Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
Repton Abu Dhabi operates on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, across two campuses on Reem Island's Shams Abu Dhabi area. The Rose Campus (Foundation School) and Fry Campus (Junior/Senior School) are both located on Reem Island, providing on-site facilities and easy access to local amenities. The Rose Campus serves younger learners, while the Fry Campus houses the older students up to A‑Levels and BTECs.
The school serves ages 3–18. Early Years is at Rose Campus, and Fry Campus covers the upper primary to secondary levels, including GCSE and Sixth Form (A‑Levels/BTEC). The two-campus structure supports a through-school pathway from early years to post-16 study.
Co-educational, day school with two campuses. There is no boarding provision offered at Repton Abu Dhabi.
The school represents about 59 nationalities. Local/host students constitute around 20% of the population, with a diverse international mix including nationalities such as Emirati, British, American, Korean, Indian, Australian, and Canadian among the most represented.
An Inclusion Department provides Learning Support, working with families and external providers to target individual needs. A dedicated school counsellor offers emotional, social, and behavioural support, and psychologists are available as needed.
No formal country affiliation is stated; the school follows the English National Curriculum.
There is no stated religious affiliation. The curriculum includes Arabic and Islamic Studies for Muslim students as part of the programme.
School start times are around 7:45–8:00 am, with finish times around 3:00 pm (or 2:40 pm on some schedules). The school offers supervised care before and after school and provides school meals; Friday timings may differ in some phases.
A school bus service is available; routes and arrangements are managed through the admissions process. The presence of a bus service is noted, but specific routes and providers are not published publicly.
Healthy food choices are promoted under the Cognita Be Well Charter.
The school uses a traditional British House system. Each pupil is assigned to a House, with siblings placed in the same House. Each House is led by a Head of House, and pupils may serve as House Captains to represent their House in school activities. The school runs regular House competitions across sports, arts, music, drama and academic quizzes, with an annual House Cup awarded to the leading House.
The school is part of the Cognita family of Schools. The founder and chairman is Mr Khaled Al Mheiri, who established Repton Abu Dhabi.
Repton Abu Dhabi delivers the English National Curriculum from Early Years through to Year 13, with Arabic and Islamic Studies integrated where appropriate. The school teaches Early Years (ages 3–5) under the English National Curriculum for planning and assessment, with specialist support for Arabic learning, music, and physical education. Key Stage 1 (ages 5–7) covers English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, and Islamic Studies for Muslim students, plus foundation subjects such as History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Computing, Music, and PE. Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11) continues with the English National Curriculum in core subjects and foundation subjects, and uses a 1:1 digital devices programme via Microsoft platforms. Senior School (ages 12–18) includes Years 7–9 with emphasis on creative and expressive arts, and Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies; Years 10–11 take GCSEs with nine subjects (six core: Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and three options, with Arabic compulsory at GCSE for native Arabic speakers. Sixth Form offers A Levels, BTEC qualifications, or a combination, with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) available.
SEL at Repton Abu Dhabi is anchored in its pastoral care framework, which aims to nurture happy, resilient, and adaptable learners. The school implements the Cognita Be Well Charter to promote wellbeing through six pillars and healthy lifestyle choices. Regular physical activity and healthy eating are embedded as foundations of learning under the Be Well approach. The Be Well framework fosters social engagement and enterprise, including volunteering activities through the Sparkle Foundation. A dedicated Counsellor is available on each campus to provide emotional and behavioural support and to educate families about child-protection rights. [org](https://www.reptonabudhabi.org/pastoral-care/))
Repton Abu Dhabi has an Inclusion Department that recognises the individuality of every child and works with families and external providers to develop targeted provision. The Learning Support Department collaborates with Class and Specialist Teachers to ensure every child thrives and enjoys a positive learning experience. Students may be identified for support during admissions, through parental concerns, or when teachers notice differences in learning pace, needs, or patterns. The site describes targeted provision but does not list specific categories of SEN or indicate it is a specialist SEN institution. A dedicated Counsellor supports emotional, social, or behavioural needs and educates about Child Protection and runs parent workshops. [org](https://www.reptonabudhabi.org/inclusion/))
The site does not publicly disclose information about English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision at Repton Abu Dhabi. The Inclusion and Pastoral Care pages describe inclusive education and wellbeing but do not specify EAL programmes, staff, or assessment processes. There are no explicit EAL language support details provided on the site. If present, EAL support would likely be encompassed within the inclusion framework and external partnerships, but no explicit details are provided. No explicit EAL program details are publicly disclosed on the site. [org](https://www.reptonabudhabi.org/inclusion/))
