Inside Harrow Abu Dhabi school ahead of next year's opening
As one of the world's most prestigious schools is opening a branch in Abu Dhabi, the principal is banking on attracting families from the UAE and Gulf region that would normally send their children overseas to study. Harrow Abu Dhabi is expected to begin operating in August 2027, after the opening was delayed earlier this year. Families can expect to pay fees between Dh80,000 and Dh106,000 per…
Harrow Abu Dhabi is an upcoming branch of the prestigious Harrow school, set to open in August 2027 after a delay. Founding headmaster Adrian Frost aims to attract families from the UAE and the Gulf region who typically send their children overseas for education. Fees range between Dh80,000 and Dh106,000 per pupil per year, with boarding options costing more.
The school will incorporate a British boarding school ethos into its curriculum, focusing on activities, shared meals, homework, reading, and handwriting, while minimizing screen time. Food will be regulated on campus, and dining halls will serve nutritious meals with an emphasis on proper etiquette. Initially, the campus will admit students from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6, with boarding considered for later expansion.
The school's 70,000 square meter site on Saadiyat Island is larger than the Dubai campus, located nearby. Harrow Abu Dhabi hopes to provide an alternative to boarding abroad for UAE families. The school's location, with nearby cultural institutions and NYU Abu Dhabi, offers unique teaching resources for music and performing arts.
Frost, a former vice-principal of Brighton College Abu Dhabi, has experience in British day and boarding schools, as well as establishing a boarding school in Portugal. The school plans to align with Boarding Schools' Association standards. Annual fees for FS1 to Year 6 range from Dh80,000 to Dh106,000, with additional costs for boarding.
While Harrow intends to keep fees within the market, the exact boarding costs are yet to be finalized.
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