GEMS Cambridge International School branch Abu Dhabi Bani Yas

The school delivers an enhanced British National Curriculum mapped continuously from Foundation Stage 1 through to Year 13, culminating in IGCSE, International GCSE, A Level, and International A Level qualifications awarded by Cambridge Assessment International Education and Edexcel/Pearson. This is not simply a transplanted UK curriculum: the school explicitly layers High Performance Learning (HPL) pedagogy across all phases, a research-backed framework that focuses on developing the cognitive and values, attitudes, and attributes students need to become high performers regardless of their starting point. This distinction matters - HPL is a structured, evidence-based approach that moves beyond rote learning towards deep conceptual understanding and metacognitive skill-building. The curriculum is structured into clear phases. Foundation Stage (FS1 and FS2) follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with structured play, outdoor learning, and the Read Write Inc. phonics programme introduced in Years 1 and 2 to build early literacy. The Talk for Writing approach and the Big Cat Guided Reading Scheme further support language development. Primary (Years 1-6) covers the full National Curriculum for England including English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Humanities, Art, Music, and PE, with Arabic and Islamic Studies integrated as required by ADEK. French is offered as an additional language from Key Stage 2. Secondary (Years 7-13) progresses through Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. At IGCSE level, the school offers a broad suite including English, Mathematics, the three sciences, ICT, French, Business Studies, Accounts, Economics, History, Geography, Art, Drama, Media Studies, Travel and Tourism, and Environmental Management. BTEC Level 2 qualifications in Sport, Performing Arts, and Engineering provide vocational pathways alongside traditional IGCSE routes. At Sixth Form, A Level and International A Level subjects are complemented by BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Business, IT, Media, and Travel and Tourism - a meaningful breadth that acknowledges not all students are on a purely academic university pathway. The school's published academic results are genuinely strong. The school's own website reports that 16% of A Level entries achieved A*, 78% achieved A*-B, and 30% of GCSE entries achieved A* with 77% achieving A*-B. These figures consistently outperform UK national averages and represent a credible benchmark for a mid-range fee school. The ADEK Irtiqa 2024/25 report confirms that English attainment in Phase 4 (Sixth Form) is Outstanding, as is Mathematics and Science at this level - a particularly important signal for university-bound students. In international assessments, the school's PISA 2022 results showed scores above the international average in all three domains, with mathematical literacy (495.7) and scientific literacy (507.8) meeting or exceeding the school's own targets. PIRLS 2021 results placed Year 5 students at a proficiency level of 555, firmly in the high international benchmark. SEN provision is handled by a dedicated SEN department with specialist teachers, counsellors, and in-class support. The school accommodates 139 students of determination, representing approximately 3.8% of the student body - a meaningful inclusion commitment. An intensive EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme supports students with little or no English on entry, including a structured Cambridge Examination Board course. The ADEK inspection notes that analysis of EAL student progress in the Foundation Stage would benefit from closer alignment to baseline data - a fair observation that the school is actively working to address. Gifted and Talented students are identified and supported through reading buddy programmes, acceleration opportunities, and enrichment activities, though the inspectors note that differentiation for high attainers across all phases remains an area for continued development.