GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis

SEL is embedded at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis through the GroWell wellbeing framework, which is central to both Primary and Secondary life. GroWell focuses on five CASEL skills (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making) taught via dedicated lessons and school-wide activities. The school provides mental health support including a counselling service, Teen Mental Health First Aiders, peer mentoring, and student wellbeing groups. The House system and strong pastoral leadership support belonging and emotional development across the school day. Wellbeing is reinforced across academic and enrichment activities to cultivate resilience and social-emotional competencies.

The school describes its approach as inclusive and welcomes students of determination (SEN and disabilities) and English Language Learners. Learning is personalised through quality first teaching, supported by an Inclusion Hub and Inclusion ambassadors in both Primary and Secondary. Provision is coordinated through Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with personalised targets differentiated by need. Parents are asked to share full details of any SEN, IEPs, and any specialist reports (e.g., Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy) to inform planning and resourcing. The materials present inclusive education rather than a specialist SEN institution.

English is the language of daily teaching and operation at WSO. English language support is provided for students from Years 2–9 for whom English is a second language, but intensive remedial programmes are not offered; intensive support may be provided to a limited number of students per grade. Parents may be encouraged to provide additional English language learning support at their own expense. The school also indicates staffing for EAL, including a Secondary ELL teacher role.

Mental wellbeing is central to the school's approach via the GroWell programme, which guides social-emotional learning and mental health. The programme includes dedicated counselling, Teen Mental Health First Aiders, peer mentoring, and social groups, with wellbeing workshops available. In Post-16, a tailored GroWell programme is delivered by specialist form tutors, complemented by a counselling team offering one-to-one and group support. The school emphasises a holistic, Ready-Respectful-Safe ethos to support emotional security and personal growth.

Safeguarding and child protection are led by a designated safeguarding lead; the Academy Assistant Principal serves in this role. The KHDA inspection reports recognise safeguarding as part of the school's provision and note safeguarding standards positively.