GEMS Albarsha National School, Dubai

GEMS Al Barsha National School follows the British curriculum, enriched with UAE cultural heritage. The curriculum integrates Arabic language, Islamic studies, and UAE social studies while maintaining a rigorous academic framework. It prepares students for internationally recognised qualifications such as IGCSE and A-Levels. This dual-track design is not cosmetic: Arabic is taught four times a week in FS2 and Year 1 using school-developed phonics materials, and a genuine bilingual immersion model operates in the Foundation Stage, where the same content is taught in both Arabic and English by native-speaking teachers supported by Arabic-speaking assistants. In Primary, GNS deploys well-regarded structured programmes: Read Write Inc for phonics and early literacy, White Rose Mathematics for numeracy progression, and Accelerated Reader to build reading fluency and comprehension. These are evidence-based frameworks with measurable outcomes, and their use signals a school that has invested in curriculum infrastructure rather than leaving planning entirely to individual teachers. Spanish is introduced from Year 5 as a third language. Cross-curricular planning is more consistent in FS and Primary, helping students transfer knowledge across subjects. In Secondary (Years 7-9), core subjects - English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education - are taught alongside the compulsory MoE subjects of Arabic, Islamic Education and Social Studies. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11), students sit GCSE/IGCSE examinations across a range of subjects including English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Combined or Separate Sciences and optional subjects including Arabic, Business Studies, Geography, History, Spanish and Art and Design. Post-16 students in Years 12 and 13 choose between A-Level and BTEC pathways. A-Level subjects include English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Business. BTEC programmes cover Applied Science and Business. This flexibility in post-16 pathways is a genuine strength, recognising that a single academic route does not serve all learners. On external examination performance, the picture requires careful reading. DSIB inspectors rated overall attainment as mostly Acceptable across core subjects in 2023-24, with English attainment in Primary rated Weak - a significant concern for a British curriculum school. Mathematics and Science attainment were Acceptable across all phases, though progress in Mathematics was rated Good in all phases, indicating that students are moving forward relative to their starting points even when absolute attainment remains below expectations. Islamic Education and Arabic in Primary were the standout performers, rated Good for both attainment and progress. The 2025 BTEC results were genuinely impressive: 100% of BTEC Level 3 students earned Distinction grades, with 72% achieving the top Distinction* grade. 36% of BTEC Business Extended Diploma students earned a triple D*D*D*, equivalent to three A* grades. A-Level and IGCSE results have shown improvement year-on-year according to the school, with a reported 17.5 percentage point gain in IGCSE grades 9-4 in 2025 compared to 2024, though the school has not published full cohort data to allow independent verification. University destination data is not publicly available; the school offers a dedicated Careers Counsellor and Post-16 Phase Leader to support students through UCAS and UAE university applications.