SCHOOLS OUT ISSUE 2026 THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY Where Learning and Life Come Together
WHY YOUTH VOICE NEEDS TO MOVE BEYOND THE SCHOOL GATES
MOVING WITH CHILDREN? GET THE SCHOOL RIGHT
100 NEW SCHOOLS BY 2033: HERE’S WHAT DUBAI PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
ROOTS TO BRANCH The Safeguarding Curriculum Every School Has Been Waiting For
Editors Foreword 3
T he end of the academic year always feels like a good time to pause and reflect. As always, the UAE hasn’t stood still for long. It’s been another year of ambition, innovation and change, with education continuing to move forward at an incredible pace. Over the past few months, we’ve seen plenty of headlines. The Year of the Family has reinforced the importance of keeping families at the heart of our communities. Schools have been preparing for the return of KHDA inspections with just 24 hours’ notice, while changes to examination schedules and recent regional events have once again shown the resilience and adaptability of our schools. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: our education community continues to put children and families first. Our education landscape continues to flourish. New schools will open their doors this August, with many more already planned for 2027 and beyond. The UAE continues to raise the bar, offering families world- class educational opportunities while ensuring its culture, language, and national identity remain central to every child’s learning journey. One of my personal highlights this year was the launch of the Quantum Be and WellCube collaboration. Seeing so many schools commit to staff wellbeing was incredibly encouraging. Wellbeing is no longer an added extra; it’s becoming an essential part of building happy, healthy, and successful school communities. Before we know it, August will arrive, classrooms will fill once again and another exciting academic year will begin. Until then, I hope you enjoy a well-earned summer, whether you’re travelling, spending time with family or simply taking the opportunity to slow down. As always, Education UAE is built on the voices of our community. If the summer inspires you to share your experiences, ideas, or opinions on education, we’d love to hear from you. Articles can be sent to rachael@quantummedia.me. EDITOR'S FOREWORD
TEAM
Laura Wojciechowski CEO Anwesha Sengupta Editorial Manager Gemmalyn Cruz Ocampo Client Success Executive Essam Morsy Arabic Content & Regional Growth Lead
Jane Elizabeth Wellness Officer
Connor James Arthur Social Media Assistant
Alexandria Ramage Brand and Client Specialist Jasica Kaur Dham Digital Marketing Coordinator Ryan James Wynn Head of Growth & Partnership
Have a wonderful summer, and thank you for continuing to make the UAE’s education community such an inspiring one to be part of. Rachael Wilding Education Lead, Education UAE
Submit your stories and explore advertising opportunities now. SUBMIT CONTENT
Uniting Africa Through Education
SUMMER ISSUE 2025
SUMMER ISSUE 2025
NEW YEAR 2026
THE STORY THAT CAME FULL CIRCLE BY NICK MAGNUS, CEO BRAEBURN SCHOOL
GEMS EDUCATION AND INFINITY ESTABLISH NEW SCHOOL IN ZANZIBAR
FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING AT THE HEART OF EAST AFRICA'S SCHOOL GROWTH
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT ASIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL SCHOOLS
INNOVATION IN ACTION AI, EDTECH AND THE FUTURE CLASSROOM
LEADERSHIP MATTERS PRINCIPALS SHAPING EDUCATION IN ASIA
ESTARS LAUNCHES ONLINE CPD COURSE IN ESPORTS FOR EDUCATORS
NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS COMING TO SAUDI IN 2026–2027
BACK TO SCHOOL, THE SMART WAY FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING WITH MINERVA
Beyond Marketing. Beyond Ordinary.
TRANSFORM SCHOOL UNIFORMS WITH SUSTAINABLE IMPACT
BALANCING TRADITION, CULTURE AND MODERN INNOVATION
CLOUD FUSION AI SMART SCHOOL SMART EDUCATION
Copyright © 2026 Quantum Media FZ LLE. All content in the Education UAE website, digital and print magazine, is the intellectual property of Quantum Media FZ LLE and may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without prior written permission.
4 Contents
50 Making Memories This Summer Members of our education community share their favourite ideas for keeping children engaged
86 THE GULF FAMILIES CHOOSING A DIFFERENT KIND OF SCHOOL
THE SCHOOL OF TEXTILES AND DESIGN AT HERIOT WATT LAUNCHES AN EXCITING SUMMER BOOTCAMP 146
KIND LEADERSHIP HOW A 2AM IDEA BECAME A SOLD-OUT GLOBAL MOVEMENT 205
Contents 5
OTHER FEATURES IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE...
20 UAE Academic Calendar 2026-27
30 The New UAE School Openings 2026/27 Edition
38 QuantumBe And Wellcube.life Bring The Wellbeing Conversation Back
74 The Arbor Approach Learning Through Experience
104 Capturing Families In Research And Planning Mode at Ash Mount School
112 Horizon English School, Making Summer Count, Why Purposeful Play Matters More Than Ever
176 Identifying Learning Gaps Early with Hachette Learning
180 Why Youth Voice Needs To Move Beyond The School Gates
188 Where The Mangroves Become The Classroom
210 One Year Into The UAE’s AI In Education Push, What Have Schools Actually Learned?
214 UAE Education Market Outlook, The Buzz Is Back
224 Why Scotland Should Be Your Family’s Next Summer Trip
Quantum Me A connected media ecosystem shaping
NEW YEAR 2026
SCHOOL'S BACK 2024
ESTARS LAUNCHES ONLINE CPD COURSE IN ESPORTS FOR EDUCATORS
NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS COMING TO SAUDI IN 2026–2027
BACK TO SCHOOL, THE SMART WAY FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING WITH MINERVA
DUBAI’S PRIVATE EDUCATION SECTOR AWARDED GOLDEN VISA
ZAKS SCHOOL UNIFORMS QUALITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND INNOVATION
HIHILULU EMPOWERING YOUNG MINDS - A FUN AND ENGAGING PATH TO CHINESE
Building Resilience Through Unique Opportunities in Performing Arts Education RAZZAMATAZ THEATRE SCHOOLS
CLOUD FUSION AI SMART SCHOOL SMART EDUCATION
Connect
edia Network g education across key global markets.
