1. GEMS Wellington Academy - DSO
Parent’s Information Evening
GEMS Royal Dubai School
Wednesday 30 March 2011

2. Purpose of the Information Evening
To introduce GEMS Wellington Academy and myself
To provide you with essential information about WSO
To explain our Teaching and Learning Principles
To provide details about the Curriculum and Enrichment Programmes
To confirm admission arrangements
To provide an opportunity for general questions

3. What Will the Academy Offer ?
The National Curriculum for England including GCSE
and A level
Initially to pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 9
from September 2011
(Children aged 3 – 13 years).
This will extend each year to eventually include
students in Year 13

4. Building on Success
GEMS Wellington Academy – SO will be the latest addition to the
very successful Wellington brand of schools offered by GEMS
Education.
UK National Curriculum
Internationally recognised curriculum delivered in over 150 countries
Broad and balanced
High standards
Strong emphasis upon assessment of and for learning
Demands a wide range of teaching strategies
Experienced Principal and Head of School with proven track records of success
Teachers primarily but not exclusively from the UK
Parent Engagement
Creativity and Innovation

5. GEMS Support School Transport Services
Uniform – same as GWPS and GWIS and same supplier
GEMS Music Academy
E Sports
GEMS Professional Development for Teachers
Other GEMS opportunities i.e. Trips and Expeditions, Dubai Literature Festival

6. Class Organisation
Class Size FS1 & FS2 = 22 students per class Year 1 upwards = 27 students per class Teaching Assistants FS and KS1 – 1 per class KS2 –1 for every 2 classes Form/Home Groups Year 7 upwards

7. Academy Timings Foundation Stage 1 8:30am – 12:30pm daily
8:30am.  Registration will take place at 8:30am.
Foundation Stage 2 8:30am – 2:00pm Sunday to Wednesday 8:30am – 12:30pm Thursday
Year 1 7:45am – 2:00pm  Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am – 12:50pm  Thursday
Year 2 - Year 6 7:45am – 2:50pm Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am – 12:50pm Thursday
Year 7 to Year 13 7:45am – 3:00pm Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am – 1:00pm Thursday

8. Will the buildings be ready?
Building progress:
The main structure of the building is 100% complete
The whole building programme is 80% complete
We aim for parents to be able to view areas of the building in July
Regular project meetings and a large workforce deployed

9. Facilities 2 – phase building
Some of main facilities this campus will have in Phase 1 are: · Indoor multi-sports hall · Outdoor shaded multi-sports hall · Outdoor multi-sports pitch · 6 lane, 25m swimming pool & Learner pool · Learning Centres for Primary and Secondary · Dance / exercise studio

10. Vision
To be an outstanding international school that combines high academic standards with the holistic development of the student in preparation for their futures

11. Mission
To provide a positive and dynamic learning environment to cater for the needs of our students, in all aspects of their school life. To support our students in their preparation for their future through the incorporation of technologies and GEMS core values into our curriculum and by offering a wide range of opportunities for students to excel. To encourage our school community to be confident, independent learners who think reflectively and creatively to achieve their full potential To be a true learning organisation where all students, staff and parents are engaged in learning as leaders, learners and coaches

12. Teaching and Learning
A great school is ultimately judged by the quality of its teaching and the outcomes achieved by its learners. At WSO we will: 1. Set high expectations and give every learner confidence they can succeed 2. Establish what learners already know and build on it (Assessment for Learning) 3. Structure and pace the learning experience to make it challenging and enjoyable 4. Inspire learning through passion for the subject 5. Make individuals active partners in their learning 6. Develop learning skills and personal qualities 7. Will ensure a variety of approach and method

13. Teaching and Learning (2)
Learning will occur when:
past experience and new information connect to form new understanding,
the penny drops, the light comes on and the child says, ‘Ah, I get it’
learning is that reflective activity which enables the learner to draw upon experience to understand and evaluate the present, so as to shape future action and formulate new knowledge
learning is to boldly go where your mind has not gone before

14. The Curriculum Subjects
Foundation Stage
The six areas of learning:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Development
Communication, Language and Literacy
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Physical Development
Creative Development
Music and Physical Education further enhance the children’s curriculum experiences and Arabic and French are introduced.

15. The Curriculum Subjects –
Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2
Core Subjects
English
Mathematics
Science
Foundation Subjects
ICT
History
Geography
Arabic (from Year 1)
French/Spanish (from Year 3)
Art
Music
Physical Education
Personal, Social and Health Education
Islamic studies (Muslim students)

16. The Curriculum Subjects –
Key Stage 3
Core Subjects
English
Mathematics
Science
Foundation Subjects
ICT
History
Geography
Arabic
French/Spanish
Art
Music
Physical Education
Personal, Social and Health Education
Islamic studies (Muslim students)

17. The Curriculum Subjects –
Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form
KEY STAGE 4:
Core Subjects
English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, PE, PSHCE and a Modern Foreign Language
Subject Choice from:
History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Art, Music, Drama, Dance, French, Spanish, Media Studies and PE
Key Stage 4 examination courses lead to GCSE qualification
KEY STAGE 5 (Sixth Form):
At this moment in time it is the intention to offer students the opportunity to follow AS and A2 levels within Years 12 and 13

18. Extra Curricular and Enrichment
The academy will offer a wide range of activities which enrich the students’ educational experience
Local and International Trips and Expeditions
Student leadership programmes
Varkey GEMS Foundation and other charitable and community work
E Sports paid activities

19. Student Support Services
Medical Support
Day to day medical matters
H&S checks of cafeteria and swimming pool
Healthy living
Seminars and workshops for parents
English as an Additional Language
Programmes designed to accelerate imporved levels of language proficiency
Achievement Centre
Special needs provision (mild to moderate learning difficulties
Counselling services

20. The Integration of ICT
• Personalising the learning experience • Highly effective and creative teaching and learning • Creation of a flexible learning environment • Enabling secure and reliable communications • Developing leading edge and innovative provision

21. Parent Engagement
A parent is a child’s first and longest serving teacher…. That relationship cannot end when the child goes to school.

22. m.clark_wso@gemsedu.com achini.m_wso@gemsedu.com

23. General Questions