Latest news with #Harrow-branded
Khaleej Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Up to Dh100,000 fees: Harrow UAE launches premium schooling for primary years
Two Harrow-branded schools are scheduled to open in the UAE next year, with tuition fees ranging from Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 for students in primary years. With the tagline of 'Tradition Meets Tomorrow,' the schools aim to blend centuries-old traditions with new educational practices and promise more than just prestige. Each Harrow campus – first in a central location in Dubai covering 55,000 square metres, and the other in Saadiyat Island on 70,000 square metres – is set to eventually house around 1,800 students. The schools are categorised as 'super premium'. Starting from FS1 to Year 6, Harrow UAE will begin operations in 2026, expanding gradually to accommodate students aged three to 18. The development cost for each Harrow school will be Dh350 million. 'We're proud to be opening a co-educational school, offering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. Our ideal class size will range between 18 and 22 students, depending on the grade and subject, ensuring personalised attention and a strong student-teacher relationship,' said Rebecca Gray, Chief Education Officer at Taaleem and a founding member of the team, in an interview with Khaleej Times. The school emphasised that its offering will be holistic and all-encompassing — from super-curricular activities to team teas, prep time, with each student being assigned a personal mentor — all included in the school experience. 'We are not just offering a prestigious name — we are thoughtfully embedding the true ethos of Harrow on the Hill into every aspect of what we do,' they added. 'More than just filling roles' The school is investing heavily in leadership and teaching talent. The Executive Principal — who has been appointed — was selected after an extensive global search. 'We are thrilled. It was important for us that our founding Executive Principal came with the experience of a range of educational establishments globally... someone who understands and appreciates the rigour required.' Teacher recruitment, which is beginning soon, will focus on attracting educators who understand both global best practices and local cultural values. 'It's not just about what you can bring to Harrow, but what Harrow can do for you as an educator,' added Gray. The recruitment of both Arabic and Islamic teachers will be a priority, ensuring cultural integration is not an afterthought but a foundational pillar. Games model Rebecca Gray explained that Harrow UAE will implement its distinctive 'games model' from day one — a move that promises every student access to team sports, regardless of skill level. 'If I'm a female student in Year Four, I will be on the netball courts with all of my fellow peers,' said Gray. 'I might be in the A team or the D team, and that's okay — because even in the D team, I will be given the opportunity to play competitive matches with peers at my level. Everyone gets the chance to participate at a competitive level, be challenged, and grow.' Super-curricular opportunities The school's 'house system' will mirror that of its UK counterpart, embedding Harrow's values of courage, humility, honour, and fellowship into daily student life. Gray pointed out that in bringing this vision to the UAE, the schools would ensure that its students are equipped with the tools to thrive both within and beyond the classroom. Super-curricular opportunities — from societies to orchestras, arts, sports to enterprise — will not be optional extras but integral to the learning experience. 'We want to ensure that the children are given the platform to develop their public speaking skills, put themselves on a stage or engage in discussion that evokes intellectual curiosity despite not choosing the option of GCSE/A Level Theatre Studies. Children will be actively encouraged to involve themselves in opportunities that are outside of their comfort zone. Each child will have a personal tutor, this is something that is an integral part of the ethos of Harrow on the Hill, something that will be a part of Harrow UAE from day one. Essentially, we are supporting individual children to build their own personal profile.' A global alumni vision Notably, the institution, which is one of Britain's most prestigious educational boarding schools, boasts an impressive list of alumni, including several UK prime ministers, such as Winston Churchill in the West, and India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in the East. The school, established in 1572, has produced an array of distinguished figures across diverse fields, including the poet, Lord Byron. Public figures such as actor Benedict Cumberbatch and singer James Blunt also attended Harrow. With one eye on the future, Harrow UAE is also already planning how it will support graduates beyond school gates. 'We've had a number of enthusiastic Harrovians — members of the alumni community currently residing in the region — express a strong desire to be involved with Harrow UAE. We've already had the pleasure of meeting many who are eager to contribute and join our board. There's a remarkable network out there, and we've had individuals offering their expertise even before we've opened our doors,' added Gray.
