Our Own English High School - Girls - Sharjah - Industrial Area 6
Indian School in Industrial Area 6, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
Indian
SPEA
Acceptable
Location
Sharjah, Industrial Area 6
Fees
AED 8K - 16K
The Executive Summary
Our Own English High School - Girls - Sharjah - Industrial Area 6 Sharjah is one of the UAE's most remarkable educational stories: a school that has grown from a handful of portacabins in 1982 into a campus serving nearly 5,700 girls, holding a SPEA rating of Very Good - the second-highest possible - and consistently producing CBSE toppers at the UAE, Gulf, and GEMS level. The school delivers the CBSE curriculum, designed and developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi, preparing students for the All India Secondary Schools Examination at Grade 10 and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination at Grade 12. Graduates are eligible for university admissions globally, and the school's strong SAT performance record reinforces that pathway. For Indian-origin families in Sharjah seeking a rigorous, affordable, and values-driven education within a single-sex environment, this school occupies a category of its own among Industrial Area 6 schools. School fees Sharjah parents will note the annual tuition ranges from AED 8,292 for KG to AED 15,587 for Grades 10-12 - positioning it firmly in the value tier of Sharjah private schools without compromising on academic ambition.
The school's strengths are real and well-evidenced: outstanding achievement in English, mathematics, science, and other subjects at the High School phase; exemplary student behaviour rated Outstanding by SPEA inspectors; and leadership under Principal Asma Gilani that has driven a measurable improvement from Good (2019) to Very Good (2022). The caveats are equally real. With nearly 5,700 students, class sizes and campus density are not for families seeking an intimate school experience. The SPEA inspection flagged that Middle School mathematics and science performance in external benchmark tests (ASSET) remains a growth area, and extended writing skills in Primary and Middle need further development. For families prioritising the CBSE pathway to Indian and international universities at a price point that is genuinely accessible, this is an easy recommendation. For those seeking a small-cohort, IB, or British curriculum environment, it is the wrong fit.
SPEA Very Good RatedCBSE CurriculumFounded 1982GEMS Education NetworkGirls-Only School
“The academic rigour here is real - my daughter came out of Grade 12 with results that got her into her first-choice university in India. The teachers genuinely care, and the principal sets a tone you feel throughout the school.”
— Grade 12 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
The academic framework at Our Own English High School Girls is built entirely on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in New Delhi. This is one of India's most widely recognised and academically demanding curricula, and the school's implementation of it spans KG1 through Grade 12 - covering Kindergarten, Primary, Middle, Secondary, and Senior School phases. The medium of instruction is English throughout, with special emphasis on both written and spoken English at all levels, a commitment that is reflected in the Outstanding SPEA rating for English attainment and progress in both KG and High School phases.
At the Senior School level, the school offers all three CBSE streams: Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Computer Science/Economics), Commerce (Economics, Accountancy, Business Studies), and Humanities (History, Sociology, Political Science). Second language options include Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, and French, with Arabic mandatory across all phases. This breadth of subject choice at Grades 11-12 is a genuine differentiator for a school at this fee level. Students completing the All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) gain internationally recognised qualifications accepted by universities in India, the UAE, UK, US, Canada, Singapore, and Malaysia. The school's strong performance in SAT examinations further supports this international university pathway.
SPEA inspection data from November 2022 paints a detailed picture of academic performance. In the High School phase, attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, Science, and Other Subjects are all rated Outstanding - the highest possible grade. In Primary and Middle, attainment and progress across most subjects are rated Very Good, with the notable exception of external benchmark test results in Middle mathematics and science, where ASSET data showed weaker-than-expected performance. This gap between internal assessment data and external benchmarks is the school's most significant academic challenge and one that SPEA has specifically flagged for improvement. The Kindergarten phase earns Outstanding ratings for English attainment and progress, reflecting a well-designed early years programme built on inquiry, discovery, and multisensory learning.
Academic support structures include provision for Students of Determination (801 students identified, representing a significant inclusion commitment), as well as Gifted and Talented programming - though SPEA noted that G&T students are not always routinely challenged in class settings. Two guidance counsellors support the student body. The school's PULSE programme (Personal and Universal Life Skills Education) adds a structured layer of personal development alongside the academic curriculum. University placement outcomes are strong: graduates access institutions including BITS Pilani, American University of Sharjah, Heriot-Watt University UAE, Middlesex University, Purdue University, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. Historically, 100% of graduates have proceeded to tertiary education.
