Horizon International School

Located in Dubai's Jumeirah/Umm Suqeim area, Horizon International School sits on Street 9A off Al Wasl Road in Umm Al Sheif. The central neighborhood is well connected by major routes such as Al Wasl Road and Sheikh Zayed Road, providing easy car access and multiple public transport options. The campus is set within a residential area and serves families from across central Dubai.

The school offers a through-school structure from Foundation Stage through to Year 13 (FS1 to A-Levels). It serves students roughly aged 3 to 18 years, with a through-school pathway from early years to post-16.

Co-educational day school. Boarding facilities are not offered.

The student body represents more than 50 nationalities. The largest groups are Arab and British, with Emirati students also present; local students comprise a small share of the roll (roughly around 1%), with the majority being international.

Horizon International School runs an inclusion programme that supports students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). The school emphasises personalised learning and welfare as part of its provision.

British overseas school; follows a British curriculum.

No explicit religious affiliation; secular schooling.

The school day typically starts around 7:15–7:45 in the morning and finishes around 3:00–4:00 in the afternoon, with variations by year group. Friday hours are shorter. After-school care is available through a Star Club program until about 5:00 pm.

Horizon's bus transport is provided by Gulf Pinnacle Transport (GPT). GPT operates multiple routes serving Umm Suqeim, JVC, Dubai Marina, Al Barsha and nearby areas, with safety features including real-time tracking and video surveillance. The school provides bus route details and contact options for arranging transport.

Horizon International School Dubai provides a through‑school British education for ages 3–18, with Foundation Stage, Primary (KS1–KS2), Secondary (KS3–KS4) and Post‑16 pathways to GCSE/IGCSE and A‑Levels. The Foundation Stage follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage with seven areas of learning and a play‑based, personalised approach, with DSIB rating outstanding. Primary is organised into KS1 (Years 1–2) and KS2 (Years 3–6) and uses the English National Curriculum, with subjects including English, Maths, Science plus Arabic, Islamic/Moral Education, French, Geography, History, ICT, Art & Design, Music, PE, Swimming and Social Studies. Secondary comprises KS3 (Years 7–9) and KS4 (Years 10–11) with a broad range of subjects including English, Maths, Science, Arabic, Geography, History, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Studies, ICT/Computing, Art, Drama, Music, PE, and options such as French/Spanish; ASDAN is available for SEND. Post‑16 provides GCSE/IGCSE examinations leading into A‑Levels; 2023/24 GCSE results included 30% A/9-8 and 53% A/9-7, with 100% A-C in English/Lit/Triple Science and 97% in Maths, and A‑Levels with a 100% pass rate and places at first‑choice universities.

GCSE results 2023/24: 30% A-A/9-8 and 53% A-A/9-7; 94% A-C/9-4; 100% A-C in English Language, English Literature and Triple Science; 97% A-C in Maths. A‑Levels 2023/24: 100% pass rate with all students securing places at their first‑choice universities.

Post‑16 pathways are designed to support university progression through GCSE/IGCSE and A‑Levels, with the aim of placing students at first‑choice universities; Year 9 curriculum materials emphasise a university‑bound trajectory and a range of post‑18 options.

EVOLV3 is a dedicated programme for high‑ability students (Years 4–13) with weekend sessions; LAMDA qualifications are available through Music & Performing Arts; additional enrichment includes F1 in Schools and other Cognita Enrich ME opportunities.

Horizon International School prioritises Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) within a wellbeing-focused, inclusive education model. The Cognita network emphasises wellbeing through data-driven interventions and resources for families, and events such as Global Be Well Day. The Inclusion Policy states that the school places the learning, achievement, attitude, and wellbeing of all students at its heart, with a Quality First Teaching approach and curriculum modification to support Students of Determination. PSHE, Awareness Days, Circle Time, and Moral Education are used to promote social and emotional development across year groups. The school also provides a dedicated school counsellor and an Inclusion Support Team to support students' social, emotional, and behavioural needs. The Cognita wellbeing ethos and Be Well Day example illustrate the school's active focus on student wellbeing.

