Al Ghaf Private School
Also known as: Ghaf Private School, GPS Dubai
Al Ghaf Private School is a private British curriculum school in Jebel Ali, Dubai, for boys and girls from FS1 to Year 8. KHDA rated the school Acceptable in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 35,000 to AED 51,000 a year, depending on the year group.
Sources: KHDA inspection report 2023–24, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.
- rating
- Acceptable: level 3 of 6 on KHDA’s scale, from Very weak to OutstandingKHDA 2023–24, p. 6What Acceptable means
- fee
- AED 35,000 – 51,000a year, FS1 to Year 8, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
- whole
- Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
- students
- 55 students2024–25, KHDA school directory
The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Fees at this school, 2026–27
AED 35,000 – 51,000a year, FS1 to Year 8, 2026–27
Not included: transport, uniform, books, trips, sibling discounts.
KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.
Overview
Admissions
- Places
- KHDA does not publish how many places are free at a school or its waiting list. Ask the school directly, and early.
- Year groups
- FS1 to Year 8Which year group for your child? → September 2027 intake →
- Age on entry
- Counted on 31 December of the year of entry, for a child registering in a UAE school for the first time from 2026–27 (31 August before that).Source UAE Ministry of Education, 17 December 2025
- Apply
- ghafschool.com+971 4 852 2295info@ghafschool.comTelephone and e-mail as KHDA's school directory lists them, checked 18 September 2026. How admission works across Dubai →
- Fees on entry
- «New Students — Application Fees : AED 500 (Assessment fees included)»«New Students — Enrolment Fees : Up to 10% of the tuition fees non refundable & deductible from the 1st term fees»Source KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27, FS1
- Inspections
- This school's latest full inspection report is 2023–24. KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not. Ratings and reports →Source KHDA, 3 June 2026
The school
- Curriculum
- British
- Year groups
- FS1–Year 8
- Gender
- Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2020
- Name registered with KHDA
- Al Ghaf Private School L.L.C
- Extra-curricular activities
- Named in the 2023–24 report: see What the school offers
- Principal
- Dominic Michael Vipond
- Website
- ghafschool.com
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
KHDA in brief
KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only
Students’ achievement
Children make a good start in FS because their teachers are doing a thorough job. Children are doing well with their reading and writing because they have been taught letters and sounds really well. They learn and practise their numbers regularly and enjoy investigations in science. Students in primary are now doing better in mathematics and science than they were, but they need more help to do better in Arabic and Islamic education, and in English to develop their reading and writing.
Personal and social development
Students are happy at this school. Their attendance is outstanding. They understand Islamic values such as giving, honesty, and respecting their elders. Students behave well. They follow the school rules and are kind to each other. They know that it is important to eat well, keep fit and look after themselves and the world they live in. They work hard and enjoy taking on responsibilities such as becoming a student ambassador.
Teaching, curriculum and care
Teaching has improved since the previous inspection. In the Foundation Stage (FS), lessons are carefully planned to give children a good start. In primary, teachers plan carefully, but sometimes in lessons they do not change their teaching approach to make certain that everyone is keeping up. Some staff have not been trained in helping students to read. Teachers do not use assessment information as well as they could to make sure they are matching work to students' abilities.
Wellbeing
Teachers and students get along well together. Teachers care about students' feelings and students believe that teachers have created a positive atmosphere at school. Students are developing a growing understanding about their own and other people's wellbeing. The school puts on clubs and events after school so that students may enjoying following their interests beyond the school day. Students know which adults can help them when they are worried or upset.
Inclusion
Senior leaders are committed to improving inclusion. The school quickly identifies students who need extra support with learning, or those students who are learning English, but leaders and teachers are not yet as good as they could be at identifying students who are are ready for more difficult work. Parents of students who need extra support with learning meet their child's teacher regularly to talk about the progress their child is making and how they can help.
Leadership and management
The new principal has brought educational expertise, vison and direction to the school. She is honest in her evaluation of what still needs to be done. She has gathered a new senior team who share her view of the importance of getting things right for students, and has appointed new middle leaders who show promise in their new roles. Sensibly, the governors have invested wisely in qualified teachers to improve the school.
- Back to text, source A
Parent Report 2023–24
Summary only
Page 1
Checked 16 September 2026.
Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.
What parents told KHDA
The 2022–23 inspection report has no parents’ survey. Inspectors mention parents’ views: Source A: Full Inspection Report 2022–23
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2022–23
Page 9
Checked 16 September 2026.
