GEMS Founders School - Dubai South
GEMS Founders School - Dubai South
GEMS Founders School - Dubai South (GFD) is a co-educational British curriculum school in the Dubai South Residential District, opened in August 2024 as the newest school in the GEMS Founders family. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and the National Curriculum for England alongside the subjects required by the UAE Ministry of Education, and currently runs from FS1 to Year 10 as it rolls up year by year; its first cohort sits international GCSE, A Level and BTEC examinations in summer 2028. At its first British Schools Overseas inspection, on 19 to 21 May 2025, the school had 685 pupils from 62 nationalities and was judged Outstanding for the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils, for welfare, health and safety, for premises and accommodation, and for the information it provides to parents, with the quality of education and leadership and management both judged Good. Inspectors highlighted the exceptional progress of pupils with SEND, who make up 9.3 per cent of the roll, and the inspirational design of the premises. The purpose-built 250,000 square-foot campus carries a 25-metre competition-standard swimming pool, multi-purpose sports halls, a football pitch, tennis courts, STEAM and ICT labs, a food technology lab, art, music and drama rooms and a library, with an Innovation Hub to follow. The school runs a specialist pathway in aviation, aerospace and logistics reflecting its location in Dubai South.
Fees for 2026/2027, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
The fees shown are what every family pays: KHDA's approved tuition less a 10% discount that both KHDA and the school apply to all pupils, which is why the approved column is higher. That discount was 15% in 2025/26, so although the approved fee has not risen, the amount actually billed is up 5.88% on last year. Billed in three terms at 40%, 30% and 30%. Enrolment is up to 10% of tuition for new pupils and up to 5% to re-enrol, both deductible. The school currently teaches to Year 10 and is adding year groups towards Year 13.
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The Early Years Foundation Stage framework across seven areas of learning. The BSO inspection judged the early years accommodation to match a high standard of UK provision, with classrooms opening onto shaded outdoor areas for free flow in the cooler months.
The National Curriculum for England alongside the subjects mandated by the UAE Ministry of Education.
The National Curriculum for England with a broadening subject range, alongside UAE Ministry of Education requirements.
Subject-specialist teaching across the National Curriculum for England, preparing students for Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4 began with Year 10 in August 2026 as the school rolls up. Year 11 follows, and the first cohort sits international GCSE, A Level and BTEC examinations in summer 2028.
Classrooms designed for creativity and collaboration with modern amenities. BSO found corridors, communal areas and classrooms spacious, with extensive glass screens creating visible communal working areas.
State-of-the-art laboratories for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Well-equipped specialist science laboratories.
Computing labs supporting coding, robotics, cybersecurity and digital innovation.
A fully equipped food technology laboratory.
Dedicated art and music spaces for curriculum lessons and co-curricular activities.
Specialist drama rooms, noted as well equipped in the BSO inspection.
Dedicated classrooms for language learning and Islamic studies.
School Principal/CEO
Head of Secondary
Head of Primary
Deputy Head of Primary
Manager – School Operations
Head of Inclusion
Head of Early Years Foundation Stage
Head of Key Stage 1
Head of Key Stage 2
Head of Key Stage 3
Founders Development Leader
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Dubai South Residential District, Dubai South, Dubai, UAE
