Cambridge International School, Dubai
British School in Al Twar 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
British
KHDA
Good
Location
Dubai, Al Twar 1
Fees
AED 24K - 37K
The Executive Summary
Cambridge International School in Al Twar 1 is one of Dubai's most established British curriculum schools, operating under GEMS Education since its current campus opened in 2020. Holding a KHDA rating of Good - a rating it has maintained consistently across more than a decade of inspections - CIS occupies a compelling middle ground in Dubai's private school market: it delivers a genuinely broad British education spanning EYFS through to Year 13, with external examinations including IGCSE, A Level, BTEC and ASDAN, at school fees that sit firmly in the mid-range for Dubai education, running from AED 23,795 to AED 36,775 annually. For families in Al Twar 1 schools or surrounding Deira and Garhoud communities seeking a credible, inclusive British curriculum education without the premium price tag of newer flagship campuses, CIS presents a strong case. The school's standout strengths lie in its Outstanding personal and social development scores, its exceptionally strong parent partnership framework - recognised with the Leading Parent Partnership Award - and English attainment rated Very Good across every phase from Foundation Stage to Post-16.
KHDA Good - 10+ yearsLeading Parent Partnership AwardEYFS to Year 13BSO AccreditedGEMS Education
See how Cambridge International School compares across all 105 British schools in our Best British Schools in Dubai 2026 guide.
“The sense of community here is unlike any other school we visited. My daughter has been at CIS since FS1 and the staff genuinely know her as an individual, not just a student number.”
— Primary Phase Parent, Year 5(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Cambridge International School delivers the full British curriculum pathway, beginning with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in FS1 and FS2, where a play-based, child-led approach underpins early development across communication, literacy, mathematics and expressive arts. From Year 1, the school follows the National Curriculum for England through Key Stages 1 to 3, before students transition into the two-year IGCSE programme in Years 10 and 11. At Post-16, students choose from A Level, AS Level, BTEC Level 3 and ASDAN qualifications across Science, Commerce and Arts streams - a breadth of post-16 options that compares favourably with other mid-range British schools in Dubai. The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection confirms that English attainment is Very Good across all four phases - Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary and Post-16 - with progress also rated Very Good throughout, making English the school's most consistently strong academic subject. Mathematics attainment is Very Good in Foundation Stage, Secondary and Post-16, with Good attainment in Primary, where practical consolidation of concepts has been identified as an area for development. Science attainment is Very Good in Foundation Stage and Primary, Good in Secondary and Post-16, with inspectors noting that investigations are not always extended enough to deepen understanding, particularly at Primary level. In the senior phases, the curriculum offers an extensive choice of both academic and vocational subjects. A Level options include Accounting, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Economics, Environmental Management, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Performing Arts, among others. BTEC Business Studies provides an important vocational pathway for Post-16 students, and the inclusion of ASDAN qualifications ensures alternative pathways for students of determination. The school holds a BSO accreditation, providing independent external quality assurance of its British curriculum delivery. For entry to Post-16, students are expected to achieve a minimum of 5 A* to C grades at IGCSE. Academic support is structured through the school's dedicated Achievement Centre, which supports students of determination, English Language Learners and gifted and talented students. The DSIB inspection rated the school's curriculum design as Outstanding in Secondary and Post-16 phases, reflecting the breadth and adaptability of provision at upper school level. University destination data is not published on the school's website, though the school's alumni network and the range of A Level subjects offered indicate pathways to UK, UAE, Canadian and Australian universities. The school's assessment philosophy involves detailed collection and analysis of student data, with inspectors commending the very efficient collection of assessment data as a school highlight - though they also noted that this data is not yet used as effectively as it could be in all lessons.
