GEMS expands into UK with acquisition of two schools

The move represents the leading edge of the planned expansion of GEMS schools into the European market, just months after it established offices in London and outside Washington D.C. in the United States.

GEMS purchased the two schools earlier in the year. Bury Lawn School, just north of London, has a current enrolment of 500 students up to Year 13. Sherborne House School, a well-established school founded in 1933, is set on a four-acre wooded campus in Southampton.

"GEMS is committed to becoming a global leader in the provision of quality education services," said Sunny Varkey, GEMS Chairman.

"What has facilitated our global expansion is not only our high-calibre teaching but also our innovative approach to education, including a quality assurance programme, ongoing training, professional development and industry-leading standards of service. Supporting all this is an excellent team of international education experts, including a world-class advisory board," he added.

GEMS plans to set up a large network of independent [private] schools in the United Kingdom to offer an affordable private education that bridges the gap between public-sector schools and higher-priced private schools.

Recent UK surveys show that 38% of parents choosing independent education for one or more of their children were educated in the state sector, indicating that demand for private education is coming from new segments.

The acquisitions come as GEMS finalizes plans to establish a premium primary and secondary school in the US state of Maryland, further solidifying its global expansion initiatives.

Earlier this year, GEMS announced the acquisition of new school management contracts in Qatar. In all, GEMS provides education to nearly 40,000 students around the world.

With more than 30 years of proven expertise in education and school management, as well as a solid record of academic success, GEMS aspires to become a global provider of quality education. GEMS is uniquely positioned for international expansion because of its multi-curricular expertise, world-centred perspective and service orientation.

Mike Tomlinson, Chairman of the GEMS Advisory Board and formerly Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools [UK], commented on the new acquisition of the two GEMS schools: "Currently the choice in the United Kingdom is limited. Where the state doesn't provide the type of education that parents want for their children, they are forced to seek education in the private sector, which offers only limited choice and high fees."

"The absolute imperative is education quality. GEMS has set in motion a virtuous circle where the best heads of schools, teachers, faculties and management systems attracts more excellent educators as witnessed across GEMS' network of international schools," he added.

GEMS currently has offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and India.