The Westminster School - Al Qusais, Dubai
British School in Al Qusais 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
British / International Baccalaureate
KHDA
Good
Location
Dubai, Al Qusais 1
Fees
AED 9K - 18K
The Executive Summary
The Westminster School - Al Qusais Dubai is a genuinely remarkable proposition in the Dubai private school landscape: one of the largest British curriculum schools in the emirate, operating at fees that sit firmly in the value tier, yet delivering an education that earned a KHDA rating of Good - a rating it has held consistently since 2014 - and, significantly, an Outstanding rating from British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspectors following a voluntary inspection in January 2025. With 5,224 students across FS1 to Year 13, 70 nationalities, and fees ranging from approximately AED 9,930 to AED 18,771 per year, TWS occupies a distinctive niche: it is the school for families who want a credible, accredited British curriculum pathway through to A Level without committing to the AED 50,000-plus fee bands that dominate the sector. The school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for younger students, focusing on child-centered learning and development, and for older students adopts the National Curriculum for England, providing a structured academic pathway leading to internationally recognised qualifications including IGCSE, AS and A Level. The KHDA inspection confirms that teaching is Good or better across all phases, with Outstanding personal development scores across every year group - a finding that speaks to the school's genuine community culture. The Al Qusais 1 schools corridor is well-served by TWS, which draws students from across Dubai and neighbouring Sharjah and Ajman.
BSO Outstanding 2025KHDA Good - 10 Years Running5,200+ Students70 NationalitiesValue-Tier British Curriculum
See how The Westminster School - Al Qusais compares across all 105 British schools in our Best British Schools in Dubai 2026 guide.
“The fees are genuinely affordable for a British curriculum school, and my children are thriving academically and socially. The sense of community here is unlike anything I expected at a school this size.”
— Year 8 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The Westminster School delivers the National Curriculum for England from FS1 through to Year 13, with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework underpinning the Foundation Stage. In FS, the curriculum is play-based and organised around the seven areas of learning, enriched by the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) which supports theme-based and STEAM learning. Arabic is introduced from FS2. Primary students in Years 1 to 6 study a broad range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Islamic Education, Arabic (for Arabs and non-Arabs), Geography, PSHE, Computing, PE, Art, Music and Wellbeing. French or Urdu is introduced from Year 3, and Robotics from Years 5 and 6 - a forward-looking addition that reflects the school's status as a Microsoft Showcase School since 2015. Secondary students in Years 7 and 8 continue with a similarly broad curriculum before Year 9 introduces the IGCSE pathway. Years 10 and 11 students sit IGCSE examinations in a range of subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, Art and Design, Psychology, French and Urdu, among others. The Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13) offers A Level and AS Level qualifications alongside an International BTEC Level 3 in Business and IT. Entry to Year 12 is competitive: a minimum of five grade Bs at IGCSE is required, with priority given to existing TWS students. The KHDA's 2023-24 inspection confirms that attainment is Good across all core subjects in Primary and Secondary, rising to Very Good in Mathematics and Science at Post-16. In the most recent PIRLS international benchmark tests, the school exceeded its targets by a considerable margin, with whole-school outcomes rated Outstanding in English, Mathematics and Science. The school has noted that over three quarters of Sixth Form students achieve the highest grades of A*-B at A Level, and in 2024, 99% of A Level entries achieved passing grades of A*-E. One notable weakness: the KHDA has flagged that Post-16 curriculum options are limited - no Humanities or Arts subjects beyond English, Geography and Psychology are offered at A Level - and pathways for students of determination in the upper phases remain restricted. Academic support is structured around three levels of identification for students with additional needs. The KHDA rates inclusion provision as Good, with eleven year leaders, three learning support teachers and four learning support assistants providing tracked interventions. Gifted and talented students are identified systematically, though KHDA inspectors have noted that innovation and enterprise skills development in Primary and Secondary requires further embedding. Assessment practices are strong in FS, where progress trackers give teachers immediate feedback; in Primary and Secondary, the use of assessment data to differentiate lesson planning is described by KHDA as variable - an area requiring attention.