Very Good
English Attainment - All Phases
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024: FS, Primary, Secondary and Post-16
Very Good
Mathematics Attainment - FS, Secondary, Post-16
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024; Primary rated Good
Outstanding
Curriculum Design - Secondary and Post-16
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024
5 A*-C
Minimum IGCSE Grades for Post-16 Entry
School admissions requirement
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Cambridge International School offers a broad extracurricular programme that spans sports, performing arts, academic enrichment, community service and international competitions. The school provides a mix of free and paid activities, with approximately 50% of ECAs offered at no additional cost. Sports provision is extensive: students can participate in swimming, gymnastics, hockey, basketball, cricket, badminton, football, netball, athletics, rounders, volleyball and handball - with CIS competing in major school leagues across Dubai. The campus sports facilities, including a covered swimming pool, astroturfed football pitch, tennis courts and basketball courts, support a serious competitive sports programme. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a flagship enrichment programme for students aged 14 and above, providing structured personal development through volunteering, physical activity, skill development and expeditionary challenges. The school's Model United Nations (MUN) programme has taken students to international competitions in Qatar, Boston and Jordan, with trip costs ranging from AED 3,000 to AED 15,000. The World Scholars Cup is another high-profile academic competition programme, with CIS students having competed at global finals in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and the USA over the past several years. Performing arts are embedded in school life, with drama, choir, music and dance all featuring. The school has a dedicated Drama Studio and music facilities including a music studio and two art studios. The DSIB inspection rated students' social responsibility and innovation skills as Outstanding across all phases, reflecting the depth of community engagement and student-led initiatives. The student council is active and resourceful, with student leadership permeating the school - from prefects and house captains to the hosting of socially responsible events. Academic clubs include a Debate Club, Innovation Club, Book Club, Science Club, Financial Literacy Club and Research Development classes. The school is also a Microsoft Showcase Centre and CISCO Academy, with technology-focused clubs including robotics, coding and programming. International curriculum trips to destinations including Spain, Italy, France, the USA (NASA), Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Turkey provide real-world learning context for secondary students.
Outstanding
Social Responsibility & Innovation Skills
DSIB Inspection 2023-2024 - all phases
Duke of Edinburgh AwardModel United NationsWorld Scholars CupMicrosoft Showcase CentreCISCO Academy
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care and student wellbeing are genuine strengths at Cambridge International School, and the DSIB inspection 2023-2024 rated the overall quality of wellbeing provision as Very Good - with the school's wellbeing rating from the KHDA Dubai Focus Area also assessed as Very Good. The school prioritises wellbeing as a core institutional value, and governors and senior leaders ensure that dedicated resources are allocated to wellbeing programmes. Student wellbeing data is gathered through a daily census, a notably proactive approach that allows the school to identify concerns in near real-time. Adults' wellbeing is similarly monitored through regular staff surveys, reflecting a culture that recognises teacher welfare as a prerequisite for student welfare. The school has one dedicated guidance counsellor, a figure that inspectors noted given the school's population of 2,813 students - this single counsellor resource is a structural limitation worth noting for families with children who may need more intensive pastoral support. However, the counsellor is complemented by a wider network of adults including the inclusion team, senior leaders and trained peer supporters: older students are trained to support the social and emotional needs of their peers, an approach that builds genuine community resilience. Safeguarding procedures are rated highly effective by DSIB inspectors, with buildings and facilities maintained to a very high standard for accessibility and safety. The anti-bullying framework is embedded in school policy, and the DSIB inspection found that incidents of bullying are very rare, with students demonstrating positive and responsible attitudes. The school's Leading Parent Partnership Award - displayed prominently on the school homepage - is a formal recognition of the quality of the school's engagement with families, covering participation, transition support, communication, guidance, induction and home-school links. Parents are described by DSIB inspectors as highly supportive of the school and of the caring and safe learning environment it provides. Course and career guidance is described as effective in enabling students to select personal pathways, and transition arrangements between phases are carefully planned - a particular strength given the school's large size and the many new students it receives each year. Students' personal development is rated Outstanding in Foundation Stage and Post-16, and Very Good in Primary and Secondary, reflecting the school's success in developing confidence, maturity and a strong sense of identity across the age range.
“The school really does feel like a community. When my son was going through a difficult transition in Year 7, the pastoral team reached out to us before we even had to ask. That proactive care makes all the difference.”