Fees 2026–27
Al Ghaf Private School tuition for 2026–27 is AED 35,000 (FS1 and FS2) to AED 51,000 (Year 8) across 10 year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition is unchanged from 2025–26 in every year group.
Annual tuition by year group, Al Ghaf Private School, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26
| Year group | 2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27 | 2025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | ||
| FS1 | AED 35,000 | AED 35,000 |
| FS2 | AED 35,000 | AED 35,000 |
| Primary | ||
| Year 1 | AED 43,500 | AED 43,500 |
| Year 2 | AED 43,500 | AED 43,500 |
| Year 3 | AED 47,500 | AED 47,500 |
| Year 4 | AED 48,500 | AED 48,500 |
| Year 5 | AED 48,500 | AED 48,500 |
| Year 6 | AED 49,500 | AED 49,500 |
| Secondary | ||
| Year 7 | AED 49,500 | AED 49,500 |
| Year 8 | AED 51,000 | AED 51,000 |
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, note 1
The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.
- Back to text, source A
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition for 10 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 10 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, note 2
Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.
Al Ghaf Private School fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2022–23 and other charges.
What a year costs, FS1, 2026–27
Showing FS1. Choose another year group above to see its costs.
- Tuition
- AED 35,000
- KHDA's total for the year
- AED 35,000
Required, but not in KHDA's total: uniform, books and the like, bought from the school or elsewhere
- Uniform
- AED 600
- Laptop/Digital Device
- AED 1,350
A year, before optional servicesAED 36,950
Joining and re-enrolling
- Re-enrollment fees · Existing Students
- Up to 5% of the tuition fees or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees
- Application Fees · New Students
- AED 500 (Assessment fees included)
- Enrolment Fees · New Students
- Up to 10% of the tuition fees, non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees
The school requested not to increase the tuition fees for the academic year 2026–27. Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Ranges are shown as KHDA prints them, never as a single middle figure.
Inspection
Overall rating
Earlier reports
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
KHDA ratings
KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)
OverallOverall performance
Up from Weak Earlier: Weak in 1 report.
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
Up from Weak Earlier: Weak in 1 report.
LeadershipLeadership and management
Up from Weak Earlier: Weak in 1 report.
Checked 16 September 2026.
Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.
| Area | Foundation Stage | Primary |
|---|---|---|
| TeachingTeaching for effective learning | ||
| Assessment | ||
| CurriculumCurriculum design and implementation | ||
| Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptation | ||
| SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protection |
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
What the KHDA scale means
KHDA rates schools on six levels. Good is the level KHDA expects of every school; Acceptable is the minimum level it requires.
- «Quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE»23 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «Quality of performance meets the expectation of the UAE»«This is the expected level for every school in the UAE»85 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «Quality of performance meets the minimum level of quality required in the UAE»«This is the minimum level for every school in the UAE»52 schools in Dubai hold it now
- «Quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
- «Quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
Al Ghaf Private School was rated Acceptable in 2023–24, one of 52 schools at this level.
Reports before 2015–16 used four levels, not these six. 21 of Dubai's 228 open schools hold no six-level rating yet. Counted the way Market Statistics counts ratings, for the schools open today.
Source UAE School Inspection Framework 2015–16, p. 19 (KHDA)
History
2 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2022–23 to 2023–24.
History of Al Ghaf Private SchoolOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
- 2023–24Up from WeakNote 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2022–23First reportFull Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
- Opened in 2020–21. No reports before this year.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, note 1
Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.
Findings
8 findings in the last report: 4 strengths, 4 development points, 4 recurring across the last 2 reports.
Leadership and self-evaluation
Note 11 strength
Strength
The positive impact of school leaders on most aspects of the school’s performance.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3
Early years
1 strength
StrengthFS
The provision in FS which enables children to settle quickly into good routines and learning behaviours.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4
Personal development and wellbeing
1 strength
Strength
The positive behaviour and attitudes of students, which contribute to the school’s encouraging learning atmosphere.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5
Attendance and punctuality
1 strength
Strength
Students’ enthusiasm for school and their excellent attendance.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6
Attainment and progress
1 development point
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reportsNote 2
Further improve progress and raise attainment in all subjects, particularly in Islamic Education and Arabic.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8
Teaching
3 development points
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reports
Ensure that all teachers and teaching assistants are properly trained to teach reading and promote English language acquisition.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reports
Ensure that in all lessons teachers regularly check students’ learning to make certain that none are being left behind.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 2 reports
Make full use of assessment data to inform planning and ensure that learning activities are matched to students’ needs and abilities.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11
Findings from 1 of 2 reports
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
- Back to text, note 2
Recurring counts the school’s last 2 reports, 2022–23 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.