Mental wellbeing is a core focus, anchored in the Cognita Be Well Charter, which guides wellbeing through six pillars and healthy choices. Wellbeing is integrated into daily life through regular physical activity and the promotion of healthy eating as part of learning. The Be Well framework supports social engagement and enterprise, including volunteering through the Sparkle Foundation. Pastoral care emphasises safeguarding measures to ensure a safe, supportive environment for all students. Dedicated Counsellors on each campus provide emotional, social, or behavioural support and contribute to child-protection education and parent workshops. [org](https://www.reptonabudhabi.org/pastoral-care/))
Safeguarding is a core priority, with a safeguarding commitment to promote welfare and maintain a safe, inclusive environment. The safeguarding principles emphasize staff training on abuse categories, duty of care, and empowering adults to act to protect children and escalate concerns. The Cognita Safeguarding Specialist Team informs policies and aligns with international child-protection standards. Safeguarding is integrated with Be Well and the broader pastoral care framework to support student welfare. Counsellors educate children about Child Protection rights and run parent workshops to foster a collaborative safeguarding culture. [org](https://www.reptonabudhabi.org/pastoral-care/))
The school teaches the British National Curriculum. The admissions process is a four-step sequence: Make an Enquiry, Visit Us, Register for a Place, and Assessments. Daily tours are offered at various times, led by a member of our Admissions team. To register, complete the Registration Form and provide a copy of your child's passport along with their latest school report, indicating the year group. You will be invited to bring your child for an assessment. Assessments are age-appropriate: Early Years assessments involve observed play; Year 1 and above assess Reading, Mathematics, and English. International applicants unable to attend in person may take remote assessments. A decision is emailed within three working days of the assessment.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, in the cultural district near Manarat Al Saadiyat. The campus sits on a purpose-built site with good access to Saadiyat Island's roads and facilities. The location places the school close to Abu Dhabi's museums and cultural precincts.
The school follows the British National Curriculum from FS1 to Year 13, covering early years through to the sixth form. Students ordinarily take IGCSE in the middle years and proceed to A Levels or equivalent in the senior years.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is a co-educational day school and does not currently offer boarding facilities. An extended day is available, allowing students to participate in activities beyond the core lessons.
The school represents a large international community, with more than 65 nationalities; the most represented nationality is British, and local students make up around 20% of the student body.
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and has a Learning Support framework. EAL is delivered at multiple levels (whole-school provision, in-class support, and small-group or 1:1 intervention), and SEN provisions are available where needed.
The school is affiliated with Cranleigh School in the United Kingdom and operates as part of the Cranleigh international network.
There is no formal religious affiliation stated for the school, reflecting its diverse international community.
The core school day runs from around 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The extended day option extends activities until about 6:00–6:30 pm, depending on after-school commitments.
A bus service is provided by a contracted operator, with the school coordinating transport for students. There have been occasions of bus shortages affecting after-school activities, prompting communications to parents about service availability.
The school is a coeducational day school for children aged 3 to 18, with an extended day and future provision for boarding.
Every pupil, whether day or boarding, has a place in one of eight single-sex houses: North, South, East, West, Cubitt, Loveday, Rhodes and Martlet.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is part of Cranleigh International; the local operating company was built by Cranleigh International and passed on to Aldar Education in 2018. In January 2024 a separate Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Pre-Prep site opened at Saadiyat Lagoons.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi follows the English National Curriculum, with the Early Years Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) in Pre-Prep and the National Curriculum as the foundation for all later years, extended to meet local needs. The school is structured into Pre-Prep (FS1–Year 2), Prep (Year 3–8), Senior (Year 9–13) and Sixth Form (Year 12–13), with progression aligned to UK age bands and ADEK guidance. In the Senior School, students typically study IGCSEs in a broad range of subjects; this is followed in Sixth Form by A Levels (with BTECs as an alternative) and an optional Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The Sixth Form uses Harkness-style teaching and a Sixth Form Core Curriculum to develop independent thinking, wellbeing, and career-focused subject choices. The curriculum emphasises enquiry-led learning, clear assessment criteria, and a global-citizenship dimension as central pillars of the school's approach. Admissions are aligned with UK-year group standards, with entry points from Pre-Prep through Sixth Form and formal evaluation processes for Sixth Form applicants.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a full-time School Counsellor who provides confidential, personalised pastoral support to pupils. The School Counsellor is part of the Learning Support Department, which coordinates wellbeing provision and the school's response to pupils with additional needs. The Learning Support Team handles day-to-day SEN provision, maintains records, and creates Learning Passports/IEPs to guide targeted support and parental involvement. External specialists, including Psychology services, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, may be engaged to support pupils with SEN as needed. English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners have access to the full curriculum and activities, with Level One–Three EAL support to ensure participation across the school. Parents are actively involved as partners in planning and reviewing pupil wellbeing and provision.