Outstanding
High School English, Maths, Science Attainment
SPEA 2022 inspection rating - highest possible grade
801
Students of Determination enrolled
Out of 5,677 total students - significant inclusion provision
100%
Graduate university progression rate
All Grade 12 completers proceed to tertiary education
KG1 - Grade 12
Full all-through school span
CBSE curriculum across all phases
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school operating at this fee level, the extracurricular offering at Our Own English High School Girls is notably broad. The school's student life programme spans performing arts, competitive sports, academic enrichment clubs, creative arts, and community events - a range that reflects the GEMS Education network's investment in co-curricular programming beyond the classroom.
In the creative and performing arts, students have access to music (including the school's own Our Own Orchestra), dramatics, and a range of visual arts activities including paper folding, glass painting, fabric painting, acrylic painting, calligraphy, pen sketching, clay modelling, pot painting, mask making, portrait work, and collage. Creative writing, extempore speaking, and debate are also offered, developing confident communicators - a strength explicitly noted by SPEA inspectors who highlighted students' ability to articulate and express opinions confidently.
Sports provision includes coaching for inter-school and intra-school tournaments in basketball, cricket, table tennis, track and field, badminton, chess, and carrom. The campus includes two basketball courts, a football field, a cricket pitch, and badminton, volleyball, and tennis courts with a synthetic track. Physical education earns a Very Good rating in SPEA inspection data, with students developing strong motor skills and competitive sporting experience.
Academic enrichment clubs include the Look Who's Answering Quiz Club (focused on Science, Technology, and Current Affairs awareness) and Eva Green - the school's Eco Club. The school has also introduced Digifest, an intra-school technology and innovation competition that provides a platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase business ideas, and OWNEX, an exhibition for the school's inventors. The Junior School Parliament and KG Concert round out the calendar of student-led annual events.
International exposure is provided through overseas excursions - the school has organised trips to destinations including the USA, Paris, and Singapore. A Career Fair brings university representatives on campus to guide Grade 11 and 12 students through application processes and eligibility. An annual Interschool Islamic Cultural Festival, Ruhaaniyat Islamiyah, adds a cultural dimension that resonates strongly with the predominantly Indian and Muslim student community.
7+
Competitive sports disciplines
Basketball, cricket, table tennis, track, badminton, chess, carrom
Our Own OrchestraDigifest Innovation CompetitionOWNEX Inventors ExhibitionEva Green Eco ClubRuhaaniyat Islamiyah FestivalInternational Overseas Trips
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of the most consistently celebrated aspects of Our Own English High School Girls, and the SPEA inspection data backs this up unambiguously. Students' personal and social development is rated Outstanding across all phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and High - the only performance standard to achieve this top rating school-wide. SPEA inspectors noted that students have very positive and responsible attitudes, with high levels of trust, morale, and commitment. Almost all students greet teachers, leaders, and visitors respectfully. The sense of camaraderie is described as very strong, with students actively buddying and mentoring peers.
Safeguarding arrangements meet UAE governmental requirements, and the school's admissions page explicitly references its commitment to students of determination and its open admissions policy for students with a range of learning preferences. The school operates under GEMS Education's safeguarding and child protection framework, which aligns with international best practice standards.
Two guidance counsellors support a student body of nearly 5,700 - a ratio that is stretched by any measure, and one that parents of students with complex pastoral needs should factor into their decision-making. The school's website references a Student Care and Support programme that operates under UAE governmental guidance on safeguarding and welfare.
Student attendance is strong at 96.8%, reflecting genuine student engagement and a school culture where girls feel safe and motivated to attend. SPEA inspectors observed that students consistently demonstrate excellent understanding of safe and healthy living, with participation in Etiquette Week, Eat Healthy, and Be Safe campaigns. Student voice is channelled through the Junior School Parliament and various leadership roles within the school's co-curricular structure. Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is also rated Outstanding across all phases, with students actively participating in UAE Flag Day, Martyrs Day, National Day, Indian Republic Day, and Independence Day celebrations.
“The school feels safe and warm. My daughter has never once not wanted to go to school - and I think that says everything about the culture they have built here. The teachers know the students, and the students look out for each other.”
— Grade 7 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Our Own English High School Girls occupies a campus in Industrial Area 6, Sharjah - an honest location descriptor that sets realistic expectations. The area is functional rather than prestigious, situated on the edge of an industrial zone, and the school's buildings are described as somewhat dated. However, the campus is well-maintained, bright, and extensively decorated with student artwork, creating an environment that feels purposeful and alive despite its age. The school moved to its current site in 1990 and has been continuously developed since.
