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GEMS Westminster School Sharjah

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 13,715 - 27,005
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 3133
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 16
Introduction

GEMS Westminster School – Sharjah is a British-curriculum day school located in Muweilah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, modelled on the Westminster School in Dubai. It follows the National Curriculum for England and prepares students for Cambridge and London examinations including IGCSE, AS and A Level courses. The school serves early years through sixth form, with age placement guidance showing entry from Pre‑KG (age 3) through Grade 12/Year 13 (up to age 18) and Key Stage groupings for primary and secondary phases. The main language of instruction is English; Arabic is taught (with English and Arabic language development noted in kindergarten) and the school offers an English Language Learner programme to support students who need additional English instruction. Facilities listed by the school include an indoor four‑court sports hall, multi‑purpose sports hall, outdoor football pitch, cricket nets, multiple outdoor multi‑game and basketball courts, specialised music, art, science and ICT/electronics laboratories, a library and indoor and outdoor play areas. The school publishes a termly student magazine, Innovation Times, as part of its co‑curricular provision.

Muwaileh Commercial, Industrial Area, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

GEMS Westminster School Sharjah has 3,133 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.

Location
GEMS Westminster School, Sharjah is located in Muweilah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits in the Muweilah district, a residential area with good road links to Maliha Road and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road. The school is part of the GEMS Education network.

Stages
The school follows the National Curriculum for England. It offers Key Stage 1 (KG1–G1), Key Stage 2 (Grades 2–5), Key Stage 3 and 4 (Grades 6–10), and Key Stage 5 (Grades 11–12). The curriculum supports IGCSE, AS and A Level examinations as part of its programme.

Type
Co-educational day school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body is cosmopolitan, with representation from many nationalities. Public sources indicate the school serves students from over 70 nationalities.

Additional learning support
GEMS Westminster School Sharjah is inclusive and provides support for a range of learners, including students with SEN (Students of Determination), English Language Learners and Gifted & Talented students. It operates an SEN policy with an Inclusion approach and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) coordinated by a SENCO, with access to a school counselor for wellbeing.

Country affiliation
Country affiliation: None stated; the school follows the National Curriculum for England (British Curriculum) and is part of GEMS Education.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: None stated; the school follows a secular British/English National Curriculum framework.

School day structure
The school day runs from 07:30 to 16:00, Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday are weekends in this location.

Bus service
The school outsources its transport to Bright Bus Transport (BBT), part of STS Group. The service uses a large, safe fleet with CCTV, ADAS cameras, GPS tracking, RFID, and motion sensors, monitored by a 24/7 Operations Control Centre. Registration is handled through the school via a dedicated Service Delivery Executive; contact the school at +971 6 5426323 (Ext 212) or the SDE at +971 552378382.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are compulsory for students. The full uniform can be purchased from Threads Stores located in Ramez Mall, Sharjah. Threads working hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday to Thursday.

Governance and Ownership
GEMS Westminster School, Sharjah is part of GEMS Education, a Dubai-based private school group. The school is governed within the GEMS Education framework and standards.
Fees

Annual tuition at GEMS Westminster School Sharjah ranges from AED 13,715 to AED 27,005 for 2026/27.

Application and admission fees

- A seat-booking/admissions payment is required on acceptance. This New Admissions / seat booking fee equals 5% of the annual tuition and is non‑refundable and non‑transferable, but is deductible against Term 1 tuition once the student joins.
- A small administrative charge may apply for certain admissions re-tests (example: AED 50 for a hardcopy retest).

Tuition fees (per term by year group)

All figures below are shown in AED and are presented as Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3 — Total (annual) per year group:

