Storied French SCHOOL joins the GEMS network, and marks the education PROVIDER'S entry into French-language schools

Dubai, UAE: 23rd February

Ecole des Roches, the principal boarding school in Normandie, France has joined the GEMS Education network, offering students from GEMS and other UAE schools access to one of the world's foremost learning institutions.

As a fully integrated GEMS school, Ecole des Roches will offer students from GEMS and other UAE schools access to one of the world's foremost learning institutions. It also represents GEMS first French curricula school, paving the way for the establishment of GEMS French language schools in the UAE.

Starting summer 2014, GEMS Students will be able to take French immersion in summer school, offering them education in French, in addition to a unique cultural and social experience. The school will also be offering exchange programmes and French immersion programmes throughout the school year.

The addition of the French curriculum boarding school to GEMS' stable of International American, British International Baccalaureate, and Indian Curricula broadens the GEMS educational offering and continues GEMS' drive to serve the UAE's diverse student body from across the income and language spectrum.

Ecole des Roches (EDR) established in 1899 by the sociologist Edmond Demolins has educated generations of French and international students, who have gone on to  graduate and work at the top of their fields in a variety of sectors covering science, economics, commerce and diplomacy. With a history of academic excellence and a prestigious alumni network rivaling those of some top schools in England and elsewhere, EDR offers a personalised approach to learning and a specialised curriculum programme that enables gradual integration into the French curriculum for non-native speakers.

The school serves students from over 100 countries, who consistently achieve outstanding results. The school's boarding facility allows students to experience the best in French life, arts, culture and language.

"We are delighted to join the GEMS family, and look forward to exposing GEMS students the best in French education," said Claude Mark Kaminski, president and headmaster of EDR. "Joining GEMS will open the way for further development in French curricula and will open a whole new world of educational opportunity for this century old institution."

Dino Varkey, GEMS Group Chief Operating Officer, said, "We are proud to have an institution as prestigious as Ecole des Roches become part of GEMS. EDR will allow us to provide high level French education to students starting this summer, and allows GEMS to offer French curriculum in a unique setting."

Mr Varkey added, "this fits with our continual drive to expand our educational offering at a unique time. The expertise of M. Kamisnski and his staff will eventually allow us to expand into French curriculum in the UAE, serving a particularly underserved and growing market."

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About Ecole des Roches:
L'Ecole des Roches is a co-educational boarding school located in Normandy, France with over 400 French and international students, in addition to a French language institute. The four pillars of its innovative teaching approach include teaching excellence, the importance of competitive sports, creativity through art and a sense of social responsibility, making Ecole des Roches one of the preeminent schools in France with consistently high results.

About GEMS Education:
GEMS Education is a pioneering education company. Through our schools, consulting practice and our charitable foundation we are advancing education for all. Every day in our schools around the world, we prepare thousands of children of all ages for real world success.

We are a catalyst and delivery partner.  We work with governments, donor agencies and private clients to improve education systems, and provide vital training for young people in an increasingly competitive world.

Through the Varkey GEMS Foundation we campaign for, and support initiatives that change lives through education.

For more information, please contact:
Margaret Flanagan/ Rebecca Sageman 
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (+971) 4 4507 600
Email: margaret.flanagan@bm.com /rebecca.sageman@bm.com

© Press Release 2014