For a school of this scale - nearly 5,700 students - the facilities are reasonably comprehensive. Academic spaces include a junior and senior library, multiple ICT labs, science laboratories, an art room, a music hall, and a KG play area and playroom. The 700-seat auditorium is a significant asset for a school at this fee level, enabling large-scale performances, prize days, and community events. The Innovation Studio and Learning Hub are equipped with interactive whiteboards, laptops, and Lego kits - resources designed to develop technological literacy and creative problem-solving skills.
Sports facilities include two basketball courts, a football field, a cricket pitch, and badminton, volleyball, and tennis courts with a synthetic track. A canteen and medical rooms complete the core campus infrastructure. The school does not have a swimming pool, which is worth noting for families where aquatic sports are a priority.
Technology infrastructure includes the GEMS Parent Portal and GEMS Connect App for fee payments and communication. The school has implemented a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative, though SPEA's 2019 inspection noted that ICT integration into classroom learning was an area for development - a recommendation that the school has since been working to address under its improvement plan.
Location context: Industrial Area 6 is accessible from residential communities across Sharjah, Ajman, and parts of Dubai. The school operates transport services through Bright Bus Transport (BBT), with routes covering Sharjah (AED 3,930 annually), Ajman/Qusais/Dubai (AED 4,300), and Umm Al Quwain (AED 4,870). For families in central Sharjah, the commute is manageable. For those in more distant communities, the bus service provides a structured option.
700
Seat auditorium capacity
Enables large-scale performances and community events
1990
Year campus established at current site
School founded 1982, moved to Industrial Area 6 in 1990
700-Seat AuditoriumInnovation StudioJunior and Senior LibrarySynthetic Sports TrackGEMS Connect AppBright Bus Transport
Teaching & Learning Quality
The quality of teaching and learning at Our Own English High School Girls has improved measurably since the school's 2019 SPEA inspection, and the 2022 review attributes this directly to structured professional development (PD) and a rigorous performance management programme. SPEA inspectors noted that the impact of PD on improved teaching and learning is a key area of strength - a finding that reflects the GEMS Education network's investment in staff development, which is offered to all staff at no cost through the central GEMS PD programme.
The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:20, with 279 teachers and 30 teaching assistants serving 5,677 students. This ratio is within acceptable parameters for a CBSE school, though the scale of the institution means that individual attention varies by phase and subject. Class sizes average 25 students per section, capped at 29 - a significant improvement from historical peaks of 41 per class.
Teacher turnover is 12% - relatively low for a school of this size in the UAE market, suggesting reasonable staff satisfaction and institutional stability. The majority of teachers are Indian passport holders, with additional staff from Pakistan, Egypt, and Sudan. This nationality profile aligns well with the predominantly Indian student body and the CBSE curriculum's pedagogical conventions.
Pedagogically, the school follows a structured, curriculum-led approach consistent with CBSE methodology, with increasing integration of inquiry-based and collaborative learning - particularly evident in the High School phase, where SPEA rated learning skills as Outstanding. In High, students actively research using technology, engage in critical thinking, and demonstrate independence of thought. In Primary and Middle, SPEA noted that students do not always initiate collaborative activities independently, and that extended writing tasks are underutilised - areas where teaching practice is still developing.
Differentiation for diverse learners - including the 801 Students of Determination - is embedded in the school's inclusion policy, with curriculum and teaching strategies adapted to meet SEN needs. However, SPEA has noted that Gifted and Talented students are not always routinely challenged, pointing to a gap in the upper end of differentiation. The use of technology in teaching continues to evolve, with the Innovation Studio and BYOD initiative providing infrastructure, though consistent classroom integration remains a work in progress.
1:20
Teacher-to-student ratio
279 teachers serving 5,677 students
12%
Annual teacher turnover rate
Low for UAE market - indicates staff stability
30
Teaching assistants on staff
Supporting 279 qualified teachers
Leadership & Management
Leadership at Our Own English High School Girls is defined by one name: Principal Asma Gilani, whose tenure of over 15 years has shaped the school's identity, culture, and trajectory. Under her direction, the school has progressed from a Good to a Very Good SPEA rating, received prestigious educational awards from three emirates - including the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, Sheikh Hamdan Award, and Sharjah Excellence Award for Academic Excellence - and been awarded the Green Flag for environmental excellence for four consecutive years. SPEA inspectors specifically cite the principal and senior leaders' impact on continuous school improvement as a key area of strength.
The school is owned and operated by GEMS Education, one of the world's largest private education providers, with the Chair of the Board of Governors listed as Michael Guzder. The GEMS network provides significant operational infrastructure: centralised professional development, financial management systems, the GEMS Parent Portal, and the GEMS Connect App for parent communication. This corporate backing is both an asset (resources, systems, stability) and a constraint (fee structures and strategic decisions are made within GEMS' framework, not solely at school level).