- FS1: AED 5,506.00 / AED 4,130.00 / AED 4,129.00 — AED 13,765.00.
- FS2 / KG1: AED 5,486.00 / AED 4,115.00 / AED 4,114.00 — AED 13,715.00.
- Year 1 / KG2: AED 5,642.00 / AED 4,232.00 / AED 4,231.00 — AED 14,105.00.
- Year 2 / Grade 1: AED 6,616.00 / AED 4,962.00 / AED 4,962.00 — AED 16,540.00.
- Year 3 / Grade 2: AED 6,620.00 / AED 4,965.00 / AED 4,965.00 — AED 16,550.00.
- Year 4 / Grade 3: AED 6,662.00 / AED 4,997.00 / AED 4,996.00 — AED 16,655.00.
- Year 5 / Grade 4: AED 6,738.00 / AED 5,054.00 / AED 5,053.00 — AED 16,845.00.
- Year 6 / Grade 5: AED 6,796.00 / AED 5,097.00 / AED 5,097.00 — AED 16,990.00.
- Year 7 / Grade 6: AED 6,812.00 / AED 5,109.00 / AED 5,109.00 — AED 17,030.00.
- Year 8 / Grade 7: AED 7,526.00 / AED 5,645.00 / AED 5,644.00 — AED 18,815.00.
- Year 9 / Grade 8: AED 7,540.00 / AED 5,655.00 / AED 5,655.00 — AED 18,850.00.
- Year 10 / Grade 9: AED 8,420.00 / AED 6,315.00 / AED 6,315.00 — AED 21,050.00.
- Year 11 / Grade 10: AED 9,568.00 / AED 7,176.00 / AED 7,176.00 — AED 23,920.00.
- Year 12 / Grade 11: AED 10,058.00 / AED 7,544.00 / AED 7,543.00 — AED 25,145.00.
- Year 13: AED 10,802.00 / AED 8,102.00 / AED 8,101.00 — AED 27,005.00.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition fees are due in advance and must be paid prior to the start of the academic year and at the start of each term; invoices are issued from the time of admission to ensure payment before term start. School fees are payable by the first day of each term and Term 1 fees must be cleared before a new student is admitted or assigned to a class. Fee defaulters are restricted from receiving reports, exam entry, transfer documents, or re-enrolment.
- All fees are charged in accordance with the SPEA / regulatory fee framework and are subject to regulatory approval and change; any approved revision will be payable.

Boarding

- The school operates as a day school and does not provide a boarding/hostel facility.

Transport (bus) and related charges

- School transport is provided by an outsourced operator (Bright Bus Transport / STS Group). Bus services are registered and charged separately; availability, routes and fees are administered by the school's Service Delivery Executive (SDE) and the transport provider. Parents must register with the service delivery contact to arrange transport.

Uniform, books and other compulsory costs

- School uniforms and GEMS WSS bags are purchased from Threads stores (Ramez Mall, Sharjah). Uniform costs are payable to Threads at point of sale.
- Replacement or incidental charges that may be levied by the school include: replacement student ID cards (approx. AED 25), replacement library books or damaged property charges, locker key or damage charges, and charges for lost/damaged items. Compulsory SPEA external assessments and any applicable examination charges are added to school fees where required.

Refunds and withdrawal

- The seat-booking / admissions payment (the 5% New Admissions fee) is non‑refundable and non‑transferable, but is deductible against Term 1 tuition once the student joins. The seat-booking fee and any stated non‑refundable admission/booking fees apply as described under admissions and fee policy.
- Transfer Certificate (TC) procedures are administered through the relevant authority systems; parents extract the TC through the authority process and students cease being liable for school fees from the last day of attendance when TC processes are completed. The school charges or refunds applicable on mid‑year withdrawals are governed by SPEA/regulatory requirements and school policy; parents should expect that fees are due up to the last day of attendance and that specific adjustments (if any) follow regulatory guidance.

Other charges and conditions

- Compulsory external assessments required by the regulatory authority will be charged and added to school fees for the concerned students. Students with pending fees will not be entered for external examinations. Late or unpaid fees affect access to reports, teacher communication, re-enrolment and transfer documentation.

Fee payment options

- Payments may be made at the school Fee Counter by cash, credit card or cheque (cheques to be made payable to ‘GEMS WESTMINSTER SCHOOL SHARJAH'; post‑dated cheques are not accepted). An online fee payment facility is available once the child is registered. Specific card promotions (for example the FAB GEMS World Credit Card programme) and bank payment arrangements are offered from time to time. Contact the Parents Relations Executive for online payment login support or fee queries.