Leadership
- Principal at the 2023–24 inspection
- Janet Elizabeth Ipek Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Appointed 8 Oct 2024, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Location.
- Principals since 2022–23
- 2 changes of principal Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Juliet Elizabeth Coley-Irwin, 2022–23 → Janet Elizabeth Ipek, 2023–24 → Dominic Michael Vipond, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
Subjects
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | |
| Arabic | Not in this report | |
| English | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| Science |
Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)
Subjects over the years
KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.
Subjects over the years, Al Ghaf Private SchoolIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentPrimary | ||
| Islamic Education attainmentSecondary | Not in this report | |
| Islamic Education progressPrimary | ||
| Islamic Education progressSecondary | Not in this report |
International and benchmark tests
The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.
KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| B. International and Benchmark Achievement | Not applicable | |
| C. Leadership: International and Emirati Achievement | Not in this report | |
| D. Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | Not applicable | |
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not in this report |
A. Registration Requirements Met Fully
- On average, across English, mathematics and science, students sustained a weak judgement in benchmark assessments over the past two years.
Earlier reports
- 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is below expectations
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
Calendar 2026–27: term dates and holidays
31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days
- First midterm break
- 12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 days
- National Day
- 2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
- Winter break includes New year’s day
- 14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
- Eid al-Fitr
- 8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
- Spring break
- 5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
- Eid al-Adha
- 17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).
Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27
Fridays: every private school in Dubai finishes by 11:30, since 9 January 2026.Source The National, 19 Dec 2025 (opens in a new tab)
During Ramadan, whose dates follow the moon, KHDA caps the school day at five hours; each school confirms its own times.Source Gulf News (opens in a new tab)
How these dates compare with other Dubai schools: holidays 2026–27, break by break
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 18 September 2026.
Activities
Sports and activities
What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.
Neither the school’s website nor KHDA’s reports we read name a specific sport or activity.
Facilities
- Music rooms
Also mentioned: Holy Qur’anic club, community food donations, fundraise for a local animal shelter, bake sale
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 20
Checked 16 September 2026.
What the school offers
As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.
Languages besides English
- Arabic · Arabic and non-Arabic children are taught Arabic for one lesson of 50 minutes per week. Children in FS1 and FS2 are taught together. Lessons focus on speaking, listening, writing, basic vocabulary and phonics. In Year 1, there are three lessons of 50 minutes per week, taught by specialist teachers. The curriculum incorporates all four language skills. Regular assessments are conducted at the end of each term to gauge the levels of attainment and track progress. Ongoing formative assessments allow teachers to monitor achievements through learning activities.
Facilities
- ICT
- Music
- Sensory room
- Library
Support for students of determination and the gifted
- Initial assessment leads to the development of individual education plans (IEPs.) p. 18
- There are reliable systems for identifying students of determination and those who speak English, as an additional language. p. 18
- School leaders' commitment to improving inclusion is seen in their recruitment of an experienced, qualified leader. p. 19
- Appropriate steps are taken to identify students of determination and students who speak English, as an additional language. p. 19
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 9
Checked 16 September 2026.
Students
From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.
- Students, 2024–25
- 55 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
- Teachers
- 12 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 14 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 0 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Largest nationality group
- Russian Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
- Guidance counsellors
- 1 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
Snapshots by year
Students and staff by academic year, Al Ghaf Private School
| Year | Students | Teachers | Teacher turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 55 | Not available | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 59 | 12 | Not available |
| 2022–23 | 79 | 13 | 38% |
| 2021–22 | 125 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020–21 | 102 | Not available | Not available |
Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.
Location
- Address
- Jabal Ali First
- Phone and email
- +971 4 852 2295info@ghafschool.comPrincipal: Dominic Michael Vipond
- As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27
Around the school
Schools nearby
Within 10 km, by straight-line distance, not a route.
- Delhi Private School
1.3 km · 2023–24 · Indian CBSE
- The Winchester School – Jebel Ali
1.4 km · 2023–24 · British
- The Arbor School
2.5 km · 2023–24 · British
- Arcadia Global School
3.8 km · 2025–26 · British
- Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
4.7 km · 2023–24 · British
All 3 schools in Jebel AliAll British curriculum schools in Dubai
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 18 September 2026.
Sources
Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.
Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English
Parent Reports · PDF, English
A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.
Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English
KHDA school directory · web page, English
KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
Is something on this page wrong? Tell us what it should say; we reply within 5 working days. Corrections made so far
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