• The British School Al Khubairat has long been considered one of the best in the country and its story began more than 50 years ago. Victor Besa / The National
    The British School Al Khubairat has long been considered one of the best in the country and its story began more than 50 years ago. Victor Besa / The National
  • Cranleigh has more than 150-year history in England and its Abu Dhabi site celebrates the many cultures in the country. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Cranleigh has more than 150-year history in England and its Abu Dhabi site celebrates the many cultures in the country. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Pupils from Brighton College Abu Dhabi have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, St Andrews, and Warwick University. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Pupils from Brighton College Abu Dhabi have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, St Andrews, and Warwick University. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pupils at Jumeirah College have landed offers from prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and University of Melbourne. Photo: Jumeirah College
    Pupils at Jumeirah College have landed offers from prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and University of Melbourne. Photo: Jumeirah College
  • Jumeirah English Speaking School follows the UK curriculum and is one of the oldest schools in the emirate. The school has two branches — one in Al Safa 1 and the other in Arabian Ranches. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jumeirah English Speaking School follows the UK curriculum and is one of the oldest schools in the emirate. The school has two branches — one in Al Safa 1 and the other in Arabian Ranches. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
  • North London Collegiate School is one of Dubai's most expensive schools. Antonie Robertson / The National
    North London Collegiate School is one of Dubai's most expensive schools. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Repton School had an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports for six consecutive years, from 2014 up until 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai
    The Repton School had an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports for six consecutive years, from 2014 up until 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai
  • Dubai College is one of the oldest in the city and is often touted as one of the best in the emirate. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai College is one of the oldest in the city and is often touted as one of the best in the emirate. Pawan Singh / The National
  • As part of Nord Anglia Education's family, pupils have access to collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School and Unicef. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai
    As part of Nord Anglia Education's family, pupils have access to collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School and Unicef. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Ten private schools in UAE rank among top 100 in the world


Anam Rizvi
  • English
  • Arabic

Ten private schools in the UAE have been ranked among the top 100 in the world by luxury lifestyle magazine Spear’s.

Schools including Brighton College Abu Dhabi and Dubai College were named among the top 15 in the Middle East, which contributes to the annual global list.

Eton College, Cheltenham Ladies' College and Gordonstoun School were among the top schools in the UK, while the Ivy League feeding school Groton School in Connecticut and Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles were among the leading institutions in the US.

North London Collegiate School in Dubai was the most expensive day school in the Middle East, with annual fees of up to Dh106,600 ($29,022), data from Spear’s and Carfax Education showed.

Boarding at King’s Academy in Jordan can cost $53,250 a year.

Many of the UK schools on the list segregate boys and girls, while those in the US, Middle East, Asia and Europe are mainly co-educational.

The global rankings includes schools attended by royals, politicians and diplomats.

The ranking is based on formal criteria such as academic results and preparation for university entry, the reputation of the school locally and internationally, and how adequately they prepare pupils for life after education.

Here are the 10 private schools in the UAE listed among the world's best.

The British School Al Khubairat: Dh43,160 to Dh70,630

Pupils at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Pupils at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The British School Al Khubairat has long been considered one of the best in the country and its story began more than 50 years ago.

It focuses on the well-being of pupils and staff and has won global accolades for its mental health programmes.

Former pupils have been accepted at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, including Stanford, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge.

Fees at the school in Al Mushrif range from Dh43,160 in Foundation Stage One to Dh70,630 in Year 13.

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi: Dh65,000 to Dh96,333

Michael Wilson, principal at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, is delighted the school has received international recognition. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National
Michael Wilson, principal at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, is delighted the school has received international recognition. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

The school places great focus on the pupil well-being, sustainability and community.

Cranleigh has a more than 150-year history in England and its Abu Dhabi site celebrates the many cultures in the country.

Fees at the British curriculum school on Saadiyat Island range from Dh65,000 in Foundation Stage One to Dh96,333 in Year 13.

Brighton College Abu Dhabi: Dh48,900 to Dh77,720

Pupils at the school have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of St Andrews. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pupils at the school have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of St Andrews. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Brighton College UK was founded in 1845. Pupils at the school in Abu Dhabi have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the University of St Andrews.

Fees at the British-curriculum school range from Dh48,900 in nursery to Dh77,720 in Year 13.

Dubai College: Dh86,607 to Dh98,070

A Dubai College Girls' rugby team train before a match in the UK. Antonie Robertson / The National
A Dubai College Girls' rugby team train before a match in the UK. Antonie Robertson / The National

The British-curriculum school in Al Sufouh is one of the oldest in the city and is considered to be among the best in the emirate.

Founding headmaster Tim Charlton set up the institution in 1978, so British secondary school pupils would not have to return home to continue their education.

