GEMS New Millennium School - Al Khail

The school frames inclusion as a core value with a vision of an inclusive and equitable ethos and personalised learning pathways for all students to thrive, including social and emotional success. The Inclusion policy states that NMS welcomes students with a range of learning preferences, including students of determination (SEND) and English Language Learners, and teaches in a common learning environment where diversity is valued. Staff tailor teaching strategies and make adjustments to support the social and emotional development of all learners, with explicit emphasis on belonging and meaningful participation. The Health and Safeguarding Team includes a Wellbeing Counselor who supports student wellbeing as part of safeguarding leadership. Across the GEMS network, positive mental health is a priority with student-led and school-wide wellbeing initiatives, including peer-to-peer wellbeing programmes and Mental Health First Aid-style activities.

NMS describes itself as an inclusive school that educates students in a common learning environment, welcoming students with SEND and other diverse needs, and inviting families to share details of any special educational needs (IEPs, reports) to enable appropriate planning. The Inclusion policy explicitly includes “students of determination” and notes that adjustments and tailored teaching strategies are used to meet diverse learners' needs, in line with KHDA guidance. The school states it welcomes EAL learners as part of its inclusive approach. The school has earned the SENDIA (Special Educational Needs/Disabilities Inclusion Award) for its SEND practices, signaling a formal recognition of inclusive provision. A Deputy Safeguarding Lead is the Head of Inclusion, underscoring the link between inclusion and safeguarding in the student-support framework.

The school includes English Language Learners as part of its inclusive educational approach. Language of instruction is English. Public materials describe EAL as a category within the inclusive framework rather than detailing a separate, stand-alone EAL program. The Inclusion page asks for full details of any EAL needs during admission to tailor support within the common learning environment. Publicly available information does not publish a separate, dedicated EAL program beyond the general inclusion policy.

A Wellbeing Counselor is part of the Health and Safeguarding Team, reflecting a formal commitment to student mental health and wellbeing. Safeguarding and child-protection policies emphasize actions to safeguard wellbeing and enable the best outcomes for every child. GEMS Education publicly highlights a network-wide emphasis on positive mental health, including peer-led wellbeing initiatives, school-wide awareness campaigns, and student support channels. Programs such as Teen Mental Health First Aiders and other peer-support activities are described across GEMS schools to empower students to support peers under staff supervision. The school's wellbeing and safeguarding structures align with these network-wide priorities.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are central to NMS, with a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy safeguarding leads responsible for welfare and safety. The Safeguarding policy and a Safeguarding Commitment Statement are provided for reference, and UAE law requires staff to report concerns about a child's welfare; the DSL is required to act in the best interests of students. Safer recruitment practices include police checks for all staff, two references, and safeguarding training (Level 1) for all employees, with a whistleblowing policy for reporting concerns. The school's safeguarding framework is reinforced by a Department-wide emphasis on safety and care, reflecting both local law and GEMS' governance standards. In addition, KHDA guidance is followed for safeguarding and inclusion practices.