Outstanding
PIRLS Benchmark - Whole School (English, Maths, Science)
KHDA 2023-24 National Agenda Parameter
Very Good
Mathematics and Science Attainment - Post-16
KHDA DSIB Inspection 2023-24
99%
A Level Pass Rate (A*-E)
2024 A Level examination session, 200 students, 533 entries
24%
A Level Entries Awarded A*-A
2024 A Level results, 200 students entered
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school operating at value-tier fees, the breadth of extracurricular provision at The Westminster School is one of its most compelling selling points. The school explicitly positions ECAs as central to its educational philosophy, stating that all-round development through a balanced programme of activities is designed to build team spirit, exploration and confidence. Across the school, students can access a wide range of interest-based clubs including drama, debating, elocution and public speaking, music, craft, creative writing, meal planning and cooking, and a multimedia club with a dedicated studio for Radio and Newsroom broadcasts. The school's Environment Club is affiliated with the United Nations Environment Programme and linked with the Emirates Environment Group - a meaningful, externally validated sustainability initiative rather than a token green committee. Sports provision is extensive: outdoor sports include Athletics, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Throwball and Volleyball, while indoor options span Badminton, Carrom, Chess, Gymnastics and Table Tennis. The school hosts two major inter-school events annually - The Westminster Marathon and the Junior Soccer Tournament - in which schools from across the emirates participate, giving students genuine competitive exposure. Inter-House competitions are held across sports, public speaking, dance, quizzes, art, music and essay writing, providing structured competitive pathways for students across all ability levels. For Sixth Form students, the ECA programme is supplemented by a Skills Development Programme, community service opportunities, professional training, internships and peer counselling - a meaningful bridge between school and professional life. Field trips, trekking, educational excursions and leadership camps round out the offering. The school's commitment to the Arts is particularly notable: Fine Art, Music and Performance are treated as curriculum essentials rather than optional extras, a stance that distinguishes TWS from many comparable-fee schools in the region. The KHDA has noted that opportunities for innovation and enterprise skills in Primary and Secondary could be extended further, and this remains an area for development.
2
Major Inter-School Annual Events
Westminster Marathon and Junior Soccer Tournament
UN Environment Programme ClubRadio and Newsroom StudioWestminster Marathon Annual EventSkills Development ProgrammeArts as Curriculum Essential
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The KHDA's 2023-24 inspection rates the overall quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes at TWS as Good, with several dimensions reaching higher. Personal development is rated Outstanding across all four phases - Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary and Post-16 - a finding that is genuinely rare and reflects a school culture that takes the whole child seriously. Students are described by KHDA inspectors as behaving very well, showing positive attitudes towards learning, and demonstrating an excellent understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture. The school has a carefully planned Social, Moral and Cultural Studies (MSCS) programme aligned to the Ministry of Education framework, taught by appropriately qualified teachers with regular assessments and monitoring. Wellbeing student leaders are trained to identify peers who may be experiencing difficulties and know how to escalate concerns to the relevant adult - a structured, student-led layer of support that complements the formal counselling provision. The school operates with one guidance counsellor for a student population of 5,224 - a ratio that, frankly, is stretched thin for a school of this size, and parents with children who have significant pastoral or mental health needs should factor this into their decision. The recently introduced wellbeing curriculum is not yet fully embedded, per KHDA's 2023-24 findings, and the school has been directed to ensure it becomes part of daily practice across all teaching staff. Safeguarding policies and procedures are rated Very Good across all phases, and the school premises are described as safe and well maintained. Health and safety arrangements receive Very Good ratings across all phases. The school encourages a healthy lifestyle, with PE staff and medical staff ensuring regular discussion of health issues. Students and parents report a strong sense of belonging to the school community - a significant pastoral asset in a school of this scale.
“My daughter has been at TWS since FS1 and the teachers genuinely know her as an individual. For a school with over 5,000 students, that sense of being known and valued is something I did not expect.”
