The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH

British curriculum, Al Qusais First, FS1–Year 13

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 13 earlier reports, see all years

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
British
Year groups
FS1–Year 13
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1988
External examinations
IGCSE, AS, A Level Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Students, 2024–⁠25
5,271 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
188 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
Pakistani Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Carl Roberts Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 1 Jan 2019, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2012–⁠13
2 changes of principal
Neville Sherman, 2012–13 → Kingston Gilbert Xavier, 2013–14 to 2017–18 → CARL ROBERTS, 2018–19 to 2023–24

Contact

Address
Al Qusais First
Phone and email
+971 4 298 8333Gre_tws@gemsedu.com
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 7 reports and Acceptable in 6 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Good

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 2 reports.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
TeachingTeaching for effective learningVery goodGoodGoodVery good
AssessmentVery goodGoodGoodGood
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationGoodGoodGoodGood
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionVery goodVery goodVery goodVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Children in Foundation Stage make very good progress in mathematics and rapidly develop their age-appropriate range of learning skills. In the post-16 phase, students now make very good progress in Arabic and in mathematics, as well as in most core subject areas. Students across all phases collaborate constructively when completing tasks. Students are generally confident and happy to contribute to debates and discussions.

Personal and social development

Throughout the school, students behave very well and show a positive attitude towards their learning. Across all phases, students demonstrate an excellent understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and students show respect for, and knowledge of, UAE culture and heritage. Students are very aware of the needs of those less fortunate than themselves and contribute to school initiatives which raise funds for a range of international and local community initiatives.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teaching is strong across all phases. Teachers’ consistent approach to planning enables students to build on their prior learning. Questioning is typically used effectively to check understanding and develop critical thinking in most subjects. Across all phases, the school has developed internal assessment processes that enable school leaders to accurately selfevaluate.

Wellbeing

Students make a very positive contribution to the well-being climate in school. Staff and teachers are listened to and feel valued. Initiative that promotes well-being raise morale for all in the community. Well-being is a priority that underpins the ethos, climate and culture right across the school. Leaders and teachers actively model good well-being practice and policies are comprehensive and effectively applied. Students and their parents report a strong sense of belonging at their school.

Inclusion

School leaders promote inclusion and regular reviews take place at all levels. Assessment tools and teacher referrals ensure accurate identification of students of determination and students with special gifts and talents. Barriers to learning are aligned with KHDA standards, and progress is tracked against students' targets. Leaders promote parental engagement through regular communications regarding their child's progress, linked to their child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals. Curriculum modifications promote achievement and effective interventions foster confidence and resilience.

Leadership and management

The principal, together with senior and middle leadership teams, provide effective management and leadership for the school. They promote a positive and supportive learning context and culture within their large school community. Communication with stakeholders is very effective and parents feel that they have a real voice in their school. The Local Advisory Board acts as a constructive, critical friend for the school.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondaryPost-16
Islamic EducationNot in this reportGoodGoodGood
ArabicNot in this reportGoodGoodGood
EnglishGoodGoodGoodGood
MathematicsGoodGoodGoodVery good
ScienceGoodGoodGoodVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162016–172018–192019–202022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentPost-16AcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPrimaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryAcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPost-16AcceptableGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementOutstandingVery good
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementVery goodNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyVery goodVery good
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterVery goodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • In the most recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), the school exceeded its targets by a considerable margin.
  • In the National Agenda Parameter benchmark tests, the outcomes for the whole school were outstanding in English, mathematics and science.
  • The most recent reading literacy skills profile shows that a large majority of students’ reading literacy scores are above age-related expectations.
  • More recent assessments show that the proportion of students with reading literacy levels at or above age-related expectations has increased, with a narrower gap between Emirati students and others.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school's progress toward the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2019–20: Overall, the schools’ progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is approaching expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2016–17: Overall, the schools improvement towards achieving its National Agenda targets — meets expectations
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Volleyball
  • Cricket

Racket sports

  • Badminton
  • Table tennis

Individual sports

  • Athletics
  • Gymnastics

Theatre

  • Musicals · Annual Musical · at the end of the year

Art & design

  • Art · Art and Craft Club
  • Photography & film · Multimedia Club

Debate & strategy

  • Chess

Facilities

  • Sports courts
  • Running track
  • Music rooms
  • Art studio

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Drama
  • Yoga & fitness
  • Model United Nations
  • Robotics

Also mentioned: Carom, Throwball, Holy Qur'an competitions

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Children learn Arabic in FS2 and Year 1 with a focus on the basics of the language. In FS2, children are taught for 30 minutes per week, and in Year 1 for 100 minutes per week.

Facilities

  • Library

External examinations

  • IGCSE
  • AS
  • A Level

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • There are effective systems for identifying students of determination and those with gifts and talents. p. 4
  • Leaders promote inclusion through the provision of eleven highly qualified year leaders, three learning support teachers and four learning support assistants. p. 19
  • Barriers to learning are aligned with KHDA standards, and an in-house individual education plan (IEP) tracker charts progress against individual targets. p. 19

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

Fees

Tuition across 15 year groupsNote 1

AED 9,362 to AED 18,203Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

FS1 to Year 13, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
FS1AED 9,362AED 9,362
FS2AED 9,362AED 9,362
Primary
Year 1AED 11,565AED 11,565
Year 2AED 11,565AED 11,565
Year 3AED 11,565AED 11,565
Year 4AED 11,565AED 11,565
Year 5AED 11,565AED 11,565
Year 6AED 11,565AED 11,565
Secondary
Year 7AED 12,482AED 12,482
Year 8AED 12,482AED 12,482
Year 9AED 14,686AED 14,686
Year 10AED 14,686AED 14,686
Year 11AED 18,203AED 18,203
Post-16
Year 12AED 18,203AED 18,203
Year 13AED 18,203AED 18,203

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 15 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

8 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 3 development points, 2 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Teaching

Note 1

1 strength, 1 development point

  • StrengthFS

    The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment in FS.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Ensure that in all lessons, teachers make full use of assessment information to plan work that is matched to students’ attainment levels.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

Mathematics

1 strength

  • StrengthFS and Post-16

    Progress in mathematics, especially in FS and Post-16.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength

  • Strength

    Students’ positive attitudes and their strong sense of social responsibility.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Islamic Education

1 strength

  • Strength

    The understanding of Islam shown by students, and their awareness of Emirati and world cultures.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

Parents and community

1 strength

  • Strength

    The strong support of parents.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Curriculum and challenge

1 development point

  • Development required

    Increase the range of curriculum pathways in the upper phases to cater for a wider range of students’ abilities.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

Staffing, facilities and resources

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 5 reports

    Ensure that all learning spaces have sufficient resources to support teaching and learning.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Findings from 1 of 10 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2017–18 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

14 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24GoodSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2019–20GoodSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2018–19GoodSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2017–18GoodSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  9. 2016–17GoodSame as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. 2015–16GoodSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  11. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  12. 2014–15GoodUp from AcceptableFull Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2013–14AcceptableSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2012–13AcceptableSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2011–12AcceptableSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2010–11AcceptableSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2009–10AcceptableSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  18. 2008–09AcceptableFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, The Westminster School - DUBAI BRANCH

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–255,271Not availableNot available
2023–245,222297Not available
2022–235,37529716%
2021–225,563Not availableNot available
2020–215,196Not availableNot available
2019–205,13227512%
2018–195,01428612%
2017–185,0602830%
2016–175,13528112%
2015–165,0612817%
2014–155,03428219%
2013–144,751Not availableNot available
2012–134,991Not availableNot available
2011–124,936Not availableNot available
2010–115,052Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.