The students feel secure, happy and have a sense of belonging, the educators have contributed to creating a community feeling besides imparting quality education and the school management has been relentlessly striving to retain the academic excellence, development of physical and creative skills of the students. It is our pleasure to introduce you to GEMS Wellington School Qatar.
Inception and Mission
GEMS Wellington School Qatar (GWSQ) is part of the GEMS Education family, a network of international schools worldwide that offers students the highest standard of education. As a GEMS Education School, it embodies the GEMS core concepts of leading through innovation, pursuing excellence, growing by learning and global citizenship.
The institution, located in Al Wakra, offers the academically renowned National Curriculum for England. The programme has been adapted to suit the students who come from countries around the world and expect a British education that prepares them for their lives as global citizens and innovators.
The school offers an outstanding education from Foundation Stage to Year 12 and have a fully built school and Ministry of Education license to expand to Year 13 in the coming years. Beyond the classroom, GEMS Wellington School Qatar offers enriching experiences and extra-curricular activities run by the dedicated teaching staff or local community experts. All year round, students from Year 1 upwards can take part in activities to pursue their existing interests and develop and explore new ones. From creative and performing arts to subject extensions and sports, the school offers a range of activities to suit every energetic young mind.
Goal of the School: WSQ nurtures its students and their learning, encouraging them to become fulfilled, caring, successful global citizens who continue to pursue excellence in all that they do.
Core Values:
- Growing by Learning
- Pursuing Excellence
- Leading Through Innovation
- Global Citizenship
Strong Leadership
Head of Primary, Caz Jude, has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and as an educational leader. She was a Lead Practitioner on the development of the Early Years Assessment processes in the UK. Mrs. Jude also serves as an inspector for British Schools in the Middle East. She is the Founding Vice Principal of GEMS Wellington Qatar and has worked for GEMS Education for over five years. Mrs. Jude believes that every child has a talent and it is our job to nurture and develop that talent. It is her vision to ensure that Wellington School Qatar continues to provide an outstanding education which is based on high academic attainment but also teaches students skills and values for life.
Head of Secondary, Kay Turner, has over 20 years of experience in the UK and Middle East as a teacher of French and German and as a senior leader. Ms. Turner has trained as a senior leader in GEMS Dubai and as a leader for Instructional Rounds at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. She has extensive knowledge of the GCSE as an examiner and sound knowledge of the IB Diploma programme.
Vibrant Student Life
At WSQ, students enjoy an enriching student life experience through both academics and extra-curricular activities. Students at GEMS Wellington School, Qatar, are taught a curriculum that meets their diverse international needs. The integration of the Arabic curriculum adds a rich tier of knowledge to the students’ education.
Beyond the classroom, extra-curricular activities are run by the dedicated teaching staff or local community experts. All year round, students from Year 1 upwards can take part in activities to pursue their existing interests and develop and explore new ones.
Distinct Academic Programmes
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)Foundation Stage 1 and Foundation Stage 2(Age: 3 to 5 years old)
The curriculum is based on the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS) and provides all students with a journey of learning, guided by the caring, nurturing and dedicated team of educational professionals.
As an introduction to school, this programme of learning focuses on self-development in partnership with intellectual and physical development. Learning is multi-sensory, collaborative and fun.
Child initiated learning is at the centre of the curriculum and this enables the school to personalise the learning experience to meet the needs of the individual, through adult facilitated play.
Primary School: Key Stage 1 and 2 (Year 1 – Year 6)
The Primary School Curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC) which has been modified to meet the needs of mainly international students taking into account the local context they live in and the GEMS core values. The influence of the host nation adds a rich Arabic tier to the school programme, introducing students to, and developing knowledge about the local culture and heritage. The curriculum enables students to develop skills for life and is underpinned by the bespoke student learner profile. It supports students’ natural curiosity and interests and provides opportunities for them to extend their learning and develop a variety of learning styles.
