GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha
Also known as: MTW
GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha is a private British curriculum school in Dubailand, Dubai, for boys and girls from FS1 to Year 13. KHDA rated the school Good in its 2025–26 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 40,000 to AED 53,000 a year, depending on the year group.
Sources: KHDA inspection report 2025–26, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.
- rating
- Good: level 4 of 6 on KHDA’s scale, from Very weak to OutstandingKHDA 2025–26, p. 6What Good means
- fee
- AED 40,000 – 53,000a year, FS1 to Year 11, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
- whole
- Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
- students
- 1,505 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 40,000 – 53,000a year, FS1 to Year 11, 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 13Which 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
- gemsmetropoleschool-alwaha.comgre_mtw@gemsedu.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 2025–26. 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 13
- Gender
- Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26Report wording: Boys and girls
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2023
- Name registered with KHDA
- GEMS Metropole School - Al Waha
- External examinations
- iGCSE, iBTech Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Accreditation
- Optimus WAS, Inclusion Quality Mark, BSO. Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Extra-curricular activities
- Orchestra & bands, Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh / IAYP and more, 3 confirmed
- Principal
- Jeremy Hallum
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2025–26
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
KHDA in brief
KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2025–26 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2025–26, summary only
Students’ achievement
Children's attainment in Foundation Stage is acceptable in English but good in mathematics and science. Primary students' attainment is acceptable in English and also stronger in mathematics and science, with good progress. Secondary students' achievement in English, mathematics and science is good. Students' achievement in Islamic Education and Arabic in Primary and Secondary is generally acceptable, although there are signs of improvements in the progress students are making in Islamic education.
Personal and social development
Across the school most students demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and respond appropriately to feedback from their teachers. A few are sometimes late to lessons, and a few do not always listen as carefully as they should in class. Students enjoy opportunities to display their leadership skills and contributions to projects when given the opportunity to do so. Most students have a stronger understanding of Emirati and Islamic heritage than they do of other world cultures.
Teaching, curriculum and care
Across phases and subjects, teachers build positive relationships with students and demonstrate secure knowledge of their subjects. Some teachers are still developing their skills of questioning in lessons to enable their students to develop stronger critical thinking skills. Most groups of students are supported well with their learning in lessons and the support for students of determination is improving. The school's use of assessment for learning is mostly good although assessments for students entering the school require further improvement. The school's procedure for monitoring the progress of each student is secure. The school's curriculum is interesting, motivates students and meets all the requirements of the UAE and UK curriculum. Cross-curricular links are planned carefully and help students to understand and transfer learning between different subject areas. Links with the Emirati culture are helping students to form a clear understanding of the UAE’s values and culture.
Wellbeing
Leaders are fully committed to the wellbeing of the school community. Students report that they feel safe, valued and well supported. Student leaders of wellbeing are increasingly active in helping to develop the school's initiatives to support the wellbeing of all the school's members. Despite some limitations in training, most teachers are able to create classroom environments to support students' needs and their independence in learning although more emphasis is needed for students of determination.
Inclusion
This inclusive school is led with commitment and energy. Parents commend the open systems of communication and the regular contact the school has put into place to build the important working partnerships which benefit their children. Although the provision and support for students of determination is still variable most students are making gains in their academic and personal progress.
Leadership and management
The principal and senior leaders promote a vision for the school which is shared by the school's community. Leadership roles and responsibilities are understood and opportunities are available for leaders to develop their skills further. Planning for further improvements in the school are firmly in place and support the school's needs as they arise. Morale throughout the school is positive. Parents are very supportive of the school.
- Back to text, source A
Parent Report 2025–26
Summary only
Page 1
Checked 16 September 2026.
Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.
Fees 2026–27
GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha tuition for 2026–27 is AED 40,000 (FS1 and FS2) to AED 53,000 (Year 10 and Year 11) across 13 year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group that year listed.
