GEMS School of Research and Innovation meets student intake target ahead of planned expansion, says Richard Jones.
GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI), one of Dubai’s highest-fee schools, has reached its planned student intake as it continues to expand. Incoming principal Richard Jones said the immediate focus will be on making the most of the school’s extensive facilities, programmes and opportunities.
Jones, who will join SRI in January 2027 from Bryanston School in Dorset, where he has served as head since 2022, said he would not be arriving with a predetermined list of changes.
Instead, his priority will be to ensure the school makes full use of the facilities, resources and programmes it has already invested in before considering areas for further development.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jones said he was not arriving with a fixed agenda for change, describing the school’s facilities and opportunities as impressive. His immediate priority, he said, was to ensure students were making full use of everything the campus has to offer.
“I’m not coming in with any preconceived ideas about what needs to change. The school is fantastic. The opportunities, the facilities, everything there is amazing. And I guess for me, the first thing to do is make sure that we are utilising all of the facilities and the opportunities that we’ve got,” he said.
SRI, which follows the British curriculum, was developed as GEMS Education’s flagship campus following an investment of Dh367 million — around 30 per cent more than the budgets allocated to previous premium school projects.
With fees exceeding Dh200,000 for senior grades, the school targets families prepared to pay a premium for access to specialised facilities, advanced technology and research opportunities.
School reaches planned intake as it expands
SRI opened up to Year 8 last year and, according to Jones, reached its planned student intake. Enrolment remains strong as the school prepares for the new academic year.
“My understanding, obviously, is that the numbers have been incredibly positive. The school opened up to Year 8 last year and hit the target number. It’s in a really strong position. The school is growing as you would expect,” he said.
The school’s continued expansion has also created an ongoing demand for teachers. Jones said staff retention has remained strong despite the wider regional conflict, while recruitment continues to bring in educators who can support SRI’s educational approach.
“What makes SRI different is we are absolutely setting our school out to make sure that we are recruiting the best educators that there are, because they’re the people who are directly working with the students and the children day in, day out. So they’ve got to be exceptional practitioners to be part of SRI,” he said.
From classrooms to robotics, media and motorsport
For parents considering Dubai’s premium schools, Jones said the key question is ultimately what children receive in return for the fees they pay.
He highlighted SRI’s extensive campus and diverse learning spaces, where education extends beyond traditional classrooms. Students can explore areas including broadcasting, podcasting, design technology, athletics and motorsport.
“If you’re a parent and you’re looking at the different schools on offer here in Dubai, you want to understand what you’re getting for those different price points. I think anybody who visits SRI, and certainly when I first visited, and even the few times I’ve been back since, the first thing is the amazement at how big it is… it feels different,” Jones said.
He believes the wide range of activities can help students discover interests and develop confidence beyond a single discipline.
“Each child is different. Each child learns in a different way. Each child is going to find their passion in a totally different thing. My own two children are totally different. It might be that some children find their passion in the media, broadcasting suite or the podcast studio or doing DJing or in the DT (Design and Technology) level,” he said.
Jones also views SRI’s partnerships with businesses and organisations as an important part of its future. Such links can help the school understand the skills employers increasingly seek and incorporate those insights into students’ learning.
He said parents were also drawn to the school’s emphasis on preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
“I think parents have chosen SRI because of the outlook that the school has… the name ‘The School of Research and Innovation’. They’re choosing a school… because I think they want to challenge what’s already out there, one that’s looking forward rather than looking back on what’s always been done, because the world is changing at such a fast pace,” Jones said.
For Jones, the next phase is therefore less about changing SRI’s identity and more about ensuring its existing investment delivers the experience promised to students and parents.
“So that’s probably my priority, making sure that we’re delivering what we’ve got there now to the best of our ability, and then it’s always a case of saying, okay, well, how can we improve that? What else might we be doing? What else should we test, etc.?” he said.
