GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys

• NSGB location
• Years offered
• NSGB curriculum
• KHDA rating
• How to apply?
• Fee structure
• NSGB scholarships
• NSGB transportation
• PTA and contact information

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys was closed in July 2022. All students were sent to the Girls’ campus and the school is now collectively known as GEMS Al Barsha National School.

Before the closure, GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys (NSGB) opened in fall of 2017. The school had to open together with GEMS Al Barsha National School for Girls in 2016. However, seeing an increasing demand for a UK curriculum school only for boys, its launch was delayed.

Both GEMS Al Barsha National Schools are neighbours, which means many facilities are shared by the girls and boys sections at separate timings. In fact, little ones are taught together in the Foundation Stage. The school adopts segregation from Year 1 and above.

The school is located in Al Barsha, a community favoured by many because of easy access to various lifestyle amenities. Interestingly, GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys is surrounded by other GEMS schools and the popular American School of Creative Science is located right across the road.

GEMS NSGB School offers the British Curriculum from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4 or Year 11. Little ones in FS are taught Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum and the secondary students appear for the General Certificate of Secondary Examination (GCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys hasn’t been inspected by the KHDA yet. The reputation of GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys ensured that the school made it to the top British curriculum GEMS schools in Dubai. Apart from NSGB, there are several other schools in Al Barsha that you can consider.

This GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys review will help parents in making an informed decision when it comes to selecting a quality school for their boys.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys location is quite ideal for families living in:

• Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
• Dubai Sports City
• Motor City
• Dubai Studio City
• Arabian Ranches

The nearest residential community is Jumeirah Village Circle. You will find singles, young couples and families living in the neighbourhood. Likewise, schools, entertainment spots and fitness centres in JVC attract numerous expats.

If you are on a lookout for residential and for-sale properties near the school, you can consider:

• Apartments for rent near GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys
• Villas for rent near GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys
• Apartments for sale near GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys
• Villas for sale near GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys

Modern facilities can be easily spotted at the GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys campus. You’d find all resources that help create an innovative learning environment. Bright and airy classrooms are equipped with LED displays. As you’ll go inside the building, you will find a well-stocked, bilingual library as well as science and ICT laboratories.

Students taking part in Performing Arts productions can make the most of Music, Drama and Dance specialist areas. These are creative spaces designed for students to execute their creative ideas. Inside, one can locate a performance theatre that is used for music and drama productions, school assemblies, meetings and exhibitions. One can also find multi-sports facilities, play areas and two swimming pools – a 25-metre main pool and a dedicated learners’ pool.

Muslim students can offer prayers in dedicated areas. There are separate prayer areas for males and females.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys is located in Al Barsha South, a sub-community of Al Barsha that houses beautiful villas.

NSGB School shares the location with GEMS Founders School, Dubai Heights Academy and Dwight School Dubai.

GEMS schools including the GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys are an attractive deal for parents for several reasons. First, most parents prefer the schools for the core values shared across the GEMS Network. The four main core values are Growing by Learning, Pursuing Excellence, Leading Through Innovation and Global Citizenship.

Second, GEMS Students have a reputation of being granted admission into 66 of the world’s top 100 universities, which is quite a big feat.

Third, GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Dubai has hired exceptional teachers who bring years of experience to the classroom. Also, the school offers education up to secondary school, which means your child will get the best quality education from a young age.

Finally, parents can benefit from various reward programmes associated with the GEMS schools. You can get a full (100%) discount on tuition fees through GEMS Point and GEMS Ambassador Programme.

The ultimate goal of GEMS Al Barsha National School is to become one of the leading British schools in Dubai.

The Government of Dubai has developed protocols for schools to follow until the pandemic is over. This is an accumulative effort and approach to keep everyone safe and healthy, including students, teachers, parents, and relevant third parties.

The KHDA has uploaded FAQs for schools on the official website for your convenience. Here’s an overview of the preventive SOPs in place.

