GEMS International School - Cairo
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
Accreditations
Languages
GEMS Royal Dubai School is a long-established British curriculum school in Mirdif, Dubai, currently expanding to become an all-through school serving students from Foundation Stage to Year 13. It is recognized for its high standards of education and commitment to a values-led, inclusive learning environment.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is guided by a values-led education, focusing on core values of Care, Excellence, One Team, and Always Learning. It emphasizes holistic development, combining academic excellence with wellbeing, character, and personal growth to prepare students for life beyond school. The school also promotes sustainability and climate literacy as part of its educational mission.
Programmes
The school follows the National Curriculum for England, offering a seamless educational journey from age three to 18. The curriculum includes pathways such as GCSEs, iGCSEs, A-levels, BTEC, and various vocational routes. The academic programme is supported by experienced, UK-trained teachers and focuses on both primary and secondary provision.
Outcomes
Students consistently achieve outstanding results, outperforming UAE and global benchmarks. Graduates secure places at leading universities worldwide, including Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions, supported by the school's university and career pathways programme.
Student support
Learning support
The school maintains a commitment to 100% inclusivity, ensuring that students with unique individual needs are supported. It provides an inclusion centre and implements strong protocols for wellbeing, safeguarding, and mentoring to ensure all learners feel safe and supported.
Frequently asked questions(4)
- What curriculum does GEMS International School - Cairo offer?
- GEMS International School - Cairo offers IB MYP and US Common Core.
- What ages does GEMS International School - Cairo teach?
- GEMS International School - Cairo enrolls students aged 2 to 14.
- What accreditations does GEMS International School - Cairo hold?
- GEMS International School - Cairo holds accreditations including Cambridge International and British Schools Overseas.
- Where is GEMS International School - Cairo located?
- GEMS International School - Cairo is an international school in New Cairo, Egypt.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school provides an age-grade placement guide and conducts age-related placement tests as part of the admissions process. Prospective families are encouraged to contact the admissions team or the GEMS Concierge Team to request a callback or schedule a personalised tour with the leadership team. The school also offers a scholarship programme, GEMS For Life, which provides financial support to students.
Calendar
The school follows the UAE Ministry of Education academic calendar, which typically runs from September to June, though some schools operate from April to March. The academic year consists of three terms separated by winter and spring breaks, with a summer break of up to 8.2 weeks. Additionally, the school observes public and religious holidays, including Commemoration Day, National Day, and Islamic holidays determined by moon sightings.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus features modern classrooms, science labs, design and food technology rooms, and dedicated spaces for music, art, and drama. Future developments include an innovation hub, makerspace, library, inclusion centre, performance hall, dance studio, and recording studio. Recreational facilities include a 25m swimming pool, a full-size football pitch, and padel courts.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a range of activities beyond the classroom, including music, art, drama, and recreational spaces. Students have access to facilities such as a 25m swimming pool, a full-size football pitch, and padel courts. The school also promotes student engagement through various sustainability initiatives and community-focused projects.




- Sunny VarkeyChairman and Founder, GEMS Education
Sunny Varkey is the Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education. He is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has devoted his life to raising the standard of education globally and nurturing the genius in every child. He also founded the Varkey Foundation in 2011.
- Dino VarkeyGroup Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education
Dino Varkey is the Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education.
- Dr Saima RanaDeputy Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education
Dr. Saima Rana is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at GEMS Education. She brings deep insights into effective school management and focuses on streamlining operations and supporting data-driven decision-making.
- Jay VarkeyDeputy Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education
Jay Varkey is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education.
- Lisa Crausby OBEGroup Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education
Lisa Crausby OBE is the Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education.
- Robert Tarn CBEChief Executive Officer, GEMS School Management
Robert Tarn CBE is the Chief Executive Officer of GEMS School Management. His leadership has had a transformative impact on more than 50 schools as a Principal, Executive Principal, and Chief Executive. He was made CBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list for his outstanding services to school education.
- Matthew BurfieldExecutive Vice President – Education, GEMS Education
Matthew Burfield is the Executive Vice President – Education at GEMS Education and the Founding Principal of GEMS Founders School – Dubai. He has played a key role in the Founders brand's reputation for combining ambition, inclusion, and strong outcomes.
- Nicola HuggettExecutive Principal, GEMS Wellington International School
Nicola Huggett is the Executive Principal of GEMS Wellington International School, appointed in April 2026. She has over three decades of senior leadership experience in the UK and internationally, including serving as Head of Cheltenham College.
- Akram TarikFounding and Executive Principal, GEMS Founders School – Nad Al Hamar
Akram Tarik is the Founding and Executive Principal of GEMS Founders School – Nad Al Hamar and continues to serve as Executive Principal of GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar. He has more than a decade of experience as a Principal/CEO within the GEMS network.
- Mia ChorfiPrincipal, GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar
Mia Chorfi is the Principal of GEMS Founders School – Al Mizhar. She has served in several senior academic leadership roles over the past five years and was previously Vice Principal – Academics at the same school.
- Ian PlantPrincipal/CEO, GEMS Founders School – Dubai South
Ian Plant is the founding Principal/CEO of GEMS Founders School – Dubai South. He is a distinguished senior leader with a track record in school improvement in the UK and UAE, and is a qualified Level 3 British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspector.
- Robert CommonsPrincipal/CEO, GEMS Westminster School – Ras Al Khaimah
Robert Commons is the Principal/CEO of GEMS Westminster School – Ras Al Khaimah. He has extensive leadership experience in British and IB curriculum schools in the UAE, UK, and elsewhere, and previously served as Lead Government Officer for Secondary Education in the UK’s Channel Islands.
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