GEMS Wellington School Qatar

GEMS Wellington School, Qatar is located in Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, in the Doha metropolitan area. The campus address is Mian Street, Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Doha, Qatar, PO Box 81071. This places the school within the Al Wakrah district with access from central Doha via local roads.

The school offers education from Foundation Stage (Foundation Stage 1 and Foundation Stage 2) through Year 13, covering primary and secondary education. The Primary section encompasses Key Stage 1 and 2 (Years 1–6) and the Senior School covers Key Stages 3–5 (Years 7–13).

The school is co-educational and operates as a day school. It follows the English National Curriculum (British Curriculum) and serves students from Foundation Stage to Year 13.

The school maintains a diverse international student body with many nationalities represented. An exact current breakdown of nationalities and the local-to-international student ratio is not publicly published.

GEMS Wellington School Qatar uses an inclusive education approach and offers additional learning opportunities to meet the needs of its diverse learners. Details of specific SEN provisions are described as part of the inclusive education offering.

The school follows the National Curriculum for England (British Curriculum), reflecting an England/UK curriculum affiliation.

There is no religious affiliation listed for the school in its published materials.

The school follows the British three-term calendar. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Autumn Term runs 31 August 2025 to 17 December 2025; Spring Term runs 12 January 2026 to 12 March 2026; Summer Term runs 30 March 2026 to 2 July 2026, with scheduled breaks throughout the year. Daily start and end times are not published in the public materials.

Bus transport is provided by School Transport Services (STS). STS buses feature GPS monitoring, surveillance cameras, electronic attendance, and other safety measures; each route has a dedicated bus driver and a bus guardian. For inquiries, contact Tharaka Madushan at +974 6625 8535 or [email protected] The two-way transport fees shown include 4,310 QR within Al Wukair, 7,530 QR for other areas in Doha, and 9,150 QR for Lusail.

The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England with English as the language of instruction. Early Years Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2, ages 3–5) uses the UK EYFS framework with seven areas of learning: Communication and Language; Physical Development; Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design. Primary School (Year 1–6) uses the English National Curriculum with modifications for international students and includes an Arabic language strand reflecting the host culture. Senior (Secondary) School (Year 7–13) follows Key Stages 3–5 based on ENC; Year 9–11 prepares for IGCSEs with core IGCSEs in English, Mathematics and Science and typically 9–11 IGCSEs in total. In Years 12–13 students study Edexcel International Advanced Levels (AS in Year 12, up to four subjects) with final A-level examinations. The curriculum is complemented by a High Performance Learning framework (ACPs and VAAs) that develops meta-thinking, creativity and 21st‑century skills.

WSQ places personal wellbeing at the heart of its approach and defines wellbeing using the OECD framework as the psychological, cognitive, social and physical functioning and capabilities students need to live a happy and fulfilling life. A Wellbeing Framework drives SEL across the school, including active staff wellbeing, a positive culture around emotional health, ongoing professional development for staff, and broad engagement with the whole school community. The Personal Development curriculum includes programmes from The Happy Confident Company and Upstrive Education to support student wellbeing and SEL across all school phases. WSQ has been awarded the Wellbeing in Schools Award by Optimus Education, reflecting a formal commitment to integrating wellbeing into daily school life. The Wellbeing Award process lasted 16 months and involved self-assessment and collaborative planning.

WSQ publicly states an inclusive education approach with additional learning opportunities to meet learners' needs in an international setting. This is indicated in the Admissions page under Inclusive Education At WSQ. Specific kinds of Special Educational Needs the school can support and whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution are not publicly disclosed. Public pages do not list dedicated SEN staff roles such as a SENCO. Therefore, explicit details on SEN provision beyond inclusivity are not publicly disclosed.

The school does not publicly disclose information about English language support beyond general inclusive education. The available public pages do not describe EAL programs, staff or targeted strategies. The language of instruction is English.

WSQ operates a Wellbeing Framework that promotes staff wellbeing, a positive culture of emotional wellbeing and mental health, and a clear, school-wide wellbeing strategy. It provides ongoing professional development for staff and engages the whole school community in wellbeing initiatives. The Personal Development curriculum includes programmes from The Happy Confident Company and Upstrive Education to support mental wellbeing and SEL. WSQ has been awarded the Wellbeing in Schools Award by Optimus Education, recognizing its holistic wellbeing work. The wellbeing approach aligns with OECD definitions of wellbeing.

WSQ has safeguarding and child protection policies, with safer recruitment procedures aligned to the International Task Force on Child Protection. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and provide Police Certificates or Good Conduct Certificates from the country of last residence. The school emphasizes safeguarding practices across its community.

1. Open for Enrolments for Academic Year 2026-27. Places in GEMS Wellington School, Qatar are limited per class and demand is high. Parents are encouraged to apply early to maximise the chance of securing a place. If a place is not available, applicants are advised to consider GEMS American Academy on the same campus.
2. Entrance Assessments. GEMS Wellington School, Qatar admits pupils in line with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education regulations and the GEMS admission policy. This ensures that admissions align with national requirements for entry.
3. Admission Process. The school is accepting admission applications for Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13 for the 2025-2026 academic year, with open enrolments for 2026-27 as well. An online Enquiry is used to start the process.
4. Admission Age and Fees. Admission ages are: 3 years old for Foundation Stage 1, 4 years old for Foundation Stage 2, and 5 years old for Year 1. Registration is 3,500 QR (non-refundable, non-transferable) and the assessment fee is 200 QR for Foundation 2 to Year 13; Foundation Stage 1 assessments are free.
5. To Apply For Admission. To apply, you must fill out an Enquiry, which is an online application.
6. Application Process (Part 1). Step 1: click to be taken to the Enquiry page. Step 2: the first part requires Parent/Guardian's name, relationship to the applicant, valid email, contact number, applicant's name, date of birth, and Year Group. Step 3: Submit the information to create an Enquiry. Step 4: Check the email inbox for your Enquiry reference number and keep it safe. Step 5: Return to the Enquiry page and complete the admission application. Step 6: You may include siblings in the application and you have the option to Save and Continue Later.
7. Documents to Upload. After completing the Enquiry, you will receive an email detailing documents to upload or email to the registrar. Required documents include the applicant's Qatar ID card or Residence Permit, passport, birth certificate, parent's passport, residency permits, vaccination records, transfer certificate, two recent photographs, two school reports, and any reports relating to SEND or medical needs.
8. Interview and Assessment. The Admissions team will call you for an interview and/or assessment. This interview/assessment determines the appropriate entry points and supports planning for the curriculum.
9. Assessment Tests. Assessment tests vary by year: Foundation Stage uses a stay-and-play session; Year 1–Year 2 involves basic phonics, letters, numbers, shapes and writing tasks; Year 3–Year 6 uses a Cognitive Ability Test (CAT) and written English; Year 7–Year 13 uses CAT.
10. Remote Assessment (Overseas Applicants). Remote assessments are available for overseas applicants, with specific procedures for Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, and Years 3 onwards.
11. Offer Letter. Following a successful assessment you will receive an Offer letter.
12. Term Dates. The school follows the British calendar of three terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer.