GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi and Wales International School are both in Abu Dhabi, about 37 km apart. Both schools follow a British curriculum. Published annual fees are AED 19,950 - 27,290 at GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi and AED 24,160 - 35,980 at Wales International School, which puts Wales International School roughly 27% higher. GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi takes pupils from 4 to 14, and Wales International School from 3 to 18. GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi is the larger school, with around 1,513 pupils to Wales International School's 1,123. Typical class sizes are 20 at GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi and 25 at Wales International School.
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GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Wales International School
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Fees / year
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Fees / year AED 19,950 - 27,290 | Fees / year AED 24,160 - 35,980 |
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Age range
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Age range 4 - 14 years | Age range 3 - 18 years |
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Type
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Type — | Type — |
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Curriculum
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Curriculum British Curriculum | Curriculum British Curriculum |
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Pupils
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Pupils 1,513 | Pupils 1,123 |
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Typical class size
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Typical class size 20 | Typical class size 25 |
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Instruction language
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Instruction language English | Instruction language English |
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Opened
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Opened — | Opened — |
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Bus service
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Bus service — | Bus service — |
| Essentials | Essentials | |
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Location
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Location GEMS Winchester School – Abu Dhabi is located in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits in a central area and is accessible by main roads, with the Al Falah Street address noted as near Medeor 24×7 Hospital. The school's contact details and location are listed under Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi. | Location Wales International School is located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (P.O. Box 6178). Al Shamkha is a residential district on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, connected by major roads. The campus sits near the Abu Dhabi airport corridor, in a cluster of private international schools in this area. The school operates a transportation service with Global Wings as the bus provider. |
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Stages
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Stages The school offers the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 9. Foundation Stage 2 is the starting point, progressing through Year 9. | Stages The school delivers a British curriculum from Pre-KG through A-Levels, serving students from around age 3 to 18. It accommodates both girls and boys and is explicitly described as co‑educational. |
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School type
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School type The school is co-educational and operates as a day school with no boarding facilities indicated. | School type Wales International School is a private, co-educational day school in Abu Dhabi. There are no boarding facilities indicated. |
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Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix Publicly disclosed data on nationalities is not available. The school describes itself as multicultural and diverse, aligning with GEMS' Global Citizenship emphasis. The UAE context and the school's mission statements indicate a diverse international student body. | Pupil nationality mix Around 810 students are reported to be enrolled, representing eight nationalities. The most common nationality is Emirati. The local-to-international student ratio is about 9:1. |
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Additional learning support
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Additional learning support The school provides dedicated Special Educational Needs (SEN) support led by a SENCo. Support includes one-to-one and small-group sessions, with in-class support available for an additional charge. Staff receive ongoing SEN training, and parents must disclose SEN needs prior to admission; an educational assessment may be requested, and decisions about additional support are made in collaboration with parents. | Additional learning support Public information does not specify Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions or facilities. Parents should contact admissions for details on SEN arrangements. |
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Country affiliation
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Country affiliation No formal country affiliation; the curriculum is the English National Curriculum as delivered by a GEMS Education school. | Country affiliation It is a British international school overseas in Abu Dhabi that follows the British educational framework and is listed as British Schools Overseas. |
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Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation; Islamic Education is part of the UAE context and the school maintains UAE national identity and facilities such as prayer rooms. The school also has an Islamic Studies focus within its staffing and curriculum structure. | Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation listed. Islamic Studies and Arabic are part of the UAE curriculum, as applicable to the local context. |
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School day structure
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School day structure Gates open at 7:25 am, and the National Anthem is at 7:40 am. The day generally runs until around 3:30–4:30 pm for most year groups, with Fridays typically finishing earlier around 12:00 pm. Detailed daily timings are provided in the school's parent handbook. | School day structure Public materials do not publish daily start/end times. The UAE curriculum includes Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies, comprising about 20% of lesson time. |
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Bus service details
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Bus service details The school uses STS Group for its transport, providing a fleet of air-conditioned buses with CCTV, GPS tracking, ADAS cameras, RFID, and a 24/7 Operations Control Centre. Bus routes cover areas inside Abu Dhabi, with trained drivers and safety protocols. | Bus service details A school bus service is provided by Global Wings. The bus policy details safety, CCTV and regulatory compliance; the Bus Coordinator is Mr. Sakeef (phone +971 564115952). Inquiries can be directed to Transportation@walesschool.com. |
| Fees | Fees | |
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Fee details
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Fee details Application / New‑admissions fee - A new‑admissions charge equal to 5% of the annual tuition fee is payable on acceptance of the offer and confirmation of enrolment. This fee is non‑transferable and is generally non‑refundable, but it is adjustable against the first term tuition once the student joins and may be refunded if the parent gives notice of withdrawal before the start of the academic year in accordance with ADEK policy. Tuition fees (Academic year 2025–2026) — amounts in AED - Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) - Annual tuition: AED 19,950. - Term 1 (Sep–Dec): AED 7,980. - Term 2 (Jan–Mar): AED 5,985. - Term 3 (Apr–Jun): AED 5,985. - Year 1 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. - Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 2 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 3 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 4 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 5 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 6 - Annual tuition: AED 22,350. Term 1: AED 8,940. Term 2: AED 6,705. Term 3: AED 6,705. - Year 7 - Annual tuition: AED 27,290. Term 1: AED 10,916. Term 2: AED 8,187. Term 3: AED 8,187. - Year 8 - Annual tuition: AED 27,290. Term 1: AED 10,916. Term 2: AED 8,187. Term 3: AED 8,187. - Year 9 - Annual tuition: AED 27,290. Term 1: AED 10,916. Term 2: AED 8,187. Term 3: AED 8,187. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is due prior to the start of the academic year and is payable in advance of attendance, at the start of each term. Tuition invoices are issued from the time of admission to allow payment before the term begins. Term periods are Sep–Dec (Term 1), Jan–Mar (Term 2) and Apr–Jun (Term 3). Failure to pay may result in withholding of reports/examination results or loss of the student's place. Boarding fees / boarding provision - GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi operates as a day school and does not offer boarding; therefore boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and typical additional charges - The school identifies additional parent‑pay items such as school transport and uniform as separate cost areas; specific charges for transport, uniform, books or extracurricular activities are handled separately and may apply. Parents should budget for these additional items in addition to tuition. Refund information and withdrawal - The new‑admissions fee (5% of annual tuition) is described as non‑transferable and generally non‑refundable but can be adjusted against the first term fee; it may be refunded if notice of withdrawal is given before the start of the academic year in line with ADEK policy. The registration fee is described as non‑refundable, while paid tuition fee refunds are processed according to Ministry of Education/ADEK bylaws. Refund rules for term payments include: if a student attends two weeks or less, one full month's fees are charged; if attendance is more than two weeks but less than one month, two months' fees are charged; if attendance is more than one month, the entire term/semester fee is charged. Refunds are returned to the original payee and require a written request to the admissions office. Payment methods and payment details - Accepted payment methods include bank wire transfer, cheque, or payment in person at the school. Wire transfer details are provided in AED (account name: GEMS WINCHESTER SCHOOL ABU DHABI; Account No. 019000004294; Mashreq Bank; IBAN AE090330000019000004294; Swift BOMLAEAD) and parents are instructed to include the applicant's name and grade in the transfer memo and to add any bank service charges so the school receives the full amount. Use of the FAB GEMS World Credit Card is promoted for discounts on paying annual tuition in advance. Non‑payment consequences - Non‑payment can result in exclusion from examinations, withholding of reports and references, and potential loss of the student's place or suspension/expulsion. Regulatory approval / fee approval - The published fees are ADEK‑approved for the academic year 2025–2026. The school notes that fees are subject to change under applicable federal/private education bylaws. | Fee details Application / Registration Fees - There is no separate application fee. The school does charge a registration or re-registration fee of AED 1,000; this amount is deducted from the approved tuition and does not exceed 5% of the tuition fee. The registration/re-registration fee is charged only when a place is offered and the student is enrolled. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term) - Tuition is approved and published by the school for each year group. The annual tuition and the per-term amount (tuition ÷ 3, billed in three equal instalments) are shown below: - Pre‑KG (FS1): AED 24,160 — Per term (approx.): AED 8,053. - KG1 (FS2): AED 24,160 — Per term (approx.): AED 8,053. - KG2 / Year 1: AED 26,730 — Per term: AED 8,910. - Grade 1 / Year 2: AED 26,730 — Per term: AED 8,910. - Grade 2 / Year 3: AED 28,270 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,423. - Grade 3 / Year 4: AED 28,350 — Per term: AED 9,450. - Grade 4 / Year 5: AED 29,900 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,967. - Grade 5 / Year 6: AED 29,900 — Per term (approx.): AED 9,967. - Grade 6 / Year 7: AED 31,440 — Per term: AED 10,480. - Grade 7 / Year 8: AED 31,440 — Per term: AED 10,480. - Grade 8 / Year 9: AED 32,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 10,993. - Grade 9 / Year 10: AED 32,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 10,993. - Grade 10 / Year 11: AED 34,440 — Per term: AED 11,480. - Grade 11 / Year 12: AED 34,440 — Per term: AED 11,480. - Grade 12 / Year 13: AED 35,980 — Per term (approx.): AED 11,993. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed in three equal instalments each academic year: Term 1 due by 31 August, Term 2 due by 30 November and Term 3 due by 1 March. Parents are required to pay each instalment by the due date. Non-payment may result in withholding end-of-year report cards, transfer documents or re-registration until outstanding balances are settled; suspension procedures are defined for extreme cases. - The registration/re-registration fee of AED 1,000 is retained if a student attends any part of week one of the semester or if parents fail to notify the school in writing sufficiently in advance. The registration fee will be reimbursed if the school fails to register a child due to insufficient places. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. Wales International School operates as a day school; there are no boarding fees. Other costs and optional services - Board/external examination fees: Board (external) examination fees are charged separately in line with regulatory requirements; these are billed in addition to tuition. A board-examination fee schedule is issued by the school. - Uniforms: A full school uniform is required (detailed items are specified for Pre‑KG through Grade 12); uniform items are purchased separately and are a parent cost. - Transportation: School bus service is available through the contracted operator; transport is optional and charged separately. Contact details for the transport coordinator are provided by the school for route and fee enquiries. - Other typical additional costs (charged separately) may include textbooks and learning resources, canteen services, optional extracurricular activities and trips; these are billed as applicable and are not included in the annual tuition. Board/exam and specific service charges are additional to the annual tuition. Refund information and withdrawal charges - When a student leaves after the academic term has begun the school retains a portion of fees according to the attendance period: - If a student attends up to one week of the term (or fails to show without sufficient written notice), the registration/re-registration fee is retained. - If a student attends more than one week and up to three weeks in a term, the school will retain the value of one full month of tuition. - If a student attends over three weeks and up to six weeks in a term, the school will retain the value of two full months of tuition. - If a student attends over six weeks in a term, the school will retain the full-term fee. The value of one month is calculated as the annual tuition divided by ten. Transportation fees are refunded on the same basis as tuition. - Registration/re-registration fees are retained in the cases described above but will be reimbursed if the school is unable to register a child because of insufficient places. Fee payment options and instructions - The school's published bank payment details are for electronic transfer to Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) — Account Name: WALES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, Account Number: 18843723, IBAN: AE730500000000018843723. After payment, parents must send the student name, grade and bank reference to the Accounts Department by email or WhatsApp as instructed by the school. These bank-payment instructions are the published payment channel and the school requests proof of payment be sent to finance. Notes and governance - Tuition and related fees are charged in accordance with the relevant Abu Dhabi education authority approvals and the school's published fee policy; discounts and any special concessions are applied according to the school's policy. The school's fees and policies include provisions for re-registration, discounts for large families and handling of unpaid fees as outlined in the school's fee policy documents. |
| Diving deeper | Diving deeper | |
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Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements — | Boarding arrangements — |
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Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement Uniforms are compulsory for all students. A full range of uniform items is available from September 2 from the school's uniform shop, with distribution following the listed process. Threads is the uniform supplier and contact details are provided; a Uniform Guide can be downloaded. | Uniform requirement Uniform is required for students in Grades 1–12. Girls wear a navy blue full-length skirt with a navy shirt, tie, blazer, and plain black shoes; boys wear navy trousers with a white shirt, tie, blazer, and plain black shoes. Pre-KG–KG2 wear navy trousers with a yellow polo shirt and jacket; makeup is not allowed, hair must be tied back neatly, and jewelry is restricted to a simple watch and small stud earrings for girls. |
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Food options
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Food options The school has a canteen selling healthy snacks and drinks during break times. The canteen emphasizes hygiene and quality control of food, with menus revised frequently. | Food options The school follows a cafeteria health and safety policy that promotes nutritious, varied foods and beverages. The majority of cafeteria choices should be nutritiously valuable, beverages include water, 100% fruit juice and low-fat milk, and students may bring pre-packed lunches from home. |
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House system
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House system The school operates a four-house system. Every student and staff member belongs to one of the Houses, each with a unique identity, colour and mascot. The House system includes inter-house competitions and leadership opportunities such as House Captain and prefect roles. | House system — |
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Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership GEMS Winchester School – Abu Dhabi is part of the GEMS Education group, a global network of private schools. The school is governed and operated under GEMS Education as part of its portfolio of schools. | Governance and ownership The school is privately owned by Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei. It forms part of a private group of schools in Abu Dhabi. |
| Academics | Academics | |
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Curriculum details
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Curriculum details GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi follows the National Curriculum for England. Foundation Stage 2 uses the Early Years Foundation Stage program, and from Year 1 to Year 9 students progress through England's National Curriculum levels. The curriculum includes core subjects English, Mathematics and Science, and subject areas such as Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), with Modern Foreign Languages (French) offered from Year 3. The school is located in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, and currently provides education from Foundation Stage through Year 9. There is no information indicating GCSE/iGCSE or A-Level provision at this campus. | Curriculum details Wales International School follows a British curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum of England, culminating in IGCSE and A-level examinations. All lessons are taught in English, with Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies comprising around 20% of lesson time as prescribed by the UAE Ministry of Education. The school serves ages 3 to 18 in mixed-gender classes. It is privately owned and funded through fees and operates under ADEK licensing. The school has British Schools Middle East (BSME) status. |
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Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio — | Student teacher ratio — |
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Exam results
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Exam results — | Exam results — |
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Higher education progression
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Higher education progression — | Higher education progression — |
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Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented — | Gifted and talented — |
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Academic calendar
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Academic calendar — | Academic calendar — |
| Wellbeing & support | Wellbeing & support | |
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Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning The school places emotional wellbeing and positive mental health as a core aspect of its inclusion framework. It emphasises growth in emotional wellbeing and positive mental health as part of WSA's core values and approach to student development. It uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to identify needs early and provide escalating levels of social, emotional, and academic support. The School Head of Inclusion coordinates educational, behavioural, social, and emotional provision for students, supported by the Inclusion Teacher and Inclusion Assistants, with collaboration from teachers and external agencies. A formal identification, referral, and tracking system supports ALN/SEN identification and informs SEL planning and progress monitoring. | Social & emotional learning — |
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN) ADEK Categories of Need are integrated into the Inclusion Policy to classify Additional Learning Needs (ALN)/SEN. Identification, referral, and tracking systems identify ALN at an early stage with specialist assessment guiding provision. The school appoints a School Head of Inclusion and an Inclusion Teacher (with Inclusion Assistants) to coordinate educational, behavioural, social and emotional support, including developing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) where appropriate. The majority of students with ALN attend mainstream provision with accommodations; referrals to more specialized provision may be considered when necessary. The school maintains a register of students with ALN and their IEPs/PEEPs to monitor progress and inform provision. | Special educational needs (SEN) — |
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English as an additional language
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English as an additional language EAL support is embedded within the inclusion framework, with multilingual learners identified and coordinated by the School Head of Inclusion. The policy highlights inclusive admission and provision for multilingual learners as part of its approach to inclusive education. Multilingual learners are supported through differentiated teaching and appropriate accommodations within mainstream classrooms, coordinated by the Inclusion team. A separate named EAL program is not described; instead, EAL-related needs are addressed under the inclusion and multilingual learners provision. The school emphasises collaboration among staff to support multilingual learners as part of MTSS and overall inclusive provision. | English as an additional language — |
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Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing Emotional wellbeing and positive mental health are explicitly named as core aspects of student development under WSA's values. The School Head of Inclusion coordinates social and emotional provision for students, with support from Inclusion staff and collaboration with external professionals as needed. MTSS provides a framework for identifying and addressing social-emotional needs and monitoring progress. The Anti-Bullying Policy supports SEL through staff training, student workshops, and resilience-building activities, contributing to mental wellbeing. Safeguarding and child-protection policies ensure a safe environment that supports students' mental wellbeing by preventing maltreatment and providing protective measures. | Mental wellbeing — |
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding ADEK's School Student Protection Policy requires safeguarding measures to prevent maltreatment and to identify and support students at risk, with all staff and volunteers designated as reporters of suspected maltreatment. Roles and responsibilities for safeguarding span the Principal, safeguarding leads, staff, and parents, with clear procedures for responding to safeguarding concerns. The GEMS Student Protection Policy adds detailed safeguarding provisions, including reporting, whistleblowing, and mandatory staff training, plus case management and ongoing safeguarding oversight. The policy covers handling disclosures, online safety, bullying, and safeguarding-related governance and records, including adherence to UAE safeguarding guidance. A zero-tolerance stance on maltreatment is stated, with ongoing safeguarding training and compliance across staff to protect students and families involved in safeguarding concerns. | Safeguarding — |
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Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy — | Safeguarding policy — |
| Facilities | Facilities | |
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Facilities overview
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Facilities overview The school campus comprises a spacious ground plus two buildings housing the primary and secondary sections. Classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors, and some rooms feature Promethean interactive whiteboards or large LCD touch screens, with Wi‑Fi available throughout the campus. The indoor facilities include a large, air-conditioned multi-purpose sports hall, an auditorium for assemblies and events, and dedicated spaces for science, computer studies, and the library. The arts spaces include music rooms and Art & Craft rooms to support creative development, while outdoor spaces include sports fields and a large shaded quad. The Foundation Stage has two outside covered play areas, and on-site facilities include a canteen, a school store, a uniform shop, and a medical clinic to support daily school life, safety and convenience. | Facilities overview Wales International School is located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi. It delivers a British Curriculum from Pre-KG to A-Levels and is privately owned. The campus features purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities. It is BSO-accredited, a COBIS member, and designated a High-Performance Learning school. The facilities include a library, computer labs, a gymnasium, a football pitch, science labs, music rooms, a swimming pool, a canteen, and a school clinic. The owner is Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei. |
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Sports facilities
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Sports facilities The school features a spacious, air-conditioned indoor multi-purpose sports hall suitable for indoor sports and activities. There is a small outdoor sport field to support outdoor games, and a large shaded quad area for outdoor learning and recreation. Foundation Stage has two outside covered play areas that provide safe spaces for physical activity year-round. The sports facilities integrate with the PE curriculum and support a range of extra-curricular activities. | Sports facilities The campus offers sports facilities including a basketball court, football turf, swimming pool, and an athletic track, with additional indoor games and separate playgrounds for all age groups. These facilities support physical education and after-school activities. |
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Academic facilities
