Set to open in September 2027, the new school will be GEMS School Management’s first project in Oman, further extending its growing presence across international markets.
DUBAI, UAE August 2026: GEMS School Management GSM, the advisory and operations arm of GEMS Education, and Adrak Developers LLC, a leading real estate development firm in Oman, today announced plans to establish a world-class international school serving families in South Al Batinah, Oman. The partners have signed a term sheet under which GSM will provide pre-operational and operational services. The project marks GSM’s entry into Oman, further strengthening its international growth.
Scheduled to open in September 2027, the school will offer an international curriculum from Foundation Stage through to Year 13 and is expected to serve 1,600 pupils by 2035-36. Located in Hai Al Naseem, Barka, the purpose-built school will provide families with access to high-quality education and will be the educational cornerstone of the Hai Al Naseem community.
The school is being developed as a community-focused, full-pathway school, combining academic excellence with sports, technology, student wellbeing, and safe transport operations. The campus will feature specialist science, ICT, robotics, and innovation facilities alongside a central library. It will also include dedicated student support and wellbeing spaces, as well as extensive sports and activity facilities, including a football ground, indoor games facilities and multipurpose courts.
The announcement comes as Oman’s private school sector continues to grow, with enrolment increasing from around 116,000 to 169,000 students between the 2018/19 and 2024/25 academic years, reflecting sustained demand for high-quality private education. Barka itself has emerged as one of Oman’s fastest-growing areas, driven by its proximity to Muscat, major infrastructure investment, expanding industrial and logistics activity, and the development of several large master-planned communities.
Robert Tarn CBE, CEO of GEMS School Management, said:
“Education is one of the most powerful investments a country can make in its future, and Oman has placed it at the heart of its long-term ambitions. As Barka grows, so does the opportunity to create a school that gives local families access to an outstanding education close to home.
“By combining GSM’s global educational expertise with Adrak Developers’ vision for Hai Al Naseem and understanding of the local community, we are laying the foundations for a place where young people can thrive and where families and the wider community will benefit for generations to come.”
Dr. Thomas Alexander, Chairman, Al Adrak Group of Companies, said:
“At Al Adrak, our vision for Hai Al Naseem has always extended far beyond a residential development – we are building a vibrant, sustainable community where families can live, learn, and thrive. A world-class school has been at the heart of that vision from the very beginning. We are proud to partner with GEMS School Management to bring internationally recognised schooling to Hai Al Naseem, creating opportunities for future generations, supporting the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040, and further strengthening one of Oman’s most promising communities.”
Under the partnership, GSM will deliver its turnkey ASPIRE model, providing end-to-end support across the development, opening and operation of the school. This will include areas such as school planning, curriculum development, recruitment and staff development, safeguarding, technology integration, operational systems and processes, and stakeholder engagement, bringing GEMS’ more than 65 years of global education expertise to the project.
The agreement further cements GSM’s reputation as a global leader in designing, launching, operating, and transforming world-class schools. Over the past 12 months, GSM has signed seven new partnerships across seven markets – Zanzibar, Georgia, Jordan, Cyprus, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE – marking a year of significant international growth.
