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The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
How top UK schools are helping shape educational landscape of the UAE
Flagship British schools are primed to be at the forefront of a new era of education in the UAE, as the nation seeks to bring cutting-edge technology and the latest teaching methods to the classroom. King's College School Wimbledon will be the latest high-profile arrival from the UK when it swings open its doors at Abu Dhabi's Fahid Island in 2028. It was announced by developers Aldar on Monday morning that the prestigious school would open on the just-announced island in Abu Dhabi, making it the first school to be confirmed there. The school, which will hold up to 2,200 pupils. It will be part of an illustrious list of British curriculum schools helping to redefine an expanding education landscape as the Emirates aims to serve a rapidly- growing population, including an influx of super-rich residents drawn from across the world demanding the best schooling for their children. The number of millionaires living in Dubai has doubled in the past decade, making it one of the world's fastest growing wealth hubs, the World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2025 found. From Harrow to helipads The renowned Harrow School is to launch campuses in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai under a partnership with UAE education provider Taaleem. Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is set be to the capital's first boarding school. It was announced in February that the Abu Dhabi branch will open from the middle of next year, with enrolment beginning in October. A second UAE campus will be 'fully operational' in Dubai in 2026. Applications for places will be accepted from September, with the school initially catering for pupils from Early Years to Year 6 as the expansion is gradually phased in. 'Harrow has a long-established reputation for excellence, and through our collaboration with Harrow International Schools Limited, we are proud to bring the same values-driven education to Dubai that has shaped generations of leaders,' said Khalid Al Tayer, chairman of Taaleem, at the time. Harrow's alumni include royalty, world leaders such as Winston Churchill and Jawaharlal Nehru, as well as prominent figures from the arts and sport. The number of pupils who were enrolled in Dubai's private schools increased by 6 per cent this year, according to data from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). Gems School of Research and Innovation, which is opening in Dubai in August, will teach the British curriculum. Former UK foreign secretary William Hague is to serve as its honorary patron. It has been built with an investment of $100 million (Dh367 million) and will feature an elevated football field that doubles as a helipad, a 600-seat auditorium, an Olympic-size swimming pool and an NBA-spec basketball court. The campus also has disruption labs to develop entrepreneurial skills, specialist primary spaces for technology, design, sports and the arts, tech hubs and an immersive research centre. Fees range from Dh116,000 ($31,500) for pupils in foundation stage one to Dh206,000 in year 12, and enrolment is open. Top of the class Out of 227 private schools in Dubai, 90 operate under a British curriculum, according to the KHDA's 2024-25 report on private schools. The next closest is the Indian curriculum operated by 34 schools. The report also revealed that British schools are the second most popular choice for Emiratis, with only US schools ranking higher. While British schools are popular in the UAE, they often don't come cheap. The two Harrow-branded schools set to open in the UAE next year will have fees of Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 ($21,780 to $27,230) for pupils in Early Years to Year 6, The National reported earlier this year. 'You're looking at state-of-the-art facilities and an incredible performing arts auditorium and dance studios,' Alan Williamson, chief executive of Taaleem, the education provider behind the project, told The National at the time. 'You're looking at robotics facilities and also a beautiful learning environment.' Other British schools also charge premium rates. A place, for example, at Nord Anglia International School (Dubai), which was founded in 2014, costs between Dh68,026 and Dh102,871, while Brighton College Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2011, charges between Dh50,830 and Dh80,780. There are currently 387,441 pupils enrolled at 227 private schools for the academic year 2024-25. Official statistics show that more than 365,000 pupils were enrolled in Dubai's classrooms in 2023, up from 326,000 in November 2022. Ten schools opened in the emirate for the current academic year. In line with Dubai's Education Strategy 2033, the KHDA aims to establish more than 100 private schools by 2033. Highly regarded The highest ranked British school in Dubai, according to a 2025 league table released by is The Sheffield Private School, which opened in 2004. It provides education for close to 1,200 pupils and the average fee is Dh30,500. The website ran a survey in which 74 per cent said their child felt a strong sense of belonging to the school, above the 53 per cent average in all UAE schools. This was closely followed by Victory Heights Primary School, which opened in 2013, where the average fee is Dh47,500. In Abu Dhabi, the highest-ranked school in 2025 was British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi, founded in 1968, which came first in a table released by 'The British School Al Khubairat offers children a beyond-outstanding education with inspirational and caring leadership and faculty driven by ambitions for every child at the school bar none,' read the review from the website for the school, which charges an average fee of Dh61,500.