Henry Price Shares the Vision Behind Rugby School Dubai's Holistic Education

Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Henry Price, Principal of Rugby School Dubai, to discuss how the school is preparing students for an increasingly complex future. In this conversation, he shares insights on nurturing critical thinking, resilience, ethical technology use, personalized learning, and the school’s “The Whole Person is The Whole Point” philosophy, which places character, wellbeing, and lifelong learning at the heart of education.

1. With the UAE making AI a formal subject from Kindergarten to Grade 12 this year, how has your school transitioned from “using AI tools” to “teaching AI” as a core competency?

With Rugby School Dubai debut in the UAE for the 2026-2027 academic year, we want children to enjoy school because these years are a precious part of life. In line with Rugby School UK’s long-standing commitment to intellectual curiosity and independent thought, we see technology not as an end in itself, but as a means to deepen inquiry, strengthen judgement and develop learners who think critically and responsibly in a rapidly evolving digital world.

If we can succeed in teaching knowledge, skills and values; in making learning a joy and in showing pupils how to harness technology and shape it, rather than be shaped by it, we will have prepared them well for the future.

2. In light of the 2025 nationwide smartphone ban, how has your school culture shifted? Have you seen a tangible impact on student social interaction and focus?

We view this as an opportunity to strengthen what has always been central to Rugby School’s philosophy: human connection, focus and presence. At Rugby School Dubai, school life will be rooted in structured routines, shared spaces and the House system, which naturally prioritises interaction, dialogue and community over digital distraction.

3. How does the school balance the new AI guidelines (such as the ban on GenAI for students under 13) with the need to keep older students competitive and ethically aware?

Rugby School’s influence on education, sport, and society has been extraordinary, and its defining strength lies in the holistic, ‘The Whole Person is The Whole Point’ ethos, balancing academic learning, building knowledge and managing technology, with co-curricular experiences. Rugby School Dubai’s philosophy is firmly committed to forming pupils who are intellectually ambitious, ethically grounded and able to navigate complexity with integrity and discernment.

4. How is your school integrating the mandatory national subjects (Arabic, Islamic Studies, and National Identity) to ensure they resonate with a diverse, international student body?

We place real emphasis on context and identity. Arabic language and Emirati national identity are integral elements of the educational experience that will be taught as living experiences rather than textbook subjects, ensuring pupils develop respect, awareness and appreciation for the cultural context in which they live and learn.

5. Beyond academic transcripts, what are the three “non-negotiable” skills you believe a student must graduate with to thrive in the 2030s?

If I had to choose three skills for the future, they would be critical thinking, communication and self-management. In a world of AI and multiple information sources, our children must be able to distinguish fact from fiction, to question, judge and think for themselves. They need to form their own opinions and be able to articulate their thoughts while managing their time, priorities and wellbeing with discipline and balance.

6. With the job market evolving so rapidly, how do you steer students toward adaptability rather than just specific career paths?

Our distinctive “The Whole Person is The Whole Point” Ethos and our Rugby Learner Profile; which nurtures confident, curious, resilient, and reflective pupils; were developed intentionally from the earliest years through a carefully structured journey to support independence of thought, intellectual curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. At the core, Rugby School Dubai is commitment to shaping adaptable thinkers who are prepared not for one fixed path but for a lifetime of evolving opportunities, informed by curiosity and intellectual confidence.

7. How does your school move beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model to ensure that a student’s unique strengths are recognized and nurtured?

Everything at Rugby School Dubai will be underpinned by a network of care that ensures pupils are known, supported and challenged. We do this through our well-established Tutor and House system, as well as leadership structures, with every teacher knowing that we are working in partnership with parents to bring out the best in our pupils through opportunities within the curriculum and the co-curriculum for pupils to show their individual strengths and stretch themselves.

The confidence comes from gaining a sense of one’s own strengths and interests. This why the ‘Rugby’s ethos is so powerful, with Sport and the Performing Arts central to this, encouraging participation and high-level performance. Just as we are inclusive in our lessons, the co-curriculum provides a different space to work by being in the spotlight or behind the scenes. Underpinning all of this is the Rugby House system and the wider Rugbeian Society, which build a strong sense of belonging and leadership. They connect pupils to something larger than themselves, during their time at school and long after they leave, as part of a global Rugbeian community.

8. How do you practically teach resilience so that students view rapid global changes as opportunities rather than threats?

Our pupils at Rugby School Dubai will always be encouraged to take part and try new things, with the aim that they enjoy it and are inspired, but also with a realism that challenges and setbacks are a natural part of growth.

9. With rising academic pressures, what “boots-on-the-ground” support systems are in place to catch signs of burnout before they become crises?

At Rugby School Dubai, our pastoral care and unique house system ensures every pupil is known, supported and guided through close relationships with tutors, mentors and teachers working in partnership with families.

10. How is the school evolving its support for “Students of Determination” to ensure they are not just included, but are actively excelling?

We firmly believe every child should be recognised as an individual with distinct strengths and it is the School’s role to identify and nurture that potential through tailored support and high expectations. This principle sits at the heart of the “Whole Person is The Whole Point” ethos. Building on this foundation, we are deeply committed to inclusive education, ensuring that pupils of all abilities and backgrounds are supported, valued and empowered to thrive.

11. Beyond preventing cyberbullying, how are you teaching students to curate a “digital footprint” they can be proud of as they enter adulthood?

Our approach to education is grounded in forming thoughtful, responsible young adults who understand that their choices, both online and offline, reflect character. Through coaching and pastoral model, students are encouraged to think critically, act with integrity and develop self-awareness in how they engage with the world.

In the context of Rugby School Dubai, this translates into helping students understand digital responsibility as an extension of personal responsibility, ensuring they develop judgement, discretion and respect in how they interact with others.

12. In an era of hybrid initiatives like “Ramadan with the Family,” how has the role of the parent changed in your school’s ecosystem?

As a Teacher and Principal, I have always believed in a ‘triangle of trust’ with pupil, home and school, working together to ensure continuous communication and shared responsibility for each child’s development. Rugby School Dubai will embed this from the outset, building a community where parents are active partners in shaping academic progress, character and wellbeing.

13. How do you ensure your veteran teachers feel empowered—rather than overwhelmed—by the constant influx of new educational technologies and mandates?

Outstanding education is built on exceptional teaching, supported, not replaced, by innovation. Professional development, coaching culture, collaborative practice and above all instinct are key as teaching is both a profession and a vocation. As Principal, my focus will be on creating the trust, support and framework that enables our educators to inspire, lead, and thrive.

14. If you could leave one inspiring message or lesson for your school community and the wider world, what would it be?

A Rugby education is designed to produce not just successful students, but remarkable human beings and that is what we are bringing to the UAE. Above all, if we keep “the Whole Person as the Whole Point”, with the individual and human qualities as our focus, we will have prepared them for a rich and fulfilling life.