GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi
GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi
GEMS Cambridge International School Abu Dhabi (CIA) is a private, co-educational British school at Bawabat Al Sharq in Baniyas East, part of GEMS Education. It opened in September 2013 and teaches the National Curriculum for England from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to Year 13 (ages 3-18), leading to GCSE and International GCSE and then AS, A Level and International A Level, with Pearson Edexcel, Cambridge International, AQA and Oxford AQA as its examination boards. ADEK's February 2025 inspection rated the school Very Good, the rating it also held in 2021/22, with Outstanding judgements for personal development, curriculum, the protection and care of students, and leadership and management. It has 3,675 students, 198 teachers and 33 teaching assistants, with Indian, Emirati and Pakistani the largest national groups. Fees run from AED 23,060 to AED 40,340, and the ADEK report describes the school as "uniquely inclusive and exceptionally cost-effective". The campus includes nine science laboratories, seven ICT suites, a 25-metre swimming pool with a learner pool, a full-size Astroturf pitch, cricket nets, a radio station studio and a Sixth Form centre. The Principal and Chief Executive Officer is Stephen McKernan.
Fees for 2026/2027, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
Tuition for 2025-2026 as approved by ADEK (letter REF0004698, 28 February 2025), reflecting an approved 2.63% increase. The school charges the full approved rate at every year group. Textbook fees are included in the tuition fee; uniform and transport are charged separately.
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ADEK 2024–2025 inspection
The Early Years Foundation Stage for children aged three to five, working towards seventeen Early Learning Goals across seven areas of learning through a thematic, text-rich topic approach, with daily outdoor provision. Read Write Inc. is used for phonics and White Rose Maths for mathematics. Arabic is mandatory from FS1 and Islamic Studies from FS2 for Muslim students, per the school's KG Ministry of Education subjects policy.
Key Stages 1 and 2 following the National Curriculum for England. Core subjects are Arabic, Islamic Studies (for Muslim students), Social Studies, English, mathematics, science and computing, supplemented by Topic, art, music, moral education, PE and PSHE. Full-time teaching assistants support Years 1 and 2, and weekly specialist music lessons run through Key Stage 2.
Key Stage 3 following the National Curriculum for England across English, English literature, mathematics, humanities, sciences, computer sciences, a selection of second languages, art and design, PE and PSHE, supported by nine science laboratories and seven ICT suites.
The IGCSE curriculum, with Arabic, Islamic Studies, English, mathematics and PE compulsory and a wide option list. The school's 2025-26 examinations entry booklet shows entries with Cambridge (English First and Second Language, English Literature, Computer Science, Business Studies, Economics, Art), Pearson Edexcel (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, ICT, geography, history, music, French) and AQA (psychology).
AS, A Level and International A Level in the school's Sixth Form centre. The 2025-26 examinations entry booklet shows International A Level entries with Edexcel in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, business studies, English literature, geography and history; Oxford AQA psychology; AQA politics and physical education; and Cambridge computer science, information technology and art and design.
Nine fully equipped science laboratories.
Seven computer (ICT) suites, with further computer access in the libraries and wireless networking throughout the campus.
Well-resourced libraries with computer access.
Three well-stocked art studios.
Choral and ensemble rooms for music teaching and performance.
Design-technology and media suites.
An on-site radio station studio.
A Sixth Form centre providing separate post-16 provision.
Principal & Chief Executive Officer
Stephen McKernan BA(Hons) PQH (NI) M Ed NPQEL. He describes CIA as a dynamic all-through school serving students from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13, guided by the values of curiosity, integrity, innovation and resilience.
Vice Principal
Head of Secondary
Head of Primary
Head of Inclusion
Head of Ministry of Education Subjects (Acting)
Deputy Head of Secondary
Deputy Head of Primary
Deputy Head of Inclusion
Director of Sixth Form
Director of Upper Key Stage Two
Director of Lower Key Stage Two
Director of Key Stage 4
Director of Key Stage 3 Academic
Director of Key Stage 3 Pastoral
Director of Key Stage One
Director of Key Stage 3 Pastoral
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Bawabat Al Sharq, Baniyas (Baniyas East), PO Box 56825, Abu Dhabi, UAE
