Zara Harrington, head of Safa British School in Dubai, was named best school principal in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Zara Harrington, head of Safa British School in Dubai, was named best school principal in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National
American School of Dubai was declared the UAE's best school at the Which School Advisor awards. Photo: American School of Dubai
American School of Dubai was declared the UAE's best school at the Which School Advisor awards. Photo: American School of Dubai
Dino Varkey, chief executive of Gems Education, receives outstanding contribution award. Photo: Gems Education
Dino Varkey, chief executive of Gems Education, receives outstanding contribution award. Photo: Gems Education
Charlotte Abbott, director of English at Dubai English Speaking College, centre, was named best secondary school teacher. She is flanked by Eimear McKenna Singh, from Which Media, left, and Andrew Gibbs, principal of Dubai English Speaking College. Photo: Which Media
Charlotte Abbott, director of English at Dubai English Speaking College, centre, was named best secondary school teacher. She is flanked by Eimear McKenna Singh, from Which Media, left, and Andrew Gibbs, principal of Dubai English Speaking College. Photo: Which Media
Abu Dhabi's British School Al Khubairat (Bsak), pictured, was jointly named best school for post-16 education with Dubai English Speaking College. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi's British School Al Khubairat (Bsak), pictured, was jointly named best school for post-16 education with Dubai English Speaking College. Victor Besa / The National
Greenfield International School was named best international baccalaureate curriculum school. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Greenfield International School was named best international baccalaureate curriculum school. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dubai College, in black at the Rugby Sevens on December 2, 2021, was named best British curriculum school. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dubai College, in black at the Rugby Sevens on December 2, 2021, was named best British curriculum school. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Indian High School Dubai was named best Indian curriculum school. Antonie Robertson / The National
Indian High School Dubai was named best Indian curriculum school. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE

Education

Best schools in the UAE: American School of Dubai crowned overall winner

Top Schools Awards 2021 announced Zara Harrington at Safa British School as best principal in the Emirates

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

December 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The country’s best schools and teachers have been recognised through UAE-wide awards announced on Monday.

At the Top Schools Awards 2021, American School of Dubai was named the overall best school in the country while Zara Harrington at Safa British School was named best principal.

Schools and teachers were lauded for their efforts and hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organisers received more than 7,000 nominations from parents, pupils, teachers and educators in the country across dozens of categories.

The nominations were reviewed in collaboration with 25 education experts, with the final winners being voted for by a panel of independent educational consultants.

The awards were arranged by education ranking website SchoolsCompared.com.

Eimear McKenna Singh, from Which Media with Dubai English Speaking College's director of English, Charlotte Abbott, and principal Andrew Gibbs. Photo: Top School Awards
Eimear McKenna Singh, from Which Media with Dubai English Speaking College's director of English, Charlotte Abbott, and principal Andrew Gibbs. Photo: Top School Awards

There were winners in dozens categories, from the best primary school and best school for music to the the top early childhood centre and happiest school in the country.

Dubai Heights Academy and The English College were lauded for their response to the Covid-19 pandemic, while The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai won for their focus on architecture, environment, design and sustainability.

The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi won best school in the UAE for fine art and creative studio work while Nord Anglia International School Dubai was recognised as the top school for music.

Dubai College was the top UK curriculum school in the country and the Indian High School (Senior Campus) the best Indian Curriculum School.

The Varkey family who own the Gems Education group won an award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in the UAE.

The awards took more than 12 months to produce and involved 25 experts in education. The winners were chosen after hundreds of school visits and gathering data provided by both schools and parents.

David Westley, co-founder of the Top Schools Awards, said: "Flooded with nominations, there has been an outpouring of appreciation for what has been achieved for children during a pandemic that has placed almost impossible demands on teachers and school leaders to ensure that the education of our children has been protected."

"Top Schools Awards have the single purpose of recognising our amazing, schools, principals and teachers – and the educational community around them.”

The award for Best School in the UAE 2021 was decided by judges based on the winning schools in each of the curriculum awards. These included Best Indian School, Best Blended IB Curriculum School, Best Blended Arabic Curriculum School, Best British School, Best American School and Best International Baccalaureate School.

