Cities / Dubai / GEMS Al Barsha National School (GNS)
GEMS Al Barsha National School (GNS)
GEMS Al Barsha National School (GNS) is a bilingual British school built around Emirati families, running the UK curriculum alongside the UAE Ministry's Arabic and Islamic Studies.
In brief
GEMS Al Barsha National School (GNS) is a bilingual British school built around Emirati families, running the UK curriculum alongside the UAE Ministry's Arabic and Islamic Studies.
GNS opened in 2016 as the first GEMS school aimed explicitly at Emirati and expat Arab families. Around 1,020 pupils sit across FS1 to Year 13, with Emiratis the clear majority. Classes are co-ed through Year 4, then single-sex from Year 5 in line with national expectations. Families who pick GNS over conventional British schools in Al Barsha do so for the Arabic immersion, the Islamic Studies provision and the cultural fit.
KHDA rated the school Acceptable in March 2024, the second-lowest tier and below where most fee-paying British schools in Dubai sit. The British Schools Overseas inspection is more flattering, marking it Good with several Outstanding features. Around 84% of surveyed parents would recommend GNS, but nearly half raise bullying as a concern, only about a quarter feel the fees represent good value, and roughly a third arrange external tuition.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | AED 45,428 |
| FS2 | 4 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 1 | 5 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 2 | 6 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 3 | 7 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 4 | 8 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 5 | 9 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 6 | 10 | AED 56,244 |
| Year 7 | 11 | AED 61,652 |
| Year 8 | 12 | AED 61,652 |
| Year 9 | 13 | AED 61,652 |
| Year 10 | 14 | AED 67,060 |
| Year 11 | 15 | AED 67,060 |
| Year 12 | 16 | AED 67,060 |
| Year 13 | 17 | AED 67,060 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (inclusive of VAT) | AED 525 |
Reviews
GNS sits in its own niche: a Dubai British school built for Emirati and expat Arab families, with the UAE Ministry's Arabic and Islamic curriculum woven through the English National Curriculum. The dual-language model is the main draw, and parents praise warm, settled staff and a confident, respectful student body. Fees feel high for an Acceptable KHDA rating, and bullying comes up enough across parent surveys to register as a pattern.
Positives
- Arabic and Islamic identity. The bilingual programme and Islamic Studies provision are why most families choose GNS. The Arabic curriculum is treated as core, not bolt on, and Emirati cultural identity sits visibly across the school.
- Settled, warm staff. Younger children settle quickly. Reception and admissions are described as welcoming. Day to day staff are patient and approachable, with several parents singling out flexibility on homework and routines for two working parent families.
- Confident, respectful students. Children come out polite and confident. The behaviour culture feels fair, and pupil voice carries through inspections and parent feedback.
Considerations
- Value for money. Fees of AED 45,000 to 67,000 land in Dubai's premium British band, but the KHDA rating is Acceptable. Around a quarter of surveyed parents agree the fees offer good value, and roughly a third arrange external tuition.
- Bullying concerns. Close to half of surveyed parents flag bullying as a concern. School response is described as quick and visible, but the volume is consistent enough to register as a recurring theme rather than a one off.
- Drop off and pick up. Traffic on the access road jams at the start and end of the day. It is a daily friction for families driving in.
- Teacher turnover. The school reports a teacher turnover rate of 31%. Continuity within year groups is not always guaranteed, though leadership has stabilised under Michelle Thomas.
Leadership
Michelle Thomas
Michelle Thomas is a distinguished school leader with over two decades of senior leadership experience. Her leadership career began in 2004 with her first headship, and she has since been recognised as a National Leader of Education and Lead Ofsted Inspector in the UK. Michelle has successfully guided schools from Special Measures to Outstanding, emphasising consistency and whole school approaches as the secret to this success. In 2019, she became the Director of Education at an all-through school in Dubai. Before this, she was the Executive Headteacher of The New Wave Federation in London, overseeing three high performing primary schools. Michelle is committed to ensuring GEMS Al Barsha National School is a successful, high performing school and the first choice for families in the region.
Accreditations
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 01
Academic results
- GCSE Results 2025 42% of exam entries secured grades 9-5
- BTEC Level 3 Results 2025 100% earned Distinction grades (D*-D)
Location
Umm Sequim Street, Al Barsha 2 South - البرشاء جنوب الثانية - جنوب البرشاء - دبي - United Arab Emirates