We are thrilled to announce that GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah, our first international assessment of this academic year, has become the first GEMS school to receive the prestigious International Inclusive School Award. An all-through school in Seih Al Uraibi, it welcomes approximately 3046 learners from Pre KG to Grade 12. It is a British Curriculum school, and all lessons are taught in English with 99% of students identified as EAL, reflecting the multi-cultural demographic of the region. The majority of students are Emirati, with Arabic as the main first language spoken at the school. At present, there are 82 Students of Determination, who receive excellent Inclusion support from the staff. Inclusion has been a transformative force within the school since 2022, when leaders decided to implement extensive improvement to the inclusive education at the school. An Inclusion Policy was introduced to establish an effective early identification framework and to support a diverse range of learning needs. Individual Education plans have now enabled personalised interventions, with parental engagement strengthened significantly as a result. Inclusion is very much a team effort at GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah; a staff member aptly stated that they “love the culture of shared responsibility here.”
Staff are a shining example of how inclusion is ‘lived and breathed’ at the school. The Leadership Team are fully committed to promoting inclusion in every aspect of school life and, indeed, across the Emirate. Our assessors observed a genuine passion for inclusion amongst staff, reflecting the wider school vision for an excellent education for every learner. Staff ensure they are always available and present for students, greeting families as they arrive at the school gates in the morning. Parents appreciate the friendly and approachable nature of the staff, and the ability to pass on and address important messages at the start of the school day. The Inclusion Lead is a role model for best practice in the school, as seen in her daily interactions with staff, students, and families. She also ensures that there is high-quality support for Students of Determination, with Learning Support Assistants demonstrating effective and committed support that makes a notable impact on student progress. As the Inclusion Lead aptly stated during the IQM assessment, “this is what inclusion is all about, happy and smiling children. We have so many success stories.”
Staff feel like their hard work and contributions are valued and recognised, irrespective of role title or length of time at the school. Staff praise the wide range of career development and training opportunities on offer, allowing them to effectively meet the needs of individual learners in their classrooms. Staff are appreciative of the superb senior leadership team at the school, who are not only strategic but also inspirational, with one staff member stating that “SLT inspire me to work above and beyond – leading by example.” Senior and Middle Leaders engage in learning walks, lesson observations, and book looks, in keeping with their robust Quality Assurance process. Standards and consequences are presented openly at the school, and this is paired with excellent training and support for staff to succeed. Indeed, reflection is vitally important, with a whole-school commitment to continuous improvement. Staff morale is high at the school, with high praise for the “very positive work environment”, as well as initiatives such as Family Days, staff recognition, and the “no messages after 5pm” rule. The school has shown that by including staff in their inclusive vision, everyone can contribute positively to the school community.
Frequently described by staff as “the most smiley school,” students at GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah receive a holistic, vibrant education that allows them to develop academically and emotionally. All staff are held accountable for ensuring the inclusive educations of Students of Determination, with an expectation for lessons to be adapted to meet individual needs. Teachers can avail of planning meetings and strategies to address the needs of a diverse learning community, including EAL learners and ‘gifted’ students. Regular evaluations from the Inclusion Leads are used to help further refine practices and ensure every student is making progress. Teachers also work closely with Learning Support Assistants to design bespoke learning strategies for individual leaners, such as modified curricula and differentiated activities. Every member of the school community shows pride in the school’s inclusive ethos and is keen to extend the feeling of community to visitors and school community members alike. Diversity is celebrated in the school, and as a result students naturally accept each other and their differences. The Inclusion Department allows students to avail of a welcoming, personalised space, with the reflection room offering a calm space for behavioural discussions, supporting student wellbeing.
The school provides a wide array of enrichment opportunities on a local and global level, so students can develop wider skills for the future. They are championed to take on leadership roles within the school community to contribute meaningfully to their school environment. The teaching philosophy of “Teach Like a GEM” underpins a whole school commitment to inclusive education for all learners, using micro-steps and QA to standardise effective teaching practices. The extra-curricular offering promotes cultural identity, and meaningful initiatives such as reading with Early Years students and visiting an “old age” home encourage students to celebrate UAE national identity and the GEMS Education ethos.
GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah extends its commitment to an inclusive society beyond the school walls, to parents and the wider community. Parents and local residents are invited to events such as Sports Days and inclusion celebrations, enriching the student experience and building a strong sense of shared purpose between the school and the wider community. Our assessor described the school as “a trailblazer in terms of the inter-school events”, such as inviting Students of Determination from other schools to participate in Inclusive Sports Day. The school maintains a strong channel of trust and communication with families, with a consistent effort to foster partnership and break down barriers.
Through partnerships with other GEMS schools and institutions such as Ral al Khaimah Department of Knowledge, the school contributes to the wider educational community and has become a hub leader in regional inclusive education development. It is this drive to spread the inclusive message far and wide that makes GEMS Westminster School Ras Al Khaimah stand tall as thought leaders in the area. Staff and students alike are encouraged to empower and include those around them to build a brighter, better future for all.