Welcome to Primary
Our Primary School offers the world-class National Curriculum for England and provides an inspirational and engaging learning environment where every child is nurtured and challenged to achieve exceptionally highly.
About the
Primary school
GEMS Royal Dubai School is unique in being a small school (by international standards) where every child really is known, valued, nurtured and challenged. As a family feel school, children really are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring there is a strong balance between academic learning and personal development. Our experienced, British-trained teachers are highly skilled at personalising learning to meet the needs of each individual student in their class, setting exceptionally high expectations with a philosophy of no ceilings on learning.
Learning is innovative and engaging at RDS. Students are excited to come to school each day and truly understand and appreciate the value of their education. They are motivated and passionate about improving, and genuinely care about the world around them. Leadership skills are developed from an early age at RDS with many Primary School students taking on leadership roles and playing an active role in school life.
Explore Our
Primary School Curriculum
Core Subjects
At the heart of our curriculum are the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. English learning comprises of developing students spoken language skills, creating confident readers and enabling students to write for purpose with fluency.High-quality maths learning ensures students are fluent with numbers and can reason and problem-solve mathematically, applying their knowledge to real life contexts.
Our science curriculum teaches knowledge whilst simultaneously developing students into scientific thinkers who truly understand the world around them. Students achieve exceptionally highly in external examinations and benchmark assessments.
Wider Curriculum
The wider curriculum at RDS is highly innovative and aims to inspire students through strands of enterprise and robotics and foster a love for the arts. The wider curriculum includes the learning of History and Geography, Performing Arts, Music, French, Computing, Sport and Modern Foreign Languages with many of these subjects taught by highly experienced specialist teachers. At the heart of our curriculum is the element of enquiry, fostering lifelong, inquisitive learners who are eager to explore and understand the world around them. Our industry partnerships foster real-life, tangible learning experiences and enable students to become active participants creating a more sustainable future the UAE and beyond.
Arabic and Islamic Education
Arabic and Islamic Education at GEMS Royal Dubai School is exceptionally strong. Students are highly engaged in learning the Arabic language as either as native or non-native speakers and make exceptional progress. Arabic A (native) and Arabic B (non-native) are taught separately from Year 1 following the Ministry of Education Curriculum. RDS Arabic teachers are highly skilled at igniting a love for the language and bring to life the curriculum through excellent learning experiences. Arabic trips, visits from authors and theatre productions in the Arabic language further enhance learning.
GEMS Royal Dubai School has a dedicated guided reading program for Arabic Native Speakers. Like in English, guided reading has significant beneficial effects to help students develop their reading skills. It is one of the most effective tools, not only to improve a student's fundamental reading skill, but also to help the student develop higher level comprehension skills and writing skills.
All Muslim students (Arab and non-Arab) study Islamic Education with the purpose to teach students about being a Muslim rather than about the religion of Islam. This philosophy ensures lessons are heavily linked to real life and enables students to immerse themselves in activities which give them knowledge and skills which they can apply in their contemporary lives. As the Holy Quran builds the character and conscience of a true Muslim, the children are encouraged to respect and memorize the Holy Quran. School-organized competitions celebrate their achievements in Quran memorisation.
frequently asked
questions
How much time do you allocate to the core subjects each week?
Just like in the UK, English and Maths are taught daily for approximately 40-50 minutes as key core subjects. In addition to this, students in Key Stage 1 have 30 minutes each day of Phonics learning and students in Key Stage 2 have two focussed Guided Reading lessons each week. Science is typically taught twice a week in the Primary School with time allocated for both practical investigations and the teaching of scientific knowledge.
Arabic and Islamic lessons are timetabled following the Ministry of Education guidelines and vary depending of the year group and if your child is a native Arabic speaker or learning Arabic as an additional language. Typically, this is between 3 and 5 lessons a week for Arabic and 3 times a week for Islamic Education.
How are each subject taught in Primary?
At RDS, we design hands-on, engaging learning experiences to foster deeper understanding, as we believe that active learning leads to lasting knowledge. Unlike other curricula, we do not rely on textbooks in the primary school. Instead, our students learn through problem-solving, critical thinking, and interactive activities that encourage exploration and curiosity
How do your teachers personalise learning?
Teachers personalise learning by using data, insights from previous lessons/start of the current lesson, and targeted intervention groups. Assessment data helps identify student strengths and areas for improvement, enabling tailored teaching. Teachers adjust teaching methods, resources, or tasks based on individual needs and knowledge from prior lessons as ensures continuity and helps address learning gaps. Intervention groups provide focused support for students needing extra help, allowing for targeted, small-group learning. This approach ensures that all students receive the individualised attention they require to succeed, fostering an environment where learning is adapted to each student’s unique needs and progress.
How do you assess students?
At RDS, we assess students using a variety of methods to track their progress against the National Curriculum objectives. This includes regular classwork, quizzes, teacher observations, and formal tests. We also use ongoing assessments such as projects and presentations to understand each child's development. Parents receive regular updates through reports and parent-teacher meetings, which provide insights into strengths and areas for improvement. Our aim is to ensure a well-rounded approach, supporting each child's learning journey and individual needs.