GEMS Wellington Academy - Al Khail
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$5K – US$26K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 2–18
Students: ~2,500
Location: Al Khail, Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail is part of the established GEMS Education network, offering British curriculum education from Foundation Stage through secondary years since 2013. While it benefits from GEMS Wellington's Outstanding KHDA heritage and experienced leadership team, this Al Khail campus lacks specific academic results, fee information, and enrollment data that would help parents properly assess the school.
Located at Al Khail Gate, the school follows the British National Curriculum with emphasis on STEAM education, innovation, and student agency. The leadership team brings considerable experience, including Primary Vice Principal Paula Phinn who has been with the academy since its 2013 opening, and specialists in early years education, wellbeing, and technology integration. The curriculum progresses from Early Years Foundation Stage through to IGCSEs and A-Levels, with modern languages including French, Spanish, and Arabic.
As part of the GEMS network, the school operates under the educational philosophy and standards of its sister institution GEMS Wellington International School, which has maintained Outstanding KHDA ratings since 2009. However, unlike the main Wellington campus with its 2,200+ students and published academic results, Al Khail's specific performance metrics, student demographics, and fee structure remain unclear from available sources. Recent recruitment activity suggests ongoing growth and development of the secondary program.
What parents value
- –Part of established GEMS Education network with Outstanding track record
- –Experienced leadership team with specialists in key areas like early years and STEAM
- –British curriculum pathway from Foundation Stage through A-Levels
- –Focus on innovation, technology integration, and 21st-century skills
- –Multilingual program including French, Spanish, and Arabic
- –Emphasis on student agency and social enterprise
Points of consideration
- –Limited transparency about academic results and student outcomes
- –Fee structure not publicly available for comparison
- –Smaller and less established than flagship GEMS Wellington International
- –Student enrollment numbers and demographic diversity unclear
- –KHDA rating specific to Al Khail campus not confirmed
- –Limited parent feedback and community discussions available online
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 3 | 5,299 |
| FS 1 | 3 | 12,941 |
| FS 2 | 3 | 16,300 |
| Year 1 | 5 | 16,300 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 16,300 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 16,300 |
| Year 4 | 8 | 16,300 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 16,300 |
| Year 6 | 10 | 16,300 |
| Year 7 | 11 | 22,475 |
| Year 8 | 12 | 22,475 |
| Year 9 | 13 | 22,475 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 25,290 |
| Year 11 | 15 | 25,290 |
| Year 12 | 16 | 25,584 |
| Year 13 | 17 | 25,584 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 143 |
Photos
Academic Results
KHDA Rating (2023-2024): 'Very Good' (KHDA). 2025 A-level Results: 33% A -A, 65% A -B (School Website). 2025 BTEC Results: 100% pass rate, 76% Distinction /Distinction (School Website).
Extra Curriculars
Internal ECAs (Teacher-led): Art and design, photography, robotics, jewellery making, Arabic language club, book club, Islamic club, music, drama, dance, 'mayhem' maths, handwriting, power reading, phonics boost, football, cricket, basketball, netball, swimming, rugby, rock climbing, Tri Kids (School Website). External Paid Activities (ESM/Delta): Hamilton Aquatics (swimming), Basketball, Gymnastics, 'It’s Just Football', Tennis 360, Budo Juko Karate, Chess, STEM Robotics, Coding, 3D Printing, App Development, UDO Street Dance (School Website). Elite Sports: Football (PFC), Tennis, and Swimming programmes (School Website).
Campus: Large campus in Dubai Hills Estate (EdCare). Sports: Two large indoor 3-storey sports halls, 25m competition pool, 25m practice pool, Early Years pool, full football and rugby pitches, basketball/tennis/netball courts, climbing wall, dance and fitness studios, outdoor covered play areas (School Website). Academic/Arts: Science and tech labs, Auditorium/Theatre, Black Box Theatre, STEM Lab, recording and film studio, food technology classrooms, specialist rooms for music/art/languages/design, libraries and study zones (School Website).
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- Very Good KHDA/DSIB, 2023-2024
Accreditations
- BSO Outstanding, COBIS member, National Online Safety Certified, Learning Ladders Member School
Memberships
- BSME, COBIS, Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Student Body
Enrolment: Over 2,400 students (SchoolsCompared). Age Range: 2 to 18 years (Nursery to Year 13) (School Website). Nationalities: Representing over 80 nationalities; main student nationality is British (SchoolsCompared, WhichSchoolAdvisor).
Leadership
Ann Haydon MBE - Principal
Ann Haydon MBE graduated in Geography and Economics from the University of Surrey and completed her PGCE at the University of Nottingham, later earning the National Qualification for Headship from the University of London in 2007; she is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.