Gems World Academy in Abu Dhabi to relocate in 2022

The move to a new site on Reem Island will allow the school to increase its capacity to 1,866 pupils

The new school will feature a library and a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool. Photo: Gems World Academy

Gems World Academy in Abu Dhabi will relocate to Reem Island in 2022.

The primary school will move to a site five kilometres from its current location in time for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

The new school will feature activity rooms, science rooms, digital learning studios, music rooms and practice studios, a library and an indoor play area.

It will also offer pupils a rooftop play area, a canteen and dining area, a book and uniform shop, and prayer rooms, while there will also be a parent cafe and lounge on site.

Pupils will have access to a six-court multipurpose hall with audiovisual equipment and a stage. The school will also have a football pitch, a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool and a learner pool.

"At Gems, we are continuously looking to further enhance the education and grow the opportunities available to our students, and this new campus will enable just that," said Dino Varkey, group chief executive of Gems Education.

The first phase of the new development will increase the school's capacity to 1,128 pupils. Once the project is complete it will be able to accommodate 1,866 pupils.

Gems World Academy, which offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, opened in 2011.

From September next year, the school will offer Grade 6, and further grades will be added each year up to Grade 12.

As the school expands it will introduce the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, eventually becoming a full IB school.

Pupils inoculated against Covid-19 before new school year - in pictures

Hundreds of school pupils aged 12 years and above, including university students, will receive Covid-19 vaccinations ahead of the new academic year.

The pop-up vaccination centre is open daily from12pm 8pm until August 7.

Bookings are not required, but students must present their Emirates ID card and Al Hosn app.

Adek is collaborating with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Mubadala Health and Yas Mall to organise the pop-up vaccinations.

Pupils 12 years and older who choose in-school learning for the new term are encouraged to receive a vaccination against coronavirus infection.

Pupils in Abu Dhabi have been quick to respond to a new pop-up vaccination centre at Yas Mall.