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GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis
GEMS British-curriculum school in Dubai Silicon Oasis, founded 2011, offering A Levels and BTEC Level 3 routes through sixth form for around 2,500 pupils.
In brief
Located in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the school follows the National Curriculum for England enhanced with concept-based learning, wellbeing programs, and global citizenship elements. Under Principal Sarah O'Regan's leadership, the school emphasizes personalized pathways particularly in Years 12-13, offering both A-Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications rather than IB programs. The secondary phase features the GROWELL wellbeing program alongside extensive extracurricular opportunities including sports leadership through Unified Games, performing arts with LAMDA certification, and BTEC Performing Arts equivalent to three A-Levels.
The 2025 academic results marked a breakthrough year for the school, with the largest A-Level cohort in its history achieving a 15-percentage point increase in A* grades and an 18-point overall improvement. BTEC programs also performed strongly with 32% achieving Distinction Star grades and 62% earning Distinction Star or Distinction across GEMS network schools. These results position graduates competitively for university admissions, though specific university placement data and fee structures are not publicly available. As part of the GEMS Wellington family, the school benefits from the network's educational standards while maintaining its own campus identity in the growing Dubai Silicon Oasis community.
Strengths
- Record-breaking 2025 A-Level results with significant grade improvements
- Strong BTEC pathways offering vocational alternatives to traditional A-Levels
- Part of established GEMS Wellington network with proven educational standards
- GROWELL wellbeing program integrated throughout secondary education
- Extensive performing arts program including LAMDA certification
- Leadership opportunities through Unified Games sports programs
- Modern facilities in Dubai Silicon Oasis with teamwork-focused learning spaces
Considerations
- Very limited public information about fees, enrollment numbers, and specific KHDA ratings
- No IB program available for families seeking this qualification
- Newer school within the GEMS network lacking long-term track record
- Limited parent reviews or community discussions available online
- University placement outcomes not publicly documented
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS 1 | 3 | AED 40,340 |
| Nursery | 3 | AED 45,428 |
| FS 2 | 3 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 1 | 5 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 2 | 6 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 3 | 7 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 4 | 8 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 5 | 9 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 6 | 10 | AED 50,099 |
| Year 7 | 11 | AED 75,719 |
| Year 8 | 12 | AED 79,045 |
| Year 9 | 13 | AED 79,045 |
| Year 10 | 14 | AED 81,595 |
| Year 11 | 15 | AED 81,595 |
| Year 12 | 16 | AED 89,246 |
| Year 13 | 17 | AED 89,246 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | AED 525 |
Reviews
- KHDA Very Good for the sixth consecutive inspection round, with care, support and safeguarding rated Outstanding and Foundation Stage attainment outstanding across English, maths and science.
- A pool of 235 parent responses is the most positive in the GEMS Wellington pair: 86% positivity, 89% would recommend.
- Recurring frictions are scale (over 4,000 students, classes around 28), a sharp fee jump from Year 6 to Year 7, and traffic at drop-off and pick-up; 40% of surveyed parents say fees are not good value.
- Parents and ex-students commenting over more than a decade put the school on the Dubai short-list for British curriculum at primary and secondary, with one ex-student describing it as a recommended British Schools Overseas option.
Positives
- Stable regulator picture. Six consecutive KHDA Very Good ratings; care and support Outstanding.
- Strong parent pool. Large survey base reads consistently positive on academics, wellbeing and recommendation.
- British-curriculum default. forum threads regularly include the school in Dubai British-curriculum short-lists across primary and secondary.
Considerations
- Scale. Over 4,000 students; class sizes around 28; some parents feel the school can be impersonal at that scale.
- Year 6-7 fee jump. Fees rise sharply moving from primary to secondary, a recurring parent complaint.
Leadership
Sarah O'Regan
Mr. Patrick Affley is a long-term UAE resident who served 11 years as Founding Principal of Dove Green Private School in Dubai.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 03
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 04
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 05
Academic results
- A* / A at A Level 2025 39%
- A* at A Level 2025 18%
- A* / B at A Level 2025 63%
- BTEC Level 3 Distinction Star 32%
- BTEC Level 3 Distinction 62%