Annual tuition by year group, GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha, 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 40,000 | AED 40,000 |
| FS2 | AED 40,000 | AED 40,000 |
| Primary | ||
| Year 1 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Year 2 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Year 3 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Year 4 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Year 5 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Year 6 | AED 45,000 | AED 45,000 |
| Secondary | ||
| Year 7 | AED 50,000 | AED 50,000 |
| Year 8 | AED 50,000 | AED 50,000 |
| Year 9 | AED 50,000 | AED 50,000 |
| Year 10 | AED 53,000 | AED 53,000 |
| Year 11 | AED 53,000 | Not availableNote 3 |
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 13 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 12 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.
- Back to text, note 3
No Year 11 tuition in the 2025–26 Fees Fact Sheet.
GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2023–24 and other charges.
Other campuses of GEMS Metropole School: Motor City
What a year costs, FS1, 2026–27
Showing FS1. Choose another year group above to see its costs.
- Tuition
- AED 40,000
- KHDA's total for the year
- AED 40,000
Required, but not in KHDA's total: uniform, books and the like, bought from the school or elsewhere
- Uniform
- AED 700 to AED 5,000
- Laptop/Digital Device
- AED 210 to AED 505
- School ID Card ReplacementOnly when needed; not paid every year
- AED 20 to AED 50
A year, before optional servicesAED 40,910 to AED 45,505
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
Other discounts the school states
- School Employees
- up to 100%
- Humanitarian Financial Aid
- up to 100%
- Privilege Cards
- up to 3%
- Scholarship - Academic
- 100%
- Sibling 4
- up to 25%
- Sibling 5
- up to 50%
- Referrals
- 5%
The sheet's sibling discounts start at «Sibling 4», as it names them.
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
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
KHDA ratings
KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2025–26. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
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
First rated in 2025–26
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2025–26
InclusionProvision for students of determination
First rated in 2025–26
LeadershipLeadership and management
First rated in 2025–26
Checked 16 September 2026.
Ratings by phase, 2025–26KHDA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2025–26
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
GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha was rated Good in 2025–26, one of 85 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
History of GEMS Metropole School – Al WahaOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2025–26First reportFull Inspection Report 2025–26 (opens in a new tab)
- 2024–25KHDA paused full inspections; only new schools were inspected. About the pause
- 2023–24No inspection.
- Opened in 2023–24. No reports before this year.
Checked 16 September 2026.
Findings
12 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 7 development points.
Personal development and wellbeing
Note 11 strength, 2 development points
Strength
The positive and respectful relationships between students and adults that support a nurturing and engaging learning environment.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 4
Development required
Improve staff training in wellbeing practices to ensure a more consistent application of the school’s wellbeing policy.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 9, paragraph 10
Development required
Ensure that the wellbeing needs of all groups of students are met.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 9, paragraph 11
Islamic Education
1 strength, 1 development point
Strength
The understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture across the school.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 5
Development required
Raise attainment and progress in Islamic Education, Arabic and English to be at least good in all phases.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 10
Parents and community
1 strength
Strength
Parents’ support for leaders, teachers and staff and their desire to play a full role as partners in their children’s education.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 6
Leadership and self-evaluation
1 strength
Strength
Senior leaders’ commitment to implementing the UAE National Agenda.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 7
Staffing, facilities and resources
1 strength
Strength
The range of facilities and innovative spaces to support students’ learning
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 8
Teaching
1 development point
Development required
Develop teachers’ use of questioning to challenge and extend students’ thinking and ensure that work in lessons is matched to their attainment levels.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 11
Inclusion of students of determination
1 development point
Development requiredStudents of determination
Ensure that the provision and support for students of determination is consistently applied across the school.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 12
Health, safety and safeguarding
1 development point
Development required
Make certain that all reviews of safety procedures are robust, particularly in relation to outdoor learning facilities and spaces.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 5, paragraph 13
Reading and literacy
1 development point
Development required
Enhance reading literacy skills to ensure more consistency across year groups, phases and groups of students.