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Academic facilities Academic facilities include well-equipped science laboratories to support practical experiments. The school provides a computer laboratory with internet access and multimedia facilities, with additional laptops and iPads available for student use. Classrooms are equipped with overhead projectors, and many rooms have Promethean interactive whiteboards or large LCD touch screens, with Wi‑Fi available throughout the campus. The library is well-stocked with books and periodicals to support reading and research. ICT is a key component of the curriculum up to Year 9, and technology resources are integrated across lessons. | Academic facilities There are well-equipped science labs for Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Computer studies. Labs are designed with international standard equipment and materials to support practical learning. A library and computer labs are part of the academic facilities. |
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Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities Music rooms and an Art & Craft room provide dedicated spaces for creative development and performances. The auditorium hosts assemblies and events, offering a performance space for student productions and presentations. The library supports clubs and group study as part of extracurricular learning. Outdoor spaces, including sports fields and the large shaded quad, accommodate a range of outdoor clubs and activities. | Extra curricular facilities Sports facilities support extracurricular activities on campus. Arts and crafts classes are offered to nurture creativity. The campus supports practical projects and presentations through well-equipped labs and collaborative learning spaces. |
| Parent experience | Parent experience | |
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History
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History GEMS Winchester School - Abu Dhabi opened in 2013 and delivers the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 9. It was modelled on the Winchester Schools in Dubai, with a structure and ethos designed to create opportunities for academic achievement alongside character development. Dr. Karon Buck has served as Principal/CEO since Academic Year 2017-18. The school has undergone ADEK inspections with a Very Good overall rating in 2018-2019, 2021-2022, and 2024-2025, reflecting sustained leadership and performance. The GEMS Alumni Network connects graduates across the global GEMS community, illustrating the school's broader ties to the education network. | History Wales International School is privately owned and located in Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi. It opened in August 2016 to provide a high-quality British curriculum for local children and now serves pupils aged 3 to 18 (girls and boys). It adheres closely to the National Curriculum of England, with IGCSE and A‑level examinations as eventual milestones. All lessons are taught in English, with Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies making up about 20% of lesson time under Ministry of Education guidelines. The school is funded by fees and operates under ADEK licensing; the owner is Mr. Hamad Musallam Almazrouei. |
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Community
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Community The Abu Dhabi campus opened in 2013 and offers the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 9, modeled on the Winchester Schools in Dubai. The school emphasizes a secure, caring, personalised learning environment and maintains regular communication with parents to support each child's development. It provides a wide range of extra‑curricular activities and field trips; past trips include Emirates Park Zoo, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World. The school's ADEK inspections note strong partnerships with parents and the community, and the GEMS Alumni network reinforces connections across the wider school community. | Community WIS maintains an active school community with events such as Open Day and a Book Club. Social media and site updates highlight ongoing student activities including morning fitness, trips and competitions, and assemblies. The school also publishes a parent newsletter (e.g., Newsletter | Term 2 – Week 17) and uses social channels to share updates on campus life. |
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Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association Parent engagement at GEMS Winchester School - Abu Dhabi is organized through the Parent Partnership program. Close communication is at the core, with consultation evenings and written reports, and an open‑door policy allowing guardians to speak with staff. The program is underpinned by research emphasizing that parental engagement improves student achievement, including guidance for parents to talk, share, and encourage learning. The partnership aligns with UAE national priorities and supports students' learning as part of the school's broader community engagement. ADEK inspections rate the school's partnerships with parents as Very Good. | Parent teacher association — |
| Extra-curricular | Extra-curricular | |
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Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual GEMS Winchester School – Abu Dhabi opened in 2013 and offers the National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage to Year 9. ADEK rated the school ‘Very Good' in its pedagogical review. | Academic & intellectual The school serves students aged 3 to 18 (Pre-KG to A-Levels) and offers a British curriculum closely aligned with the English National Curriculum, leading to IGCSE and A-level examinations. The school emphasizes independent, differentiated learning and uses assessment for learning strategies to track progress. |
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Arts & creative
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Arts & creative The school provides a broad range of extra-curricular activities to support creative development, including music, art and craft, and performance opportunities as part of its holistic education. | Arts & creative — |
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Cultural & language
