Cities / Dubai / GEMS Founders School - Dubai South
GEMS Founders School - Dubai South
Part of the established GEMS Founders brand that began with the successful Al Barsha campus in 2016, Dubai South represents the network's expansion into the southern corridor of Dubai.
In brief
Part of the established GEMS Founders brand that began with the successful Al Barsha campus in 2016, Dubai South represents the network's expansion into the southern corridor of Dubai. The school follows the English National Curriculum from Foundation Stage through Year 8, with plans to add secondary phases including international GCSEs and A-Levels as enrollment grows. Current leadership has achieved 96% staff retention for the 2025-26 academic year, suggesting strong institutional culture despite the school's infancy. The campus serves a diverse international community with students representing 62 different nationalities.
The school's May 2025 British Schools Overseas inspection highlighted particular strengths in wellbeing, leadership, and inclusion, noting that 9.3% of students receive SEND support and 10.7% are English language learners. Academic programs emphasize play-based learning in early years and personalized support through individual education plans where needed. Co-curricular activities include debate club and Model UN, with expansion planned as the school grows. As a primary-focused institution currently serving ages 3-13, families should consider the eventual transition to secondary education, though GEMS plans to add these phases to the Dubai South campus.
Strengths
- New facilities and infrastructure in Dubai South location
- Strong staff retention (96%) and positive leadership culture for a new school
- Diverse international community with 62 nationalities represented
- Inclusive approach with dedicated SEND and ELL support programs
- Part of established GEMS network with proven Founders school model
- Positive early inspection results highlighting wellbeing and inclusion
- Plans for secondary expansion including GCSE and A-Level programs
Considerations
- Very new school with limited track record - opened August 2024
- Currently only serves primary ages 3-13, requiring transition planning for secondary
- No university placement data or academic outcome history yet available
- Dubai South location may require longer commutes for families in central Dubai
- As a growing institution, programs and facilities still developing
- Part of large GEMS network which may lack the intimate feel of smaller schools
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | AED 36,400 |
| FS2 | 4 | AED 39,900 |
| Year 1 | 5 | AED 43,400 |
| Year 2 | 6 | AED 43,400 |
| Year 3 | 7 | AED 43,400 |
| Year 4 | 8 | AED 44,800 |
| Year 5 | 9 | AED 44,800 |
| Year 6 | 10 | AED 44,800 |
| Year 7 | 11 | AED 47,600 |
| Year 8 | 12 | AED 47,600 |
| Year 9 | 13 | AED 47,600 |
| Year 10 | 14 | AED 50,400 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | AED 500 |
Reviews
A brand-new GEMS Founders campus on Expo Road, between the Expo Centre and Al Maktoum International, opened September 2024 and already running with close to 700 pupils by its first BSO visit in May 2025. The premises are large and the facilities new, the BSO compliance inspection landed Outstanding on welfare, premises and parent information with Good for quality of education, and a permanent KHDA judgement is still some way off. Leadership turned over fast for a school this young: founding principal Ian Plant handed over to Thomas Banyard in August 2025, after only one full academic year.
Positives
- Facilities. A 250,000 sq ft campus with five science labs, a 25-metre competition pool, a 300-seat auditorium and a full football pitch. Early parent feedback consistently picks out the space and the newness.
- BSO compliance. May 2025 BSO inspection rated welfare, premises and parent information Outstanding, with quality of education judged Good. A reasonable opening grade for a school in its first year.
- Founders fee positioning. Founding-family fees discounted by KHDA at AED 30,940 in FS1 rising to AED 40,460 in Years 7 to 9, sitting in the mid range for British Dubai schools.
- Pastoral feel. Early parent voices describe a welcoming staff body and a visible leadership team. Standard opening-year sentiment, but the school has converted it into roll growth fast.
Considerations
- Leadership turnover. Founding principal Ian Plant left after the first academic year, replaced by Thomas Banyard in August 2025. A second principal in two years is unusual for a school still building Years 9 upward.
- Unrated by KHDA. No KHDA inspection rating yet, first one due in year three. The BSO compliance visit is not a substitute for a full KHDA judgement, and prospective families are choosing partly on brand and facilities.
- Location. Sits on Expo Road close to the Dubai South residential cluster and Al Maktoum International, useful for families based south of the Expo line, a long commute from older Dubai neighbourhoods.
- Unbuilt year groups. Opened FS1 to Year 8, adding a year group annually toward Year 13. Secondary remains under construction in practice, and IGCSE and A Level results are years away.
Leadership
John Stapley
Mr. Patrick Affley is a long-term UAE resident who served 11 years as Founding Principal of Dove Green Private School in Dubai.
Accreditations
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 01
- Council of International Schools 02