Dubai College marks five decades of education - in pictures

Dubai College's reception building in 1988. All photos: Dubai College
Dubai College's reception building in 1988. All photos: Dubai College
Pupils during art class in the 1980s.
Pupils during art class in the 1980s.
The school's first bus pictured in 1980. Dubai College is one of the city’s oldest schools.
The school's first bus pictured in 1980. Dubai College is one of the city’s oldest schools.
The science room in the 1980s.
The science room in the 1980s.
The old sports court in 1983.
The old sports court in 1983.
Pupils conduct experiments in a science class.
Pupils conduct experiments in a science class.
Plot B141 in Umm Suqeim pictured in 1980.
Plot B141 in Umm Suqeim pictured in 1980.
Staff quarters on campus under construction.
Staff quarters on campus under construction.
The beach road outside campus in Umm Suqeim in 1980.
The beach road outside campus in Umm Suqeim in 1980.
The physical education changing room block, in 1989.
The physical education changing room block, in 1989.
The campus in 1994 after extensions in previous years.
The campus in 1994 after extensions in previous years.
The school's buses in the 1980s.
The school's buses in the 1980s.
Dubai College's entrance in 2000.
Dubai College's entrance in 2000.
The swimming pool on campus in 1984.
The swimming pool on campus in 1984.
Foundations of the new campus block in 1982.
Foundations of the new campus block in 1982.
Dubai College as seen from above in 1982.
Dubai College as seen from above in 1982.
The Sixth Form Centre under construction in 1991.
The Sixth Form Centre under construction in 1991.

James Mullan, co-founder of the SchoolsCompared Top Schools Awards 2021 said: “The awards are about recognising the talents and achievements of schools and educators in the UAE – and their vital, centrifugal impact on the lives of children.

“In the simplest terms, they are about celebrating those who are often not seen or celebrated nearly enough.

"With all the extraordinary challenges of Covid-19, professionals across the sector have ceaselessly, tirelessly – and often at great personal cost and no small amount of courage, worked to ensure continuity of an outstanding education for our children."

Top Schools Awards Winners 2021-2022

Award for Overall Best School in the UAE: The American School of Dubai

Award for Best Principal in the UAE: Zara Harrington, Principal, Safa British School

Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in the UAE: The Varkey Family (Gems Education)

Award for the Most Outstanding Response to Covid-19 by a School in the UAE: Dubai Heights Academy and The English College Dubai

Award for Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Clare Nagle, Home Grown Nursery

Read More

Gulf schools launch recruitment drive for hundreds of teachers amid Covid recovery

Award for Best Early Childhood Centre in the UAE: Little Land Nursery and Montessori Centre

Award for Primary School Teacher of the Year: Troy Ellison, head of ICT and computing at Regent International School Dubai

Award for Best Primary School in the UAE: Victory Heights Primary School

Award for Secondary School Teacher of the Year: Charlotte Abbott, English teacher and director of English at Dubai English Speaking College.

Award for Best School for Post-16 Education in the UAE: Dubai English Speaking College and The British School Al Khubairat

Award for Best School for Technical and Vocational Stream Education in the UAE: Gems FirstPoint School – The Villa

Award for Best Mainstream School for Children of Determination: Gems FirstPoint School – The Villa and Raffles World Academy

Award for Value Add and Leaving No Child Behind: Safa Community School

Award for Happiest School in the UAE: Horizon English School

Award for Best Indian Curriculum School in the UAE: The Indian High School (Senior Campus)

Award for Best American Curriculum School in the UAE: The American School of Dubai

Award for Best International Baccalaureate Curriculum School in the UAE: Greenfield International School

Award for Best Blended Arabic Curriculum School in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Private School for Boys

Award for Best Blended International Baccalaureate Curriculum School in the UAE: Jumeirah English Speaking School – Arabian Ranches

Award for Best British Curriculum School in the UAE: Dubai College

Award for Best School in the UAE for Theatre, Dance and the Performing Arts: Brighton College Abu Dhabi

Award for Best School in the UAE for Music: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Award for Best School in the UAE for Fine Art and Creative Studio Work: The British School Al Khubairat

Award for Best School for Sport in the UAE: The American School of Dubai

Award for Most Innovative School in the UAE: Fairgreen International School in Dubai and The Arbor School

Award for Best New School in the UAE 2015-2021: Arcadia School (Opened 2016)

Award for Best University in the UAE: Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Award for Best Architecture Environment, Design and Sustainability in a UAE School: The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Saudi National Day
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Tomorrow 2021
Paris%20Agreement
%3Cp%3EArticle%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E1.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20periodically%20take%20stock%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20this%20Agreement%20to%20assess%20the%20collective%20progress%20towards%20achieving%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20Agreement%20and%20its%20long-term%20goals%20(referred%20to%20as%20the%20%22global%20stocktake%22)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20undertake%20its%20first%20global%20stocktake%20in%202023%20and%20every%20five%20years%20thereafter%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.

Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.

The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.

The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
TOURNAMENT INFO

Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

ABU DHABI TRIATHLON

For more information, and to enter the race, please visit www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

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Updated: December 07, 2021, 4:52 AM`
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