— Secondary Phase Parent, Year 9(representative)Campus & Facilities
Cambridge International School relocated to its current campus on Damascus Street, Al Twar 1 at the start of the 2020-21 academic year, following years at its previous Garhoud site. The move was transformative: the new campus spans approximately 200,000 square feet and was purpose-configured to address the overcrowding that had been a recurring concern at the previous location. The campus is structured as two separate building sections with dedicated entrances, providing a degree of phase separation that benefits both safety and school culture. The headline facility is the 800-seat auditorium, a significant asset for a school of this fee range that enables whole-school performances, assemblies and community events at genuine scale. There are 100 classrooms across the campus, supported by four science laboratories, a central library, a drama studio, a robotics suite, a radio station, a TV news station, a media lab and four ICT labs housing over 150 computers. The sports infrastructure is comprehensive: a large covered swimming pool, an astroturfed full-size football pitch, cricket nets, outdoor tennis courts, basketball courts and an indoor sports arena and multi-purpose hall. A separate grassed play area serves students from Foundation Stage through Year 2. Music and arts provision includes two art studios and a dedicated music studio. The Post-16 cohort benefits from a dedicated sixth form coffee lounge - a small but meaningful signal of the school's recognition that older students need a distinct social space. Technology infrastructure is a stated priority: specialist computer labs have been updated to all-in-one touchscreen PCs, and the school has interactive panels, Swivl cameras, data projectors and iPads across the campus. CIS holds status as a Microsoft Showcase Centre and a CISCO Academy. The Al Twar 1 location offers reasonable commute access, with proximity to major road networks serving Deira, Garhoud, Mirdif and surrounding communities. The DSIB inspection confirmed that buildings and facilities are maintained to a very high standard, a notable finding given the campus's relatively recent occupation.
200,000 sq ft
Campus Size
Al Twar 1 campus, operational since 2020
800
Auditorium Capacity (seats)
Purpose-built performance and assembly venue
800-Seat AuditoriumCovered Swimming Pool200,000 sq ft CampusRobotics SuiteRadio and TV Studios4 Science Labs
Teaching & Learning Quality
The DSIB 2023-2024 inspection rated teaching for effective learning as Very Good in Foundation Stage and Post-16, and Good in Primary and Secondary - a profile that suggests the school's strongest teaching is concentrated at the top and bottom of the age range, with the middle phases offering solid but less consistently exceptional instruction. Assessment quality follows the same pattern: Very Good in Foundation Stage and Post-16, Good in Primary and Secondary. Inspectors found that most teachers have secure subject knowledge and understand how students learn, with post-16 teaching characterised by high expectations of what students can achieve. Lesson planning generally features clear learning objectives and appropriate success criteria. The school employs 157 teachers supported by 35 teaching assistants, giving an overall student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 1:18 across the school, varying from 1:13 in Foundation Stage to 1:17 in Secondary. The largest nationality group of teachers is Indian, reflecting the school's broader demographic profile. Staff qualifications are structured by phase: Primary and EYFS teachers hold at minimum a Bachelor's degree plus a teaching qualification; Secondary teachers are required to hold a Master's degree plus a teaching qualification, a requirement that places CIS above many schools at its price point in terms of formal staff credentials. New teachers are paired with experienced mentors in a structured buddying programme during their first 12 months, and the school invests in professional development with an annual budget reported to exceed AED 200,000 for staff learning and training. Teacher turnover at CIS is reported as exceptionally low - a significant indicator of staff satisfaction and institutional stability that directly benefits students through continuity of relationships and accumulated institutional knowledge. The school's pedagogical approach blends structured National Curriculum delivery with an increasing emphasis on inquiry-based learning, particularly in science and technology. The DSIB inspection identified that the use of detailed student data - which is collected and analysed to a high standard - is not yet consistently deployed in all lessons to personalise challenge, representing the most significant gap between the school's assessment infrastructure and its classroom practice. Differentiation, particularly for more able students in Islamic Education and Arabic, was flagged as an area requiring development.