— Year 6 Mother(representative)Campus & Facilities
The Westminster School is located on Baghdad Street in Al Qusais 1, a central Dubai location that makes it accessible from across the emirate and from neighbouring Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain - a significant factor given that many of the school's 5,224 students commute from beyond Dubai's borders. The campus is a large, purpose-built facility housing 180 purpose-built classrooms for all academic subjects. Facilities include a covered play area for Foundation Stage students, a separate covered recreation area for senior students, an activity room, and an audio-visual room with multimedia facilities. The school maintains three well-resourced libraries stocked with books, periodicals and research resources - a genuine commitment to reading culture that is reinforced from the earliest years. Science provision at senior level is strong: six well-equipped science laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics respectively serve the Senior School. Technology infrastructure includes five computer laboratories with internet connectivity and multimedia facilities, and the school's Microsoft Showcase School designation since 2015 underpins a commitment to integrating cloud and mobile technology across learning. Sports facilities include outdoor courts for Basketball, Football, Hockey, Throwball and Volleyball, with indoor provision for Badminton, Carrom, Chess, Gymnastics and Table Tennis, plus an outdoor athletics track. The school also has dedicated music rooms and a multimedia studio for Radio and Newsroom broadcasts. There is an on-site canteen providing healthy, nutritious options during break times, and an on-site clinic. The honest assessment: the campus is extensive but the sheer scale of the student population creates pressure. The KHDA has consistently flagged overcrowding as an ongoing concern, noting that many classrooms have limited space for large class groups, and that average class sizes of approximately 28 students exceed the KHDA limit of 25. Science resources in the Primary phase are noted as limited compared to the Senior School. The school's improvement plan acknowledges a future expansion of facilities, but this remains a work in progress. For families prioritising intimate class sizes and premium facilities, this is a material consideration.
180
Purpose-Built Classrooms
Across all academic subjects
6
Science Laboratories
Biology, Chemistry and Physics - Senior School
180 Purpose-Built ClassroomsThree School LibrariesSix Science LaboratoriesMicrosoft Showcase SchoolMultimedia Radio StudioOutdoor Athletics Track
Teaching & Learning Quality
The KHDA's 2023-24 DSIB inspection rates teaching for effective learning as Very Good in Foundation Stage and Post-16, and Good in Primary and Secondary - a profile that reflects genuine strength at the extremes of the school, with the middle phases performing solidly but with room to grow. The inspection notes that teaching in FS is particularly skilful, marked by teachers' understanding of how young children learn, while Post-16 teaching is described as remaining very effective. The school employs 297 teachers supported by 22 teaching assistants, giving a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:18 across the school. The largest nationality group of teachers is Indian, reflective of the school's community and Dubai's broader teaching workforce. Teacher turnover is reported at approximately 16% - a figure that sits at the higher end of what parents should feel comfortable with, though it is not unusual in Dubai's competitive teaching market. KHDA inspectors note that teachers' consistent approach to planning enables students to build systematically on prior learning, and that questioning is generally used effectively to check understanding and develop critical thinking. However, not all teachers adjust learning activities to meet individual student needs, and in some subjects there is an uneven balance of teacher-led activities that limits opportunities for independent learning. The use of assessment data to guide lesson planning is described as variable in Primary and Secondary - a persistent recommendation from KHDA that the school has been tasked with addressing. The school's Microsoft Showcase School status reflects a genuine commitment to technology integration: cloud and mobile technology, STEAM, coding and robotics are embedded across the curriculum from FS1 to Year 8. Professional development is supported within the GEMS Education group framework, which provides access to network-wide training resources. In FS, assessment practices are notably stronger, with progress trackers giving teachers immediate, actionable feedback on individual children.
