GEMS Founders School - Dubai Branch
British curriculum, Al Barsha Second, FS1–Year 13
Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Overall rating
Earlier reports
- 2022–23, Good, Full Inspection Report
- 2020–21 and 2021–22, no inspection
- 2019–20, Good, Full Inspection Report
- 2018–19, Good, Full Inspection Report
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Parent Report 2023–24
Summary only
Checked 16 September 2026.
Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.
- Back to text, source C
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Overview
The school
- Curriculum
- British
- Year groups
- FS1–Year 13
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2016
- Extra-curricular activities
- Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket and more, 21 confirmed
Students and staff
From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.
- Students, 2024–25
- 6,231 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
- Teachers
- 343 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 860 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 101 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Largest nationality group
- Indian Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
- Guidance counsellors
- 5 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Leadership
- Principal at the 2023–24 inspection
- Matthew Burfield Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Appointed 2 Jun 2017, as the report prints it.
- Principals since 2018–19
- No change of principal
- Mr. Matthew Burfield, 2018–19 to 2023–24
Contact
- Address
- Al Barsha Second
- Phone and email
- +971 4 519 5222h.mahmoud_gfs@gemsedu.com
- As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27
Around the school
The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
- 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.
- Back to text, source C
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Quality
KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)
OverallOverall performance
Up from Good Earlier: Good in 3 reports.
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
Up from Very good Earlier: Very good in 1 report and Good in 1 report.
LeadershipLeadership and management
Up from Good Earlier: Good 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 | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 very good progress in their learning in the Foundation Stage. This continues in the primary phase in English, mathematics and science. In secondary classes the rate of student progress continues in Mathematics and science but slows a little English. Progress in Islamic Education and Arabic is good in all Identification of the barriers faced by students of determination and the support they receive to overcome these is outstanding.
Personal and social development
Younger students have excellent attitudes to learning and readily take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour. They have an excellent understanding of social responsibility and sustainability issues. Students’ ability to manage their own behaviour is not as strong in secondary classes. For their age younger students also have a better understanding of Islamic values and how these can be included in their daily lives than those in upper classes.
Teaching, curriculum and care
Students generally experience very good teaching that promotes robust learning, though effectiveness varies in Islamic Education and some senior classes. Positive relationships between students and teachers bolster well-being, personal development, and academic achievement.
Wellbeing
Ensuring the well-being of student and staff is central to the ethos of the school. There are very good systems in place to continuously monitor the well-being of students and to promptly take action if concerns arise. As a result, students, are confident, self-reliant, and valuable members of the school community. They feel safe and valued.
Inclusion
Governors and leaders have a strong vision for inclusion that permeates the school. There is a dedicated team of specialists working extremely hard to make sure all staff provided the highest level of support for students of determination. Students with gifts or talents are identified and both groups of students are enabled to follow their aspirations and dreams.
Leadership and management
Most leaders, have a clear understanding of what students are expected to learn to continue to make progress and achieve as well as they can. Plans for further improvement do not make it clear enough how leaders will know if the actions they have taken have had the positive impact they intended on student achievement.
- 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.
School year
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).
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Academics
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, GEMS Founders School - Dubai BranchIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentPrimary | ||||
| Islamic Education attainmentSecondary | ||||
| Islamic Education attainmentPost-16 | ||||
| Islamic Education progressPrimary | ||||
| Islamic Education progressSecondary | ||||
| Islamic Education progressPost-16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | ||
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | ||
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not in this report |
A. Registration Requirements Met Fully
- The school exceeded its target in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).
- Students scored significantly higher than the PIRLS centre point.
- Girls’ reading scores significantly exceeded those of boys.
- In international benchmark assessments, students' attainment has shown an improvement over the previous two years in English, mathematics and science.
- The school's most recent outcome in the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) indicates that students' reading skills are at the acceptable level.
Earlier reports
- 2022–23: Progress in international assessments — is approaching expectations
- 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
- 2018–19: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve its UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
Recognised by UAE universities?
UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:
- British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).
- Vocational only. A BTEC Level 3 Diploma counts as a technical certificate, not the general secondary certificate.
Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
School life
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.
Ball sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Cricket
Water sports
- Swimming
Racket sports
- Tennis
- Badminton
Individual sports
- Athletics
- Gymnastics · Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Martial arts · Karate
- Horse riding
- Yoga & fitness · yoga · fitness classes
·
Theatre
- Drama
Music
- Instrument lessons · Music Lessons
Art & design
- Art · arts and crafts
Science & technology
- Robotics · STEM - Robotics & Coding
- Coding · STEM - Robotics & Coding
- Science & engineering club · Science & Experiments
Debate & strategy
- Debate & public speaking · debating competitions
- Model United Nations · Model United Nations (MUN)
- Chess
Also mentioned: Entrepreneurship Club, STEAM Woodworking Workshop, Parkour
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 23 September 2026
Checked 23 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 · In FS, Arabic is taught separately to Arab and non-Arab children.
