GEMS Metropole School Motor City

GEMS Metropole School is located on Honsho Road, Uptown Motor City, Dubai. It sits in the Motor City community and serves children from age 3 to 18 under the UK National Curriculum. The campus supports walking and cycling with a secure bike rack at the front and offers a bus service operated by STS.

The school provides a through UK curriculum from Foundation Stage to Year 13. The Infant School runs FS1 to Year 2 (ages 3–7), the Junior School covers Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7–11), the Prep School covers Years 7 to 9 (ages 11–14), and the Senior School covers Years 10 to 13 (ages 14–18).

The school is co-educational (mixed gender) and privately run. It follows the British Curriculum and operates as a through school serving students from 3 to 18.

KHDA's 2023-24 inspection records show 3,874 students on roll and 39 Emirati students (local). The largest nationality group among students is Arabic. The school presents a highly diverse student body, with public materials indicating representation of over 100 nationalities in total; Emirati students account for about 1% of the roll (39 of 3,874).

Inclusion and learning support are provided through Unity (FS–Year 2), Harmony (Year 3–6) and Discovery Entry (Year 7–9); Discovery Engaged (Year 10+) assists higher-level pathways. The Inclusion Team oversees assessments and personalised learning options, and the GEMS Links Programme provides access to Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy within the school, at additional cost. 1:1 Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) can be arranged as needed, with exam access arrangements (EAA) supported as appropriate.

The school follows the United Kingdom National Curriculum (UK NCfE).

There is no formal religious affiliation. Islamic Studies is provided for Muslim students under the UAE MOE curriculum.

The standard school day runs from 7:30 to 16:00, Sunday to Thursday. The timetable includes breaks and a lunch period; primary and secondary schedules align with a UK-style school day.

Bus transport is provided by STS Group. The bus fleet uses CCTV, GPS tracking and RFID for safety, and is overseen by a dedicated School Service Delivery Executive. Registration and route details are arranged through the school's transport team.

The school follows the National Curriculum for England with English as the language of instruction for students aged 3 to 18. The campus is organised into four phases: Infant School (FS1–Y2), Junior School (Y3–Y6), Prep School (Y7–Y9), and Senior School (Y10–Y13). The curriculum is broad and progressively builds skills, knowledge and conceptual understanding, with High Performance Learning embedded and a fully inclusive approach to access for all learners. Post-16 qualifications include iGCSEs and A-Levels, and the school operates as an examination centre for British examinations. The full curriculum includes Arabic, Islamic Studies, Moral, Social and Cultural Studies, and Values in Action, with Modern Foreign Language options (French or Spanish) in some year groups, alongside Computing, Art & Design, Design Technology, Performing Arts, Physical Education, and Eco/Forest School initiatives.

GEMS Metropole School, Motor City supports social and emotional learning through a PERMAH-based wellbeing model, a dedicated wellbeing curriculum, assemblies, leadership opportunities (including student leadership and the Metropole Mustangs), happiness rooms, and the School Farm to promote emotional and social wellbeing across the campus.

All GEMS Metropole schools are 100% inclusive, and the GEMS Link Programme provides on-site DHA-licensed speech and language therapists and occupational therapists to support students with SEN, with Metropole included in the initial rollout.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided by EAL specialists; students undergo individualized language assessments to form ILPs, an Intensive English Program supports those with very limited English, and progression to a Developed Program is tracked with termly progress updates.

Mental health and wellbeing are prioritized through a PERMAH-based framework, a wellbeing curriculum, assemblies, leadership opportunities, Forest School, and the School Farm as part of the school's Four School Model.

Safeguarding is led by a designated safeguarding lead for both primary and secondary with two deputy DSLs; all senior leadership have completed safer recruitment training, and safeguarding policy aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Step 1. The school has an open admissions policy. It does not admit students solely on academic ability. All applications are analysed prior to confirming availability to ensure balance and suitability for the programmes offered. (Source evidence: Admissions overview and policy on the school site.)

Step 2. To apply, you must complete an enquiry (online application). The first part of the application requires the parent/guardian's name, relationship to the applicant, a valid email address (for the enquiry reference), a contact number, the applicant's name, date of birth, and the year level being applied for. Siblings may be included in the application, and there is an option to “Save and Continue Later.”

Step 3. After submitting the enquiry, you will receive an enquiry reference number by email. You then return to the enquiry page to complete the admission application. The system allows you to save and continue later during the process.

Step 4. Once the enquiry is completed and the registration fees are paid, you will receive another email with a link to upload the required documents. The documents include copies of Emirates ID cards for the child and both parents, copies of passports, the child's residency visa page, two passport-sized photos (one child, one parent for the yellow lanyard), copies of the child's last school reports (in English) for Year 1 and above, and the immunization card with medical report. For Year 2–Year 13, a Transfer Certificate or Leaving Certificate from the previous school is mandatory to complete enrolment.

Step 5. KHDA registration requirements apply. A Transfer Certificate is required to complete enrolment for students moving from other schools. The school emphasises KHDA guidelines and the transfer process.

Step 6. Assessment tests are used to place students appropriately. Foundation Stage applicants undergo a play-based assessment evaluating emotional, social, and communication skills. Year 1 and Year 2 applicants have a one-to-one assessment with a trained staff member. For entry into Year 3 and above, CAT4 assessment tests help determine the best class placement.

Step 7. For more information, you can contact the school by phone at +971 4 550 7200. The school indicates it is accepting applications for the 2025/2026 school year and offers a Virtual Admissions Centre and school tours as part of the process.

The school offers scholarships to recognise excellence and potential. Recipients are required to show strong and ongoing contribution to the life of the school, to work hard, and to set a good example. Scholarships are awarded for a single academic year and may be renewed annually; in some cases, performance may be recognised without an application.

Types of scholarships include: Academic and vocational achievement (Senior School); Sports (Prep School); Quran recitation; Arabic writing; Leadership; Student voice; and Innovation EXPO (Junior and Prep Schools).

Academic scholarships require Senior School enrollment, current enrollment at the school, CAT4 in the top 5%, active enrichment (e.g., Duke of Edinburgh, IPQ or equivalent), top 10% external results or predicted top 10%, consistent contribution to learning, relevant academic accreditation or awards, representation of the school in at least two subjects, leadership contributions, and no other current scholarships from other organisations. Applications must meet most criteria to be considered.

Sports scholarships are awarded to a number of students for core Mustang Sports, worth 5,000 AED each. Criteria include active representation of a Mustang Squad, participation in fixtures/training, Year 6–9 active school status, exemplary behavior and attendance, potential representation outside school, and leadership embodiment of Mustang qualities. Applications open in January and close in April; submissions require a short video and an electronic application form.

Scholarship applications for Quran, Arabic writing, Leadership, Student Voice, Performing Arts, and Innovation follow specific criteria described on the scholarships page; applications require a completed Scholarship Application Form, copies of the last two years' reports, supporting documentation, and confirmation that the student does not hold another UAE or external scholarship. Submissions should be sent to the Vice Principal Academics, Edward Staton, at the address provided on the scholarship page.