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Aldar announces region's first King's College School Wimbledon at Fahid Island Abu Dhabi
Set to open in September 2028, the school will accommodate up to 2,220 students, supporting Abu Dhabi's vision to become a regional hub for educational excellence Inspired by King's globally-recognised standards, the campus integrates advanced educational facilities, exceptional sports amenities, and holistic wellness spaces Abu Dhabi, UAE: Aldar today announced an exclusive partnership between Aldar Education and internationally renowned King's College School Wimbledon to establish its first regional campus on Abu Dhabi's Fahid Island. Scheduled to open in September 2028 – following ADEK and regulatory approvals – the new K-12 super-premium school will significantly enhance Abu Dhabi's already world-class educational offering, providing students with an established pathway to the highest ranked universities globally. Strategically located within Fahid Island's master-planned community, the new King's College School Wimbledon Abu Dhabi campus will span an expansive 50,000 sqm, accommodating up to 2,220 students. Designed to seamlessly blend cutting-edge educational resources, extensive sports facilities, and a focus on student wellbeing, the campus complements Fahid Island's broader vision to foster balanced lifestyles within a vibrant natural setting. Recognised as one of the UK's most prestigious independent institutions, King's College School Wimbledon is renowned for its rich heritage and exceptional academic standards. The school's holistic approach to education ensures that students receive comprehensive academic preparation and character development, making them sought-after candidates for leading global universities and offering them the best possible preparation for their lives in the world beyond school. Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, said: 'We are proud to announce the first King's College School Wimbledon to Abu Dhabi, a milestone that reflects Aldar's fast-growing education portfolio and commitment to educational excellence. With King's longstanding legacy of academic distinction and its proven track record of preparing students for the world's top universities, this new school at the heart of Fahid Island will further strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a premier destination for world-class education and a global centre for talent development.' Sahar Cooper, Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Education, added: 'King's College School Wimbledon is globally recognised for its ability to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with the confidence, compassion and critical thinking skills to thrive. The school's holistic approach to education, anchored in strong values, rich co-curricular programmes, and personalised pastoral care, will add a new dimension to Aldar Education's offering and further support Abu Dhabi's vision to become a regional hub for excellence in education.' Karl Gross, Director of International Schools, King's College School, Wimbledon said: ' We are delighted to partner with Aldar Education to open a world-leading school in Abu Dhabi. Bringing an authentic King's College School Wimbledon education to the region marks an exciting milestone in our ambition to build a global family of world-class international schools, where we offer our pupils an outstanding education in Mind, Spirit and Heart. Building on the success of our school in Wimbledon and our existing overseas campuses, this new partnership offers a unique and inspiring opportunity for students in Abu Dhabi to experience the transformational impact of a King's education, preparing them to thrive in the world beyond school. ' The establishment of King's College School on Fahid Island marks the initial phase of Aldar's comprehensive educational strategy for the island, designed to address growing demand for premium educational offerings. Future phases will introduce additional educational institutions as part of its masterplan. Additionally, Aldar Education's robust network, with schools on Yas Island, Khalifa City, and Saadiyat Island, will expand capacity by offering over 4,000 new student places by the 2028-2029 academic year, ensuring diverse, accessible, and high-quality education opportunities throughout Abu Dhabi. About Aldar Aldar is the leading real estate developer, manager, and investor in Abu