Dubai College's fees for Years 7 to 11 are Dh28,869 for every term. Fees for Years 12 and 13 are Dh32,690 a term in the 2022-2023 academic year. There are three terms in a school year.

Jumeirah College: Dh72,988 to Dh91,235

Jumeirah College has 1,125 pupils from more than 59 countries. Photo: Jumeirah College
Jumeirah College has 1,125 pupils from more than 59 countries. Photo: Jumeirah College

Jumeirah College is a British-curriculum school in Al Safa 1 and has 1,125 pupils from more than 59 countries.

In 2021, pupils received offers to attend universities including Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and the University of Melbourne.

Fees at the school range from Dh72,988 for Year 7 to Dh91,235 in Year 13.

Jumeirah English Speaking School: Dh41,829 to Dh93,852

Jumeirah English Speaking School in Al Safa 1 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah English Speaking School in Al Safa 1 in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The school follows the British curriculum and is one of the oldest in the emirate. The school has two branches — one in Al Safa 1 and a second in Arabian Ranches.

Jumeirah English Speaking School was started in an apartment in Deira in 1975, when 17 pupils attended. Now the school has more than 1,400 pupils in Arabian Ranches and about 2,000 pupils in Al Safa 1.

Fees at the school start at Dh41,829 for Foundation Stage One and increase to Dh93,852 for Year 13.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai: Dh53,000 to Dh99,000

Signs remind pupils to follow Covid-19 precautions at the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Signs remind pupils to follow Covid-19 precautions at the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The school in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. It is the largest Swiss school outside Switzerland.

About 1800 pupils from more than 100 countries are enrolled. It offers bilingual programmes in the French and German languages, as well as an English programme with foreign languages.

For pupils who do not wish to pursue a fully bilingual programme, there is a Steam programme for children from ages 4 to 11.

Day school fees for pupils for the international baccalaureate programme range from Dh53,000 in pre-kindergarten to Dh99,000.

Day school fees for the international baccalaureate bilingual programme are Dh62,484 in pre-kindergarten to Dh99,000 in Year 12.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai: Dh63,447 to Dh95,946

The British-curriculum school focuses on personalised education and says it ensures pupils develop 21st-century skills.

Pupils have access to projects with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Juilliard School and the UN children's fund.

Fees at the school range from Dh63,447 in Foundation Stage One to Dh95,946 in Year 13.

North London Collegiate School Dubai: Dh66,400 to Dh106,600

James Monaghan, principal of North London Collegiate School. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
James Monaghan, principal of North London Collegiate School. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National

North London Collegiate School Dubai is an IB curriculum school.

Fees at the school range from Dh66,400 in pre-kindergarten to Dh106,600 in Year 12.

The school says it focuses on ensuring pupils are challenged in their studies and beyond the syllabus.

Repton School Dubai: Dh52,863 to Dh95,000

Repton School in Dubai received an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports from 2014 to 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai
Repton School in Dubai received an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports from 2014 to 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai

The school in Nad El Sheba is one of three branches in the UAE. This branch, founded in 2007, received an outstanding rating on reports from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau between 2014 and 2020.

Fees for foundation stage start at Dh52,863. Fees from Years 1 to 6 range from Dh59,754 to Dh70,221 and rise to Dh88,000 for Years 7 to 11.

Fees for Years 12 and 13 are Dh95,000.

CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

Jawan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAtlee%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Nayanthara%2C%20Vijay%20Sethupathi%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Essentials

The flights

Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes. 
 

The stay

A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.

3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')

Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)

Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NEW%20PRICING%20SCHEME%20FOR%20APPLE%20MUSIC%2C%20TV%2B%20AND%20ONE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20Music%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410.99%20(from%20%249.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.99%20(from%20%2414.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndividual%20annual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24109%20(from%20%2499)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20TV%2B%3Cbr%3EMonthly%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%246.99%20(from%20%244.99)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAnnual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2469%20(from%20%2449.99)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EApple%20One%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20individual%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2416.95%20(from%20%2414.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20family%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2422.95%20(from%20%2419.95)%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMonthly%20premier%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2432.95%20(from%20%2429.95)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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 one: how cars came to the UAE

 

SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.

Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Martin Sabbagh profile

Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East

In the role: Since January 2015

Lives: In the UAE

Background: M&A, investment banking

Studied: Corporate finance

The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder

Transmission: CVT auto

Power: 181bhp

Torque: 244Nm

Price: Dh122,900 

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday

Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)

Valencia v Levante (midnight)

Saturday

Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)

Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)

Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)

Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)

Sunday

Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)

Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)

Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury

Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')

Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)

Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

Updated: September 08, 2022, 2:32 PM