Uniting Africa Through Education
SUMMER ISSUE 2025
SUMMER ISSUE 2025
THE STORY THAT CAME FULL CIRCLE BY NICK MAGNUS, CEO BRAEBURN SCHOOL
GEMS EDUCATION AND INFINITY ESTABLISH NEW SCHOOL IN ZANZIBAR
FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING AT THE HEART OF EAST AFRICA'S SCHOOL GROWTH
REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT ASIA’S MOST INFLUENTIAL SCHOOLS
INNOVATION IN ACTION AI, EDTECH AND THE FUTURE CLASSROOM
LEADERSHIP MATTERS PRINCIPALS SHAPING EDUCATION IN ASIA
SOUTH AFRICAN PRIVATE SCHOOLS RANK AMONG THE WORLD’S BEST
BALANCING TRADITION, CULTURE AND MODERN INNOVATION
t With Us
Explore the Network Visit quantummedia.me
8 Year of Family
As the UAE dedicates 2026 to the family, the education sector sits at the very heart of its ambitions. This year, that has meant more than good intentions.
Year of Family 9
10 Year of Family
F ollowing the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 2026 has been designated the Year of the Family, under the tagline Growing in Unity. Announced at the National Family Growth Agenda 2031 session during the UAE Government Annual Meetings, the declaration is more than a ceremonial theme. It is a national policy signal. And for education in the UAE, that signal has taken on a meaning nobody quite anticipated when the year began. This has been the year of the family in the most literal, lived sense. Families did not just lean into the theme. They lived it, daily, at the kitchen table, on the school run that wasn’t, in the group chats with teachers and in the day-to-day conversations with anxious kids and teenagers. This has been a semester unlike any other. Since late February 2026, distance learning was introduced as a precautionary measure amid regional security concerns linked to ongoing conflict, and what followed tested UAE families in ways few could have predicted. Parents juggled remote work and home schooling simultaneously, often under the strain of disrupted sleep due to middle-of-the-night emergency alerts, mental fatigue, and heightened stress. Then came the news that shook examination year groups most of all: every major exam board operating in the UAE cancelled or significantly disrupted its 2026 examinations. Cambridge, IB, Pearson Edexcel, OxfordAQA, CBSE, CISCE, the list was complete. For students holding conditional university offers, it was a mix of relief and uncertainty. Relief from the immediate pressure, but also anxiety around how grades would be determined and what it meant for their futures.
Year of Family 11
Funke Baffour-Awuah, Corporate Head of Wellbeing, GEMS Education
When the Ministry of Education announced the shift to distance learning on the evening of 4 May, schools did not wait for morning. Leaders, teachers and support staff worked through the night to realign timetables, test platforms and prepare communications so that when children opened their laptops the next day, everything was ready. At Jebel Ali School, Principal Simon Jodrell described it as exactly that: a real team effort, with the leadership team working late into the evening to ensure nothing fell through the cracks, particularly for examination year groups already navigating an uncertain semester.
For parents, it was another chapter in a semester that asked an enormous amount of them. And yet, the families in the UAE persevered through it all. Behind the Scenes, a Team Effort “There is no version of a sudden return to distance learning that does not carry disruption,” said Funke Baffour-Awuah, corporate head of wellbeing at GEMS Education. But what the disruption revealed was something worth noting: the depth of the relationships schools had already built with their communities.
12 Year of Family
The Relationships That Held For Martin Cole, Principal at Horizon English School Jumeirah, the speed of the transition owed as much to people as it did to platforms. Many of the approaches developed during the pandemic had not simply been remembered. As he put it: “Many of the approaches developed during that time have not only been remembered, but adapted and enhanced, and continue to shape our practice today. A key strength has been our high levels of staff retention, meaning many of our teachers bring valuable experience and consistency from that period, which has been instrumental in supporting both children and families now.” His focus throughout, he said, had been on two things. “Continuity in sustaining academic progress, and connection in maintaining strong, meaningful relationships so that every child continues to feel supported, known, and part of a community.”
Nicholas Brain, Principal of Jumeirah College Dubai, said the school was able to pivot within hours of the announcement. Teachers, students and parents were already familiar with the relevant platforms, which meant live lessons could resume without delay. Once online, his teachers drew on a mix of interactive lessons, collaborative group work and digital tools, with regular check-ins, discussions and feedback loops built into every session. Wellbeing check-ins and co-curricular activities continued in virtual formats too, because keeping students connected and supported was treated as just as important as keeping them on schedule.
