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
Overall rating
Earlier reports
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source C
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Overview
The school
- Curriculum
- British
- Year groups
- FS1–Year 13
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 1988
- External examinations
- IGCSE, AS, A Level Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Accreditation
- BSO, BSME Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Extra-curricular activities
- Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket and more, 12 confirmed
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
- Teachers
- 297 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 188 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 68 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.
- Guidance counsellors
- 1 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
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
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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)
OverallOverall performance
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 7 reports and Acceptable in 6 reports.
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 2 reports.
LeadershipLeadership and management
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.
| Area | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TeachingTeaching for effective learning | ||||
| Assessment | ||||
| CurriculumCurriculum design and implementation | ||||
| Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptation | ||||
| SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protection |
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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.
- 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).
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Academics
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | |||
| Arabic | Not in this report | |||
| English | ||||
| Mathematics | ||||
| Science |
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 BRANCHIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentPrimary | ||||||
| Islamic Education attainmentSecondary | ||||||
| Islamic Education attainmentPost-16 | ||||||
| Islamic Education progressPrimary | ||||||
| Islamic Education progressSecondary | ||||||
| Islamic Education progressPost-16 |
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
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | ||
| Leadership: International and Emirati Achievement | Not in this report | |
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | ||
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not 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)
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
- 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
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
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 group | 2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27 | 2025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | ||
| FS1 | AED 9,362 | AED 9,362 |
| FS2 | AED 9,362 | AED 9,362 |
| Primary | ||
| Year 1 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Year 2 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Year 3 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Year 4 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Year 5 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Year 6 | AED 11,565 | AED 11,565 |
| Secondary | ||
| Year 7 | AED 12,482 | AED 12,482 |
| Year 8 | AED 12,482 | AED 12,482 |
| Year 9 | AED 14,686 | AED 14,686 |
| Year 10 | AED 14,686 | AED 14,686 |
| Year 11 | AED 18,203 | AED 18,203 |
| Post-16 | ||
| Year 12 | AED 18,203 | AED 18,203 |
| Year 13 | AED 18,203 | AED 18,203 |
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source A
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
Teaching
Note 11 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
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
- 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 BRANCHOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
- 2023–24Same as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2022–23Same as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
- 2019–20Same as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- 2018–19Same as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- 2017–18Same as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)
- 2016–17Same as 2015–16Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)
- 2015–16Same as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)
- Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
- 2014–15Up from AcceptableFull Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)
- 2013–14Same as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)
- 2012–13Same as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)
- 2011–12Same as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)
- 2010–11Same as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab)
- 2009–10Same as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab)
- 2008–09First reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab)
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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
| Year | Students | Teachers | Teacher turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 5,271 | Not available | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 5,222 | 297 | Not available |
| 2022–23 | 5,375 | 297 | 16% |
| 2021–22 | 5,563 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020–21 | 5,196 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019–20 | 5,132 | 275 | 12% |
| 2018–19 | 5,014 | 286 | 12% |
| 2017–18 | 5,060 | 283 | 0% |
| 2016–17 | 5,135 | 281 | 12% |
| 2015–16 | 5,061 | 281 | 7% |
| 2014–15 | 5,034 | 282 | 19% |
| 2013–14 | 4,751 | Not available | Not available |
| 2012–13 | 4,991 | Not available | Not available |
| 2011–12 | 4,936 | Not available | Not available |
| 2010–11 | 5,052 | Not available | Not 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.
Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English
- Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab)
- Full Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab)
Parent Reports · PDF, English
A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.
Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English
KHDA school directory · web page, English
KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)