Arcadia British School

Here’s a visual glimpse of Arcadia British School (ABS) in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai—featuring its modern, thoughtfully designed primary and secondary buildings that highlight the school’s focus on a welcoming and purposeful learning environment.

Arcadia British School — Key Highlights

Overview & Leadership

• Opened in August 2016, Arcadia British School is located in Jumeirah Village Triangle, offering British-style education from FS1 through Year 11, with Year 12 introduced in 2024 and Year 13 expected soon.

• The school was founded by the Al Shirawi Group, with Mohan Valrani as chairman and Giles Pruett serving as Executive Principal.

Inspection & Accreditations

• ABS has been rated "Very Good" by the KHDA in both the 2022–23 and 2023–24 inspection cycles.

• In October 2024, it earned an Outstanding rating across all eight categories in its British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection—highlighting excellent curriculum design and strong teacher-student relationships.

Curriculum & Learning Approach

• Follows the National Curriculum of England, enriched with interdisciplinary STREAM (Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and entrepreneurial elements.

• Offers innovative differentiation through programs such as:

  • Junior MBA for primary students.

  • Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CEL) for secondary students, combining entrepreneurial projects like app-building and digital presentations.

  • High-performance sports, including a BTEC Sports Studies pathway and pull-out sessions for top athletes.

  • Performing Arts Academy featuring LAMDA tuition, choirs, bands, dance academies, and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award integration.

Technology & Innovation

• Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School, integrating Apple devices from Year 3 upward.

• Digital tools like Century Tech, Sparx, Nearpod, and Seesaw are used to support learning, personalized revision, and creativity.

Community & Values

• Small classes (max 25 students, with Key Stage 5 capped at 18) encourage a strong teacher-student relationship and focused learning. Student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 1:11.

• Values include Altruism, Respect, Compassion, Aspiration, Determination, Integrity, and Adventure, woven into a culture of empathy, curiosity, and high expectations.

Facilities

• Two bespoke buildings for primary and secondary phases, designed by GAJ Architects, with excellent STREAM hubs, media labs, science and design workshops, indoor sports halls, a swimming pool, and a large football pitch.

Fees & Value

• KHDA-approved fees for 2024–25 range from approximately AED 66,133 (FS1) to AED 94,000 (Year 12). Discounts are available (10–25% off) and sibling discounts apply (5% for the first, 10% for additional siblings).

• The school positions itself in the premium-plus tier—great facilities and programs, but mid-tier pricing relative to comparable schools.

Parent Feedback & Community Voice

• Parents rate the school highly: 3.9/5 overall satisfaction with 88% willing to recommend it. Around 80% feel the academic performance meets expectations, and just 18% believe external tuition is necessary—lower than the UAE average. 66% agree the school offers good value.

• As one reviewer noted, “a school that proves (relatively) small really can be quite beautiful,” referring to ABS’s compact yet impactful design.

Summary Snapshot

In short, Arcadia British School is a forward-thinking and student-centered institution—combining strong academic credentials, cutting-edge programmes like the Junior MBA and STREAM, and a nurturing, inclusive culture. Its modern facilities and thoughtful leadership make it stand out among British schools in Dubai. If you're exploring Dubai’s school options, Arcadia is certainly worth a visit.