“We recognise that in times of uncertainty, both families and staff need support more than ever, and taking a human and compassionate approach is essential.” Martin Cole, Principal, Horizon English School Jumeirah
Year of Family 13
The 2025-2026 school year was designed with family wellbeing explicitly in mind: a unified calendar across all emirates and school types to help families plan with confidence, and an extended winter break running from December through early January to allow meaningful family time. The events of this semester gave that policy a different kind of resonance. When schools moved online and families suddenly found themselves managing everything at once, the groundwork of a coherent, predictable system mattered more than anyone had anticipated.
That combination of operational readiness and genuine human investment was what set the sector apart. The institutions that fared best this semester were not simply the best resourced. They were the ones where trust between school and family had been built quietly, consistently, over years. The Academic Calendar as a Family Policy One of the most meaningful ways the UAE had already translated its family values into educational practice was through the academic calendar itself.
14 Year of Family
“Schools have the flexibility to combine on-site and distance learning and must ensure these options are available to all students, based on their needs.” Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA
Families and Schools Working Together as Partners Dubai schools were directed to offer flexible learning options as students began returning to campuses, with a mix of in-person and distance education available during the transition period, based on each family’s needs and comfort level. That flexibility was not a logistical footnote. It was a statement about the kind of partnership the UAE’s education sector is committed to. This year, KHDA moved to make that partnership more meaningful than ever. At the UAE’s first dedicated
Education Expo, bringing together more than 60 private schools and early childhood centres, Emirati families were invited to explore their options, ask hard questions, and make confident, values-driven choices for their children. The regulator also launched an AI- powered consultation service on its parent portal, guiding families through school options based on their individual priorities. A tool that directly embodies the Year of the Family’s goal of empowering parents as genuine partners, not passive recipients.
The Ministry of Education’s commitment to communicating clearly, reviewing the situation weekly and updating families through official channels was itself a form of family policy in action. “As a father, I understand the stresses that some of these students are going through. Please, on a daily basis, reach out as much as you can, because the schools have the most up-to-date information. Always remember, the KHDA team is here for you and your family.” KHDA Spokesperson
Year of Family 15
The Year of the Family’s tagline, ‘Growing in Unity’ - contains an important word, Growing.
At the UAE’s first dedicated Education Expo, the KHDA brought together more than 60 private schools and early childhood centres. Raising Capable, Connected Generations The Year of the Family’s tagline - Growing in Unity, contains an important word: growing. Growth implies movement, development, something reaching toward the light. This semester, UAE families grew in ways they did not plan for. They adapted, problem-solved, and showed up for their children under conditions that would have felt unimaginable a year ago.
16 Year of Family
Year of Family 17
“We are a nation that does not stop at challenges. We are a nation that never stops learning and teaching.” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
For schools, it might mean designing programmes that bring the warmth of this period forward into the year ahead. The UAE has always understood that behind every student is a family, and behind every family is the foundation of the nation itself. This year, the country did not just say that. It lived it. Growing in unity is not just a tagline. In 2026, for UAE families navigating one of the most disrupted semesters in recent memory, it became something closer to a lived truth.
This is the UAE’s long-term bet. A child raised in a strong, connected family, educated in an environment that honours both excellence and belonging, becomes an adult who contributes meaningfully to the nation. The family is not separate from the nation’s ambitions, it is where those ambitions begin. What Each of Us Can Continue to do The Year of the Family is not a passive observation. It is an active invitation. For parents who carried an enormous load this semester, it is also a recognition. What you did mattered. Keeping your child on schedule when the routine collapsed. Sitting beside them during online lessons. Reassuring a teenager whose exams had been cancelled that their hard work had not been wasted, that the work they put in over years of study does not disappear because the format changed. For teachers, it might mean making one more effort to involve a family in their child’s learning journey, having already proven this semester that they are capable of far more than their job description requires.
18 Did You Know
The Key Dates Families Need to Know YOUR GO-TO GUIDE FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR UAE Academic Calendar 2026-27
KEY DATES AT A GLANCE
31 August 2026 Term 1 begins Staggered starts may apply for Early Years
12 to 23 October 2026 October half-term Window varies by school
14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 Winter break Return dates may vary by school
QUICK TIPS PARENT PLANNER
Plan ahead
Best time to book winter holidays Book flights and accommodation 6 to 9 months ahead for winter and spring breaks, the busiest travel periods for UAE families. October half-term Falls within one of two approved windows. Schools may choose 12 to 18 October 2026 or 19 to 23 October 2026.
Avoid peak travel periods where possible. Compare flexible fares, check cancellation terms and consider travel insurance.
Shop smart
Use summer breaks for uniform purchases, school supplies and transport planning.
Transport and activities
Ramadan 2027
Register early for school transport, after-school programmes and holiday camps, as places fill quickly.
Expected around 7 February to 9 March 2027, subject to moon sighting. Schools typically adjust timings, extracurriculars and dismissal schedules.
Did You Know 19
7 February to 9 March 2027 Ramadan expected period Adjusted school timings likely
5 to 11 April 2027 Spring break Most schools return from 12 April 2027
2 July 2027 Term ends Summer holiday begins
PROVISIONAL OBSERVANCES AND HOLIDAYS
2 December 2026 Commemoration Day
8 February 2027 Holy Month of Ramadan expected to begin
3 December 2026 School closure likely for National Day period
8 to 12 March 2027 Eid Al Fitr expected period
4 December 2026 UAE National Day holiday
17 to 18 May 2027 Eid Al Adha expected period
Islamic observances and National Day holiday dates are provisional. Actual dates will be confirmed by regulatory authorities.
