The British International School

4.2

2024-2025Outstanding

Curriculum

British / IB / British

Annual Fees

50K - 71K AED

Location

Abu Dhabi University Area

About The British International School

Last updated 15 September 2026 · Sources: ADEK inspection reports · methodology

The British International School is a British school and IB World School located behind Abu Dhabi University, off E22 Al Ain Road. The school welcomes both boys and girls into an inclusive learning environment that emphasizes creativity, critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Students follow the English National Curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage through to Year 11. The curriculum combines Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel frameworks to prepare students for external examinations.

In Years 10 and 11, students work toward IGCSE qualifications. Sixth Form students can pursue the IB Diploma Programme, BTEC Diploma, or a combined pathway option in Years 12 and 13. As part of Nord Anglia Education, students benefit from collaborations with institutions including The Juilliard School, MIT and UNICEF.

Annual tuition fees range from AED 50,300 to AED 71,410. The campus is conveniently located for families residing in Mushrif Area, along Hazzaa Bin Zayed Street and the 29th Street of Airport Road.

Location

Behind Abu Dhabi University, off E22 Al Ain Road

Fees & Admissions

The academic year of some recorded fees has not been verified against its source. Confirm current rates with the school before using them.

Grade Level	Annual Fees (recorded)	Est. Monthly	Fact Sheet
FS12026-2027 (year unverified)	50,300 AED	~4,192 AED	-
KG1/FS22026-2027 (year unverified)	50,300 AED	~4,192 AED	-
KG2/Y12026-2027 (year unverified)	63,340 AED	~5,278 AED	-
G1/Y22026-2027 (year unverified)	63,340 AED	~5,278 AED	-
G2/Y32026-2027 (year unverified)	63,340 AED	~5,278 AED	-
G3/Y42026-2027 (year unverified)	63,340 AED	~5,278 AED	-
G4/Y52026-2027 (year unverified)	63,340 AED	~5,278 AED	-
G5/Y62026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G6/Y72026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G7/Y82026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G8/Y92026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G9/Y102026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G10/Y112026-2027 (year unverified)	64,850 AED	~5,404 AED	-
G11/Y122026-2027 (year unverified)	71,410 AED	~5,951 AED	-
G12/Y132026-2027 (year unverified)	71,410 AED	~5,951 AED	-

Inspection Report

ADEK rated The British International School "Outstanding" in its 2018-2019 inspection, up from "Very good" at the previous inspection. The school has been inspected 5 times since 2012-2013.

Latest Rating (2018-2019)

Outstanding

Download Report

What inspectors found in 2018-2019

Strengths noted by inspectors

Students are extremely positive about learning
Attainment and progress are outstanding in English and science across all phases, and in mathematics in most phases
Attainment and progress have improved in Arabic-medium subjects overall, now good in most areas
Teachers are highly knowledgeable and plan lessons that strongly promote students' progress
The school has exemplary systems for ensuring students' health, safety and well-being
School leaders set a clear direction and have put in place effective development plans and accountability structures

What the school was asked to improve

Raise students' attainment and progress in Arabic-medium subjects to very good or outstanding
Use questioning techniques consistently so all students remain fully engaged in learning
Explain tasks clearly and succinctly so all students can make a quick start to learning
Increase the accuracy of self-evaluation to a consistently high level across all subjects
Identify school improvement priorities clearly in the self-evaluation form

Source: ADEK inspection report 2018-2019 (PDF, pages 1–57), inspected 11-Oct-2021 to 14-Oct-2021. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Since the 2017-2018 inspection

Of the 56 performance indicators rated in both reports, 36 improved, 3 declined and 17 kept the same rating.

Students

1,715 → 1,638

-77 (-4%)

Teachers

139 → 123

-16 (-12%)

Improved

Islamic Education — Attainment · Primary: Acceptable → Good
Islamic Education — Attainment · Secondary: Acceptable → Good
Arabic First Language — Attainment · Primary: Acceptable → Good
Arabic First Language — Attainment · Secondary: Acceptable → Good
Arabic Second Language — Attainment · Primary: Acceptable → Good
English — Attainment · Secondary: Very good → Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment · Foundation Stage: Very good → Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment · Primary: Very good → Outstanding

and 28 more

Declined

Arabic Second Language — Attainment · Post-16: Good → Acceptable
English — Attainment · Foundation Stage: Very good → Good
Arabic Second Language — Progress · Post-16: Good → Acceptable

Did The British International School act on the 2017-2018 recommendations?

Of the 6 recommendations made in 2017-2018, 5 can be checked against the 2018-2019 ratings: 0 show an improvement, 5 a mixed picture.