• Sterilising the school building, classrooms, laboratories and other facilities regularly, according to the recommendations of the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management.
• Assessing the temperature of everyone who enters the school building daily.
• Maintaining physical distance guidelines as recommended by the relevant health authorities and reducing the headcount capacity in classrooms.
• From this academic year, 1-metre distancing is recommended. Schools must take appropriate precautions to ensure that students and teachers stay physically distanced where possible.
• Buses may run at full capacity provided they comply with health and safety protocols.
• Schools shall reinstate Physical Education, swimming lessons and sports activities. Changing rooms and sports areas will be sanitised after each group of students
• The canteen shall reopen and resume live cooking
• School trips, excursions and holiday camps shall be resumed. 
• After-hours care, extra-curricular activities, performances, assemblies and other events at school or external venues are allowed.
• Students older than six years, staff and visitors to schools must continue to wear face masks.
• Vaccination is not compulsory. Unvaccinated school staff must submit a negative PCR test each week. Students are not obliged to submit negative PCR tests.
• From October 3rd 2021, all teaching and learning at Dubai private schools will only be face-to-face. Students who wish to continue with distance learning after the stated date must provide a medical certificate issued by Dubai Health Authority.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Dubai has age placement guidelines. Here’s an overview for the convenience of parents.

Following the British Curriculum of England, GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Dubai offers education from Foundation Stage until Year 11. Nevertheless, the curriculum taught is a blend of Arabic culture and local traditions.

Few mandatory subjects are taught across the school. These include:

• Islamic Education from Year 1 until Year Year 12 only for Muslim students.
• Arabic as a first language for students from Year 1 until Year 12 who hold a valid passport from an Arab country.
• Arabic as an additional language for students from Year 1 until Year 9 who hold a valid passport from a non-Arab country.

Foundation Stage

Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) programme, GEMS Al Barsha National School has a co-ed kindergarten section. Emphasis is placed on the development of numeracy, literacy and reading skills in young kids. Child-initiated and teacher-led activities ensure that little ones can engage the ‘explorer’ side of themselves.

Importance of physical, emotional and social development, communication and expressive arts and design is inculcated in the curriculum to enable students to understand their emotions and that of the others around them.

Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 3

Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 make up the primary and lower secondary sections at the school. Students have a more rigorous schedule at this level with the introduction of teacher-specific subjects. Children are encouraged to take part in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, field trips and assessments to ensure their attainment across all subjects are high.

Skills such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving and independent research work are given special attention so that students have a smooth transition into the secondary school.

From Year 1 to Year 9, students usually study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Computing, Arabic language, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, Leadership, Spanish (from Year 6), Design and Technology, Arts (Music/Art/), Physical Education and Moral Education and Digital Learning.

Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5

As of now, NSGB, Dubai offers education until Year 11 where students appear for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams. GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys curriculum for Key stage 4 includes subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Arabic language, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, Business Studies, Design and Technology, Physical Education and Moral Education.

NSGB, Al Barsha recommends that students pay attention during their lectures to score better grades in the examination.

Nevertheless, the school intends to add Key Stage 5 soon. At this stage, students can appear for Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced (A) Levels examinations.

As per the new COVID-19 protocols issued by KHDA, schools are discontinuing the distance learning programme from October 3, 2021. Those wishing to continue their education via distance learning have to show a relevant health certificate issued by Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Schools may revert back to distance learning if COVID-19 cases are detected in a class or a group in a class.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) monitors the performance of private schools in Dubai. The KHDA evaluates the school based on various aspects including school’s policies, school performance, campus facilities, use of innovation and technology, students’ performance and more.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys is not yet inspected by the KHDA. This section will be updated as soon as the detailed inspection report is released.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys’ academic calendar highlights the term dates, school events and Islamic holidays. However, Islamic holidays are subject to moon sighting. A summary of the calendar is provided below.

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December, followed by a 3-week winter break.
• The second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March, followed by a 2-week spring break.
• The third term starts in the second week of April and ends in the first week of July, followed by a 2-month summer break.

Although NSGB, Al Barsha is a non-selective school, it has limited scope for children with severe or complex special educational needs. GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys’ admission process is divided into two steps for the convenience of parents.

