The Winchester School

The Winchester School is located in The Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits on the southwest edge of The Gardens, near Jebel Ali Village. The school address is The Gardens, Jebel Ali, Dubai, and the location is part of Dubai's southern residential stretch that is well connected by main roads.

Foundation Stage 1 and 2 in the Early Years; Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2); Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6); Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9); Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11); Sixth Form (Years 12–13). The school therefore offers a continuous programme from Foundation through to Year 13.

Independent private school with a British curriculum; co-educational. It operates as a day school (no boarding facilities are indicated). The school is part of GEMS Education and uses the UK curriculum.

Total enrollment is 4,219 students. Emirati students number 6, and the largest nationality group is Indian. The total number of nationalities represented is not disclosed, but the student body is international in composition, with international students making up the vast majority of the roll. Local-to-international ratio is approximately 6 local to 4,213 international (about 1:700).

The DSIB KHDA inspection notes very good welfare and inclusion provision, with strong support for students of determination. There are dedicated counselling staff (two guidance counsellors) and a stated focus on safeguarding and inclusion across all phases. Emirati and other international students are supported within a broad inclusion framework.

UK curriculum is used, with the National Curriculum for England guiding teaching and assessment. The school is part of the GEMS Education group.

There is no formal religious affiliation stated for the school. Islamic Education is taught as a curriculum subject, and the school emphasizes Islamic values and UAE culture within its curriculum.

The school day generally runs from about 7:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. on weekdays, with a shorter day on Fridays (until around 11:30 a.m.). These timeframes are reflected in Dubai schools' typical schedules.

Bus transportation is provided by School Transport Services (STS) LLC, which has an on-site office at the school. STS operates an extensive bus network with routes covering areas such as Discovery Gardens, The Gardens, JLT, Dubai Marina, Al Barsha, and other districts; registration and fees are handled directly with STS. A dedicated contact for transport is Jiso Devasia (055-2207470).

The Winchester School delivers the National Curriculum for England from Foundation Stage to Year 13, with examinations taken through Cambridge International Examinations (IGCSE) and Edexcel, and a BTEC Nationals Level 3 Diploma offered in subjects such as Business, IT and Applied Sciences. Foundation Stage 1 and 2 follow the Early Years Foundation Stage program; Years 1–9 progress through the National Curriculum for England. Years 10–11 study IGCSE subjects, with Cambridge IGCSE for most subjects and Edexcel for Psychology and Statistics. Sixth Form (Year 12–13) offers AS and A levels, with a broad list of optional subjects and the option to take a BTEC Nationals Level 3 Diploma in Business, IT, or Applied Sciences as an alternative. The curriculum emphasizes enquiry, creativity, analytical evaluation, and integration of digital learning platforms to enrich learning experiences.

The Winchester School places wellbeing and social-emotional learning at the core of its provision, with wellbeing embedded in school ethos and regular discussion of wellbeing and inclusion guided by data. The school monitors students' academic and wellbeing development and provides opportunities for leadership and a wide range of extracurricular activities to support personal and social development. Students report feeling safe, valued and increasingly prepared to face challenges in their learning and life.

KHDA DSIB 2022-2023 records 441 students of determination and two guidance counsellors, with safeguarding and health and safety rated Outstanding and evidence of high-quality care and support for students with SEN. The DSIB highlights the school's inclusive ethos and care and support across phases, including extensive provision to support students with additional learning needs.

The language of instruction is English. English attainment across the school is high, with Outstanding levels in Foundation Stage and Post-16 and Very Good progress in Primary and Secondary, though explicit detail about a dedicated EAL program is not described in the KHDA report. There is documented attention to Arabic as an Additional Language, indicating language support considerations beyond English.

Wellbeing provision and outcomes are described as high, with the principal and senior leaders setting wellbeing as a central, strategic priority and regular welfare discussions informed by self-evaluation and stakeholder input. Students feel safe, valued and well supported, with welfare monitored by staff including a medical clinic and a broad range of extracurricular options. The school also maintains a wellbeing calendar and newsletters for families.

Safeguarding is a core priority, with health and safety arrangements for child protection rated Outstanding across all phases, alongside policies and staff training to support safe practices; students are supervised and kept safe in school and on transport. The KHDA report emphasizes strong safeguarding, care, and support as central to the school's ethos.

1. Complete the online application form with correct information. Any inaccurate information will lead to cancellation of the application, offer, or enrolment. To apply in the correct year group, check the age requirements. 2. Place the child on the waiting list by paying AED 525. The application fee is non-refundable if the school has not declined the application, and the fee is valid for one year. Waiting list status depends on the year group; siblings have priority on the waiting list, and to avail this priority, the registration must be completed by 30 October 2025. 3. Upload all documents online; this is mandatory for admission contact the admissions team. The school will not be able to process the application if all documents are not uploaded. Parents should submit the child's previous school reports and CAT 4 or other reports to enable the school to support their child. 4. Meet and greet with a member of the leadership team and the Medical team. This meeting is part of the admissions process. 5. When an offer of a seat is extended, an admission fee of 10% of the total fees for that year group is required to secure the seat, payable by cash or credit card. 6. Placement test: All children take an age-appropriate placement test to determine proper placement and support. For Foundation stage, the assessment is play-based and evaluates emotional, social, physical and communication readiness. 7. Required documents: 1 copy of valid Residence Visa and Passport of the Student and both Parents; Original Emirates ID of Student and Parents; Copy of Emirates ID of Student and Sponsor; 4 passport-size photographs; 1 copy of the Student's Birth Certificate; 1 copy of the Student's Vaccination Card; 1 copy of the previous year's report or last examination; Original Transfer Certificate (and attestation for overseas transfers as applicable); Recommendation letter; Attendance record; Medical documents and any specialist reports if applicable. Admission is confirmed only after submission of all documents and KHDA approval.

Sheikha Fatima Award provides 100% scholarship for one girl. The school also offers a sibling discount policy: up to 25% off for the fourth sibling and up to 50% off for the fifth sibling and beyond.

The Winchester School uses a waiting list for admissions. Siblings have priority on the waiting list, but to avail this priority registration must be completed by 30 October 2025. The waiting list status varies by year group and some year groups indicate that the waiting list is closed. An online application for the waiting list requires AED 525, and the fee is non-refundable if the school declines the application.