family life, recognising that parents are busy and time is precious. Regular updates, clear learning insights and open channels for conversation help families feel connected to their child’s learning, even when the week is full.
Just as importantly, communication works both ways. When parents feel comfortable sharing what’s happening at home – a change in routine, a celebration, a concern – schools are better placed to support each child as an individual.
Consistency between home and school
Children thrive on consistency. When expectations around learning, behaviour and wellbeing are aligned between home and school, children feel secure and confident.
This doesn’t mean parents need to replicate the classroom at home. It means understanding the approach a school takes and reinforcing it naturally by encouraging reading, supporting independence or talking positively about learning, for example. Research-led practice across Nord Anglia Education such as The Metacognition Project and the 17 Thinking Routines, shows that when families understand how learning happens, children make stronger progress and develop greater confidence in themselves as learners.
For working parents, this clarity is especially valuable. It helps focus energy on what really matters, rather than feeling pressure to do everything.
Respecting families in a diverse community
Dubai is home to families from all over the world, each bringing their own cultures, languages and traditions. Strong school-family partnerships respect this diversity and see it as a strength.
When children feel that their family values are understood and respected at school, they develop a deeper sense of belonging. Open dialogue, cultural awareness and mutual respect help schools and families build shared values, while still honouring what makes each family unique.
Building trust: a journey, not a quick fix
The strongest partnerships aren’t built overnight. They develop through everyday interactions: clear communication, consistent support and shared understanding as children grow and change.
As the UAE’s Year of the Family highlights the importance of these relationships, it’s a timely reminder that education is most powerful when it’s collaborative. When schools and families work together, children don’t just achieve academically; they grow into confident, resilient young people, supported by a community that understands them.
And that, ultimately, is what most parents are hoping for.