The school's vision is articulated clearly by Principal Gilani: a commitment to quality education, high academic attainment at all levels, and the nurturing of strong, resilient, and resourceful young women. This is not merely rhetorical - the SPEA survey data shows 93% of parents and 100% of teachers indicating overall satisfaction with the school, figures that reflect genuine institutional coherence.
Parent communication is managed through the GEMS Parent Portal and GEMS Connect App, with fee payment, result access, and general communication all channelled digitally. The school's admissions process is fully online, with a structured multi-step enrolment system. SPEA inspectors rated Partnership with Parents as a key area of strength, reflecting the school's active engagement with its parent community through surveys, open houses, career fairs, and community events. Self-evaluation and improvement planning processes are described by SPEA as very good, with the school demonstrating clear capacity to identify and act on its own development areas.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The most recent SPEA School Performance Review of Our Own English High School Girls was conducted over four days in November 2022, involving a team of eight reviewers who completed 239 lesson observations - 14 jointly with school leaders. The overall effectiveness rating is Very Good, representing a significant upward trajectory from the Good rating awarded in the previous 2019 inspection. This improvement is not cosmetic: it reflects measurable gains in teaching quality, student achievement, and leadership effectiveness across all phases.
The headline finding is that Students' Personal and Social Development is rated Outstanding - the only performance standard to achieve the top grade school-wide. This covers personal development, understanding of Islamic values and Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility and innovation skills. It is a remarkable achievement for a school of nearly 5,700 students and reflects the strength of the school's pastoral culture.
In terms of Students' Achievement, the picture is nuanced. High School performance in English, Mathematics, Science, and Other Subjects is rated Outstanding for both attainment and progress - the strongest phase in the school. Primary and Middle phases earn Very Good ratings across most subjects, with the exception of Arabic as an Additional Language in Primary (Good). The critical gap identified by SPEA is between internal assessment data and external benchmark results: ASSET test data for Middle mathematics and science showed weak attainment, contradicting the Very Good ratings seen in lessons. This discrepancy is the school's most significant unresolved challenge.
Teaching and Assessment is rated Very Good overall, with SPEA noting the positive impact of professional development on classroom quality. The curriculum is rated Very Good, with inspectors noting good breadth and adaptation for diverse learners. Leadership and Management is rated Very Good, with particular praise for the principal's strategic impact and the strength of parent partnerships. The overall recommendation from SPEA is to build on the significant improvements achieved, continue to develop teaching quality, and strengthen accountability processes for external benchmark performance - particularly in Middle mathematics and science.
Outstanding Personal Development
Students' personal and social development is rated Outstanding across all phases - KG, Primary, Middle, and High. SPEA inspectors noted exemplary behaviour, strong camaraderie, high self-discipline, and excellent understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture.
Outstanding High School Achievement
In the High School phase, attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, Science, and Other Subjects are all rated Outstanding - the highest possible SPEA grade. CBSE external examination results confirm this finding.
Strong Leadership Impact
SPEA identifies the principal and senior leaders' impact on continuous school improvement as a key strength. The school has progressed from Good to Very Good since 2019, with 100% teacher satisfaction reported in SPEA surveys.
Middle School External Benchmark Performance
ASSET external test results for Middle mathematics and science showed weak attainment - a significant gap compared to the Very Good ratings seen in lessons and internal assessments. SPEA recommends strengthening accountability processes to close this gap.
Extended Writing and G&T Challenge
Extended writing skills in Primary and Middle are underdeveloped, with students rarely applying their skills to longer pieces. Additionally, Gifted and Talented students are not routinely challenged in class settings across all phases.
Inspection History
2019
Good
2022-2023
Very Good
Fees & Value for Money
Our Own English High School – Girls – Sharjah (Industrial Area 6) is a GEMS Education school operating under the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) fee framework for the Academic Year 2025–26. Annual tuition fees range from AED 8,292 for KG1 and KG2 students up to AED 15,587 for Grades 10–12, positioning the school as an accessible, mid-range option within Sharjah's private education landscape. Fees are collected over 10 monthly installments (July and August are excluded), providing families with a manageable and predictable payment schedule throughout the academic year.