Step 1: Registration

The registration process starts with filling the online application form. Once the form is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email on the address that you mentioned on the form. The school suggests you keep the enquiry number provided to you safe for future reference.

To complete the registration process, you are requested to pay a registration fee of AED 525 and submit the following documents:

• A copy of the child’s passport
• A copy of the child’s valid visa
• A copy of the child’s Emirates ID Card
• A copy of the child’s birth certificate
• A copy of the child’s last school report (for students entering Year 1 and onwards)
• 2 recent passport-sized photographs of the child
•  A copy of each parent’s passport, valid visa and Emirates ID Card
• The child’s vaccination/immunisation report
• Full detail of any special educational needs and individual education plans (IEPs). 
• Original Transfer Certificate

Step 2: Assessment and Interview

Once the registration process is complete, the school will ask you to bring your child for an assessment and an interview session. While your child is busy with the entrance examination, you are encouraged to take a tour of the campus and meet the staff to discuss your concerns regarding the school or the child.

The GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys Dubai will contact students who successfully cleared the entrance exam

Nevertheless, parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement criteria before starting the admission process.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for the school beginning in September). Source: KHDA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

The fee schedule for GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys has both the KHDA approved fee and the Founders discounted fees.

Additional charges include:

• An application fee of AED 525 (inclusive of VAT), which is:
  • refundable if the school does not offer a place to the applicant
  • non-refundable if the school offers a place, but the student rejects it
  • non-deductible if the school offers a place and the student accepts it as well
• Registration fee of 10% of the annual tuition fee. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable but will be deducted from the first term’s tuition fee.
• A re-registration fee of 5% of the annual tuition fee for existing students. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable but will be adjusted against the first term’s tuition fees.

Sibling Discount

To bring some financial relief to parents GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Al Barsha has introduced a sibling discount policy. Under this policy:

• The second sibling will receive a 5% discount on the annual tuition fees.
• The third sibling will receive a 10% discount on the annual tuition fees.
• The fourth sibling will receive a 25% discount on the annual tuition fees.
• The fifth sibling will receive a 50% discount on the annual tuition fees.

GEMS Rewards Programme

As a token of gratitude, GEMS Al Barsha School for Boys has introduced the GEMS Reward Programme. Under this initiative, parents can enjoy a wide range of tuition fee discounts.

GEMS Points is a type of virtual currency exclusive to GEMS Reward. All GEMS points can be redeemed against the school tuition and transport fees. There are many ways to collect these points, including selecting merchants from the app, booking flights and hotels and buying gift cards.

Similarly, another way to accumulate points is through the GEMS Ambassador Programme. Here, you can refer GEMS schools to your friends and family and upon successful completion of the referral, it will award you a minimum of 4% and a maximum of 100% discount on the GEMS Al Barsha National School’s tuition fees.

Refunds

The school only entertains refunds under special circumstances. If applicable, your refund will be calculated in the following ways:

• If the student attends NSGB for two weeks or less, one month’s fee will be deducted from the refund.
• If the student attends NSGB for more than two weeks and less than a month, two months’ fees will be deducted from the refund.
• If the student attends the school for more than a month, then a term’s tuition fee will be deducted from the refund.

Non-payment of Fees and Withdrawal of the Student

In case of a non-payment, GEMS Al Barsha National School Dubai may halt the student’s report card, examination result or may permanently expel or suspend the student.

In case of withdrawal of the student, the school requests parents to provide the request in writing at least 30 days in advance so that GEMS Al Barsha can carry out the exit formalities and prepare the Transfer Certificate.

Payment of Fees

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys fees can be paid via cash, cheque, bank transfer or credit/debit card.

Also, you can pay the fees in instalments. The first term instalment is 40% of the school’s fees while second and third term instalments are 30% of the annual fee.

