GEMS FirstPoint School

Admission applications are now being accepted for entry into Nursery through to Year 12.

If you require a place immediately, please contact us. The contact details are:

Email: registrar_fps@gemsedu.com or call

FirstPoint School - The Villa on +971 (0) 4278 9700

Admission Process

GEMS FPS is an inclusive school. The GEMS vision for Inclusive Education is that we achieve excellence together by all students receiving the support they need to meaningfully belong to their school and wider community, feel valued for their contributions, engage purposefully in learning and experience academic, cultural, social and emotional success in a common learning environment.

At GEMS FPS we welcome children with a range of learning preferences, including students of determination (students with special education needs and disabilities), students who are gifted and talented and students who are English Language Learners. Our staff are committed to educating all students in a common learning environment with similar-aged peers. At GEMS FPS diversity is made visible as a strength, respectful relationships are continually enhanced and all children fully participate in learning through adjustments and teaching strategies tailored to meet the diverse range of learners reflected in wider society.

Please share full details of any special educational needs, individual education plans (IEPs) and any Educational Psychologist, Pediatric, or other specialist reports (e.g., Speech and Language or Occupational Therapy) if completed. Sharing educational history with GEMS FPS prior to a place being offered is essential so that staff can ensure an appropriate assessment of educational need, educational plan and resourcing is in place. Admission is not conditional on the submission of a medical diagnosis and we have effective transition processes in place for all children.

First Point School actively promotes the principle of equity for students of determination as required by standard 2 of the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (2017). The school ensures that students are not refused admission based only on their experience of SEND and that such students will receive ‘sibling priority’ when applying for admission. The school guarantees that students of determination will receive a quality education across all phases in age appropriate common learning environments.

The admissions process has been designed to ensure students are appropriately placed at GEMS FirstPoint School, The Villa, while maintaining the integrity and consistency of the school programme and policies. A student’s application will pass through different stages and is facilitated by effective communication between parents and the school’s admission team.

Additionally, students entering Foundation Stage must be fully toilet-trained.

To apply for admission, you must submit an Enquiry.

Application Process

Step 1: Click here to be taken to the Enquiry page.

Step 2: The first part of the application will require:

• Parent/Guardian’s name
• Relationship to the applicant
• Valid email address (your Enquiry reference number will be sent here)
• Contact number
• Applicant’s name
• Applicant’s date of birth
• Year level being applied for

Step 3: Submit the above information.

An Enquiry has been created at this point but it is not yet complete. You may complete it immediately or continue it when you choose.

Step 5: Check the inbox of the email address provided to find your Enquiry reference number. Do not lose this number.

Step 6: Return to the Enquiry page and complete your admission application.

You may include siblings in this application.

Step 7: Once you have completed the entire Enquiry, you will receive another email informing you of the documents you must take to the School Reception to complete the admission application.

Generally, these documents are photocopies of the following:

• Applicant’s and Sponsor's passport (2 copies)
• Applicant’s and Sponsor's Emirates ID Cards (front and back)
• Parents’ passports
• Applicant’s and Sponsor's UAE Residence Visa (2 copies)
• Applicant’s Birth Certificate (in English or Arabic)
• Vaccination record/s
• 4 recent passport sized photographs of the applicant
• Report cards from the previous 2 years
• Reports relating to a student’s additional support requirements, where applicable
• Transfer Certificate (for admission to Year 2 upwards)

Step 8: Take these documents, making a note of your Enquiry number to the Admissions Department at the school and make the Application fee (Dhs 525) payment.

Step 9: The Admissions Team will call you for an interview and/or assessment. Your child may be referred for further, specialist assessment by the school’s Inclusion Support Team to determine whether additional provision may be required to enable your child to access learning.

Step 10: If a place has been offered, you will receive an offer letter by email from the Registrar within 24 hours.

Step 11: To confirm and secure your child’s place, the admission fee must be paid (Dhs 2,500) within 7 days.

Transfer Certificate

The original school transfer certificate must contain the following information:

• Date of enrolment at the applicant’s previous school
• Year group placement at previous school
• Date the child left the previous school
• School stamp and signature

NB: Children coming from countries other than USA, Australia, Canada, Western Europe, New Zealand and Japan should have the original Transfer Certificate (TC) attested by:

• Education Authority of the origin (from country of TC origin)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (from country of TC origin)
• UAE Embassy (from country of TC origin)

Children coming from GCC (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar & Oman) must have their original certificates attested only by the Education Authority of the origin (from country of TC origin). Children transferring within UAE emirates must have their original certificates attested only by the Education Authority of the origin and students transferring within Dubai are not required to provide the TC as the transfer will complete internally through the online system.

GEMS FirstPoint School - The Villa admits pupils in line with local regulations and the GEMS admission policy. When considering placing a child, we consider the information provided by the child, parents, evidence from the previous school (school reports), assessments, and any other information that has been provided.

Please note that a submitted application and complete entry assessment test does not guarantee your child a place.

Thank you for your interest in GEMS FirstPoint School - The Villa.

If you would like more information regarding admissions to GEMS FirstPoint School - The Villa, please call 04 278 9700.

Assessment

To ensure that the GEMS FirstPoint School curriculum is suited to the skills, needs and abilities of each child, an assessment is held prior to entry. This assessment is held by members of our faculty who are experienced with students and aware that each pupil advances at their own pace.

Assessments vary for each year level and can be either group or individual.

Tests may include:

• CAT assessment
• Language assessment (English reading and writing)
• Mathematics assessment

For early years, students may be requested to join in a play-based activity where their motor skills will be seen and their recognition of colours, shapes or numbers are observed. In higher grades, students may be required to sit an examination where their core competencies will be assessed.

The results of this assessment are supported by previous school records, where available. Final admission can be offered at the discretion of the Principal if the student is believed to have the potential to succeed in the GEMS FirstPoint School environment.

For more information about entry to GEMS FirstPoint School, The Villa, please call 04 278 9700.