External examinations
- IGCSE
- GCSE
Courses after 16
- AS level
- A level
- Vocational pathways
Support for students of determination and the gifted
- The identification of the needs of students of determination and those with gifts and talents is highly effective. p. 21
- The well-qualified inclusion team assesses students using a comprehensive range of specialist assessments to plan support. p. 22
- Class teachers' learning plans and individual education programmes (IEPs) align closely with the specific learning objectives created by the inclusion team. p. 22
- Highly specialised learning support assistants (LSAs) offer personalised support. p. 22
- The ‘flourish’ and ‘alternative pathway’ classes, created to support students with more complex needs, are highly effective. p. 22
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
On the school's website
What the school says about itself on gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.
Admissions
- «We are currently accepting registrations only for Year 2 (waiting list only) .» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Registrations for Year groups FS1, FS2, Y01, Y03, Y04, Y05, Y06, Y07, Y08, Y09, Y10 and Y12 are currently closed» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «School tours at GEMS Founders School Dubai can be booked from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
School buses
- «To register your child for the school bus service, please contact the school’s dedicated Service Delivery Executive (SDE): Email: sde-gfs@sts-group.com Telephone : +971 568207380» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Don’t worry if you live outside of the standard service areas listed on the Transport Rate List. We would be happy to speak to you about personalised travel arrangements and will try our best to accommodate all requests. However, please note, STS cannot guarantee all bus routes requested.» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «STS now handle all payments directly, as well as the issuing of receipts. All registration and payment of transport fees should be made directly with STS and all cheques should be made out to ’School Transport Services LLC’.» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «The Customer Care Executive of STS works with the school administration and acts as the first contact for parents for transport matters. Ms. Dimple Menezes Mobile: +971-56-8207380 E-mail: Sde-gfs@sts-group.com» gemsfoundersschool-dubai.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 22 September 2026
Checked 22 September 2026.
Fees
Tuition across 15 year groupsNote 1
AED 24,749 to AED 37,124Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
FS1 to Year 13, 2026–27
Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.
Annual tuition by year group, GEMS Founders School - Dubai Branch, 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 24,749 | AED 24,749 |
| FS2 | AED 28,126 | AED 28,126 |
| Primary | ||
| Year 1 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Year 2 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Year 3 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Year 4 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Year 5 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Year 6 | AED 30,375 | AED 30,375 |
| Secondary | ||
| Year 7 | AED 32,624 | AED 32,624 |
| Year 8 | AED 32,624 | AED 32,624 |
| Year 9 | AED 32,624 | AED 32,624 |
| Year 10 | AED 34,875 | AED 34,875 |
| Year 11 | AED 34,875 | AED 34,875 |
| Post-16 | ||
| Year 12 | AED 37,124 | AED 37,124 |
| Year 13 | AED 37,124 | AED 37,124 |
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 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 15 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.
What a year costs, 2026–27
Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.
Findings
8 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 3 development points, 3 recurring across the last 4 reports.
Leadership and self-evaluation
Note 11 strength, 1 development point
Strength
Very effective leadership which ensures consistent improvement
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 4 reportsNote 2
Increase the effectiveness of action plans by the inclusion of specific measurable targets linked to improved students’ outcomes.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11
Inclusion of students of determination
1 strength
Strength
The commitment to inclusive education
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6
Parents and community
1 strength
Strength
The partnership with parents
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7
Health, safety and safeguarding
1 strength
Strength
The systems to ensure the health, safety and protection of students
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8
Personal development and wellbeing
1 strength
StrengthFS and primary phase
The personal and social development of students in FS and the primary phase
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9
Teaching
1 development point
Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 4 reports
Improve the quality of teaching in Islamic Education.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12
Islamic Education
1 development point
Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 4 reportsSecondary and post-16 phases
Improve students' attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic in the secondary and post-16 phases.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 13
Findings from 1 of 4 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 4 reports, 2018–19 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.
History
4 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2018–19 to 2023–24.
History of GEMS Founders School - Dubai BranchOverall 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 GoodNote 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2022–23Same as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
- 2019–20Same as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- 2018–19First reportFull Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- 2016–17 and 2017–18No inspection.
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.
Snapshots by year
Students and staff by academic year, GEMS Founders School - Dubai Branch
| Year | Students | Teachers | Teacher turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 6,231 | Not available | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 6,129 | 343 | Not available |
| 2022–23 | 6,188 | 345 | 18% |
| 2021–22 | 5,742 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020–21 | 4,237 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019–20 | 4,243 | 240 | 12% |
| 2018–19 | 3,776 | 213 | 12% |
| 2017–18 | 3,252 | Not available | Not available |
| 2016–17 | 1,834 | Not available | Not available |
Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.
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)