Safeguarding at GFS

Safeguarding at GEMS Founders School, Dubai

At GEMS Founders School, Dubai, the health and safety of our students is at the heart of everything we do. We take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously, ensuring that every individual working in our school has successfully completed all necessary clearances to work with children.

Our robust recruitment processes include thorough reference checks for all staff before appointments. Additionally, all leaders involved in recruitment must complete GEMS Safer Recruitment training, ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance. Adult volunteers at our school, including our GFPA and LAB members, have also undertaken the necessary safeguarding training and clearance checks.

Our Whole School Vice Principal, Ms Amanda Herron, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). She leads a dedicated team of Level 3-trained Deputy DSLs. This team works closely with the safeguarding team to investigate any concerns raised and to prioritise student welfare in every department. The GFS safeguarding team is further supported by the GEMS Central Safeguarding Team, which operates within the Education Department at the School Support Centre.

All staff at GEMS Founders School undertake comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection training. After completing this training, staff are awarded the GFS "I Care, I Listen" badge, which they wear proudly around the school. This badge helps students identify trusted adults they can approach with any safeguarding concerns.  Our trained school counsellors provide regular counselling sessions for students and frequently coordinate mental health workshops for both parents and students, fostering a culture of support and well-being.

A Proactive Approach to Safeguarding

At GEMS Founders School, we are proactive in raising awareness of safeguarding themes throughout the school community. Safeguarding is embedded across the curriculum and celebrated through event days designed to educate and engage students on key topics. These events foster a shared understanding of safety and well-being. To further support our parents, we host half-termly parent information sessions to provide detailed insights into important safeguarding themes. These sessions are designed to equip parents with valuable knowledge and strategies to help keep their children safe, both in and out of school. In addition, we provide a monthly safeguarding spotlight, which focuses on relevant safeguarding themes and keeps the community informed about ongoing initiatives and events. This spotlight helps ensure parents are equipped with the knowledge and resources to contribute to creating a secure environment for their children. By working together as a community, we strengthen our commitment to safeguarding and build a foundation of trust, safety, and awareness for all.

Commitment to Children’s Rights

GEMS Founders School, Dubai, is fully committed to promoting children’s rights, particularly their right to be protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation. We strive to instil an understanding of rights and responsibilities in our students, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the UAE is a signatory.

We encourage you to review our safeguarding policies and reach out to the school if you have any questions or concerns.