GEMS GEMS Wellington Wellington Academy - Academy -

DSODSOParent’s Information EveningGEMS Royal Dubai SchoolWednesday 30 March 2011

Purpose of the Information Evening

What Will the Academy Offer ?

The National Curriculum for England including GCSE

and A levelInitially to pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 9from September 2011(Children aged 3 – 13 years).

This will extend each year to eventually includestudents in Year 13

Building on SuccessGEMS Wellington Academy – SO will be the latest addition to

thevery successful Wellington brand of schools offered by GEMSEducation.

UK National Curriculum Internationally recognised curriculum delivered in over 150

countriesBroad and balancedHigh standardsStrong emphasis upon assessment of and for learningDemands 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 UKParent EngagementCreativity and Innovation

GEMS SupportSchool Transport ServicesUniform – same as GWPS and GWIS and same

supplierGEMS Music AcademyE SportsGEMS Professional Development for TeachersOther GEMS opportunities i.e. Trips and

Expeditions, Dubai Literature Festival

Class OrganisationClass SizeFS1 & FS2 = 22 students perclass

Year 1 upwards = 27 studentsper class

Teaching AssistantsFS and KS1 – 1 per classKS2 –1 for every 2 classes

Form/Home GroupsYear 7 upwards

Academy TimingsFoundation Stage 18:30am – 12:30pm daily8:30am.  Registration will take place at 8:30am.

Foundation Stage 28:30am – 2:00pm Sunday to Wednesday8:30am – 12:30pm Thursday

Year 17:45am – 2:00pm  Sunday to Wednesday7:45am – 12:50pm  Thursday

Year 2 - Year 67:45am – 2:50pm Sunday to Wednesday7:45am – 12:50pm Thursday

Year 7 to Year 137:45am – 3:00pm Sunday to Wednesday7:45am – 1:00pm Thursday

Will the buildings be ready?

Building progress:The main structure of the building

is 100% completeThe whole building programme is

80% completeWe aim for parents to be able to

view areas of the building in JulyRegular project meetings and a

large workforce deployed

Facilities2 – phase buildingSome 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

2 – phase buildingSome 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

Vision

To be an outstanding international school that combines high academic

standards with the holistic development of the student

in preparation for their futures

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, independentlearners who think reflectively and creatively to achieve their fullpotential

To be a true learning organisation where all students, staff and parents are engaged in learning as leaders, learners and coaches

Teaching and LearningA great school is ultimately judged by the quality of

itsteaching 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 qualities7. Will ensure a variety of approach and method

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 

The Curriculum SubjectsFoundation Stage

The six areas of learning:Personal, Social and Emotional DevelopmentProblem Solving, Reasoning and DevelopmentCommunication, Language and LiteracyKnowledge and Understanding of the WorldPhysical DevelopmentCreative Development

Music and Physical Education further enhance the children’s curriculum experiences and Arabic and French are introduced. 

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) 

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) 

The Curriculum Subjects – Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form

KEY STAGE 4:

Core SubjectsEnglish, 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

Extra Curricular and Enrichment

The academy will offer a wide range of activities which enrich the students’ educational experience

Local and International Trips and ExpeditionsStudent leadership programmesVarkey GEMS Foundation and other

charitable and community workE Sports paid activities

Student Support ServicesMedical 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 LanguageProgrammes designed to accelerate imporved

levels of language proficiencyAchievement Centre

Special needs provision (mild to moderate learning difficulties

Counselling services

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

Parent Engagement

A parent is a child’s first and longest serving teacher….

That relationship cannot end when the child goes to school.

www.learnaspirebe.com

m.clark_wso@gemsedu.com

achini.m_wso@gemsedu.com

General General QuestionsQuestions

General General QuestionsQuestions