Stay up to date
Scan the QR code or visit education-uae.com/calendar for the latest academic calendar updates and announcements.
20 Did You Know
REGULATORY SPOTLIGHT The Regulators Report As the UAE’s Year of the Family takes hold, three of the nation’s key education regulators - ADEK, KHDA, and SPEA are each making decisive moves to raise standards, expand access, and stay updated with a growing nation.
ADEK
Academic Excellence & National Identity STRENGTHENING WHAT MATTERS MOST
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has intensified its school engagement programme, conducting a series of school visits designed to raise academic performance while reinforcing national identity across the emirate’s schools. “Excellence in education and pride in national identity are not competing goals — they are the same goal.” The visits signal ADEK’s intent to bridge regulatory oversight with genuine in-school support: educators receive direct feedback, leadership teams are challenged on standards, and the thread of Emirati culture runs through it all. In the Year of the Family, this approach is deliberate - schools are being equipped not just to teach curricula, but to raise citizens.
VIEW ONLINE
Did You Know 21
KHDA
Capacity & Access SCHOOLS EXPAND TO MEET A GROWING CITY When the Ministry of Education shifted the school entry age cut-off from August 31 to December 31, effective from the 2026–27 academic year, it set off a chain reaction across the UAE’s early years sector. Children born between September and December - previously too young for FS2 - are now eligible a full year earlier, sending demand for Foundation Stage 2 and Grade 1 places soaring almost overnight. KHDA moved quickly to clarify Dubai’s position: schools must comply with the federal legislation, and children born between September 1 and December 31, 2021 - who missed out on the 2025–26 year can register for FS2 or Year 1 for 2026–27. But with popular schools already reporting full classes and some parents left without confirmed placements, the regulator has also emphasised that schools and families should work together to assess individual readiness acknowledging that not every child eligible by date is necessarily ready by development.
VIEW ONLINE
SPEA
Enrolment Growth SHARJAH HITS 251,000 K12 ENROLMENT AND COUNTING Sharjah’s Private Education Authority (SPEA) has confirmed that K–12 enrolment across the emirate has reached 251,000 students, driven by sustained expansion in the private school sector. The figure reflects Sharjah’s growing reputation as a family-first emirate - one where the density, affordability, and quality of schooling options continue to attract families from across the region. For SPEA, the milestone is both a point of pride and a mandate: as more families choose Sharjah for its schools, the regulator’s oversight role becomes ever more critical to ensuring that growth does not outpace quality.
VIEW ONLINE
22 Did You Know
ADEK
MIDAD INITIATIVE OPENS NEW AND ACCESSIBLE PATHWAY INTO TEACHING IN ABU DHABI ADEK has launched Midad, a flexible, entry- level teacher training programme designed to equip passionate individuals with the skills needed to step into the classroom. Open to UAE nationals and long-term residents, the initiative begins with a four-week, self-paced bootcamp covering classroom management, teaching methodologies, diverse student needs, and the integration of technology and AI into learning. Participants can apply their skills in part-time teaching roles upon completion, with high performers invited to apply to Kon Moallim Cohort 2 - ADEK’s flagship programme offering a fully sponsored postgraduate diploma in education. The initiative broadens the educator pool by welcoming individuals with diverse real-world experience and a deep understanding of UAE values.
KHDA
School Standards & Accountability THE RETURN OF INSPECTIONS
When the Ministry of Education shifted the school entry age cut- off from August 31 to December 31, effective from the 2026–27 academic year, it set off a chain reaction across the UAE’s early years sector. Children born between September and December - previously too young for FS2 - are now eligible a full year earlier, sending demand for Foundation Stage 2 and Grade 1 places soaring almost overnight. KHDA moved quickly to clarify Dubai’s position: schools must comply with the federal legislation, and children born between September 1 and December 31, 2021 - who missed out on the 2025–26 year can register for FS2 or Year 1 for 2026–27. But with popular schools already reporting full classes and some parents left without confirmed placements, the regulator has also emphasised that schools and families should work together to assess individual readiness acknowledging that not every child eligible by date is necessarily ready by development.
VIEW ONLINE
VIEW ONLINE
KHDA
Fees & Affordability TUITION FEE FREEZE
Confirmed under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, private school tuition fees in Dubai are completely frozen for the 2026-27 academic year, with no increases permitted. KHDA’s confirmation gives families the certainty they need as school registration season gets underway - a direct signal that affordability remains a policy priority as Dubai’s school population continues to grow.
VIEW ONLINE
EPISODE 8
NOW STREAMING Educating Children Through a Permacrisis With Marissa Peer & Guest host Karishma Bhansali The definitive audio platform for the Middle East education sector. Weekly 30-minute episodes featuring senior voices from schools, higher education, policy, and EdTech, distributed at scale across the region.
SIX CONTENT PILLARS
Schools & Universities
Higher Education
Education in Action
Voices of Authority
The Educator’s Lounge
Wellbeing & Belonging
825K+ Parents
133K+ Educators
30min Per episode
AVAILABLE ON
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
Newsletter
Education UAE
Are you a parent, educator, or school leader with a story to tell? Feature your school, share your expertise, or explore sponsorship opportunities.