Contacts for fee‑related matters

- General fee and admissions enquiries: +971-6-5426323 or the school Parent Relations / Admissions contacts. Transport registration and queries: the school's Service Delivery Executive (STS/BBT contact). Uniform purchases: Threads store (Ramez Mall) contact as provided for uniform sales.
Academics

GEMS Westminster School Sharjah teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
GEMS Westminster School Sharjah teaches in English and follows the National Curriculum for England, with enquiry-based learning, a broad co-curricular program, and a strong emphasis on wellbeing and inclusion. The curriculum is organised into Key Stage 1 (KG1–G1), Key Stage 2 (Grades 2–5), Key Stage 3 and 4 (Grades 6–10), and Key Stage 5 (Grades 11–12). IGCSE examinations are taken in Grade 11, with AS Level and A Level options available in Key Stage 5. Kindergarten (KG) follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning outcomes, with KG1–G1 building core competencies in English and Arabic (KG2). In Key Stage 5, Arabic options (Special Arabic for Arabs and Regular Arabic for non-Arabs), Islamic Studies, and MOE Social Studies are offered for Arab and non-Arab speakers.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school defines wellbeing as the holistic interplay of physical, mental, emotional and social health, and it promotes happiness, a sense of belonging, healthy lifestyle choices, positive relationships, and access to mental health support. SEL is supported through the Wellbeing program and access to a School Counselor, with counselors available via voluntary attendance or teacher referrals and confidentiality maintained. The counselor process includes referral, discussion, observation, counseling interviews, and progress reviews, with records kept in the student's portfolio. The Inclusion policy recognises Students of Determination, Gifted & Talented, and English Language Learners, and uses adjustments and tailored teaching strategies to support social and emotional as well as academic development. The SEN policy explicitly aims to promote mental and emotional health and a safe environment across the school.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school is described as an inclusive school, delivering SEN support within a mainstream environment rather than as a specialist SEN institution. The WSS SEN Policy aims to promote strategies for being physically healthy, promoting mental and emotional health, staying safe, and providing a safe environment to enable all learners to achieve their potential. The SENCO oversees the day-to-day operation of the school's SEN policy, coordinates provision for students with SEN, and liaises with parents, support staff and other teachers. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is used to underpin SEN intervention, is SMART, and is developed with the student, the parents and any external agencies, then shared in a child-friendly format. A graduated response matches student need with interventions and progress is tracked through termly reviews, class screens, and formal records, with confidential handling of SEN documentation; the policy also covers Gifted & Talented (G&T) provision.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Learners are recognised as a learner category within inclusion, with staff educating all students in a common learning environment and using adjustments and teaching strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, including ELL. Parents are asked to share details of any EAL needs, IEPs and external specialist reports to inform assessment and resourcing. Movement up through the ELL steps/stages is tracked as part of the school's monitoring within the SEN framework. Public materials identify ELL as a category but do not describe a dedicated EAL program or staff.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing at WSS is defined as the holistic health of students, including physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions, with a focus on happiness, belonging, healthy living and mental health support. The school provides mental wellbeing support through a School Counselor and wellbeing resources, including digital safety guidance and wellbeing-related materials for families. The Counselor's role includes voluntary or referral-based meetings, confidential records, and regular progress reviews, with documented Follow-up and SAR reports for parents. The SEN Policy also emphasizes mental and emotional health as core aims, ensuring a supportive environment for wellbeing. Public wellbeing resources and articles (eg, WSS Wellbeing materials) are available to support wellbeing education and activities.

Safeguarding
The GEMS Safeguarding Policy POLCSG001V5 (POLCSG001V5) governs safeguarding and child protection across GEMS, effective August 1, 2025 through August 1, 2026. The policy aligns with UAE Wadeema's Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2016) and UAE MOE safeguarding guidance, and outlines safeguarding roles and responsibilities, including a designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and safeguarding team. It sets out safeguarding procedures, including logging concerns on the Guard safeguarding case management platform and prompt recording and reporting of concerns. The policy covers disclosures, allegations against adults, whistleblowing, complaints, and safer recruitment, with safeguarding implementation overseen by MOE inspections.
Parent Experience

History
The school opened in October 2012 and is part of the GEMS Education group. It was established as a Sharjah campus modeled on the Westminster School in Dubai, offering the National Curriculum for England with IGCSE, AS Level and A Level pathways. The campus is a modern, purpose-built facility in the Muweilah area designed to support academic work and a broad range of extra-curricular activities. Valerie Thompson serves as the Principal/CEO of GEMS Westminster School, Sharjah.