The National
22-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Taaleem accelerates growth with Harrow launches amid UAE school sector boom
Taaleem is investing Dh600 million to launch two Harrow-branded schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
The National
22-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Harrow's UAE schools to charge up to Dh100,000 for primary years
The two Harrow-branded schools set to open in the UAE next year will have a fee structure of Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 ($21,780 to $27,230) for pupils in Early Years to Year 6, The National can reveal. The schools, one in Dubai and the other in Abu Dhabi – will each have a development cost of Dh300 million – are designed to blend heritage with future-facing education. Both schools will initially cater to pupils up to Year 6 before gradually expanding to serve older age groups in the coming years. "You're looking at state-of-the-art facilities, you're looking at an incredible performing arts auditorium and dance studios," Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem, the education provider behind the project, told The National in an exclusive interview. "You're looking at robotics facilities and also a beautiful learning environment." The openings come at a time of unprecedented population growth and record private school demand. Dubai's private school sector alone recorded a 6 per cent enrolment increase this academic year, reaching a total of 387,441 pupils across 227 schools, Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority found. With such rapid growth, Mr Williamson highlighted pressure from investors to open more schools and said Taaleem "committed to four schools and one acquisition in five years" but "delivered that in three". The group opened Dubai British School Jumeirah last year and Dubai British School Mira is set to open in August, while Taaleem also acquired Lycee Libanais Francophone Prive Meydan in November. Harrow is one of Britain's most famous educational intuitions, with alma mater include several UK prime ministers including Winston Churchill, poets, scientists and statesmen. "If you walk around the streets of the UK and asked what are the two biggest schools, undoubtedly the majority of the population would mention Eton and Harrow," Mr Williamson said. Each Harrow campus – 50,000 square metres in Dubai and 70,000 on Saadiyat Island – will eventually accommodate about 1,800 pupils, starting with early years and primary enrolment. The schools are classed as "super premium". While Mr Williamson did not disclose when admission will open, he said fees will be from Dh80,000 to Dh100,000. The Harrow developments represent Taaleem's largest capital investment to date, he added. In the UAE's hypercompetitive education sector, prestige alone is no longer enough. More than 200 private schools operate in Dubai, with 23 rated "outstanding". Parents, especially newly arrived expats, are faced with an array of choices. But for Mr Williamson, the Harrow schools will offer a bespoke level of care for each pupil. "We find their gifts, we find their talents, we find their interests," he said. "Of course, we challenge them to try this and try that other subject, but we really do develop them as individuals." He highlighted Harrow's "super curriculum" as a key factor. Alongside standard English national curriculum offerings, pupils will be immersed in a house system and extended learning through sports, drama, design, and education in artificial intelligence (AI). "One of the unique things about Harrow is their house system," said Mr Williamson. "In Harrow, you divide the school so it becomes very small, so that the students have this loyalty to their house and their house master and house mistress, and we're going to create that as part of Harrow Dubai and Harrow Abu Dhabi." Mr Williamson emphasised the aim is not to drive children to pass exams. "We are teaching children today for jobs that don't exist but will exist tomorrow," he said. "Our life is transformational at the moment, it's fast paced and, almost before a technology is learnt, a new technology has come in. Schools need to be quite careful about planning their curriculum." Taaleem's plan is one of measured ambition. "Schools are sacred intuitions," Mr Williamson said. "We have always believed we don't want to open 50 new schools in one year and get it wrong. It's too important for that, and so we have set out this strategy to grow year by year and make sure we're getting it right for every child in the school." Still, the numbers speak volumes. Dubai British School Jumeirah opened last year with 500 pupils – well above the forecast. DBS Mira is expected to start out with 600 pupils in attendance when doors open in August – double the initial target. As for Harrow's imminent arrival, early indicators suggest the demand is already there. "We're inundated," Mr Williamson said. "Parents are calling us, WhatsApping our principals. Harrow is a global name." While Taaleem has the rights to the Harrow brand in the Gulf, Mr Williamson said his focus is solely on the UAE and there is no plan yet to open other schools in the region.
Hi Dubai
15-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Prestigious Harrow School to Launch New Campus in Dubai
Dubai's premium education sector is set for a major boost with the launch of Harrow International School Dubai, the second Harrow-branded institution in the UAE and the latest addition to Taaleem Holdings PJSC's super-premium education portfolio. The announcement follows the February 2025 unveiling of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi. Scheduled to open in 2026, Harrow Dubai will initially welcome students from Early Years to Year 6, with plans to grow to a full capacity of 2,000 students. The campus, located on a prime 50,000sqm plot along Hessa Street, received approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and is set to begin accepting applications in September 2025. Developed in collaboration with Harrow International Schools Limited (HISL), the school will offer a prestigious British curriculum tailored to reflect the region's culture and values. The campus design—by Dubai-based, award-winning firm KODA—blends modern architecture with traditional elements, guided by neuro-architectural principles to enhance student wellbeing and engagement. 'Harrow Dubai is a milestone in our mission to expand access to values-driven, world-class education,' said Khalid Al Tayer, Chairman of Taaleem. 'It reflects our commitment to nurturing talent and shaping future leaders across the region.' Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE, welcomed the development as a reflection of the deepening educational ties between the UK and UAE. 'Harrow's legacy of leadership, character, and academic excellence will now inspire a new generation in Dubai.' With the city's growing population of high-net-worth families and rising demand for elite schooling, Harrow Dubai is positioned to become a cornerstone of Dubai's evolving educational landscape—delivering holistic, future-ready education to the region's next generation. News Source: Khaleej Times