Improve teaching and achievement in Arabic medium subjects by raising expectations, sharper questioning, and more challenging writing tasksMixed
Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic First Language — Attainment (Secondary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable
Provide more structured group-work opportunities for Arabic speaking and listening skillsMixed
Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic First Language — Attainment (Secondary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable
Appoint an Arabic-speaking school leader to champion and evaluate Arabic teachingMixed
Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic First Language — Attainment (Secondary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable
Enhance the supply of appealing and challenging Arabic language books and resourcesMixed
Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic First Language — Attainment (Secondary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable
Further improve students' attendanceNot measurable from the ratings
Integrate Arabic language use into the English medium curriculum and throughout the school dayMixed
Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic First Language — Attainment (Secondary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Primary): Acceptable → Good · Arabic Second Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable

Performance standards by year (115 indicators, 2 inspections)

Indicator	Phase	2017-2018	2018-2019
Students' achievement
Islamic Education — Attainment	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Secondary	Acceptable	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Secondary	Acceptable	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Arabic First Language — Attainment	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic First Language — Attainment	Secondary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic First Language — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Arabic First Language — Progress	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic First Language — Progress	Secondary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic First Language — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Arabic Second Language — Attainment	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic Second Language — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Arabic Second Language — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Acceptable
Arabic Second Language — Progress	Primary	Acceptable	Good
Arabic Second Language — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
Arabic Second Language — Progress	Post-16	Good	Acceptable
Social Studies — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Social Studies — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Social Studies — Progress	Primary	Good	Good
Social Studies — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
English — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Very good	Good
English — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Very good
English — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
English — Attainment	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
English — Progress	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
English — Progress	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Progress	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Post-16	Very good	Very good
Sciences — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Attainment	Post-16	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Progress	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Progress	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Progress	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Sciences — Progress	Post-16	Very good	Outstanding
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Attainment	KG	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Attainment	Primary	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Attainment	Middle	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Attainment	High	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Progress	KG	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Progress	Primary	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Progress	Middle	Very good	—
Other subjects (Art, Music, PE) — Progress	High	Very good	—
Learning skills	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Learning skills	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Learning skills	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Learning skills	Post-16	Very good	Outstanding
Arabic Second Language — Progress	Foundation Stage	—	Good
Students' personal and social development, and their innovation skills
Personal development	KG	Outstanding	—
Personal development	Primary	Outstanding	—
Personal development	Middle	Outstanding	—
Personal development	High	Outstanding	—
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	KG	Outstanding	—
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Primary	Outstanding	—
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Middle	Outstanding	—
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	High	Outstanding	—
Social responsibility and innovation skills	KG	Outstanding	—
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Primary	Outstanding	—
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Middle	Outstanding	—
Social responsibility and innovation skills	High	Outstanding	—
Teaching and assessment
Teaching for effective learning	KG	Very good	—
Teaching for effective learning	Primary	Very good	—
Teaching for effective learning	Middle	Very good	—
Teaching for effective learning	High	Very good	—
Assessment	Foundation Stage	Very good	Outstanding
Assessment	Primary	Very good	Outstanding
Assessment	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
Assessment	Post-16	Very good	Outstanding
Teaching	Foundation Stage	—	Outstanding
Teaching	Primary	—	Outstanding
Teaching	Secondary	—	Outstanding
Teaching	Post-16	—	Outstanding
Curriculum
Curriculum design and implementation	KG	Outstanding	—
Curriculum design and implementation	Primary	Very good	—
Curriculum design and implementation	Middle	Very good	—
Curriculum design and implementation	High	Outstanding	—
Curriculum adaptation	KG	Outstanding	—
Curriculum adaptation	Primary	Very good	—
Curriculum adaptation	Middle	Very good	—
Curriculum adaptation	High	Outstanding	—
The protection, care, guidance and support of students
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	KG	Outstanding	—
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Primary	Outstanding	—
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Middle	Outstanding	—
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	High	Outstanding	—
Care and support	KG	Outstanding	—
Care and support	Primary	Outstanding	—
Care and support	Middle	Outstanding	—
Care and support	High	Outstanding	—
Leadership and management
The effectiveness of leadership	Whole school	Very good	—
Self-evaluation and improvement planning	Whole school	Very good	—
Partnerships with parents	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding
Governance	Whole school	Very good	Outstanding
Management, staffing, facilities and resources	Whole school	Outstanding	—
Effectiveness of leadership	Whole school	—	Outstanding
Self evaluation & improvement	Whole school	—	Outstanding
Management	Whole school	—	Outstanding
Protection, care, guidance and support
Health & safety	Foundation Stage	—	Outstanding
Health & safety	Primary	—	Outstanding
Health & safety	Secondary	—	Outstanding
Health & safety	Post-16	—	Outstanding
Care & support	Foundation Stage	—	Outstanding
Care & support	Primary	—	Outstanding
Care & support	Secondary	—	Outstanding
Care & support	Post-16	—	Outstanding

Earlier inspections

2017-2018Very good

This ADEK inspection rated the British International School Abu Dhabi very good overall. Personal development and care for students were outstanding, with strong English-medium teaching and curriculum. However, achievement, teaching, curriculum leadership and promotion of Arabic-medium subjects in primary and middle phases remained weaker than the English-medium provision.

