GEMS Cambridge International Set for Sharjah
GEMS Education is to increase the number of schools it has in Sharjah, with a GEMS Cambridge International Private School offering in Muwailih. The Cambridge International brand is known for offering a UK curriculum at an affordable price point.
GEMS itself says the new school, which opens in September 2019, "will offer a robust values-based approach to education with a strong focus on design thinking and problem solving." The new school means that GEMS will now operate a Cambridge International School in the three largest emirates of the UAE.
The Cambridge International Schools all follow the UK's EYFS curriculum in Foundation, the National Curriculum for England and Wales through to Year 9 and then predominantly the Cambridge International IGCSE qualification at O Level (although the school also offers a limited number of Edexcel GCSE subjects) and AS and A Level in Sixth Form. GEMS claims Cambridge International Schools "have a proven track record of success in both academic and extra-curricular activities, producing results that are significantly above the UK national averages, year after year."
According to the company "GEMS Cambridge School Sharjah will continue the legacy of the Cambridge brand in delivering the National Curriculum for England curriculum, with distinct opportunities to develop students’ full potential academically, socially and personally in a warm, happy and safe environment with design thinking and values as the core of curriculum."
Cambridge International School Dubai was rated Good for the eleventh year running in the 2018-19 KHDA inspection process. The Abu Dhabi school (featured image) has been rated Good for the last two inspections, after being upgraded from Acceptable.
While the new Cambridge school is located in Sharjah itself, its location "makes it accessible to students and families across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman".
Student capacity initially will be 1600 students. Enrolment has opened for Pre-KG to Grade 5 and fees will range from 20,000 AED – 30,000 AED per academic year, depending on the grade (and subject to Sharjah Private Education Authority approval). This makes it marginally more expensive than its older sister school in Dubai which currently has fees ranging from AED 18,175 - 25,152, and in line with the Abu Dhabi school with fees of 20,700 AED - 35,200 AED.
Sir Christopher Stone, Chief Education Officer MENASA, GEMS Education, said: “The Cambridge success story is based on a 36-years-strong heritage, with a consistently ‘Good’ academic excellence rating by ADEK and KHDA.
"Through this new addition, we will offer families in Sharjah and surrounding areas, values-based quality education, at an affordable price point.”
The GEMS Cambridge International School Sharjah campus will offer "state-of-the-art facilities", including a spacious school library which offers a panoramic view of Sharjah University. Other cutting-edge amenities include advanced science labs, ICT laboratories, a multi-purpose hall, a STEAM Lab, audio-visual facilities, an art and music room as well as a range of dedicated sports areas.