1:18
Average Student-to-Teacher Ratio
Ranges from 1:13 in FS to 1:17 in Secondary
157
Full-Time Teachers
Plus 35 teaching assistants
AED 200,000+
Annual Professional Development Budget
Staff training and learning investment
Leadership & Management
Stephen Brecken has been Principal of Cambridge International School since 1 August 2022, having previously served as Principal of The Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi - GEMS Education's oldest school in that city. His appointment brought direct familiarity with the Cambridge brand and GEMS operational standards, and the DSIB 2023-2024 inspection found that the effectiveness of leadership is rated Very Good, with the principal and senior and middle leaders effectively supporting teaching, learning and wellbeing. The governing body is described as representative and active, with governance rated Very Good. School self-evaluation and improvement planning is rated Good - a step below leadership quality, suggesting that while the school's leaders are effective operators, the formal systems for translating self-evaluation into measurable improvement cycles have room for greater rigour. The school is owned and operated by GEMS Education, the world's largest operator of private schools, which provides Cambridge International with access to group-wide professional development infrastructure, procurement advantages and network resources. The school's Parents and Community engagement is rated Outstanding by DSIB inspectors - the highest rating awarded in the entire leadership and management framework - reflecting the school's genuine commitment to parent partnership, evidenced by the formal Leading Parent Partnership Award. Parent communication operates through the GEMS Parent Portal, direct email, school events and the school's active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Management, staffing, facilities and resources are all rated Very Good. The school's strategic direction under Mr. Brecken is focused on developing a coherent digital learning vision, strengthening data-informed teaching practice, and reviewing curricular strands to ensure coherence - all priorities identified in the DSIB inspection's key recommendations. The school's inclusive ethos is described as a core strategic commitment, with the principal and governing board actively fostering inclusive provision for students of determination.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent DSIB inspection, conducted in October 2023 and published as the 2023-2024 Inspection Report, awarded Cambridge International School an overall rating of Good - a rating the school has held continuously since at least 2009-2010, with the single exception of an Acceptable rating in 2008-2009. This remarkable consistency across more than a decade of inspections is genuinely reassuring: it signals institutional stability and a school that reliably delivers on its promises year after year. The inspection cover page notes summary ratings of Very Good, Very Good and Good across the three headline domains, reflecting strong performance in students' personal development and curriculum, with teaching and academic attainment anchoring the overall Good verdict. The school's inclusion rating from the KHDA is Very Good, confirming that the school's commitment to inclusive education translates into measurable quality in practice. In terms of attainment, the picture is nuanced. English is the standout performer - Very Good across all phases - while mathematics is Very Good in three of four phases. Science is Very Good in Foundation Stage and Primary but drops to Good in Secondary and Post-16. The most significant attainment gap is in Arabic and Islamic Education, where Secondary attainment is rated only Acceptable in multiple subjects, despite Good progress ratings - suggesting that students are making progress but from a lower starting base, and that teaching challenge in these subjects needs strengthening. The DSIB's key recommendations are clear and actionable: develop effective teaching strategies to provide appropriate challenge particularly in Islamic Education and Arabic; ensure that high-quality student data is used effectively in all lessons; review curricular strands and initiatives for coherence; and develop a digital learning vision and strategy for the whole school. These are not crisis recommendations - they are the refinement agenda of a school that is performing well and has the infrastructure to perform better.
Outstanding Personal and Social Development
Students' personal development is Outstanding in Foundation Stage and Post-16, with social responsibility and innovation skills rated Outstanding across all four phases. Students demonstrate exemplary community engagement, student leadership and cultural awareness.
Outstanding Parent and Community Engagement
The school's engagement with parents and the wider community is rated Outstanding - the highest possible rating - reflecting genuine partnership evidenced by the Leading Parent Partnership Award and consistently high parent satisfaction.
Very Good Wellbeing and Inclusion
The KHDA's Dubai Focus Area rates both wellbeing and inclusion as Very Good. Safeguarding is highly effective, the daily wellbeing census is a proactive tool, and the inclusion team provides structured, graduated support for students of determination.
Arabic and Islamic Education Challenge
Secondary attainment in both Arabic (First and Additional Language) and Islamic Education remains at Acceptable level. Inspectors recommend developing teaching strategies that provide appropriate challenge and extend student performance in these subjects.
Data-Informed Teaching and Digital Strategy
The school collects and analyses student data to a high standard, but inspectors found this data is not yet used effectively in all lessons. A coherent whole-school digital learning vision and strategy is also identified as a priority development area.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Good
2022-2023
Good
2019-2020
Good
2018-2019
Good
2017-2018
Good
2008-2009
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Cambridge International School (GEMS CIS Dubai) offers a British curriculum education from FS1 through Year 13, with tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year ranging from AED 23,795 for Foundation Stage to AED 36,775 for Years 12–13. Fees are structured in line with KHDA's School Fee Framework and are payable in three terms: 40% in September, 30% in January, and 30% in April. All tuition fees are due in advance of attendance, and the school accepts payment by credit/debit card, bank transfer, cheque, and cash.