1:18
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
297 teachers for 5,224 students
16%
Teacher Turnover Rate
Above sector average; worth monitoring
Very Good
Teaching Quality - Foundation Stage and Post-16
KHDA DSIB Inspection 2023-24
Leadership & Management
The Westminster School is led by Carl Roberts, who holds the title of Executive Principal and CEO and has been in post since January 2019. Roberts brings a UK principal background and has overseen a period of sustained stability and improvement at the school, including the securing of the BSO Outstanding accreditation in January 2025 - a significant achievement under his stewardship. His publicly stated philosophy centres on supporting every individual student to achieve their potential, with explicit acknowledgement that children have different abilities and talents, and that inclusion is a core value of the institution. The KHDA rates the effectiveness of leadership as Good, with school self-evaluation and improvement planning also rated Good. Governance is rated Good, with governors described as acting as constructive, critical friends for the school. The standout leadership rating is Parents and Community: Very Good - parents feel their opinions are fully considered, and communication is described by KHDA as very effective. The school is owned and operated by GEMS Education, the Dubai-headquartered global education group. This brings meaningful advantages: access to group-wide professional development, curriculum resources, technology infrastructure and the GEMS network of schools for student transfers and sibling continuity. It also means the school operates within GEMS's fee framework, approved by KHDA, which keeps fees at the value end of the market. The school communicates with parents through digital portals and the GEMS parent app. The academic year runs September to July, divided into three terms. Middle leadership is described by KHDA as providing effective management, with eleven year leaders across the school supporting the senior leadership team's strategic direction.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent DSIB inspection, conducted in November to December 2023 and published as the 2023-24 inspection report, rates The Westminster School's overall performance as Good - a rating the school has held continuously since 2014, representing a decade of consistent regulatory performance. Before 2014, the school was rated Acceptable for six consecutive years, so the sustained improvement is real and meaningful. The headline finding is that the overall quality of education provided is Good, with several areas reaching Very Good or Outstanding. Students' personal and social development is rated Outstanding across all four phases - Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary and Post-16 - an exceptional finding that reflects the school's genuine community culture. Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is also Outstanding across all phases, as is social responsibility and innovation skills. In terms of academic attainment, the school achieves Good across all core subjects in Primary and Secondary, rising to Very Good in Mathematics and Science at Post-16. Progress in English and Mathematics in FS is Very Good. The National Agenda Parameter assessment rates whole-school outcomes as Outstanding in English, Mathematics and Science in international benchmark tests, with Emirati student outcomes rated Very Good. The wellbeing focus area is rated Good overall, with the KHDA directing the school to fully embed the new wellbeing curriculum in daily practice. The inclusion rating is Good. Key KHDA recommendations for development include: ensuring teachers make full use of assessment data to plan differentiated work; increasing curriculum pathway options in upper phases; and ensuring all learning spaces have sufficient resources. The overcrowding issue in classrooms - average class sizes of approximately 28 against a KHDA limit of 25 - is a recurring theme in inspection reports and has not yet been resolved.
Outstanding Personal Development Across All Phases
Students' personal development, understanding of Islamic values and social responsibility are all rated Outstanding in Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary and Post-16 - a rare, sweep-the-board finding that confirms a strong whole-school culture.
Strong Post-16 Academic Performance
Mathematics and Science attainment and progress both reach Very Good at Post-16, and the school's A Level results show 99% pass rates and 24% A*-A achievement in 2024. The Sixth Form is the academic jewel of the school.
Outstanding International Benchmark Results
In the most recent PIRLS and National Agenda Parameter benchmark tests, the school exceeded its targets by a considerable margin, with whole-school outcomes rated Outstanding in English, Mathematics and Science.
Differentiated Planning and Assessment Use
KHDA inspectors consistently note that while internal assessment processes are strong, teachers' use of assessment data to plan differentiated work matched to individual attainment levels is variable across Primary and Secondary. This is a recurring recommendation that the school has not yet fully addressed.
Limited Post-16 Curriculum Pathways
The range of A Level subject options is narrow - no Humanities or Arts subjects beyond English, Geography and Psychology - and pathways for students of determination in the upper phases are limited. KHDA has specifically flagged this as a barrier for a wider range of students.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Good
2022-2023
Good
2019-2020
Good
2018-2019
Good
2017-2018
Good
2016-2017
Good
2015-2016
Good
2014-2015
Good
2013-2014
Acceptable
2012-2013
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
The Westminster School - Al Qusais offers a British curriculum education from FS1 through Year 13, with tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year approved by the KHDA. Fees range from AED 9,362 for Foundation Stage to AED 18,203 for Years 11–13, positioning the school as an accessible mid-range British curriculum option in Dubai. In addition to tuition, families pay an annual fee of AED 367.50 and a computer fee of AED 200 per year, bringing total yearly fees from AED 9,929.50 to AED 18,770.50.
