GEMS Wellington Academy
Executive Summary
The overall quality of education provided by GEMS Wellington Academy - Fze is Very Good. The school demonstrates Outstanding achievement in Foundation Stage and Primary, with strong performance in Secondary and Post-16 phases.
Students show exceptional achievement in mathematics and science, particularly in Foundation Stage and Primary, with improving results in Islamic Education and Arabic. The broad curriculum promotes all-round learning and caters to individual interests.
Teaching is at least Very Good across the school, with Outstanding practices in Foundation Stage and Primary. Strong senior leadership and governance effectively manage significant growth, prioritize wellbeing, and foster excellent partnerships with parents and the community.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
GEMS Wellington Academy -Fze Overall Rating
Very Good
Dubai Focus Areas
These three pillars represent the Dubai education authority's priorities: ensuring inclusive practices, prioritizing student wellbeing, and meeting UAE National Agenda targets.
The school employs highly inclusive practices, celebrating diversity and providing a comprehensive framework to support every student. It excels in identifying specific needs through careful assessment tools, guiding effective interventions and offering substantial support. Parents express high satisfaction with the care and support, including individualized learning pathways. inclusive practicesindividualized learning pathwaysStudents of Determination
The school places significant emphasis on an all-inclusive approach to wellbeing, led by a dynamic team. Well-established systems evaluate student wellbeing, and everyone contributes to mutual support. Exceptional parental partnerships and a strong, forward-thinking wellbeing curriculum are seamlessly integrated across subjects. all-inclusive approachparental partnershipswellbeing curriculum
The school has exceeded its targets in international assessments like PIRLS, with students showing improvement in benchmark assessments in English, mathematics, and science. Leaders effectively align subject skills with international proficiency levels and address gaps, showing awareness of Emirati students' specific learning needs. Reading literacy scores are mostly above age-related expectations, fostering a strong reading culture. International AssessmentsPIRLSEmirati cohortreading literacy
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Personal & Social Development
Students demonstrate excellent personal and social development, high levels of wellbeing, and a strong appreciation for their own and other cultures.
Inclusive Curriculum
The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum that is highly inclusive, effectively meeting the diverse needs of all student groups.
Exemplary Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage is exemplary, with students demonstrating excellent performance across the curriculum, including performing arts and outdoor learning.
Improved Islamic & Arabic
There is improving provision and achievement in Islamic Education and Arabic, reflecting stronger student outcomes in these subjects.
Strong Leadership & Governance
The school benefits from very strong senior leadership and governance, effectively managing significant growth and ensuring excellent partnerships with parents and the community.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The achievement of children in the Foundation Stage and Primary is outstanding, with excellence in mathematics and science. Achievement in Secondary and Post-16 are mostly very good and improving. Students are now making stronger levels of achievement in Islamic Education and Arabic.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The principal and her leadership team expertly support the school's growth and uphold very high standards in a large school setting. They prioritize student and staff wellbeing, effectively self-evaluate, and focus on quality teaching. Governance provides both support and accountability, ensuring a premium learning environment.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement in Foundation Stage and Primary is outstanding, particularly in mathematics and science, with Secondary and Post-16 showing very good and improving outcomes. Learning skills are at least very good across the school, with exemplary behavior and strong relationships. Students demonstrate excellent understanding of Islamic values, Emirati and world cultures, and actively engage in social responsibility and innovation.
Personal Development
Students consistently exhibit exemplary behavior, self-discipline, and courtesy, fostering outstanding relationships. They have a highly developed awareness of healthy lifestyles and actively participate in sports. Students show an outstanding comprehension and respect for Emirati heritage and national values, taking on leadership roles and engaging in charitable and sustainability initiatives.
Teaching Quality
Teaching is at least very good across the school, with outstanding practices in Foundation Stage and Primary, where teachers' knowledge is well-developed. Lessons are well-planned, with effective questioning and high expectations. Internal assessment processes are coherent and linked to curriculum standards, enabling diligent tracking of student progress and effective use of assessment data in FS and Primary.
Protection & Care
The school provides excellent health and safety and safeguarding arrangements, with regular staff training and maintenance checks. Students report feeling safe and confident to approach adults. Highly effective support from experts strengthens academic and personal growth, with exceptionally strong systems for identifying and supporting students of determination, ensuring their social and emotional wellbeing.
Areas for Development
- •Spread best practices evident in the school, including the use of assessment information to personalise learning, to raise the standards of teaching in Secondary and Post-16 to match the other phases.
- •Raise the achievement of students of determination with the highest needs in Primary, by improving the rigour and consistency of planning and application of their individual education plans.
- •Improving the learning skills of students in Primary and Secondary by consistently offering students more choice in their learning.
- •Ensure that the curriculum adaptations have clear reference to the reports from international benchmark and, English reading assessments.
- •Review the implementation of the wellbeing programme so that it is even more successful in supporting areas with the greatest need.
- •Refine the wellbeing development plan so that students clearly understand how to be responsible decision-makers.
- •Strengthen the literacy skills of Arabic speaking students who are studying Islamic Education.
- •Improve the level of students' knowledge and understanding of the life of the Prophet's (PBUH) companions, in the secondary phase.
- •Moderate the pace of lessons and improve formative questioning to ensure that no students are being left behind.
- •Provide students with even greater levels of challenge in oral communication so that all groups can initiate dialogue and discussions using standard Arabic.
- •Improve the progress of all groups of students in Primary.
- •Improve students' outcomes in reading and writing in Primary and Secondary.
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