Strengths noted by inspectors

Students' personal and social development as independent, responsible learners, citizens and leaders
Strong teaching and achievement in English medium subjects
Effective day-to-day management of the school with a positive impact on students' care and support
Strong cross-curricular links and curriculum choices, particularly in Foundation Stage and the high phase
Effective partnerships with parents supporting students' achievement and well-being

What the school was asked to improve

Improve teaching and achievement in Arabic medium subjects by raising expectations, sharper questioning, and more challenging writing tasks
Provide more structured group-work opportunities for Arabic speaking and listening skills
Appoint an Arabic-speaking school leader to champion and evaluate Arabic teaching
Enhance the supply of appealing and challenging Arabic language books and resources
Further improve students' attendance
Integrate Arabic language use into the English medium curriculum and throughout the school day

Source: ADEK inspection report 2017-2018 (PDF, pages 1–16), inspected 09 October 2017 to 12 October 2017. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Rating History

2017-2018Very good

2015-2016Very good

2013-2014

2012-2013

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The British International School's ADEK inspection rating?

ADEK rated The British International School "Outstanding" in its 2018-2019 inspection, up from "Very good" at the previous inspection. The school has been inspected 5 times since 2012-2013.

What did ADEK inspectors say about The British International School in 2018-2019?

This school was rated outstanding overall. Attainment and progress are outstanding in English, mathematics and science across all phases, and Arabic-medium subjects have improved to good. Teaching, assessment, care and leadership are outstanding, though self-evaluation accuracy in Arabic-medium subjects and clearer identification of improvement priorities still need attention. Strengths noted by the inspectors in 2018-2019: students are extremely positive about learning; attainment and progress are outstanding in English and science across all phases, and in mathematics in most phases; attainment and progress have improved in Arabic-medium subjects overall, now good in most areas; teachers are highly knowledgeable and plan lessons that strongly promote students' progress; the school has exemplary systems for ensuring students' health, safety and well-being; school leaders set a clear direction and have put in place effective development plans and accountability structures.

What was The British International School asked to improve in its 2018-2019 inspection?

The 2018-2019 ADEK report recommended that the school: raise students' attainment and progress in Arabic-medium subjects to very good or outstanding; use questioning techniques consistently so all students remain fully engaged in learning; explain tasks clearly and succinctly so all students can make a quick start to learning; increase the accuracy of self-evaluation to a consistently high level across all subjects; identify school improvement priorities clearly in the self-evaluation form.

Has The British International School improved since its 2017-2018 inspection?

Between the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 inspections, 36 of the 56 indicators rated in both reports improved, 3 declined and 17 kept the same rating. Improvements include Islamic Education — Attainment (Primary) from Acceptable to Good, Islamic Education — Attainment (Secondary) from Acceptable to Good, Arabic First Language — Attainment (Primary) from Acceptable to Good. Enrolment went from 1,715 to 1,638 students (-4%). Of the 6 recommendations made in 2017-2018, 5 can be checked against the 2018-2019 ratings and 0 were followed by a measurable improvement.

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At a Glance

From the 2024-2025 inspection profile

Grades

FS1 to Year 13

Age

3-18

Genders

Boys and Girls

Curriculum

British

Language

English

School Profile

As reported for 2024-2025

Principal

Mr. Alan Cocker (Principal)

Opening year

2009

Accreditation

ADEK

Curriculum examinations

IGCSE, IB Diploma, BTEC Diploma

About The British International School

Last updated 15 September 2026 · Sources: ADEK inspection reports · methodology

Grade Level

Annual Fees (recorded)

Est. Monthly

Fact Sheet

FS12026-2027 (year unverified)

50,300 AED

~4,192 AED

KG1/FS22026-2027 (year unverified)

50,300 AED

~4,192 AED

KG2/Y12026-2027 (year unverified)

63,340 AED

~5,278 AED

G1/Y22026-2027 (year unverified)

63,340 AED

~5,278 AED

G2/Y32026-2027 (year unverified)

63,340 AED

~5,278 AED

G3/Y42026-2027 (year unverified)

63,340 AED

~5,278 AED

G4/Y52026-2027 (year unverified)

63,340 AED

~5,278 AED

G5/Y62026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G6/Y72026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G7/Y82026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G8/Y92026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G9/Y102026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G10/Y112026-2027 (year unverified)

64,850 AED

~5,404 AED

G11/Y122026-2027 (year unverified)

71,410 AED

~5,951 AED

G12/Y132026-2027 (year unverified)

71,410 AED

~5,951 AED

Inspection Report

ADEK rated The British International School "Outstanding" in its 2018-2019 inspection, up from "Very good" at the previous inspection. The school has been inspected 5 times since 2012-2013.

Latest Rating (2018-2019)

Outstanding

Download Report