GEMS World Academy - Dubai
About
Inspection Rating
Very Good-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, Arabic, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, Turkish, Italian, Korean
Phone
Address
Off Al Khail Road, Al Barsha South, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
16 ProgrammesNursery
1 year / pre_school
Reggio-inspired early years programme for ages 2-3, nurturing curiosity and social development through play-based learning with an IB pathway.
Pre-KG
1 year / pre_school
PYP Early Years programme introducing inquiry-based learning and foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
KG1
1 year / pre_school
PYP Early Years with structured inquiry units, developing independence and early academic skills.
KG2
1 year / pre_school
PYP Early Years preparing students for the transition to primary with stronger academic focus.
Grade 1
1 year / primary
PYP primary year focusing on transdisciplinary inquiry and core academic skills.
Grade 2
1 year / primary
PYP primary year with deepening inquiry and collaborative learning experiences.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Early Years | Ages 2-3 | 42,271 | - |
| Pre-KG | PYP | Ages 3-4 | 71,113 | - |
| KG1 | PYP | Ages 4-5 | 71,113 | - |
| KG2 | PYP | Ages 5-6 | 88,960 | - |
| Grade 1 | PYP | Ages 6-7 | 88,960 | - |
| Grade 2 | PYP | Ages 7-8 | 88,960 | - |
| Grade 3 | PYP | Ages 8-9 | 88,960 | - |
| Grade 4 | PYP | Ages 9-10 | 88,960 | - |
| Grade 5 | PYP | Ages 10-11 | 102,378 | - |
| Grade 6 | MYP | Ages 11-12 | 102,378 | - |
| Grade 7 | MYP | Ages 12-13 | 102,378 | - |
| Grade 8 | MYP | Ages 13-14 | 102,378 | - |
| Grade 9 | MYP | Ages 14-15 | 112,709 | - |
| Grade 10 | MYP | Ages 15-16 | 112,709 | - |
| Grade 11 | DP/CP | Ages 16-17 | 123,442 | - |
| Grade 12 | DP/CP | Ages 17-18 | 123,442 | - |
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KHDA Rating
2023–2024| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | GoodGood |
| Progress over time | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | GoodGood |
| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | Accept.Acceptable |
Source: Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) — March 2024
Curriculum
Reggio-inspired early years programme with an IB pathway. Learning through play, exploration, and sensory experiences in a nurturing environment designed for the youngest learners.
Teaching Approach
Reggio-inspired play-based learning with strong emphasis on inquiry, creativity, and social development. Small group sizes with dedicated early years specialists.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
IB Primary Years Programme Early Years phase. Inquiry-based learning through six transdisciplinary themes, developing foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills in a structured yet playful environment.
Teaching Approach
Inquiry-based learning through the PYP transdisciplinary framework. Specialist carousel teachers for Arabic, Music, Art, PE, and Swimming. Gradual transition toward more structured inquiry.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Full IB Primary Years Programme with six transdisciplinary themes explored through structured units of inquiry. Students develop the IB Learner Profile attributes and culminate in the PYP Exhibition in Grade 5.
Teaching Approach
Transdisciplinary inquiry-based learning through six PYP themes. Student agency and voice central to the learning process. Grade 5 PYP Exhibition as capstone project.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Facilities
Expansive 42,000-square-metre campus in Al Barsha South with two sites: the original Junior School (opened 2008) and a new purpose-built Senior School (opened 2024) for Grades 9-12 located minutes away. The campus features world-class facilities for science, technology, sports, performing arts, and entrepreneurship.
Academic
Science Laboratories
Specialist science labs for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology across both Junior and Senior School campuses.
Innovation Labs
Technology and innovation labs supporting design, robotics, and STEAM learning across all grade levels.
3D Planetarium
State-of-the-art 3D planetarium for immersive science and astronomy education.
Library
Extensive library collections across both campuses supporting research and independent learning.
Art Rooms & Studios
Dedicated art rooms and studios for visual arts, design, and creative expression.
Music Practice Rooms
Acoustically designed music rooms and practice spaces for individual and ensemble work.
Green-Screen Room & Recording Studio
Professional media production facilities including green-screen room and recording studio for film and media studies.
Language Hub
Dedicated language centre delivering 16 mother-tongue language programmes taught by native speakers.
Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Specialist centre for entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact projects.
Sports & Recreation
Olympic-sized Swimming Pool
Full Olympic-sized swimming pool for competitive swimming, water polo, and PE lessons.
Training Pool
Separate training pool for younger students and swimming instruction.
400m Athletics Track
Full 400-metre athletics track for track and field events and PE.
Four-Court Sports Hall & Gymnasium
Multi-purpose indoor sports hall with four courts and full gymnasium facilities.
Tennis & Squash Courts
Outdoor tennis courts and indoor squash courts for racket sports.
Fitness Studio
Dedicated fitness studio and centre for health and physical development.
Athletic Climbing Wall
Indoor climbing wall for physical education and adventure sports.
Performance & Events
620-Seat Auditorium
Grand auditorium with 620 seats for school performances, concerts, assemblies, and guest speakers.
Black Box Theatre
Flexible black box theatre space for drama productions and performing arts.
Sustainability Centre
Dedicated sustainability centre supporting environmental education and eco-school initiatives.
Campus
New Senior School Campus
Purpose-built Senior School opened in 2024 for Grades 9-12, featuring globally benchmarked facilities minutes from the Junior School.
Transport
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
Diverse international teaching staff from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa with over 900 years of combined IB experience.
Senior Leadership
Heath Monk
CEO/Principal
Joined from The British School in the Netherlands. Previously Executive Director of Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham and former Deputy Schools Commissioner at the UK Department for Education.
Robert Jennings
Secondary Principal
Over 20 years of international education experience in Dubai with extensive MYP and IBDP background. Holds a BSc in Biochemistry, PGCE, and MBA.
Peter Bonner
Primary Principal
Joined GWA in 2017, progressing through roles as Form Tutor, Grade Leader, PYP Coordinator, and Primary Assistant Principal. Holds multiple Master's degrees in Education.
Karen Nyborg
Assistant Principal - Secondary (Curriculum, Progress & Assessment)
Joined in 2020 with experience across IB, US Common Core, and Canadian curricula in the UAE, China, South Korea, and Canada.
Kendra Cantrell
Assistant Principal - Primary (Curriculum, Progress & Assessment)
Rejoined GWA in August 2023 with 16 years of primary experience. Previously taught at GWA (2012-2017) and GEMS World Academy Chicago.
Robin Montgomery
Assistant Principal - Primary (Personal Development, Welfare & Behaviour)
Joined in 2021 from King's College School Chengdu. Previously Head of Year and Assistant Headteacher in UK schools.
Gareth Morgan
Assistant Principal - Secondary (Teaching & Learning)
25 years of education experience including 9 years of senior leadership in Hong Kong and Egypt. Skilled CIS Evaluation Team Lead.
Lee O'Leary
Assistant Principal - Personal Development & Wellbeing (Grades 9-12)
Over 20 years of international IB education experience. Coaches international leaders through the NPQSL programme.
Aoife Sheahan
Assistant Principal - Personal Development & Wellbeing (Grades 6-8)
16 years of international teaching experience across the UAE with 8 years of pastoral leadership background.