Get in touch: alexandria@quantummedia.me
Education UAE
Education Saudi
Education Africa
Powered by Quantum Media
Education Asia
24 Did You Know
100 NEW SCHOOLS BY 2033 Here’s What Dubai Parents Need to Know
I f you have children in Dubai’s school system, or are planning to enrol them, the next decade is going to look very different from the last. Dubai is on track to add between 190,000 and 230,000 new private school seats by 2033, backed by one of the most ambitious education strategies any city in the world has ever put in place.
For parents, that is not just a headline about buildings and budgets. It is about choice, quality, affordability and what kind of education will be available to your child as they grow up in this city.
227 private schools currently in Dubai
186 nationalities represented
14 curricula available
100+ new schools planned by 2033
Did You Know 25
World-Class Standards, Proven Results This growth is happening in a sector that is already performing at the highest level globally. Dubai’s private schools ranked in the top five in the world for Science and top ten for Maths in TIMSS 2023. The Education 33 strategy, which underpins everything being built towards 2033, places student wellbeing on equal footing with academic outcomes. Schools are expected to embed social and emotional learning, personalised pathways and life skills credentials alongside traditional qualifications. For parents, that means a system that is not just chasing grades but preparing children for a world that looks very different from the one we grew up in.
Affordability Is Finally on the Agenda One of the most significant shifts coming to Dubai’s education landscape is a genuine focus on making quality schooling more accessible. Of the 120,000 new seats needed in the affordable segment alone, KHDA’s Value Not Fee initiative is introducing reforms specifically to reduce average tuition in the lower fee brackets. For families who have felt priced out of their preferred schools, or who are watching fees rise year on year, this is a meaningful shift in direction. The goal is not just more schools, but more schools that work for more families.
At least 120,000 of the new seats needed by 2033 are in the affordable segment A new Value Not Fee reform is targeting tuition reduction in the lower fee brackets
A City That Is Growing With Your Family Dubai’s population reached 4 million in 2025 and is projected to reach 5.8 million by 2033. This is a city that is expanding rapidly, and its education infrastructure is being built to match. For families who are here long term, that matters. The school your child starts in today will exist within a very different landscape by the time they reach secondary age, one with more options, stronger standards and a clearer national vision for what education should deliver.
Engaged Community Educators and parents nurturing lifelong learning
Productive Emiratis empowered with quallity education
World-Class Destination for all learners
Education 33 our vision for the future
Innovative ecosystem
Equitable access designed around diverse learner wellbeing
creating impact and activating growth
Watch this space
This is just the beginning. In the Back to School issue of Education UAE, we go deeper into what Dubai’s education expansion means for families,
what to look for in a school and how to navigate a sector that is changing fast.
KHDA
26 Did You Know
INSPECTIONS ARE BACK. IS YOUR SCHOOL READY? 24 HOURS’ NOTICE. DUBAI’S PRIVATE SCHOOLS FACE A NEW ERA OF ACCOUNTABILITY
By Rachael Wilding Education Lead
After a two-year pause, school inspections are set to return to Dubai’s private schools from the 2026-27 academic year. The announcement by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) marks a significant moment for school leaders, teachers, parents and students across the emirate, and signals the next phase in Dubai’s ongoing commitment to world-class educational standards.
Did You Know 27
28 Did You Know
S ince DSIB was established in 2007, inspections have provided an independent measure of school performance, helping parents make informed choices while supporting schools on their improvement journeys. The two- year pause during 2024-25 and 2025-26 was introduced to give schools greater flexibility to focus on their own innovation, improvement and student outcomes. During this period, KHDA continued to monitor schools through targeted quality assurance visits, self-evaluation reports and external benchmarking assessments in place of traditional full inspections. The 24-Hour Notice Rule The return of inspections comes with one notable and significant change: schools will receive no more than 24 hours’ notice before inspectors arrive. The move mirrors the approach taken by Ofsted in the UK, which has long operated on a similar half-day notice model, and is designed to provide a more authentic picture of daily school life. Rather than evaluating a carefully prepared performance, inspectors will see schools as they truly are, day to day. What This Means for Parents For parents, the news is largely welcome. School ratings remain one of the most influential factors when selecting a school in Dubai, and inspection reports continue to provide valuable insight into teaching quality, student achievement, wellbeing, leadership and safeguarding.
“As a parent, I welcome the idea that the inspections are back. It gives us parents confidence that schools will always be looking to keep standards high, but I also recognise that this may add to stress levels of the staff in 2026/27 whilst this is all on a new timeline.”
What This Means for Schools For school leaders, the announcement presents both an opportunity and a challenge. The reduced notice period means that high standards must be embedded in everyday practice throughout the year, not concentrated in the weeks leading up to an inspection. Strong teaching, effective safeguarding, robust leadership and positive student experiences will need to be
consistently evident across every term. For many, this comes at the end of an already demanding and unique academic year. Schools that have used the inspection- free period to strengthen self-evaluation, invest in professional development and build sustainable improvement strategies may find themselves well placed under
Mary Connolly, Dubai Heights Academy
Did You Know 29
Wellbeing and Student Voice Remain Central Safeguarding, wellbeing and student voice are expected to remain core themes within future inspection frameworks. Across the UAE, there is growing recognition that educational quality extends well beyond academic outcomes. Parents want reassurance that schools are providing safe, inclusive and supportive environments where children can thrive personally as well as academically. Excellence Every Day, Not Just on Inspection Day Ultimately, the return of DSIB inspections represents more than the resumption of a familiar process. It reflects Dubai’s ongoing commitment to maintaining world-class educational standards while adapting to the evolving needs of students, families and schools.
the revised framework. The shift is clear: away from inspection readiness, and towards continuous improvement. Incoming Head of Secondary at Dubai Heights Academy, Mary Connolly, reflects on what the changes represent: “The evolution of the DSIB framework reflects an important shift towards a more sustainable approach to excellence in education. The move towards a more collaborative approach to inspection acknowledges that school development is most effective when it is supported over time. Equally significant is the recognition that positive, inclusive school environments are fundamental to sustainable growth and better outcomes for young people. By placing wellbeing, inclusion and school improvement within the same conversation, the framework reinforces the belief that schools thrive when students and staff feel valued, supported and able to belong.”