AED 9,362
Annual Fees From
AED 18,203
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS 1
AED 9,362FS 2
AED 9,362Year 1
AED 11,565Year 2
AED 11,565Year 3
AED 11,565Year 4
AED 11,565Year 5
AED 11,565Year 6
AED 11,565Year 7
AED 12,482Year 8
AED 12,482Year 9
AED 14,686Year 10
AED 14,686Year 11
AED 18,203Year 12
AED 18,203Year 13
AED 18,203Tuition fees are payable in three terms, with the first term carrying the largest portion. For example, FS1 and FS2 students are billed AED 4,312.50 in Term 1, and AED 2,809 and AED 2,808 in Terms 2 and 3 respectively. The school also charges a one-time application fee of AED 525 for new registrations, with 5% VAT applicable on both the annual fee and the application fee. Families are encouraged to use the FAB GEMS World Credit Card to pay annual tuition fees in advance and save up to 3%.
The school's fee structure reflects its KHDA 'Good' overall rating and its long-standing reputation since 1988. Sibling discounts and other discount policies are available, and the school provides a clear registration and refund policy. Transportation is available at an additional cost, with fare details published separately for the 2025/26 academic year.
Additional Costs
Application Fee (new registrations)525(one-time)
Annual Fee367.50(annual)
Computer Fee200(annual)
Transportation(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Sibling Discount
FAB GEMS World Credit Card Discountup to 3%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
The Westminster School - Al Qusais is a school that consistently punches above its fee weight. A decade of KHDA Good ratings, a BSO Outstanding accreditation secured in January 2025, Outstanding personal development scores across every phase, and strong Post-16 academic results combine to make a compelling case. The school is not without its weaknesses: class sizes that breach KHDA's recommended limits, a Post-16 curriculum that narrows significantly in subject breadth, variable use of assessment data in the middle phases, and a single guidance counsellor for over 5,000 students are all genuine limitations that parents should weigh carefully. The campus is under pressure from its own success, and the planned expansion of facilities has not yet materialised. But for the right family, none of these drawbacks are dealbreakers - they are trade-offs that come with a school operating at AED 9,930 to AED 18,771 per year. The school's Arts provision, environmental programme, Sixth Form track record, and genuine community culture are assets that many higher-fee schools cannot match. TWS is the rare school that can claim to be both affordable and genuinely good.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families seeking a credible, KHDA-rated British curriculum education from FS1 through to A Level at value-tier fees, particularly those from South Asian backgrounds who value the school's inclusive, diverse community and its commitment to the Arts alongside academics.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising small class sizes, a wide Post-16 subject menu including Humanities and Arts at A Level, or premium campus facilities; also not the right fit for students of determination who may need significant support in Years 12 and 13, where pathway options are limited.
“
We looked at schools costing three times as much. None of them had the community feel or the consistent track record that TWS has. The fees make it possible for us to give our children a British education - and the results speak for themselves.
— Year 11 Parent
Strengths
- BSO Outstanding accreditation (January 2025) at value-tier fees
- KHDA Good rating held consistently for over a decade
- Outstanding personal development scores across all four phases
- Strong Post-16 results: 99% A Level pass rate in 2024
- Broad ECA programme including Arts, sports and UN-affiliated environment club
- 70 nationalities creating genuinely diverse international community
- Microsoft Showcase School with STEAM and coding embedded from FS1
- Accessible Al Qusais location serving Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman families
Areas for Improvement
- Average class sizes of approximately 28 exceed KHDA's recommended limit of 25
- Post-16 curriculum is narrow - no Humanities or Arts subjects at A Level beyond English, Geography and Psychology
- Only one guidance counsellor for 5,224 students - stretched pastoral support
- Variable use of assessment data to differentiate teaching in Primary and Secondary
- Science resources in Primary phase lag behind the well-equipped Senior School