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi defines Special Educational Needs (SEN) as including learning difficulties and persistent social, emotional or mental health needs, and identifies pupils of determination to receive appropriate provision. The School Principal has overall responsibility for SEN, delegated to the Director of Learning Support, who reports to the Vice Principal (Academic). The Learning Support Team conducts in-house screening, maintains a central record, and creates Learning Passports (IEPs) in collaboration with parents and pupils. Provision is delivered across three levels: Level 1 (Quality provision for all), Level 2 (in-class or small-group support), and Level 3 (specialist withdrawal or 1:1 support), with exam access arrangements under JCQ guidelines where relevant. Specialist support may be provided by the Learning Support Team or by outside specialists such as Psychology services, Speech & Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. The school emphasises SEN provision as a school-wide responsibility rather than a separate specialist institution, with differentiated teaching and collaboration among staff to meet diverse needs.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi recognises English as an Additional Language (EAL) and ensures EAL learners have access to the full curriculum and co-curricular activities on the same basis as native English speakers. The EAL policy states aims to overcome barriers to learning, value linguistic and cultural diversity, and support EAL pupils to become confident and fluent users of English. EAL support is structured in three levels: Level One – quality provision for all; Level Two – in-class support; Level Three – small-group or 1:1 intervention. The EAL Co-ordinator leads the school's EAL provision in consultation with the Director of Learning Support and liaises with English teachers to monitor progress. Most EAL pupils do not have SEN; if a specific learning difficulty is identified, EAL pupils have equal access to the school's SEN provision.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is committed to positive mental wellbeing and provides a full-time School Counsellor who is a qualified psychologist. The counselling service offers a confidential, safe, nurturing and personalised approach and is part of the Learning Support Department. A Learning Passport (IEP) framework records additional actions and targets for pupils with complex needs or mental health concerns. The Learning Support Team coordinates mental health provision and can arrange input from external specialists to support targeted interventions. The partnership with parents is emphasised in planning and reviewing wellbeing provision.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi maintains safeguarding arrangements with named safeguarding staff and a formal route to raise concerns via the Raise a Concern portal. The contact list includes Sue Fairbrother (Head of Safeguarding) and Dr Andrea Saxel (Senior DSL) and Emma Lewis (DSL for Prep). If a child is in immediate danger, dial 999. Concerns can be raised through the Firefly-based Raise a Concern system, which allows anonymous submissions if desired. Safeguarding policies, including the Complaints Policy, set out formal stages and responsibilities for managing concerns and protecting pupils.
The Cranleigh Abu Dhabi campus opened in 2014 on Saadiyat Island. Cranleigh International built the local operating company, which Aldar Education took over in 2018 in continued partnership with Cranleigh. The school has won the TES Best New International School of the Year and is listed in Spears Top 100 global schools. In January 2024 a separate Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Pre-Prep site was opened at Saadiyat Lagoons for over 600 Pre-Prep children. The school has about 2600 students across two sites. The Pre-Prep site opened January 29, 2024, and is a stand-alone campus with its own swimming pool and large indoor and external play spaces.
ldar Education continued the Cranleigh partnership after the 2018 transition.
Cranleigh's offer includes a Scholars' Programme and an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) as part of its academic enrichment.
The Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi (NAS Abu Dhabi) is located on Al Reem Island, Tamouh, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The area combines residential and commercial development with beaches and local amenities nearby. The campus is about 30 minutes' drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The school serves ages 3–18 on a purpose-built campus. It provides education from Early Years through to Sixth Form, with a dedicated Sixth Form Centre for post-16 study.
NAS Abu Dhabi is a co-educational day school. It follows the English National Curriculum and operates within the Nord Anglia Education network; there are no boarding facilities.
Publicly available data indicate representation from around 60 nationalities. The most common nationality is British, and local students account for about 10% of the student body, with international students making up the remaining majority.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available for students needing help with speaking, comprehension, reading or writing. The school uses an inclusion approach with an Inclusion Team and an Inclusion Teacher role to support inclusive learning.
The school follows the English National Curriculum and is described as a British international school overseas; it is part of Nord Anglia Education.
No religious affiliation is stated publicly for NAS Abu Dhabi; the school operates as a secular international day school.
Arrivals begin around 7:30am; the core school day runs 8:30am–3:30pm, with enrichment 3:30pm–4:30pm and Global Campus sessions 4:30pm–5:00pm. On Fridays, the day finishes at 12:00pm in line with local regulations.
