Validator report
06 November 2025
SWA-GEMS Founders School - Dubai-PO Box 390498-06/Nov/2025
Areas for further development
The evidence submitted indicated a number of excellent future plans which are clearly informed by staff feedback. The school should continue with its proactive approach to listening and responding to staff and involving them in decsion making to ensure that the high levels of staff satisfaction and maintained.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
Staff wellbeing is clearly a priority. The school uses a number of different approaches to gather staff views and identify concerns and is proactive in responding to them. The excellent staff feedback included in the portfolio attests to the effectiveness and value of their focus on ensuring that staff at all levels feel appreciated and supported.
School ref
Validator benchmark comments
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Feedback from staff around workload is positive and also shows improvement over time. Leaders actively seek feedback on concerns – for example, variations in workload across the term – and act on this.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff report that they can access help if they need it and that leaders and colleagues are supportive. Future plans – for example, the extension of SMHL and MH First Aid provision – reflect the school's ambition to continue to develop the support available for staff.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Social activities, including celebrations, competitions, regular wellbeing Wednesdays, treats, shout outs etc are popular with staff. Sources of support are widely advertised. Staff are encouraged to share feelings and concerns. Feedback from staff about the positive relationships they enjoy with colleagues is particularly positive.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Again, feedback is positive. The school recognises success at all levels, including for out of school activities. Leaders have noted where some staff may be less likely to be recognised because of, for example, lack of awareness of their roles amongst colleagues, and have acted to ensure that staff at all levels receive rewards and praise.
Comments on impact identified during validation
As noted above, leaders are aware of concerns around work-life balance and have acted positively to address pinch points. Most staff report that workload is manageable. Feedback is improving and is above the average scores for similar settings.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Again, most staff report that support is effective. Leaders have also acted to improve provision, in particular for staff who may prefer to access help outside of school. External counselling is available and staff are signposted to both written and in-person support which is available in a variety of languages.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Evidence includes some really positive case studies and staff feedback about the support they receive for career development is excellent. Statistics regarding the high numbers of internal promotions and levels of staff who progress into management roles further substantiate the effectiveness of the support available for professional development.
Comments on impact identified during validation
96% of staff report that they enjoy at least some autonomy in their roles. There is evidence of a range of opportunities for staff to influence development through surveys, forums and other means and that leaders take staff views into account and respond effectively.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
06/Nov/2025
Product attribute ref
Gold