The Westminster School

The Westminster School is in Al Qusais 1, Dubai, located on School Zone – Baghdad Street (10th Street). The campus sits in a busy residential and commercial area in the Al Qusais district. It is accessible by car via the E311 corridor and Baghdad Street, and by public transport with the Dubai Metro Green Line stopping at Al Qusais and several nearby RTA bus routes. The school's address is Al-Qusais1, School Zone, Baghdad Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Foundation Stage to Year 13. Foundation Stage includes FS1 and FS2; Primary covers KS1 and KS2; Secondary covers KS3 and KS4; Sixth Form includes Year 12 and Year 13.

Co-educational (mixed gender) day school; there is no boarding facility.

The school draws students from over 70 nationalities. The largest nationality group is Pakistani, and there are 68 Emirati students; total enrollment is reported around 5,224, indicating a predominantly international student body.

The school operates an inclusion framework aligned with Dubai's Inclusive Education Policy, with a Head of Inclusion and an Inclusion Governor to coordinate support. The regulator KHDA notes provision for students of determination, with 188 such students enrolled.

United Kingdom. The Westminster School follows the National Curriculum for England and delivers a British curriculum.

No formal religious affiliation; the school emphasises Islamic education and Islamic values as part of the UAE context.

The typical day runs from 7:00 to 16:15, Monday to Thursday, with Friday from 7:00 to 12:00.

Transport is outsourced to School Transport Services LLC (STS). Buses are equipped with video surveillance, GPS, and attendance scanners. STS is ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified and has received industry recognitions. Routes are checked after requests to ensure safe pick‑up and drop‑off points.

The Westminster School Dubai follows the National Curriculum for England and prepares students for IGCSE, AS and A Level examinations offered by Cambridge and London boards. The Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) uses the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and Years 1–8 progress through NCfE with integrated STEAM and coding across the primary years. In Year 9 students begin IGCSE preparation, with Years 10–11 studying IGCSE subjects and Years 12–13 pursuing AS and A Levels. The core curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, Islamic Studies, Social Studies and Moral Education, supplemented by humanities, languages, the arts, sports and technology, with Arabic ABT for eligible learners and emphasis on Digital Citizenship. The curriculum aligns with UAE MOE/KHDA requirements and the school holds a KHDA rating of Good.

The Westminster School uses a comprehensive Well-being Policy that promotes a whole‑school approach to students' social, emotional and physical well‑being. It defines five aspects of well‑being: culture, curriculum, policy and planning, relationships, and health, and aims to create a safe, respectful and equitable learning environment where students can express themselves. Resilience is embedded in the program, with life‑skills development such as stress management, conflict resolution and problem solving, supported by a multi‑disciplinary team including counsellors and mental‑health resources. The Well‑being Policy specifies a Well‑being Team, including roles such as Head of Pastoral, Head of Inclusion and student counsellors, alongside safeguarding colleagues, to identify and respond to well‑being needs. There is a central wellbeing resource hub, the TWS Wellness Web, hosting wellbeing information and guidance for students, families and staff.

The inclusion policy states The Westminster School is committed to inclusion and welcomes Students of Determination, providing appropriate provision, resources and curricular options in mainstream settings or in withdrawal settings where appropriate. The school follows the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework, and an Inclusion Department coordinates support across the school, led by the Head of Inclusion and supported by Learning Support Assistants, Learning Support Teachers, Student Counsellors and a Career Guidance Counsellor. Identification and support operate through a three‑level model: Level 1 in‑class quality teaching, Level 2 Individual Education Plans, and Level 3 external specialists such as speech therapists, occupational therapists or psychologists. English language learners (ELL), learners with additional needs, and Gifted and Talented pupils are explicitly recognised, with regular progress follow‑ups involving parents. The Admissions process integrates inclusion considerations, with the Inclusion team assessing needs to determine appropriate support and accommodations.

English language learners (ELL) are explicitly identified within the Inclusion Policy as a learner group requiring attention. The Inclusion Department's staffing supports language needs, including Learning Support Assistants and a Head of Inclusion who coordinates language support within the school's broader inclusion framework. ELL and other language‑related needs are addressed through mainstream inclusion provisions rather than a separate stand‑alone EAL program published on the site. The Inclusion policy also notes that English language learners sit alongside other groups such as learners with additional needs and Gifted and Talented pupils, with parent involvement in ongoing progress discussions.

Mental health and well‑being are central to The Westminster School's Well‑being Policy, which aims to empower students and staff to lead happy, fulfilling lives in a culture of tolerance, innovation and creativity. The policy outlines building life skills and resilience, including stress management and coping strategies, and specifies a Well‑being Team responsible for implementing wellbeing initiatives and monitoring cases. It designates roles such as Student Counsellors and Heads of Pastoral as part of the wellbeing structure, with staff training and a formal referral process for concerns. A dedicated wellbeing platform, the TWS Wellness Web, provides wellbeing resources and guidance for the school community. Early identification of wellbeing concerns is described, with staff able to refer to the Well‑being Team and to multi‑disciplinary support when needed.

GEMS Safeguarding Policy provides the formal framework for safeguarding at The Westminster School, including a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies responsible for safeguarding and child protection. The policy requires staff to undertake safeguarding training and to record concerns on the Guard safeguarding case management platform, with the DSL or Deputy DSL notified as appropriate. It aligns with UAE law (including Wadeema's Law) and local guidance, assigning responsibilities to the Central Safeguarding Team and an Allegations Manager for safeguarding matters involving staff. The school's safeguarding documents, including the GEMS Safeguarding Policy AY 2025‑26, are listed in the Key Documents and Policies and cover whistleblowing, complaints, and safer recruitment. These safeguards ensure procedures for reporting, safeguarding online safety, attendance, and bullying are embedded in policy and practice.

1. Admissions depend on vacancies in each class. There will be an entrance assessment prior to accepting a student. Registration is completed online through the school website. Places fill quickly, with admissions beginning for Foundation Stage 1 and Foundation Stage 2 in November; a waiting list is maintained with places allocated using fair and published criteria.

2. English is the language of instruction in all grades, and the ability to access the curriculum within a reasonable time is the guiding principle for admission. The English language assessment is essential. FS1 may be admitted even if English proficiency is not yet strong, while older year entries require basic competence in English (and Mathematics for some levels).

3. Admissions are governed by KHDA guidelines. The process includes entrance assessments for Years 1–11, and Year 12 entry is based on performance in prior board examinations (IGCSE and AS Levels) with minimum grade expectations. Registration and admission are completed online, and KHDA guidelines apply to all admissions. Documents are verified as part of the process.

4. The school year begins in early September and is divided into three terms. There are admission priorities for Emirati national students, staff children, and siblings, as well as transfers from other GEMS schools. The school maintains a waiting list when demand exceeds available places.

The school offers sibling discounts and other discounts; the Fees and Payments page lists a 'Sibling Policy and other discounts' option.

The Westminster School has a waiting list with places allocated using fair and published criteria.