Welcome to the GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

Yes

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

Small school with big heart! Strong community spirit. Class sizes are small helping build student confidence. Our staff have mostly been with us for the long term, getting to know families as they move up through the school.

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

67

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

very widely spread over our approx. 620 students at present

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

20-24 students per 1 teacher, 1 teacher assistant and in FS1, 1 other member of female support staff.

Please provide details of how well your school did in its previous external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

NA

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

NA

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

Students attend Physical Education and Swimming classes each week and we have team activities such as Basketball, Football, Cricket, Dance, Yoga, Gymnastics, Tennis, Swimming, Volleyball, Athletics and more.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

We regularly run health and fitness campaigns such as HAAD's Eat Right Get Active, offering healthy lunch box presentation for parents by Health Plus, a cooking demonstration by Rotana and daily workouts on our field. We have weekly Mindefulness Mondays and Workout Wednesdays. We ran an Instagram campaign to select winners from the many families who posted photos of exercise outside of school too. As part of Parent Engagement twice each year for one month each time, we have workshops for parents to learn about nutrition, mindefulness, dental care, diabetes and many other workshops.

How do you promote healthy eating?

Our cafeteria offers a healthy balanced meal which is regularly monitored. We operate a traffic light system with any 'red' or unhealthy foods not permitted. We reduce birthday celebrations to one day each month to minimise cakes, etc. coming in to school. Again, we have regular workshops for parents as part of our parent engagement to educate parents on a healthy diet.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students? How does it promote a balanced diet?

Yes. This is provided by Slices Catering which also provides for many schools and healthcare facilities. We also provide vegetarian meals option

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

Approximately 14 AED per day. Lunch can also be brought in from home if desired

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

7.45am to 2.45pm.

Is there a school uniform?

Yes

Please advise on your discipline policy?

We have detailed policies outlined in our school Community Handbook issued to families at the start of each school year. These are regularly updated where needed.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

We set goals and expectations at our Back to School nights at the start of the year and will provide progress reports each of our 3 trimesters. We will also have teacher/parent conferences and student-led conferences during the year. For FS1, they will also receive a transition report during the settling in period in the first trimester. Should parents wish to discuss any concerns, teachers are happy to arrange meetings at other times.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

3 times per year for progress reports and 3 times a year for conferences.

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

A dedicated language hub with French taught in the curriculum from Year 2 and French, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin offered as an After School Activity along with Quran Stories and more!

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

We offer an ELL program for students. GEMS Education also run classes by our ELL trained staff during holidays.

Do you offer a dedicated prayer room/s for students? For which faiths?

Yes

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes. Our WAA Parent Association are a regular feature in and around school, helping to coordinate events and activities while supporting new families.

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

We offer 2 months of parent engagement workshops throughout the school year. These are organised by staff and our Parent Engagement Coordinator. We notify parents of upcoming events and activities through social media and or Parent Portal. We also have room parents who are nominated to support the rest of the parents in the class and notify of events as well as organising monthly birthday celebrations and volunteers for field trips.

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

Yes. We currently have members of our parent community on our board.

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

We have IB information sessions, open days and invite new parents to selected Parent Engagement workshops such as those presented by our Principal.

We have an open campus before school starts to meet the teacher and get to know our school. We also have bus, caterers, uniform supplier and nurse available on this day.