Being a member of GEMS Network, students of GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Barsha can participate in scholarship schemes available in five different categories. The largest scholarship opportunity in the UAE is awarded in the following categories:

• Academics
• Creative and Performing Arts
• Sports 
• Innovation and Digital Technology
• Arabic Studies

If awarded, you can benefit from a concession ranging from 25% to 100% on the annual school fees. To know more about the eligibility criteria and other requirements, please visit GEMS scholarships.

Al Barsha National School provides a catering facility for its students. Your child will be provided with tasty and nutritious food. Parents who are sending lunch with their children must ensure that the food they are providing follows the school’s standard. Unhealthy snacks must be avoided at all times.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys, Al Barsha South has outsourced transport services to School Transport Services (STS), the only ISO certified transport provider. All the buses operated under this company have a Video Surveillance System, a Global Positioning System and scanners for student attendance confirmation and safety. A female attendant accompanies students at all times.

To avail this service, you need to submit a Transport Request Form to the STS Representative deployed at the school. After confirming that the buses cover your area, the representative will provide you with the driver’s contact information. To know more about the areas covered and the transport charges, please click here.

GEMS National School Al Barsha has partnered with East Sports Management to provide holiday camps to boys. These camps are offered during summer holidays to children aged 4 to 12 years. In these camps, students can engage in multiple-activity to stay energetic.

ESM takes a limited number of students in holiday camps, hence you must get your child enrolled as soon as possible. Please, note holiday camps costs vary according to days and activities offered.

Physical education is an integral part of the GEMS National School for Boys curriculum at both primary and secondary level. You will find indoor and outdoor facilities for students.

Inside you will find a play area and a multi-purpose sports hall to play sports like badminton and basketball. There is a main 25-metre swimming pool and a toddler’s pool as well.

Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities provided by the school ensure the well-rounded development of students.

The list of extra-curricular activities include:

Other than these, your child can select from a plethora of activities offered by East Sports Management for an additional cost.

School trips are an integral aspect of a student’s academic life. These trips are divided into recreation trips and informative visits to culturally rich sites in Dubai.

Some of the extracurricular activities offered by GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys and ESM are available after school.

As per the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) instructions, GEMS NSGB, Dubai has built a medical facility. The clinic is tended by an experienced nurse and is visited by a school doctor frequently. The clinic is well-equipped to provide first-aid treatment and treat minor injuries. However, parents are requested to provide an updated vaccination report and the medical record of the student.

GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys believes that input from parents in students’ academic life is priceless. Thus, GEMS Al Barsha Dubai has two active programmes to support parents’ involvement in the school.

Under the Parental Engagement Programme NSGB, Al Barsha South ensures that parents are engaged in their child’s learning.

The four main components of this programme are:

• Recognising and appreciating parents’ involvement in the teaching and learning process
• Informing parents in advance about the new study programme that their child should take part in to improve their overall attainment in all subjects
• Providing parents and guardians with resources, tools and equipment so that they can continue student’s learning process at home
• Meeting teachers in a face-to-face meeting so that concerns and suggestions can be discussed.

The second programme at play in the school is Parental Partnership. Here, parents and guardians are encouraged to get in touch with class teachers and staff members to enrich their son’s academic career.

Open communication is a must and several modes of communication are defined at this stage. You can contact teachers through consultation evening, written reports, appointment and an open-door policy.

Similarly, GEMS group has designed an application by the name of ‘3-a-day’, You can download this app on your mobiles and other gadgets, and access learning resources and material to conduct a learning lesson at home as well.

There are three main features of this app such as Something to Talk About, Activities to Share and Guidance to Encourage Children.

Apart from these methods, there is also a GEMS Parent Portal. By signing up, you can view school policies, calendar, events, upcoming activities, your child’s attendance and progress report and many other features.

You can also request class teachers to add you to a grade-specific WhatsApp group to receive instant notification in case of any unseen developments.

Last, if you are interested in communicating with the school through traditional methods, GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys contact information is provided below.

• Telephone Number: +971-4-506-9222
• Email: registrar_gns@gemsedu.com
• NSGB Website
• NSGB Facebook
• NSGB Instagram
• NSGB Twitter

Note that the cover image belongs to GEMS Al Barsha National School for Boys