GEMS Metropole School Al Waha

GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha is located in the Al Waha district of Dubailand, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits within a residential community and is convenient for families living in nearby areas such as Al Waha, Serena Casa Dora, Sustainable City, Arabian Ranches, Arabian Ranches 2, Rukan, Cherrywoods, Town Square and Mira. For arrival by car, drop-off is outside the school site, and a bus service arranged via STS is available for transport to and from the campus.

The school is organised into four stages: Forest School (Foundation Stage 1 to Year 2) in the infant/early years; Values School (Year 3–6) in primary; Active School (Year 7–9) in the prep phase; and Future School (Year 10–13) for senior studies.

The school is co-educational (mixed gender).

The school represents a highly diverse student body with over 85 nationalities represented and around 1,600 learners in total. About 10% of learners receive English Language support, and 22% of students are on the Inclusion Register.

Inclusion and SEN provisions are a core part of the school's approach. The school emphasises inclusive education aligned with UAE MOE and KHDA guidelines, with a focus on students of determination and an inclusive, whole‑school approach. About 10% of learners receive English language support, and 22% of students on roll are on the Inclusion Register.

United Arab Emirates. The school is located in Dubai, UAE.

There is no formal religious affiliation; the curriculum includes Arabic and Islamic studies as appropriate within the UAE MOE/KHDA framework. Arabic is taught for native and non‑native speakers, and Islamic Studies are mandatory for Muslim students.

School timings follow a 4.5‑day week. FS1 sessions run Monday to Thursday with first classes at 8:00 and finish at 1:00 pm; FS2 to Year 2 finish at 2:45 pm; Year 3 to Year 10 finish at 3:00 pm. Friday timings are different, with sessions starting around 8:00 am and finishing earlier (11:30 am for FS1).

A bus service is provided via STS. Details are available through the school's bus service information as part of transport arrangements.

GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha follows the National Curriculum for England (NCfE) and delivers education from FS1 through Year 10, organized into Forest School (FS1–Year 2), Junior School (Year 3–6), Active School (Year 7–9), and Future School (Year 10–13). The English-medium curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, creativity and career success, with High-Performance Learning skills (Meta-thinking, Linking, Analysing, Creating, Realising) and High-Performance Behaviours (Empathy, Agilty, Hard work). Arabic and Islamic Studies are available for native and non-native speakers, and inclusion practices are embedded across the school. In Years 7–9, learners follow a broad NCfE-core framework within the Active School phase, with opportunities to engage in creativity-focused programmes. In Years 10–13, GCSEs are offered alongside BTEC pathways via a dedicated BTEC department; a GCSE Curriculum Booklet and a BTEC Handbook outline the qualifications and routes.

SEL is supported through a robust pastoral care system and student leadership opportunities, with wellbeing programmes delivered via the Wellbeing Hive and Forest School; values such as curiosity, confidence, creativity, respect, and kindness are embedded across the school.

SEN provision is led by an Inclusion Support Team that provides individualized assessments and IEPs, with access to external therapies such as Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and ABA.

English as an Additional Language support includes tailored lessons for English Language Learners (ELL), dedicated ELL staff delivering targeted interventions, and termly progress reporting; there is also parent language support through language representatives.

Mental wellbeing is supported by mental health and wellbeing initiatives, including mental health workshops, leadership opportunities, a robust pastoral care system, and the Wellbeing Hive; staff wellbeing is guided by a Wellbeing Committee.

Safeguarding is overseen by a Designated Safeguarding Lead for both Primary and Secondary, with two deputy DSLs; all Senior Leadership Team members have completed GEMS safer recruitment training, and external agencies may be consulted when needed in line with safeguarding policies and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Step 1. Begin your enquiry by filling in the online form. Admissions for AY 2026/27 are open, and seats are limited for AY 2025/26. You may include siblings in the application. The enquiry starts the formal admission process.
Step 2. The first part of the application requires the following information: Parent/Guardian's name, relationship to the applicant, a valid email address, a contact number, the applicant's name, date of birth, and the year level being applied for. You may save the form and continue later if needed.
Step 3. Submit the above information to create the enquiry record. The system will generate an enquiry reference number and you may return to complete it when ready.
Step 4. An enquiry is created at this point. You may complete it immediately or resume it later using the reference you received.
Step 5. Check the inbox of the provided email address to find the enquiry reference number. Keep the reference number safe for your records.
Step 6. Return to the enquiry page and complete your admission application. You may include siblings in the same enquiry and you can use the "Save and Continue Later" option as you work.
Step 7. After completing the entire enquiry and paying the registration fees, you will receive an email with a link to upload the required documents. The application fee is 525 Dhs (including VAT). The application fee is refundable if the school does not offer a place and non-refundable if a place is offered but you do not take it. The registration deposit is 10% of the total tuition fees and is deductible from the annual tuition. The re-registration deposit is 5% of the total tuition fees and is non-refundable.
Step 8. Upload the documents through the provided link. Required documents include Emirates ID copies for the child and both parents, copies of the child's and parents' passports, residency visa pages, one recent passport photo of the child, one recent passport photo of the parents, the child's last school reports (for Year 1 and above, in English), and the child's immunisation card and medical report. A KHDA Transfer Certificate or Leaving Certificate from the previous school is mandatory to complete enrolment for Year 2 and above.
Step 9. Assessment tests are conducted as part of the admissions process. Foundation Stage entry uses a play-based assessment that screens emotional, social, and communication skills. Year 1 and Year 2 entrants sit written English and Mathematics tests. Year 3 and above applicants take CAT4 assessments to evaluate broader abilities.
Step 10. Final placing depends on availability and the assessment results. The school follows its open admission policy and reviews applications to ensure a good fit with the programme. If a place is offered and accepted, the next steps proceed according to the offered year level.