British School Al Khubairat

Here’s a visual preview of The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) in Abu Dhabi—depicting its stately façade, campus environment, and glimpses of its vibrant student life.

British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) — Overview

History & Heritage

• Founded in 1968 on land generously donated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, BSAK began as a primary school and expanded over time. It was officially recognized by Amiri Decree No. 5 in 1971.

• The school is a not-for-profit, co-educational day institution, closely associated with the British Embassy, and proud of its role as Abu Dhabi’s premier British school.

• BSAK is a member of prestigious organisations such as IAPS, HMC, COBIS, and BSME.

Campus & Facilities

• The campus has evolved through several development phases:

  • Phase I–III added secondary wings, theatre, auditorium, library, sixth-form suite, sports halls, and creative arts studios in the early 2000s.

  • The Ruby Building (2012): houses Nursery–Year 2, junior library, pools, drama studio, science lab, food tech room, and instrumental dept.

  • Science & Innovation Centre (opened early 2023): advanced labs and classrooms, plus a modernized secondary gym with fitness suite and retractable sports facilities.

Student Body & Academic Profile

• Approximately 1,900–2,000 students aged 3–18, representing over 50 nationalities.

• Offers the English National Curriculum, leading to GCSEs, A-Levels, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas, and a wide breadth of subject options (e.g., Drama, Psychology, Product Design, Fashion, Textiles).

Accreditations & Academic Excellence

• Achieved Outstanding in all areas in ADEK inspections.

• Rated “Excellent” by the UK's Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

• Recognized by Spear’s Top Schools Index among the Top 100 private schools globally and Top 15 in the Middle East.

• GCSE performance: around 54–57% grades 7–9.

• A-Level performance: 43–45% A/A*

• Alumni success spans admissions to top institutions like Oxbridge, Imperial, Ivy League schools (Harvard, Princeton), and leading universities worldwide

• Accolades include Best British School in the UAE in 2019, 2021, and awards for post-16 education.

Ethos & Community

• Core values: Honesty, Empathy, Respect, Resilience drive the school’s mission to deliver quality British education in a community-oriented environment.

• Emphasis on holistic development: strong pastoral care, inclusive community, flourishing co-curricular life including music, art, sports, drama, and leadership opportunities.

• BSAK’s International School Award (highest level) was awarded by the British Council in 2017 for global perspective and cultural engagement

Reputation & Parent Perspective

• Parent satisfaction is high: 4.3/5 overall, with 94% saying they'd recommend BSAK, and 74% believing fees represent good value.

• While some note high fees, the quality, reputation, and overall value were seen as well-aligned for many families.

Admissions & Fees

• As a not-for-profit school—supported by patronage and governance from both UAE leadership and British authorities—the focus remains on reinvestment in facilities and educational quality.

Summary Snapshot

In short, The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is among Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious British curriculum schools, celebrated for its decades-long heritage, strong academic outcomes, world-class facilities, and warm, values-driven community. Its not-for-profit model underpins its commitment to reinvesting excellence back into students' learning experiences.