Inclusion

Welcome to GEMS Al Barsha National School!

At our school, we celebrate every child's unique abilities and value them equally. We are dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Inclusion is at the heart of what we do. We treat every student with respect and encourage them to appreciate diversity. Our experienced staff and resources are here to support each child’s learning journey, ensuring they receive the tailored help they need.

Support for All Students

We understand that every student faces different challenges, whether academic or personal. Our Inclusion framework offers a range of support options, even for those without formal diagnoses. We collaborate with external specialists when necessary to provide additional assistance.

Our Head of Inclusion oversees our efforts to maintain a consistent approach throughout the school. Our Inclusion team, including learning support teachers and dedicated staff, focuses on early intervention, especially in the primary years. We thrive to meet the needs of all learners.

Counseling and Well-Being

Our school counsellor is available to provide a safe space for students to discuss any concerns. Supporting student well-being is a fundamental part of our mission.

Regular Review

We continually assess our Inclusion policies to ensure we effectively meet the needs of all students.

Admissions

We welcome all students and aim to make the admissions process smooth and straightforward. Any information about your child’s needs is handled with the utmost confidentiality.

To help us support your child effectively, please share any relevant reports or details about their needs during the admissions process. This information allows us to plan the best next steps for your child. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!

Parent Partnership

We believe in strong partnerships with parents. This collaboration is essential for addressing any concerns and ensuring the best educational support for your child.

We meet with parents regularly to review Individual Education Plan (IEP) targets, and for those receiving support without an IEP, we conduct termly progress meetings as well.

If you have concerns about your child, please contact the class teacher or the Head of Inclusion.

Support Across Phases

FS1 and FS2: Class teachers are your first point of contact. We regularly observe students to ensure they reach their developmental milestones. If concerns arise, we invite parents to discuss these and determine the best course of action, including external therapy if needed.
Primary (Years 1-6): We work closely with class teachers, offering in-class support, interventions, therapies and counseling to ensure all students benefit from Quality First Teaching.
Secondary and Post-16: We collaborate with form tutors, Head of Years and subject teachers to gather a comprehensive view of each student’s strengths and needs during parent meetings.

Exam Access Arrangements

We also provide support for students who require Exam Access Arrangements. For more details, please refer to the policy linked at the end of this document.

Support for Gifted and Talented Students

Our Gifted and Talented (G&T) program caters to students who excel in specific areas beyond the standard curriculum. We identify these students through CAT4 scores and provide opportunities for enrichment through external events and extracurricular activities. For more information, please see our G&T policy on the website.

Whole School Approach

We take a whole school approach to support our students, monitoring progress, sharing strategies with staff and parents, and ensuring strong communication. We provide various channels of support to help students progress based on their starting points.

Important Links

For more information, please refer to the following documents, which align with GEMS Global SEN Standards and KHDA guidelines:

Thank you for being a part of our community! Together, we can ensure that every child succeeds.