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Cultural & language The school emphasizes understanding UAE culture and heritage as part of its learning framework and supports Arabic as a language of study within its ADEK outcomes. | Cultural & language — |
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Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies A wide range of activities supports independent thinking, collaboration, and social interaction through structured pastoral and co-curricular programs. | Social & hobbies — |
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Community & service
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Community & service A focus on character development, leadership, and values creation through a personalised learning environment is integrated with parent communication and community engagement. | Community & service — |
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Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional Leadership development is embedded through High Performance Learning (HPL) practices and a structured approach to student development across key stages. | Leadership & professional — |
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus includes a medical clinic, a secure campus environment, and facilities such as a canteen and transport to support student well-being and daily routines. | Lifestyle & wellbeing — |
| Language provision | Language provision | |
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Language provision
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Language provision The school follows The National Curriculum for England and is located in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi. Foundation Stage 2 uses the Early Years Foundation Stage program. In Year 1 to Year 9, students progress through the National Curriculum for England levels, and the school currently goes up to Year 9. The school opened in 2013 and is modeled on the Winchester Schools in Dubai. ADEK rated the school as Very Good. Contact: +971 (02) 403 5499; email [email protected] | Language provision The school caters for ages 3 to 18. All lessons are taught in English, apart from Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies, which comprise approximately 20% of lesson time as prescribed by the Ministry of Education. English is the official language of the school. The school adheres to the English National Curriculum and prepares students for IGCSE and A-Level examinations. |
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Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching — | Bilingual teaching — |
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Immersion programs
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Immersion programs — | Immersion programs — |
| Reputation | Reputation | |
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Awards
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Awards — | Awards — |
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Accreditations
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Accreditations — | Accreditations — |
| Admissions | Admissions | |
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Admissions
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Admissions 1. Online Registration. To begin the application process, submit your enquiry through the Enrol Online page. You will receive an opportunity number to keep for your records. An acknowledgement email containing next steps will be sent to the email address you provided. AY 2026-2027 admissions are open with revised age criteria. 2. Documentation. After receiving the acknowledgement email, complete your profile and upload the required documents: Emirates ID & visa of sponsor (both sides); Parent (sponsor) passport; Applicant's photo; Applicant's Emirates ID & visa (both sides); Applicant's passport; Applicant's Immunization Card; Applicant's Recent School Report / Nursery Report; Transfer Certificate (if applicable) with required attestations from MOE/MOFA/UAE Embassy for overseas transfers; Applicant Birth Certificate. The documents must be uploaded in PDF format. In overseas transfer cases, the Transfer Certificate should be attested by: Official School stamp and Principal's signature; Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country from which migrating; UAE Embassy in the country from which migrating; Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi. 3. Assessment. Documents will be reviewed and invited for assessments based on the availability of seats. You will be notified via email regarding assessment. 4. Enrollment. Seats will be offered once available; Admission Department will contact you (email/phone) if a seat becomes available. You will receive an offer letter via email. An online enquiry/registration does not automatically guarantee your child a seat. The school reserves the right to reject applications if the documents are not complete. Screening and assessments may be used to determine the right placement for an applicant. After registration and submission of required paperwork, students entering Years 3 to Year 9 may be asked to complete a placement test (CAT 4). Students entering Foundation Stage 2, Y01 and Y02 will meet in groups with a member of the educational team. The screening and assessment decisions are determined by the admission committee and may result in a seat offer, waitlist, or denial. | Admissions :{ |
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Scholarships
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Scholarships — | Scholarships — |
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Waitlist
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Waitlist Waitlist. If a seat is not immediately available, applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Offers are made based on seat availability and can include waitlist status. The admission committee may contact families by email or phone as seats become available. | Waitlist — |
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