Senior (Secondary) School
Key Stages 3 & 4 – (Year 7 – Year 11) The Key Stage 3 and 4 Curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC). The curriculum is designed to provide a seamless transition from Key Stage 2 to the end of Key Stage 4, at age 18. It is a skills-focused curriculum that provides students with a broad and balanced knowledge of key subjects as well as the opportunity to develop their 21st century learning skills through unique learner profile. This provides opportunities for the students to become more aware of themselves, their interests and their strengths.
Preparing for IGCSEs (Year 9 – Year 11)
The students at GEMS Wellington School, Qatar are well prepared to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSEs). These worldwide recognised qualifications are important for students seeking admission to universities and are an excellent preparation for future study.
Students study the core IGCSEs in English, Mathematics and Science. This course of study is complimented with a number of optional IGCSEs. This provides students the freedom to choose subjects that are needed for their future pathways whilst providing them with a broad knowledge base. Students will undertake between 9 – 11 IGCSEs in total.
Key Stage 5 (Year 12 – Year 13)
In Key Stage 5 Students will study for the Edexcel International Advanced Level examinations. Students will take a maximum of four subjects. These exams allow for the students to take an AS (Advanced Subsidiary) examination at the end of year 12. This qualification will allow entry to some universities in India, Indonesia and Canada on an undergraduate course, or into a foundation course.
Students can then continue their studies into Year 13 and at the end of Year 13 they will sit for the Advanced Level examination. Success in these examinations will allow them to access an undergraduate course in any university.
The Edexcel International Advanced level qualification is an accredited qualification that is recognized qualification worldwide.
Events and Activities
Some of the large annual events include International Day, Qatar National Day, Winter and Spring Festivals, and Sports Day. WSQ offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities that involve the sciences, literature, leadership, sports and more. From creative and performing arts to subject extensions and sports, the school offers a range of activities to suit every energetic young mind.
Going That Extra Mile
GEMS Wellington School works in partnership with students and parents to ensure the very best educational experience possible. It is school’s aim to provide an experience that allows students to be well prepared for both the present and the world they will inherit in the future.
It is the hope of the school that its students will develop a love for learning, as well as skills and attributes that will see them flourish in a range of endeavours; that they become confident, creative, caring, open minded, critical thinkers who will be able to lead and contribute within their society and the world.
It is important that at GEMS Wellington School they work together to provide an environment where all members of the school community feel happy, safe, respected and cared for. This is done by having high expectations of behaviour, appearance, care and through the development of supportive positive relationships. It is one of the few schools in Qatar that has fully staffed inclusion team that helps to guide students from Foundation Stage to Year 13.
Unity in Diversity
WSQ is home to several different nationalities. The parent and student community are comprised of individuals coming from many backgrounds that helps to strengthen the diversity in the school. Not only do parents and students enhance diverse atmosphere but teachers as well. Here at GEMS Wellington, there are highly skilled teachers who are experts in the British Curriculum and hail from various backgrounds from around the globe. This allows for families to feel at home within the GEMS Wellington community.
Financial Aid
There are two main ways that families can benefit from discounts. Firstly, the school has competitive tuition discounts with several prominent Qatar companies. Secondly, as a “thank you” to the dedicated parents, if any family refers any new students to WSQ, then they are eligible to benefit from the GEMS Ambassador Program. For example, for each new student that a family refers and that student is successfully enrolled in any participating GEMS school, upon the referral, GEMS will give that a 4% discount. This discount can apply to as many prospective students that a WSQ family successfully refers!
Career Options
As mentioned before, GEMS Wellington School Qatar has a fully staffed guidance and inclusion team that helps students gain internships that are geared toward their aspiring career path. With this guidance it allows for students to choose the best post-secondary education to suit their needs. The school has partnerships with local and international companies to give students a taste of what it is like to have a career in the real world. WSQ has a high university acceptance rate and this attributed to the work that they do with their students to prepare for them for the next steps.