The Inclusion Policy confirms Horizon caters for a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and for More Able, Gifted and Talented (MAGT) students, in line with the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (2017). It states that curriculum is modified to meet SEND needs and that admission for Students of Determination is welcomed, with provisions funded as a Standard School Service from the school budget. The school maintains an Inclusion Support Team with a dedicated Inclusion Champion and Head of Inclusion, plus a dedicated school counsellor, to coordinate SEND provision and pastoral support. Identification and assessment of SEND are carried out via a SEND Pathway, including assessments, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and involvement of external specialists when needed. The school lists categories of need including Cognition and Learning, Specific Learning Disorders, Developmental Delay, and other SEND categories, and it includes English as an Additional Language (EAL) within its categorisation framework. The Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework and KHDA-aligned practices guide identification, monitoring, and progress review through formal provisions and a structured cycle of assess-plan-do-review.

EAL is explicitly included within Horizon International School's inclusive framework. The Common Learning Environment recognises English as an Additional Language (EAL) alongside English Language Learners, and the Inclusion Policy notes EAL as part of the student population requiring support. The school outlines an inclusive approach to meeting diverse language needs, in line with Dubai's inclusive education framework. The policy also highlights that English language learners are considered within the broader SEND and MAGT provisions, ensuring they access suitable adaptations and support as needed.

Mental wellbeing is a core component of Horizon International School's approach to wellbeing. The Cognita framework emphasises wellbeing with data-driven interventions and family resources, including events like Global Be Well Day. The Inclusion Policy states that the wellbeing of every student is central to the school's work, and that pupils' social, emotional, and academic progress is supported through inclusive practices. A dedicated school counsellor is part of the Inclusion Support Team to provide mental health and emotional support, and wellbeing monitoring is integrated into the school's SEND pathway and wider PSHE curriculum. These elements together illustrate a structured, school-wide focus on mental wellbeing and early intervention.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are defined as a key priority in Horizon International School's Cognita Middle East policy framework. Safeguarding is presented as everyone's responsibility, with staff trained to identify concerns, share information, and escalate promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Deputy DSL (DDSL), or Regional Safeguarding Lead (RSL). The Safeguarding Policy covers definitions, governance, legal context, and procedures, and requires staff to follow established safeguarding processes, including information sharing when necessary. The policy details the roles, contact points, and escalation paths for safeguarding concerns, and it ties local regulatory frameworks (UAE laws and KHDA guidelines) to its practices. The policy is reviewed and updated regularly, with implementation dates and reviews (e.g., August 2025 revision) indicated in the document metadata.

1. Make an Enquiry. Reach out to the Admissions Team to discuss your needs and guide you through the next steps. Complete the enquiry form or contact the Admissions Office at +971 4 348 3314. The Admissions Team will respond with the next steps. 2. Book a Tour. Book a tour to discover our facilities and visualise your child in Horizon International School. Meet our Leadership Team who will show you around and discuss the curriculum. Tours are offered weekly. The tour helps families assess fit. 3. Submit your application. Submit an online application form with supporting documents. Applications can be submitted via the Apply Now option. The Admissions Team will review your submission and advise on next steps. 4. Assessment and Offer. The school uses age-appropriate assessments to understand your child's strengths and ensure they are well-suited to thrive. For younger children, assessments may include play-based activities to observe interaction, communication, and milestones. Older students (Year 1 and above) complete formal assessments in English, Mathematics, and critical thinking. For families residing abroad, virtual assessments are available, and you will receive the outcome within three working days. 5. Secure your place. Accept the enrolment offer and submit all requested documents within the time specified. An enrollment fee must be paid to secure the offer. Admissions age ranges align with KHDA guidance for Academic Year 2026-27.

Scholarships at HIS recognise, nurture, and reward outstanding secondary students in the academic, sports, creative and performing arts fields. Horizon International School has offered the scholarship mentoring programme for over five years. Scholars receive mentoring and opportunities to lead and contribute to school life, and they are encouraged to model leadership for peers. Details on scholarship availability and how to apply are provided in the Admissions & Fees information.