Friendships play a vital role in every child’s school experience, while assessments can sometimes bring added pressure for both children and parents. In a recent Eye on Education episode on Dubai Eye 103.8, host Helen Farmer spoke with Fatma Suleiman, School Counsellor at Horizon English School, and Rebecca Willicombe, Head of Year 4 and Class Teacher at Horizon English School, about how families can support children socially, emotionally and academically.

Fatma Suleiman highlighted that positive friendships are fundamental to children’s emotional wellbeing and can have a significant impact on their confidence, sense of belonging and ability to learn. She explained how friendships naturally change as children grow, from learning to share in the early years to navigating peer pressure and social dynamics as they get older. Fatma encouraged parents to look out for subtle changes in behaviour that may indicate a child is struggling, rather than waiting for more obvious signs. She also discussed the importance of helping children develop resilience, modelling healthy friendships at home, encouraging wider friendship groups, and maintaining open conversations about social media and online interactions. For children joining a new school, she emphasised the value of strong collaboration between teachers, counsellors and families to help them settle into their new environment with confidence.

Rebecca Willicombe focused on how assessments are used in primary education, reassuring parents that tests are only one part of understanding a child’s progress. She explained that teachers continuously assess learning through classroom discussions, observations and everyday activities, using end-of-year assessments alongside this broader picture to identify strengths and any areas where additional support may be helpful. Rebecca encouraged parents to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on children and instead focus on celebrating effort, progress and personal strengths. She also shared practical ways families can support learning at home, including establishing healthy sleep routines, practising little and often through everyday activities, and helping children understand that mistakes are a valuable part of learning.

Together, both conversations reinforced the importance of working in partnership between home and school. By creating supportive environments where children feel safe, valued and understood, families and educators can help them build meaningful friendships, develop resilience and approach learning with confidence.

Listen to the full interview here.