The message for schools is clear: excellence should not be something demonstrated for inspectors on a particular day. It should be visible every day, in every classroom, and in every student’s experience.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE KHDA SCHOOL INSPECTIONS, VISIT
KHDA
30 Did You Know
UAE Schools 2026/27 Edition
Every year, the UAE school scene seems to get bigger and better, and 2026/27 is no exception. From big-name British school brands to exciting new campuses from established UAE school groups, there are some superb options. With incredible facilities and founding staff teams, there’s plenty for parents to get excited about. Whether you’re planning ahead or simply curious about what’s coming next, the new schools opening in August 2026 have a lot to offer!
Did You Know 31
32 Did You Know
Ambassador International Academy Al Mankhool is set to open for the 2026/27 academic year , expanding the Ambassador International Academy family with a new campus in the heart of Dubai. Offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum , the school will focus on inquiry-based learning, innovation and global citizenship. With state-of-the-art facilities, personalised learning and a strong emphasis on wellbeing, the new campus aims to provide families with a premium international education in a vibrant, inclusive community.
CALL
Ashmount School Dubai is set to open for the 2026/27 academic year , offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in a campus designed to redefine how children learn. Moving beyond the traditional classroom, the school features innovative spaces including wet play areas, exhibition halls, a central community amphitheatre and a range of flexible indoor and outdoor learning environments. With a strong emphasis on inquiry, creativity and collaboration, Ashmount aims to inspire confident, curious learners ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.
CALL
Did You Know 33
Dubai International Academy (DIA) Town Square will open for the 2026/27 academic year , extending the renowned DIA legacy to one of Dubai’s fastest-growing communities – Town Square. Offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum , the school will provide an inquiry-led education that nurtures academic excellence, creativity and global citizenship. Purpose-built with state-of-the-art facilities and a strong focus on wellbeing, innovation and personalised learning, DIA Town Square aims to deliver the high standards that have made the DIA name one of the UAE’s most respected in international education.
CALL
GEMS Founders School Nad Al Hamar will open for the 2026/27 academic year , expanding the successful Founders family of schools with a new campus in one of Dubai’s established residential communities. Offering the UK National Curriculum , the school is designed to provide high- quality, affordable British education with a strong focus on academic achievement, wellbeing and future-ready skills. Featuring modern learning spaces and extensive extracurricular opportunities, it aims to make an outstanding education accessible to even more families across Dubai.
CALL
34 Did You Know
Opening in August 2026, Harrow International School Dubai will bring one of Britain’s most respected education brands to a purpose-built campus on Al Asayel Street. Led by founding Headmaster Simon O’Connor, the school will welcome FS1 to Year 6 students in its first year, delivering the UK National Curriculum alongside Harrow’s renowned focus on academic excellence, leadership, character and service. With its House system, co-curricular programme, supervised prep and future- focused facilities, Harrow Dubai aims to set a new benchmark for premium British education in the UAE.
CALL
Raffles World Academy Sharjah is set to open for the 2026/27 academic year , bringing the globally recognised Raffles name to the Emirate for the first time. The school will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum , providing a seamless pathway from the early years through to graduation. With a strong focus on academic excellence, innovation and global citizenship, the purpose-built campus aims to deliver a premium international education in a modern, inspiring learning environment for families in Sharjah.
CALL
Did You Know 35
Queen Elizabeth School Dubai is set to open for the 2026/27 academic year , bringing a prestigious British educational heritage to the UAE. Offering the UK National Curriculum , the school combines traditional values with a forward-thinking approach to learning, placing equal emphasis on academic excellence, character development and student wellbeing. With a strong co-curricular programme in a central Dubai location and a nurturing environment, Queen Elizabeth School aims to provide families with an exceptional all- round British education from day one.
CALL
Rugby School Dubai will open for the 2026/27 academic year on the current Kent College Dubai campus, taking over the existing site. The school will offer the British curriculum, combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, character development, and a broad co-curricular programme. Students will benefit from outstanding facilities while being prepared for success in GCSEs, A Levels, and admission to leading universities worldwide.
CALL
36 Did You Know
Lycée Français International - Mudon (LFI Mudon) , operated by AFLEC, will bring an authentic French education to a beautiful purpose-built campus in the heart of Mudon. Welcoming children aged 3 to 14, the school follows the French National Curriculum and combines strong academics with a warm, nurturing environment. With AFLEC already behind some of Dubai’s most respected French schools.
CALL
What’s Next? Education UAE keeps parents informed and helps families make confident decisions about their child’s education. Stay with us for the latest updates on new school openings, expert guidance and what parents need to know next. What’s coming up in our next edition?
