- Saudi Arabia a priority market, with the largest school-age population in the GCC region
- New division to offer range of management and school improvement services
- Initiative to draw on GEMS’ 65-year legacy of delivering high-quality education
GEMS Education has announced the launch of First Schools Management, its new division dedicated to improving school management and performance across the globe. It was founded by Sunny Varkey, creator of the USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize, a great proponent of the power of teachers around the world, including in Saudi Arabia. In 2023, Nora Al Suroor was named a top 50 finalist, while Ali Alzahrani made the top 50 in 2021.
Building on more than 65 years of educational expertise, this new initiative aims to offer high-quality management and school improvement services tailored to meet the specific needs of schools around the world.
Saudi Arabia is a priority market for First Schools Management, boasting the largest school-age population in the GCC region, with almost 7.5 million school-age children.[1] The Kingdom has embarked on ambitious education reform through Vision 2030.[2]
First Schools Management by GEMS Education, with offices in Dubai and London, will partner with schools in both the independent and state sectors worldwide to enhance operational efficiencies, raise standards of education, and support leadership in achieving sustainable success and growth.
GEMS Education has already received numerous requests from schools to establish this service, underscoring the global demand for high-quality school management and improvement solutions.
Mr Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education and Varkey Foundation,whose entrepreneurial and philanthropic work have seen him named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, launch the USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize, and sign The Giving Pledge, said: “Our vision at GEMS has always been to make quality education accessible to every learner.
Schools around the world face numerous challenges, but with the right management services tailored to their unique needs, they can focus on what truly matters – delivering exceptional education to their students. For over six decades, we’ve gained invaluable expertise, and through First Schools Management, we aim to share this knowledge to support schools across the globe.”
First Schools Management is founded on the core values that have distinguished GEMS as a global leader in education. By focusing on operational efficiency and educational quality, it seeks to free school leadership teams from administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on their primary mission – enhancing learning outcomes and student success.
Mobilising multidisciplinary teams with deep expertise, First Schools Management tailors its services to client schools’ needs and goals, covering every aspect of school management, including leadership and governance, curriculum and assessment, safeguarding, pastoral care, educational technology, inclusion, and teacher recruitment.
Schools can also benefit from support in areas such as site selection, procurement, IT infrastructure, community engagement, and health and safety. This bespoke approach offers varying levels of involvement, from short-term advisory support to comprehensive, on-site school management solutions.
Building on GEMS’ global network of schools and expert educators, First Schools Management brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to every partnership. Client schools benefit from the insights GEMS has gained from operating in diverse international contexts, alongside locally relevant strategies that resonate with each school community.
The achievements within GEMS reflect a dedication to quality and innovation in education. The group has consistently achieved outstanding academic results, with students excelling in international examinations, university placements, and national academic competitions. Highlights include:
- Record-breaking exam results, with GEMS students consistently surpassing national and international averages in examinations, with high numbers of students achieving top scores in IB, GCSE, A-level, CBSE, ICSE, and ISC exams.
- University success, with GEMS graduates securing placements at the world’s most prestigious universities, including Ivy League and Russell Group institutions, reflecting the high standards of education provided.
- Holistic achievements that extend beyond academics, with GEMS students excelling in arts, sports, STEM, and service learning, achieving recognitions that highlight their versatility and dedication.
The excellence achieved by GEMS is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of its staff, whose passion, innovation, and dedication drive the organisation’s success. The group’s professional development programmes are designed to empower staff with the latest tools, methodologies, and skills, enabling them to deliver the highest standards of teaching and learning.
Drawing on the global presence of GEMS and its blend of local knowledge and international best practices, First Schools Management is ideally placed to assist schools in creating learning environments that meet the needs of diverse student bodies and that provide world-class education that truly prepares students to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
