GEMS Education schools are first in the UAE to be awarded High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class School status

GEMS Education schools are the first in the UAE, and four of only thirteen schools worldwide, to have been accredited as High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class Schools. Jumeirah College, Royal Dubai School, Jumeirah Primary School and GEMS Wellington International School have been recognised with the prestigious status based on their exceptional and consistent performance over the years across a number of different parameters. This includes teaching standards of the very highest quality, rigorous curriculum and assessment, outstanding school leadership and engagement with the wider school community.

The High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class School Award recognises the best schools in the world and is designed for those at the forefront of educational thinking. It sets out new and very demanding standards and demonstrates how schools can scale new heights when they fully realise the HPL philosophy, a research-based, pedagogy-led philosophy that responds to our growing understanding of human capability. It sees all students as potential high performers who are not limited by ‘ability’.  The schools under GEMS Education met demanding standards to complete HPL’s rigorous 2-year World Class School Award scheme.

Simon O'Connor, Principal Jumeirah College said: “We are delighted that our schools have been successful in achieving World Class School status. This highlights that the schools are operating on par with some of the very best in the world. It is a huge achievement for one school to be successful, but for four GEMS schools to achieve this recognition is indeed phenomenal. The founding principle of HPL is that all students can achieve at the very highest level and this echoes our view of ensuring all our students receive outstanding education.”

As High Performance Learning Schools, Jumeirah College, GEMS Royal Dubai School, Jumeirah Primary School and GEMS Wellington International School have developed a practical-based set of HPL skills and attitudes. The evaluation process was conducted over two years. Every half term the schools were inspected to ensure they were on track and the schools worked together to share experiences of what worked best. 

Professor Deborah Eyre, Founder and CEO, High Performance Learning said: “We are delighted to accredit these GEMS schools as HPL World Class Schools. They join an elite group of schools across the world whose quality of education is truly exceptional. We look forward to working with them going forward as part of The World Class Schools Fellowship and with other GEMS schools adopting the HPL approach”. 

To be accredited, the schools had to provide evidence that they were performing over a range of criteria. Each school submitted a substantial portfolio of evidence that was assessed at an accreditation inspection. These four schools will now support they other GEMS Education schools as they embark on the HPL programme.