LATEST SCHOOL OPENINGS
EDUCATION NEWS SCHOOL DIRECTORY
To read more about the new schools opening across the UAE, visit the complete article on Education UAE.
CLICK HERE
Where Learning and Life Come Together
School
Spotlight Series Built to help your school standout and be chosen
Podcast interviews with your leadership team Professional film and video content On-campus photography Editorial write-ups and feature articles Social media promotion across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn A dedicated website landing page for admissions lead capture Contact us alexandria@quantummedia.me +971 58 697 9761 Reaching Parents, Students and Educators Through Every Format:
Book your visit
38 Wellbeing
QuantumBe and Wellcube.life Bring the Wellbeing Conversation Back to the People Who Need It Most Because Educators Need Support Too On 24th June, QuantumBe and Wellcube. life brought together over 70 school leaders, positive psychologists, university academics and workplace wellbeing practitioners for an afternoon that went far beyond the usual conversation about self-care. Held at Wellcube.life’s Tranquil Wellness Tower, an integrated wellness ecosystem in the heart of Dubai, the Space To Be created space for honest reflection, meaningful connection and a more human conversation about how educators are supported.
Wellbeing 39
40 Wellbeing
The Conversations The afternoon opened with a panel discussion that moved quickly beyond surface-level wellbeing. Speakers explored what it takes to build schools and workplaces where people have the energy, safety and support to thrive. The conversation was honest, practical and deeply human.
What Does a Flourishing Organisation Actually Feel Like? The panel opened with a question that sounds deceptively simple: what does flourishing look like from the inside? Sparsh R. Jain, Co-Founder and CEO of Wellcube.life, reframed it in a way that “Addressing the basic needs of people at work is a thing of the past. It’s now about longevity - about how the day-to- day environment can give you more energy than when you came in. What if someone walked out with better energy than when they arrived?.” Sparsh R. Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Wellcube.life It is a deceptively ambitious standard. And yet it is the one Wellcube.life was built to meet. The facility operates across four integrated pillars - living, healing, nourishment and community with the explicit goal of moving people from reactive to proactive. The venue was not incidental to the event. It was its proof of concept. Throughout the afternoon, attendees experienced how Wellcube.life’s integrated model combines preventative healthcare, recovery, movement, nutrition and community to support long-term wellbeing rather than short-term intervention.
“Great workplaces don’t just meet basic needs, they give people more energy than when they arrived.”
Sparsh R. Jain, Co-Founder and CEO, Wellcube.life
Wellbeing 41
“When wellbeing is embedded in the culture, staff feel safe to speak up, problems get fixed, and organisations flourish.”
Katrina Mankani (Left), Director of Positive Education, Fortes Education
strongly was that a new building didn’t have enough toilets. That might sound trivial, but because wellbeing conversations were already built into our culture, staff felt safe enough to say it and it got fixed. We don’t have to be bureaucratic and tick boxes. That is how an organisation truly flourishes.” Katrina Mankani, Director of Positive Education, Fortes Education
For Katrina Mankani, Director of Positive Education at Fortes Education, flourishing at organisational scale requires going back to first principles. With more than a thousand staff across her schools, the question of how to ensure everyone is genuinely supported is not theoretical. “Staff come to us at different points on Maslow’s hierarchy. We had a survey once where the issue that came up most
42 Wellbeing
“Flourishing organisatio by looking a people who them. You c outyoga a b manager.”
You Cannot Out-yoga a Bad Manager If there was a single line from the afternoon that stopped the room, it came from Dr Louise Lambert, Director of Happiness Policy and Programs at Happiness Matters and Editor of the Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology. “Managers drive 70% of employee wellbeing and that is equivalent to the influence of a spouse or a parent. You cannot outyoga a bad manager. Flourishing organisations start with looking at the people who lead within them.” Dr Louise Lambert, Director of Happiness Policy and Programs, Happiness Matters The implication is significant. For all the investment in wellbeing programmes, mindfulness apps, and away days, the research is unambiguous: the quality of someone’s immediate leadership relationship is the most powerful determinant of how they experience work. Wellbeing is not something individuals do in isolation. It is relational, structural and systemic. Dr Lambert also raised the issue of loneliness at work - a challenge that is rarely discussed openly in education settings. In the UAE, approximately one in four or one in five people report feeling lonely at work. In a profession that is built around human connection, that figure is striking. “We don’t measure enough. The new people in an organisation are struggling. The people who have been there forever are also struggling. Measure, measure, measure.” Dr Louise Lambert The Big Ideas The panel named the realities often left out of wellbeing conversations. Leadership pressure. Loneliness at work. Early-career teacher retention. Neurodivergent staff. Psychological safety. The small daily experiences that shape whether people feel supported or unseen.