AED 8,292
Annual Fees From
AED 15,587
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
KG1
AED 8,292KG2
AED 8,292Grade 1
AED 9,986Grade 2
AED 9,986Grade 3
AED 9,986Grade 4
AED 9,986Grade 5
AED 9,986Grade 6
AED 11,940Grade 7
AED 11,940Grade 8
AED 11,940Grade 9
AED 11,940Grade 10
AED 15,587Grade 11
AED 15,587Grade 12
AED 15,587In addition to tuition, families should budget for textbooks (ranging from AED 58 for KG1 to AED 714 for Grade 5) and a uniform (AED 370 for KG, AED 430–435 for Grades 1–12), both of which are sourced through approved third-party vendors and are not collected directly by the school. A one-time new admission fee of AED 500 is charged upon acceptance and is adjustable against the first three months of tuition fees once the student joins. Transport is available through Bright Bus Transport (BBT) at annual rates between AED 3,930 (Sharjah routes) and AED 4,870 (Umm Al Quwain routes).
The school accepts a variety of payment methods including cash, cheques, bank transfers, and credit/debit cards, as well as online payments via the GEMS Parent Portal or GEMS Connect App. Parents using the FAB GEMS World Credit Card can save up to 3% on annual tuition fees paid in advance, plus receive 10% back on school expenses. All outstanding fees for the academic year, including March fees, must be settled on or before 1st February, with Board Examination admit cards for Classes 10 and 12 issued only upon full fee clearance.
Additional Costs
New Admission Fee500(one-time)
Textbooks – KG158(annual)
Textbooks – KG288(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 1549(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 2579(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 3574(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 4604(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 5714(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 6575(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 7570(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 8620(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 9525(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 10583(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 11538(annual)
Textbooks – Grade 12528(annual)
Uniform – KG1 & KG2 (1 set core uniform)370(annual)
Uniform – Grades 1–9 (1 set core uniform)435(annual)
Uniform – Grades 10–12 (1 set core uniform)430(annual)
Bus – Sharjah route (annual)3930(annual)
Bus – Ajman, Qusais, Dubai route (annual)4300(annual)
Bus – Umm Al Quwain route (annual)4870(annual)
Returned Cheque Administrative Fee250(one-time)
Re-admission Fee(one-time)
Discounts & Concessions
FAB GEMS World Credit Card Discountup to 3%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Our Own English High School Girls Sharjah is a school that earns its Very Good SPEA rating through substance rather than marketing. It is large, it is affordable, it is academically serious - and under the leadership of Principal Asma Gilani, it has demonstrated a genuine capacity to improve. The Outstanding High School achievement ratings, the 100% graduate university progression, and the Outstanding pastoral development ratings are not aspirational claims; they are independently verified findings from SPEA inspectors.
The school's limitations are equally clear-eyed. With nearly 5,700 students, this is not an environment where every child receives individualised attention as a matter of course. The Middle School external benchmark gap is real and unresolved. The campus is functional rather than impressive. Families expecting the physical environment of a premium-fee school will be disappointed. And the two-counsellor provision for a student body of this size is a structural constraint that parents of children with complex pastoral needs must weigh carefully.
But for the right family - and there are thousands of them in Sharjah - this school is exceptional value. The CBSE pathway is well-executed, the culture is warm and disciplined, the extracurricular breadth is genuine, and the fee structure is among the most accessible in the GEMS network. This is a school that takes its mission seriously and delivers on it consistently.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Indian and South Asian families in Sharjah seeking a rigorous CBSE education within a single-sex, values-driven environment at an accessible fee point. Families who prioritise academic outcomes, strong pastoral culture, and a clear university pathway to Indian and international institutions.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking a British, American, or IB curriculum; those who prioritise small class sizes and highly personalised learning; or those whose daughters have complex SEN needs requiring intensive specialist support beyond what two counsellors can provide.
“
We chose OOS because we wanted our daughter to be in a school that would challenge her academically without costing us a fortune. Four years in, she is thriving - the teachers are excellent and the school has given her confidence we did not expect. It is not a fancy school, but it is a genuinely good one.
— Grade 9 Parent
Strengths
- SPEA Very Good rating - improved from Good in 2019
- Outstanding High School results in English, Maths, and Science
- Among the most affordable GEMS schools in the UAE
- Outstanding pastoral care and student behaviour across all phases
- 100% graduate university progression rate
- Broad extracurricular programme including arts, sports, and innovation
- Strong, stable leadership under long-serving Principal Asma Gilani
- Open admissions policy including 801 Students of Determination
Areas for Improvement
- Nearly 5,700 students - not suited to families wanting an intimate environment
- Middle School ASSET benchmark results show weak external performance in maths and science
- Only two guidance counsellors for a student body of nearly 5,700
- Campus is dated and located in an industrial area
- Gifted and Talented students not consistently challenged in class