GEMS Founders School Dubai

GEMS Founders School operates across two Dubai campuses: Al Barsha South on Umm Suqeim Street and Dubai South beside Expo Road near Expo City Dubai. The Al Barsha South campus is the long‑standing site that offers the full through‑school programme from Foundation Stage to Year 13. The Dubai South campus opened in August 2024 to serve FS1 to Year 9 and is located in the Dubai South district, close to Expo City Dubai.

Al Barsha South campus: FS1 to Year 13. Dubai South campus: FS1 to Year 9 (with plans to extend to Year 13 in coming years).

Co‑educational day school. The group does not operate boarding facilities for GEMS Founders School Dubai.

GEMS Founders School is an inclusive school with a dedicated Inclusion team. It supports students of determination (SEN), English Language Learners, and Gifted & Talented learners. The school offers additional support services such as Speech-Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy through the GEMS LINK Programme.

UK‑affiliated through the National Curriculum for England; British School Overseas (BSO) accreditation and COBIS recognition.

No formal religious affiliation. Islamic Studies are offered as a subject at the Dubai South campus, and there are dedicated classrooms for language and Islamic studies.

Foundation Stage: doors open at 07:10, school starts at 07:40 and finishes at 12:50 (Mon–Thu) or 11:20 (Fri). Primary (KS1–KS2): doors open at 07:20, lessons run from 07:40 to around 14:20, with breaks scheduled. Secondary starts with gates open at 07:00 and lessons from 07:40 to 14:20. Fridays typically end earlier for some year groups.

Bus transport is available through the school's transport partner. To apply, complete the required student registration and parent consent forms for the bus, submit them to the on‑site Service Delivery Executive, and pay bus fees online. A transport rate list is available for route details.

The school follows the National Curriculum for England from FS1 through Year 13. It is an international UK curriculum school located in Al Barsha South, Dubai. The school offers iGCSE and A Level qualifications for the senior years. It is highly accredited by the UK Department of Education as a British School Overseas (BSO) and internationally recognised by the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). It is a High Performance Learning (HPL) school and achieved iFoundation status in 2021, with ongoing progression toward HPL World Class Accreditation. The school serves students from over 100 nationalities.

Not disclosed

The school reports strong results in iGCSEs and A Levels, reflecting the effectiveness of the curriculum and preparation for higher education.

Graduates progress to higher education at universities around the world, supported by the iGCSE and A Level qualifications.

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GEMS Founders School – Dubai supports students' social and emotional development through a data‑driven school counselling program and a wellbeing‑focused community. Wellbeing is defined as students and adults feeling at ease, open to the world, and in touch with their feelings. Professionally trained school counsellors provide regular sessions to support academic and social‑emotional growth, with universal services, targeted groups, and referrals when needed. The counselling program is preventive and developmental in design and aligns with KHDA guidelines, focusing on resilience, social‑emotional learning, and safeguarding. The counselling team includes Lead Counselor Ms. Sabina Livingbel, Secondary Counselor Ms. Stepheni Nathania Juriansz, and Primary/Secondary Counselor Mr. Visal Venu Kurumpolil, with access to parent workshops and wellbeing initiatives.

The school has a dedicated Inclusion Team comprising ten specialist teachers, two British‑qualified SEN Coordinators, and over thirty learning support assistants. The school supports a range of learning needs, including Students of determination (SEN and disabilities), Gifted and talented students, and English Language Learners. Speech‑and‑Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy are available via the GEMS LINK Service. Student Support provision is highly personalized and moves with students through key stages, with early identification and development of communication skills, small‑group maths and English in Flourish classes, and pull‑out interventions focusing on social skills and literacy or numeracy. The school provides inclusive education within a mainstream setting, designed to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers.

English Language Learners are explicitly recognised as a supported group within the inclusive education framework. Speech‑and‑Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy are available through the GEMS LINK Service to assist language and communication needs. Admissions information requests details of any special educational needs before place allocation to tailor appropriate plans. Admissions policies note that admission is not conditional on a formal medical diagnosis, with effective transition processes in place for all children. Support for EAL is integrated within the school's inclusive approach rather than a separate programme.

Wellbeing and belonging are central to school life, with wellbeing defined as feeling at ease, confident, and in touch with emotions. The counselling program supports positive mental health and aims to develop students' social, emotional, personal, and academic growth. Counselling services include universal, group, and individual sessions, with planned session structures and potential referrals for higher‑need cases. Counselling also supports safeguarding and human rights awareness as part of a holistic approach to student welfare. Parent workshops and broader wellbeing initiatives are part of the school's wellbeing offering.

GEMS Founders School Dubai adheres to high safeguarding standards as a COBIS member. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is the Whole School Vice Principal, supported by Level 3 Deputy DSLs and the GEMS Central Safeguarding Team. All staff receive safeguarding and child protection training and follow national and GEMS policies, including the Ministry of Education Codes of Conduct. Safeguarding and wellbeing are embedded in the curriculum and school culture, with events on online safety, anti‑bullying, and children's rights, plus monthly safeguarding newsletters and parent information sessions. If there is a safeguarding concern, staff should contact the DSL or a Deputy DSL immediately; safeguarding documents such as the GEMS Safeguarding Policy 2025‑2026 are publicly available.

Admissions are online; start with ENROL ONLINE to submit the online Student Enquiry & Registration and receive an online reference number and next steps. The school teaches in English and follows the British Curriculum for ages 3 to 18 (FS1 to Year 13), and it is inclusive, supporting a range of learning needs including SEND and English Language Learners with adjustments as required. A 525 AED application fee (including VAT) applies; it is refundable if no place is offered, non-refundable if a place is offered but not taken, and not deductible from tuition. The process proceeds through Registration (10% deposit due on enrollment), Assessment (FS1/FS2 observation; Year 1–Year 13 assessments), and Enrolment (offers issued; tuition payable in three terms); if a seat is not available, the application is placed on a waitlist until a seat becomes available; if you withdraw from the waiting list, the 500 AED plus VAT application fee can be refunded.

iFlourish Scholarships are available to students in Years 10–13 in recognition of outstanding achievement. The 2025–26 program is open, with an application form and deadline (12:00pm on Monday 2 February) shared on the Scholarships page and applications emailed to the provided address. Award categories include High Performance Learning Academic Excellence, The Foley Award for Outstanding Contribution to the School Community and Wellbeing, The Florenza Spinola Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Creative Arts, and Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and/or Sustainability.

Seats are allocated subject to availability; if no seat is available after assessment, the child is placed on a waitlist until a seat becomes available. If withdrawing from the waiting list, the application fee (500 AED plus VAT) can be refunded.