Dhabi, with a growing presence across the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East North Africa, and Europe. The company has two core business segments, Aldar Development and Aldar Investment. Aldar Development is a master developer of a 62 million sqm strategic landbank, creating integrated and thriving communities across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah's most desirable destinations. The delivery of Aldar's developments is managed by Aldar Projects, which is also a key partner of the Abu Dhabi government in delivering housing and infrastructure projects across the UAE's capital. Internationally, Aldar Development wholly owns UK real estate developer London Square, as well as a majority stake in leading Egyptian real estate development company, SODIC. Aldar Investment houses a core asset management business comprising a portfolio of more than AED 46 billion worth of investment grade and income-generating real estate assets diversified across retail, residential, commercial, logistics, and hospitality segments. It manages four core platforms: Aldar Investment Properties, Aldar Hospitality, Aldar Education, and Aldar Estates.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Gaza latest: UN says no aid distributed so far as UK condemns Israel over ‘monstrous' blockade
No humanitarian aid has reached Palestinians in Gaza yet, the UN said on Tuesday, after the UK condemned Israel's 'monstrous' 11-week blockade and ongoing attacks on the strip. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that despite more supplies being dropped off on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, none have reached the starving population. "Today, one of our teams waited several hours for the Israeli green light to access the Kerem Shalom area and collect the nutrition supplies. Unfortunately, they were not able to to bring those supplies into our warehouse," Dujarric said. Israel allowed a handful of trucks to enter Gaza on Monday - but it was described as a 'drop in the ocean' by UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. He also warned that 14,000 babies are at risk of dying within 48 hours if more aid doesn't enter Gaza quickly. Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, foreign secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of trade negotiations. He said of Israel's actions: 'We must call this what it is. It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.' Cambridge college to cut ties with arms companies following student protests A University of Cambridge college has announced it will divest from arms companies following student protests. King's College said on Tuesday that its governing body has voted to 'adopt a new responsible investment policy' to align with the values of its community. It comes after pro-Palestine protesters staged demonstrations and set up encampments against the violence in Gaza at Cambridge University last year. Under the new policy, King's College's financial investments will exclude companies that are involved in activities 'generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation'. It will also exclude companies which produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons. Athena Stavrou21 May 2025 03:35 Pictured: Smoke rises following an Israeli army bombardment in Gaza Strip on Tuesday Athena Stavrou21 May 2025 02:29 UN says no aid distributed yet in Gaza No humanitarian aid has been distributed yet in the Gaza Strip, the UN said on Tuesday evening. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that despite more supplies being dropped off on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday, none have reached the starving population. "Today, one of our teams waited several hours for the Israeli green light to access the Kerem Shalom area and collect the nutrition supplies. Unfortunately, they were not able to to bring those supplies into our warehouse," Dujarric said. Athena Stavrou21 May 2025 01:36 In pictures: Palestinians flee Khan Younis Athena Stavrou21 May 2025 00:48 Analysis | Netanyahu is turning Israel into a global pariah, so what next? The Independent's chief international correspondent Bel Trew writes: My friends in Gaza - civilians who woke up on 7 October 2023 like the rest of the world, clueless, shocked, and scared - are on the run again this week. For the eighth time. Israel bombed the building next to their home last week; blowing their neighbours - again, women, children - to pieces and burying them under more rubble. Now the Israeli military is issuing new sweeping 'evacuation' orders - dangerous directives that make no sense in the nightmare reality on the ground. Under Israel's total blockade, these friends struggle to eat, sometimes resorting to rotten food. They struggle to get clean water. They struggle to get nutrients to their young baby. They have lost dozens of extended family members. They have done nothing to deserve this. Athena Stavrou21 May 2025 00:01 Israel ramps up attacks on Gaza despite mounting international pressure Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday alone, local medics said. Israel continued to bombard the enclave despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations and allow unimpeded deliveries of aid. The violence has left Gaza in ruins and its population facing a worsening hunger crisis. Athena Stavrou20 May 2025 23:03 Lammy 'begged' to 'save children's lives' in Gaza as MPs call for tougher action The Foreign Secretary has been 'begged' to 'save children's lives' in Gaza as MPs from across the Commons urged him to refer to Israel's actions in the region as a 'genocide'. David Lammy announced new measures against Israel but Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat backbenchers urged him to go further. A number of MPs called on the Foreign Secretary to suspend all arms sales to Israel, sanction Israel's finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and to recognise a Palestinian state. Backbenchers shouted 'genocide' as Mr Lammy said in his opening statement: 'We must call this what it is. 'It is extremism. It is dangerous. It is repellent. It is monstrous and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.' Athena Stavrou20 May 2025 22:29 Israel's UK ambassador summoned to Foreign Office The Middle East minister told Israel's ambassador Tzipi Hotovely that the UK will not "stand by" as Israel escalates military operations in Gaza. "Today I summoned Israel's Ambassador to the FCDO," Hamish Falconer posted on X. "I made clear the UK's opposition to expanded military operations in Gaza and rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. "The UK will not stand by as this happens." Athena Stavrou20 May 2025 22:08 UAE says it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent aid to Gaza The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday it agreed with Israel to allow delivery of urgent humanitarian aid from the Gulf country to Gaza, the state news agency WAM reported. We will bring you more details when more information becomes available. Athena Stavrou20 May 2025 21:47 Full story: Britain sanctions Israel over 'intolerable' Gaza crisis and halts trade talks Britain has issued fresh sanctions against Israel over its 'morally unjustifiable' escalation of violence in Gaza, and demanded an end to its 'cruel and indefensible' 11-week block on humanitarian aid. Foreign secretary David Lammy condemned the 'monstrous' situation as the UN warned that 14,000 Palestinian babies could die by Thursday unless action is taken to ease the crisis, which has left civilians severely malnourished. He announced the suspension of trade talks with Israel, imposed sanctions on three individuals and four entities involved in the settler movement, and said Benjamin Netanyahu's actions were 'wholly disproportionate' and 'utterly counterproductive'. Read the full story: Athena Stavrou20 May 2025 21:29
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cambridge college to cut ties with arms companies following student protests
A University of Cambridge college has announced it will divest from arms companies following student protests. King's College said on Tuesday that its governing body has voted to 'adopt a new responsible investment policy' to align with the values of its community. It comes after pro-Palestine protesters staged demonstrations and set up encampments against the war in Gaza at Cambridge University last year. Student-led group Cambridge for Palestine has been calling on the university to divest from companies 'complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine'. Under the new policy, King's College's financial investments will exclude companies that are involved in activities 'generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation'. It will also exclude companies which produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons. The policy builds on discussions about the relationship between the college's investments and its values, which were 'prompted by the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories'. Gillian Tett, provost of King's College, said: 'This is a positive result from a process that engaged voices from all areas of our community. 'I commend the members of the working group for their incredibly thoughtful engagement and deep commitment to work towards an approach that reflects the College's values and demonstrates our capacity to model transformation.' King's College said the next steps will be to implement the changes across the college's investment portfolio in the coming months, with an aim to complete no later than the end of the calendar year. Student activist group King's Cambridge 4 Palestine (KC4P) said: 'King's College's decision must trigger global condemnation of Israel's actions against the Palestinian people.' Stella Swain, youth and student officer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: 'This is a massive victory, and speaks to the incredible power and commitment of student campaigning, at King's College and across the country. 'If King's College, at the heart of Cambridge, can finally listen to its students and divest from the arms industry and companies complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine, then every university can act to ensure they are on the right side of history.'
Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Cambridge college cuts ties with arms firms after Gaza backlash
A University of Cambridge college has announced it will divest from arms companies after long-running student protests over the war in Gaza. King's College said on Tuesday it would cut its financial ties with defence firms to 'align our approach to investments with the values of our community'. A spokesman said the decision was 'prompted by the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories' and made following advice from 'external experts'. It is the first Oxbridge college to announce it will divest from firms linked to the production of military equipment following a wave of student encampments following the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. King's College has been the epicentre of recent protest activity at Cambridge, with students holding a 100-day encampment on the lawn outside its main building on King's Parade last year. In an email to students, Dr Gillian Tett, the college's provost, said its governing body had voted on Monday night to divest from any companies that are 'involved in activities generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation'. The move will also see King's College axe its financial links with organisations that 'produce military and nuclear weapons' or components used to make arms equipment. Dr Tett said the announcement 'builds on wide-ranging discussions within the college about the relationship between its investments and its values, prompted by the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories'. She said the college would remove arms firms from its investment portfolio 'in the coming months and, we aim, by no later than the end of the calendar year'. King's College, which counts mathematician Alan Turing, Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm and economist John Maynard Keynes among its late alumni, is thought to have about £2.2 million indirectly invested in more than 50 companies linked to arms production. An investigation by the Varsity student newspaper in 2023 found that the college's shares in the industry increased by more than £700,000 over the preceding five years. The college declined to disclose which companies it would now divest from when asked by The Telegraph. It also would not provide details of the amounts that had been invested. College says debate predates Gaza war A spokesman told The Telegraph that the conversation about arms divestment at Cambridge 'has been happening for years, well before the current conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine'. In a statement published on its website, King's College said it was keen to 'take account of ethical and other issues of social responsibility' in relation to its £300 million endowment fund. The college added that it had already 'fully divested from all direct investments in fossil fuels and invests positively in environmental markets'. King's College's governing body includes around 100 fellows, four elected students and its provost. In June 2024, the college announced a review of 'responsible investments' following a series of student demonstrations calling for it to divest from Israel-linked companies. The protests included a 'die-in' held on the college's lawn earlier that month. In May 2024, King's Cam for Palestine (KC4P), a student-led campaign group, disrupted an event held by Dr Tett and accused it of platforming 'Zionists and military affiliates'. The event was a discussion on 'feminism and cybersecurity' and its panel included the director of GCHQ, whom protesters accused of having 'reprehensible involvement in the genocide on Gaza '. King's College launched a 'responsible investment survey' in March this year, which was sent to all students at the college to collect views on arms investments. Campaigners call for other colleges to follow suit KC4P said on Tuesday that it welcomed the decision, which it claimed 'came as a result of sustained pressure from KC4P and the Cambridge for Palestine Coalition as a whole'. It added in a statement: 'KC4P implore the university and other colleges to follow the example set by King's, although the decision comes far too late for the thousands of Palestinians who have been starved, tortured and killed at the hands of the Israeli state.' Cambridge has been grappling with how to respond to student protests after dozens of encampments were organised at UK universities in the wake of Israel's response to the Oct 7 2023 attack by Hamas. The Russell Group university was granted a High Court injunction earlier this year to ban disruptive protests from certain areas of its campus until the end of July. Officials had claimed more than 1,600 students had graduation events disrupted by pro-Gaza demonstrations last year. King's College is considered the university's most politically active and has a reputation for radical politics. Its Left-wing history goes back to its founding in 1441 when it was established by King Henry VI to teach 12 scholars from poor backgrounds. Since then, the college has had one of the highest numbers of state school students at the university. In 2023, 91 per cent came from such a background. The flag of the Soviet Union infamously hung in its student bar for 14 years until 2018, when students at the college voted to have it removed. A string of public bodies have bowed to recent pressure to divest from arms companies, including at least nine local authorities that have pulled their pension fund investments in British defence companies. Dudley council in the West Midlands became the latest council to do so in March. The authority argued it could 'contribute towards peace' by scrapping millions of pounds of investment in firms involved 'directly or indirectly in arms production'. The council, which is under no overall control, passed the motion with the support of Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors. Four London councils – Camden, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest – have also taken similar action in recent months following lobbying from pro-Palestinian groups.