NAS Abu Dhabi offers a school bus service operated by Global Wings, with GPS tracking and onboard CCTV. Buses serve multiple Abu Dhabi locations; parents can sign up via the NAS Abu Dhabi app, or email transport@nasabudhabi.ae for details.
NAS Abu Dhabi uses a school uniform designed for comfort and practicality. The fabrics are eco-friendly, durable, and easy to care for, and the uniform unites the school community and is worn with pride. Uniforms can be purchased from ZAKs shop in Mushrif Mall, located next to the mall's management office; the shop is open daily from 10.00am to 7.00pm.
Lunch is provided by the catering partner ADNH Compass. They prepare fresh, nutritious lunches every day, with a variety of hot and cold options and accommodations for dietary requirements and allergies.
NAS Abu Dhabi is owned and operated by Nord Anglia Education and is part of the Nord Anglia Education family of premium international schools. The NAS Abu Dhabi campus is described as part of the Nord Anglia Education family, reflecting its governance and ownership within the Nord Anglia network.
NAS Abu Dhabi delivers the English National Curriculum from Nursery through Sixth Form. Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 3-5) and Primary (ages 5-11) follow the English National Curriculum, with Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6). In Secondary (ages 11-16), the school implements a two-year Cambridge IGCSE programme for Key Stage 4. The Sixth Form (ages 16-18) offers A-levels, with the first cohort starting in August 2025. A World Languages Programme runs from nursery, teaching Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, German and French, and English as an Additional Language support is available. As part of Nord Anglia Education, NAS Abu Dhabi provides Global Campus experiences and access to partnerships with The Juilliard School, MIT and UNICEF to support broader university progression.
NAS Abu Dhabi places student wellbeing at the center of daily life. A dedicated pastoral team provides care and practical help to support academic success, memorable moments, and resilience through challenging times. The design of the campus and its spaces promotes socialising, collaboration, and a strong sense of community, reinforcing SEL in everyday interactions. Teachers maintain a strong partnership with parents, with regular communication about progress and growth. Wellbeing is embedded in the school day through initiatives like
NAS Abu Dhabi describes itself as a fully inclusive school welcoming all backgrounds and nationalities. The kinds of Special Educational Needs (SEN) the school can support, and whether it operates a specialist SEN unit, are not publicly disclosed. An Inclusion Team exists, and the school is advertising an Inclusion Teacher role, indicating a structured inclusive approach within a mainstream setting. The admissions process emphasizes meeting individual learning needs and a non-selective intake, reinforcing an inclusive stance. This inclusion framework aligns with Nord Anglia Education's broader emphasis on inclusive practice, though no formal SEN policy is published on NAS Abu Dhabi pages.
NAS Abu Dhabi publicly describes a World Languages Programme featuring Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, German, and French. This multilingual offering supports language development and cross-cultural learning within the curriculum. Public information about a dedicated EAL programme or EAL staffing is not disclosed beyond the language offerings. The school states it is fully inclusive, which suggests that English-language support would be provided within mainstream classes rather than through a separate specialist unit. Information on specific EAL delivery, staffing, or intensity is not published.
Mental wellbeing is a clear priority at NAS Abu Dhabi, with the school stating that happy, healthy, and included students flourish and that the wellbeing of each child is the absolute priority. A dedicated pastoral team provides care and practical help to support academic success and resilience. Staff wellbeing is also a core consideration, with
NAS Abu Dhabi emphasises a safe and focused learning environment, including safeguarding of digital use. A Safe and Focused Learning approach has been implemented to manage technology use, such as phone pouches for students in Years 6-11 and a digital detox week in Primary, to reduce distractions and promote wellbeing. These measures illustrate a structured safeguarding approach to classroom behavior, device use, and student wellbeing. Public safeguarding policy details beyond these examples are not published on NAS Abu Dhabi pages.
Step 1: Start the process. Starting your application is easy. You can submit your child's application online using the Apply Now option, and the admissions team will get in touch to support you through the process. If you're not ready to apply, you can fill in the enquiry form, call, or email with any questions, and the team will respond. You can also book a school tour or virtual meeting at any stage to learn more about NAS Abu Dhabi. Step 2: Admission requirements and policy. The school welcomes students of all backgrounds, nationalities, and abilities and operates a non-selective admissions policy. It currently enrolls Foundation Stage 1 (age 3) to Year 12 (age 16). The brand-new Sixth Form Centre offers A Levels. The admissions team supports families through every step and focuses on finding the right fit for each child and family. Step 3: Tours and final steps. Families are encouraged to visit the school; tours can be arranged at any stage. The admissions team provides information and answers questions. The process is clear, personal, and focused on finding the right fit. The FAQ confirms that students can start at any time and that the school accepts students year-round.