AED 23,795
Annual Fees From
AED 36,775
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS1
AED 23,795FS2
AED 23,795Year 1
AED 27,041Year 2
AED 27,041Year 3
AED 28,122Year 4
AED 28,122Year 5
AED 29,204Year 6
AED 29,204Year 7
AED 32,448Year 8
AED 32,448Year 9
AED 32,448Year 10
AED 34,612Year 11
AED 34,612Year 12
AED 36,775Year 13
AED 36,775At the time of admission, families pay a non-refundable application fee of AED 525 (inclusive of VAT) and a registration deposit of 10% of the total annual tuition fee, which is adjustable against the year's fees. Existing students wishing to re-enrol for the following academic year are required to pay a re-registration deposit of 5% of total tuition fees, also deductible from the first term's invoice. The school is rated Good by KHDA (2023–2024), with particularly strong ratings in curriculum quality, student wellbeing, and personal development, offering solid value within the mid-range Dubai private school market.
Parents paying annual fees upfront using the GEMS FAB Co-Branded Credit Card can save up to 3% on tuition, with additional cashback benefits on school-related expenses such as bus, canteen, and uniform purchases. Transport fees are managed separately through the school's transport services portal. The school follows KHDA refund bylaws for withdrawals, with registration and admission fees remaining non-refundable in all cases.
Additional Costs
Application Fee525(one-time)
Registration Deposit (New Students)Varies(one-time)
Re-Registration Deposit (Existing Students)Varies(annual)
Transport FeeVaries(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
GEMS FAB Credit Card DiscountUp to 3%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Cambridge International School is a school that delivers reliably and consistently on a clear promise: a broad, inclusive British education from Foundation Stage to Year 13, in a genuinely caring community environment, at a price point that makes it one of the more accessible full-pathway British curriculum schools in Dubai. The school's ten-year track record of Good KHDA ratings, its Outstanding scores for personal development and parent engagement, and its Very Good English results across all phases are not the profile of an average school - they are the profile of a school that has found its identity and executes it well. The move to the Al Twar 1 campus in 2020 resolved the overcrowding that had previously constrained the school, and the 200,000 sq ft facility with its 800-seat auditorium, covered pool and full sports infrastructure now matches the school's academic and pastoral ambitions. The honest limitations are equally clear: this is a Good, not Outstanding, school, and families seeking the very highest KHDA rating or the prestige of Dubai's elite British schools will look elsewhere. Teaching quality in Primary and Secondary is Good rather than Very Good, and Arabic and Islamic Education attainment in Secondary remains at Acceptable level - a gap that matters for Arabic-speaking families and for students targeting strong results in these subjects. The single guidance counsellor for nearly 2,800 students is a structural constraint. And while the campus is well-maintained and well-resourced, it does not have the manicured aesthetic of newer premium schools. For the right family, however, none of these are deal-breakers - they are simply the honest trade-offs of a mid-range school that gets the fundamentals right.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families seeking a well-established, inclusive British curriculum school with strong pastoral care, Outstanding personal development outcomes and a wide post-16 subject choice at a mid-range Dubai fee level, particularly those living in Al Twar, Garhoud, Deira or Mirdif.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising an Outstanding KHDA rating, elite university placement track records, or premium campus aesthetics; also potentially less suitable for students who need intensive Arabic language development, given Secondary Arabic attainment sitting at Acceptable level.
“
We looked at more expensive schools and honestly could not justify the premium. CIS gave our children a genuinely excellent education, real opportunities in sports and enrichment, and a community we feel proud to be part of.
— Post-16 Parent, Year 12
Strengths
- Consistent KHDA Good rating maintained for over a decade
- Outstanding personal development and parent engagement scores
- Very Good English attainment across all phases including Post-16
- Wide post-16 subject choice: A Level, BTEC, ASDAN across 30+ subjects
- Mid-range fees with full FS1 to Year 13 pathway on one campus
- 200,000 sq ft campus with 800-seat auditorium and covered pool
- Duke of Edinburgh, Model UN and World Scholars Cup programmes
- Outstanding curriculum design in Secondary and Post-16 phases
Areas for Improvement
- Overall KHDA rating is Good, not Outstanding or Very Good
- Arabic and Islamic Education attainment in Secondary rated only Acceptable
- Only one guidance counsellor for a student body of 2,813
- Teaching quality in Primary and Secondary is Good rather than Very Good
- No published scholarship or bursary programme for fee support