Community
The WSS community extends beyond current students and includes parents and alumni. A Parental Engagement programme supports family involvement, and a parent volunteer group called the Positive Parent Partners (PPP) serves as the interface between the parent community and the school. The school conducts field trips, cultural, environmental and social events, and offers a wide range of sporting and other extracurricular activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
GEMS Westminster School Sharjah maintains a formal Parent Association and Partnership. The Positive Parent Partners (PPP) is a parent volunteer group formed by motivated parents to support school development. The PPP serves as the interface between the parent community and school, bringing parents and WSS management together to enhance student achievement and the learning experience, while promoting education and physical well-being. The PPP helps involve parents in school improvement planning, activities and learning support programmes, and acts as a conduit for parent feedback to inform leadership decisions. The chairperson of the Positive Parents Partnership is Ms. Darshika Malkani.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Facilities at GEMS Westminster School - Sharjah support academic, creative and physical development. The campus includes an indoor four-court sports hall, an outdoor football pitch, cricket nets, four outdoor multi-games courts (two at ground level and two on the roof), an outdoor basketball court and a multi-purpose sports hall. Academic facilities include a library plus ICT and Electronics labs and music, art, science and other laboratory spaces. Administration and reception areas are on site, with indoor and outdoor play areas for younger students. The overall setup provides spaces for study, experimentation and a broad range of learning activities.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities include an indoor four-court sports hall, an outdoor football pitch, cricket nets, four outdoor multi-games courts (two at ground level and two on the roof), an outdoor basketball court and a multi-purpose sports hall.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include a library, ICT and Electronics labs, and music, art, science and other laboratory spaces, plus additional specialist learning areas.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Indoor and outdoor play areas support recreational and informal activities beyond formal lessons, with outdoor spaces such as the football pitch and multi-games courts available for activities outside class time.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Co-curricular activities include field trips, cultural events, and environmental and social campaigns. After-school activities are organized in five strands: Sports, Arts, Music, Languages, and Maths and Science.

Arts & Creative
Arts are offered as an after-school strand, paired with a Music Programme. The Music Programme includes piano and guitar lessons and school performances.

Cultural & Language
Languages form an after-school strand alongside cultural events. These activities promote awareness of diverse communities and cross-cultural understanding.

Social & Hobbies
Sports are a core after-school strand with inter-house competitions. The WSS Club Programme includes Think like a Proton and Be Positive.

Community & Service
Environmental and social service projects and campaigns are part of co-curricular life. Field trips and cultural events support engagement with local and international communities.

Leadership & Professional
Student Leadership is a prominent feature, with about 40% of students in leadership roles. Leaders organize activities, raise awareness, and support peers through service.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Physical Education programme keeps students physically, mentally, and socially active. Regular PE lessons are complemented by after-school and inter-school activities.
Languages

Language Provision
The curriculum follows the National Curriculum for England. In Kindergarten, English and Arabic language development is emphasised, with KG2 explicitly incorporating both languages. An English Language Learner (ELL) programme is available for students who are weak in English until they are ready to join mainstream English lessons.

Bilingual Teaching
Bilingual teaching is offered in English and Arabic for KG2. English and Arabic language development is emphasized in KG2, with students developing these skills in both languages.
Admissions

Admissions
Screening / Assessment: The admission process includes academic and developmental assessments to determine placement; the placement is decided by the admission committee, and the outcome can be a seat offer, waitlist, or denial. Step 1: To begin the application process, submit your enquiry through the GEMS Online Student Enquiry and Registration page. Step 2: After completing the online application, you receive an Enquiry number; print a copy of the receipt or note the Enquiry Number, and an acknowledgement email with next steps will be sent. Step 3: After online registration is completed, a parent receives an invitation to visit or contact the school for the admission assessment. Step 4: If a seat is offered, it is subject to availability. The seat booking fee is 5% of the annual tuition and must be paid within 24 hours to reserve the seat; the parent must submit all required documents and Emirates ID. The 5% seat booking fee is non-refundable but deductible against the first term tuition. Required documents include immunization records, attested final report cards, attested transfer certificate, and copies of passports, visas and Emirates IDs for student and parents; for Year 11–13, additional documents such as prior two years' report cards and IGCSE/GCSE certificates may be required. New Admissions fee is 5% of annual tuition, non-refundable but deductible against the first term, and all fees are subject to SPEA approval and change.

Waitlist
Waitlist: The admission process may place applicants on a waitlist; outcomes after screening include a seat offer, waitlist, or denial.
School Events
The school has not added events
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