Full Inspection Report 2025–26, page 9, paragraph 3
Findings from all 1 reports
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
Leadership
- Principal at the 2025–26 inspection
- Jeremy Hallum Source A: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Appointed 9 Jan 2023, as the report prints it.
- Principals since 2025–26
- No change of principal Source A: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Jeremy Hallum, 2025–26
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2025–26
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
Subjects
Attainment by subject and phase, 2025–26KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | ||
| Arabic | Not in this report | ||
| English | |||
| Mathematics | |||
| Science |
Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
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 Metropole School – Al WahaIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentPrimary | |
| Islamic Education attainmentSecondary | |
| Islamic Education progressPrimary | |
| Islamic Education progressSecondary |
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, 2025–26
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | ||
| Leadership: International and Emirati Achievement | Not in this report | |
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy | ||
| Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter | Not in this report |
Registration requirements: Met Fully
- Between 2024 and 2025, the school's results in external benchmark tests in English and mathematics improved from good to very good in Primary, and from acceptable to very good in Secondary.
- For science, the results improved to outstanding.
- The small number of Emirati students showed good levels of attainment in these tests.
- Most teachers use data and reports from the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) and reading-age data to identify those students with difficulties in reading and literacy.
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).
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 2025–26
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.
Music
- Orchestra & bands · collaborative ensembles
Debate & strategy
- Model United Nations
Award programmes
- Duke of Edinburgh / IAYP · Duke of Edinburgh
Facilities
- Playing field
- Running track
- Swimming pool
- Sports courts
- Dance studio
- Sports hall
- Theatre or auditorium
- Music rooms
Also mentioned: The World Scholars Cup, Highfields, IPQ, Al Noor Heritage and Culture, house competitions, eco-clubs
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 23 September 2026
Checked 23 September 2026.
What the school offers
As the 2025–26 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 · as a First Language
External examinations
- IGCSE
- IBTech
Facilities
- Lifts, ramps and sensory spaces
- The Hive
Support for students of determination and the gifted
- The school uses a range of assessments to identify the needs of students of determination. p. 20
- There are secure assessment procedures to identify students with gifts and talents, and the school is successful in providing a wide range of engaging extension activities. p. 20
- School counsellors provide suitable academic and pastoral guidance to students. p. 20
- Inclusion staff and external specialists use a range of assessments to contribute to the identification process. p. 21
- This leads to the creation of personalised education plans which guide provision. p. 21
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2025–26
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
On the school's website
What the school says about itself on gemsmetropoleschool-alwaha.com, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. Bus routes and bus fees can change each year, so confirm with the school. The site's name beside a line opens that page.
School bus and transport
- «STS Group proudly provides GEMS Metropole School Al Waha with exceptional transportation services, bringing over a decade of experience as a trusted partner in the education sector.» gemsmetropoleschool-alwaha.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Email: sde-mtw@sts-group.com» gemsmetropoleschool-alwaha.com on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Telephone: + 971 569946068» gemsmetropoleschool-alwaha.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.
Students
From KHDA’s 2025–26 inspection report, unless another year is named.
- Students, 2024–25
- 1,505 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
- Teacher–student ratio
- 1:15 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Students of determination
- 332 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Emirati students
- 26 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Largest nationality group
- British Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
- Guidance counsellors
- 2 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2025–26
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2025–26
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
Snapshots by year
Students and staff by academic year, GEMS Metropole School – Al Waha
| Year | Students |
|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 1,505 |
| 2023–24 | 725 |
Location
- Address
- Emirates Road
- Phone and email
- gre_mtw@gemsedu.com
- 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.
- Fairgreen International School
0.9 km · 2023–24 · IB
- Ranches Primary School
1.2 km · 2023–24 · British
- Jumeirah English Speaking School – Arabian Ranches
2.7 km · 2023–24 · British, IB
- Dubai British School Mira
3.6 km · No rating yet · British
- Lycée Français International – Mudon
3.6 km · No rating yet · French
All 7 schools in DubailandAll 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 2025–26 (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)
School website · web page, English
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