GEMS Westminster School Sharjah
Executive Summary
The overall effectiveness of GEMS Westminster School Sharjah is rated as Good, maintaining its rating from the previous review in 2023. The school has demonstrated significant improvements in raising attainment across Ministry of Education (MoE) and English-medium subjects, with overall student achievement remaining strong. The school is notably effective in developing English language skills for most students who enter with limited prior knowledge.
Teaching and learning skills are generally Good, with Phase 1 showing the strongest performance, though consistency in teaching quality is an area for ongoing development. Students' personal and social development, along with the provision for their protection, care, guidance, and support, are rated as Very Good. Recent advancements in assessment systems and curriculum design, both now rated Very Good, are positively impacting student achievement.
The leadership team, supported by committed parents and experienced governors, is a significant driving force for the school, implementing rigorous self-evaluation and improvement processes. Overall, leadership and management are rated as Very Good, reflecting strong stakeholder support and a clear vision for continuous improvement.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
GEMS Westminster School Sharjah Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school provides very good support for students of determination and gifted and talented students, ensuring their needs are met through specialist guidance and tailored programs. This includes effective procedures for identifying and supporting students with special educational needs and gifted and talented students. Students of DeterminationGifted and Talented studentsspecialist guidance
The school demonstrates a very good quality of protection, care, guidance, and support for students, fostering mature and responsible attitudes and effectively addressing bullying incidents. Students also show good knowledge and understanding of safe and healthy living, actively participating in healthy exercise. protection, care, guidance and supportmature and responsible attitudesanti-bullying awareness
Students show a good understanding of Islamic values and their influence in the UAE, with cultural activities and national celebrations promoted. While students are knowledgeable and respectful of UAE traditions, their understanding of other world cultures is less developed, and teachers' use of links to Emirati culture in lessons needs further integration. Islamic valuesEmirati culture and heritageMoE subjects
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
MoE Subject Achievement
Students are showing improving achievement across all Ministry of Education subjects.
Core Subject Achievement
Strong achievements are noted in mathematics and science across Phases 1, 2, and 3, and in English in Phases 1, 3, and 4.
Student Engagement
Students demonstrate high levels of engagement and take significant responsibility for their own learning.
Assessment Systems
The school's assessment systems and procedures are highly effective across all phases.
Curriculum Design
The curriculum design and its implementation are strong across the school, supporting effective learning.
Inclusive Support
Excellent support is provided for students with special educational needs (SEN) and for gifted and talented (G&T) students.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement is overall good. The school is particularly effective in developing English language skills for students entering with limited prior knowledge. Consistency in the quality of teaching and the promotion of deeper thinking remain areas for development across phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team at GEMS Westminster School Sharjah is characterized by its passion and clear vision, enjoying unwavering support from all stakeholders. This strong leadership, in collaboration with highly committed parents and experienced governors, drives a rigorous self-evaluation and school improvement process, contributing to the school's overall very good management.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is overall good, with significant improvements noted in Ministry of Education and English-medium subjects. The school is highly effective in developing English language skills for students with limited prior knowledge, and students demonstrate good engagement and responsibility for their learning.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development, along with their innovation skills, are very good overall. Students exhibit very good behavior, mature and responsible attitudes, and mutually respectful relationships. They also show a good understanding of Islamic values, Emirati culture, and healthy living, actively participating in community service.
Teaching Quality
The overall quality of teaching and assessment is good. Teachers possess good subject knowledge and understand student learning needs, with well-planned lessons and effective questioning. However, the promotion of deeper thinking and consistent use of formative assessment across all subjects require further development.
Protection & Care
The overall quality of protection, care, guidance, and support for students is very good. The school has rigorous safeguarding procedures, effective anti-bullying programs, and provides very good support for students of determination and gifted and talented students. Students demonstrate good knowledge of safe and healthy living practices.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning in Phases 2, 3 and 4 to ensure consistent quality across the school.
- •Enhance students’ progress in the Ministry of Education (MoE) subjects to maximize their potential.
- •Encourage teachers to make more meaningful links to Emirati culture and UAE society in lesson planning.
- •Improve the quality of planned cross-curriculum links that are routinely exploited in lessons to enrich student learning.
- •Develop the school’s effective national and international partnerships to further enrich students’ learning and personal development.