Dr Louise Lambert, Director of Happiness Policy and Programs, Happiness Matters
Wellbeing 43
g ons start at the o lead cannot bad
Noshaba Anbreen (Left), Assistant Professor of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai
Resilience, as it is typically deployed in workplace conversations, places the burden of adaptation on the individual. The message, intended or not, is that the system is fixed and people must bend to fit it. Sustainability, by contrast, asks a different question: what conditions need to be in place so that people do not need to recover in the first place? Noshaba also brought the conversation to early-career teachers - a group whose retention is one of the most urgent challenges in UAE education. Her point was not simply that early-career teachers need mentorship, but that the mentorship needs to be honest enough to let someone say: I am not good at this yet. “Gen Z teachers genuinely care about their wellbeing and that is not a weakness in the profession. I see myself as a custodian of this profession. I want excellent teachers to stay in it. Retention is not a workplace issue. It is a wellbeing issue.” Noshaba Anbreen
Wellbeing Is Not a Word for Resilience One of the sharpest contributions of the afternoon came from Noshaba Anbreen, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Birmingham Dubai, who challenged the way the sector talks about resilience. “In education, wellbeing is too often an afterthought - something that comes after learning plans are implemented and after operational decisions are made. We should be judging an educational institution by how they approach wellbeing. The issue with the word ‘resilience’ is that it is reactive. It suggests we are always recovering from something. How about we focus on being sustainable first?” Noshaba Anbreen, Assistant Professor of Education, University of Birmingham Dubai This particular reframing of the discussion matters.
44 Wellbeing
Psychological Safety Is Not a Programme. It Is a Daily Practice. Elizabeth Hewitt, Head of Health and Wellness at Rashid Latifa School, brought the discussion back to the lived experience of staff in schools - environments that can carry enormous hierarchical pressure. “Do I feel safe to challenge a decision? Do I feel safe to speak up? These are not small questions, especially in schools where the hierarchy can be significant. How you are communicated with, how you are spoken to - all of this shapes whether someone feels they belong. Wellness is not just an individual’s responsibility. It is structural.” Elizabeth Hewitt, Head of Health and Wellness, Rashid Latifa School Elizabeth also raised the frequently overlooked issue of neurodivergent staff - noting that schools invest considerable energy in inclusion for students, while the same consideration is rarely extended systematically to the adults in the building. Her closing point on practical sustainability was equally direct: protect time and energy. Give people the conditions to switch off. Build belonging. Make trust something people feel in the day-to-day, not just something stated in a policy document.
Elizabeth Hewitt, Head of Health and Wellness, Rashid Latifa School
“Whether people feel safe to speak challenge decisions and belong is by culture. Wellness is structural.”
Wellbeing 45
“Make trust something people feel in the day-to-day, not just something stated in a policy document.”
k up,
shaped
46 Wellbeing
Beyond The Conversations After the panel, guests moved from discussion into experience. Guests chose between two parallel breakout sessions: one led by Dr Vas, Medical Director on positive mental health through the gut-brain axis, and another - Developing the HERO Within, facilitated by QuantumBe’s Deniece Wheeler and Joyceloy Kyompire, drawing on the framework of Psychological Capital and its four components: Hope, Efficacy, Resilience and Optimism.
A second session, Release and Create, brought the whole group together for guided gentle movement, breathwork and meditation led by Deniece Wheeler and Jane Elizabeth. Then came something that felt genuinely rare in the context of a professional education event: a guided tour of Wellcube.life’s facilities, allowing attendees to experience first- hand what a truly integrated wellness environment looks and feels like.
Wellbeing 47
set the tone for the entire afternoon.
“Knowing when to zoom in, zoom out and rest helps us face each day with more energy.”
The Commitments That Stayed in the Room The panel closed by asking each speaker to name one commitment they would like every leader in the room to carry into the coming academic year. The answers were practical, personal and, in some cases, quietly radical. Dr Louise Lambert called for more humour. Not as a distraction from the weight of the work, but as a deliberate act of leadership. “The job of wellbeing can get heavy and start to feel like just another job. Humour does everything. Have more fun. Focus a little less on feeling bad.” Dr Louise Lambert Katrina Mankani asked leaders to remember why they entered the profession, and to make that reason visible to the people around them. “Every person around you is looking for the same answer: will these people be with me on this journey? Enjoy the journey while you’re on the way to the destination.” Katrina Mankani
Noshaba Anbreen asked for something specific and immediately actionable: an offline day.
“Prioritise digital wellbeing. We do not always need AI or devices in our classrooms. How we use technology ourselves sets the standard for everyone around us.” Noshaba Anbreen And Sparsh Jain offered a frame that felt like it belonged not just in education but in any high-pressure environment: the practice of knowing when to zoom out. “The right balance of knowing when to zoom out and when to zoom in really helps. When we’re in the right headspace, we can build new habits. But when the body gets tired, we need to let go for a bit. Busy days belong to everyone but as long as you maintain that balance of zooming in and zooming out, you can face the next day with a lot more energy.” Sparsh R. Jain
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120 Page 121 Page 122 Page 123 Page 124 Page 125 Page 126 Page 127 Page 128 Page 129 Page 130 Page 131 Page 132 Page 133 Page 134 Page 135 Page 136 Page 137 Page 138 Page 139 Page 140 Page 141 Page 142 Page 143 Page 144 Page 145 Page 146 Page 147 Page 148 Page 149 Page 150 Page 151 Page 152 Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Page 157 Page 158 Page 159 Page 160 Page 161 Page 162 Page 163 Page 164 Page 165 Page 166 Page 167 Page 168 Page 169 Page 170 Page 171 Page 172 Page 173 Page 174 Page 175 Page 176 Page 177 Page 178 Page 179 Page 180 Page 181 Page 182 Page 183 Page 184 Page 185 Page 186 Page 187 Page 188 Page 189 Page 190 Page 191 Page 192 Page 193 Page 194 Page 195 Page 196 Page 197 Page 198 Page 199 Page 200Powered by FlippingBook