UAE school news, 14 to 20 September 2026

Between Monday 14 September and Sunday 20 September 2026, 18 private schools across the UAE announced 20 verifiable developments on their own websites and social channels.

This week in brief: 2 exam results, 1 admissions or campus announcement, 5 new programmes, 1 leadership change and 11 awards and competition results. By emirate: Dubai 15, Abu Dhabi 5.

Exam and assessment results

Brighton College (Dubai): The school announced that its Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) cohort achieved a 100% A* grade rate. Pupils researched topics including trust in the NHS, ethics and law in medical decision-making, the science of dissociation, and stem cell therapies for Parkinson's disease. (Instagram post, 20 September)
Brighton College (Dubai): Brighton College Dubai has reported its PISA 2025 outcomes, scoring 541 in Science, 537 in Mathematics and 529 in Reading, along with 538 in Environmental Science and 555 in Computational Problem Solving, placing it above the Dubai private-school average in every domain. (Instagram post, 16 September)

Admissions, campuses and fees

Emirates Private School, Bani Yas (Abu Dhabi): Emirates Private School in Bani Yas announced the launch of a Grade 10, framing it as a new beginning and a step towards bigger ambitions and a promising future for the school. (Instagram post, 19 September)

Curriculum, programmes and accreditation

Al Salam Private School (Dubai): The school welcomed newly enrolled DofE students and their parents to an orientation session. This year it is offering the Duke of Edinburgh programme at Bronze in Year 10, Silver in Year 11 and Gold in Year 12, with a focus on perseverance, independence, resilience and teamwork. (Instagram post, 18 September)
Al Ittihad Private School - Mamzar (Dubai): The school announced morning Quran memorisation circles featuring the Rayaheen Al-Quran curriculum and Tajweed lessons, starting Monday, 21 September 2026. Students can register through their Islamic education teachers. (Instagram post, 16 September)
Dubai Modern Education School (Dubai): DMES announced a strategic partnership with Copperstone Education to expand high school pathways, adding accredited Course for Credit options, SAT preparation, community service and expanded university pathways for students preparing for university and beyond. (Instagram post, 16 September)
The Winchester School (Dubai): The school is launching Orators @ WIN, a public speaking programme aimed at building confidence and stage skills. Training sessions begin Wednesday 16 September, open to students from Year 5 to Year 9. (Instagram post, 14 September)
Nord Anglia International School (Abu Dhabi): NAS Abu Dhabi currently offers A Levels in Year 12 with 26 subjects to choose from, and is working towards adding the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as an additional Sixth Form pathway from the 2028-29 academic year, subject to successful authorisation. (school's website, 14 September)

Leadership changes

Emirates International School (Dubai): The school introduced Ms Jill Gaynor as its new Head of Early Years. Year 6 students welcomed her with a fun, student-led interview, marking her introduction to the school community. (Instagram post, 16 September)

Awards and competitions

Dubai Gem Private School (Dubai): Dubai Gem Private School students received recognition at the 7th Yalla Schools International Middle East Education Awards 2026 in three categories: IGCSE High Achiever, AS Level Excellent Achiever and A Level Super Achiever, placing the school among those celebrated for academic excellence across the Middle East. (Instagram post, 20 September)
Al Dhafra Private Schools (Abu Dhabi): The school announced it has been named a finalist for the GESS Education Excellence Awards 2026 in the Best Wellbeing Initiative for Students or Staff category. The recognition highlights its work supporting the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of both students and staff. (Instagram post, 19 September)
British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) (Abu Dhabi): Thirty students from Years 8-12 represented the school at the World Scholar's Cup Global Round in Dubai, competing against 300 scholars from across the Middle East and beyond, with strong results in debate, essay writing and general knowledge. Nine teams qualified for the Tournament of Champions at Yale University in November. (Instagram post, 18 September)
American School of Creative Science (Dubai): Students from the school won first place in the IEEE WIE Day 2026 Digital Poster Challenge, themed "She's Ethical: Building an Inclusive AI Future". Guided by teacher Ms. Ruba, the team dedicated their vacation time to developing digital skills and exploring ethical AI. (Instagram post, 18 September)
GEMS Legacy School (Dubai): The school's FLL team, Dew of the Void, progressed from Regionals and Nationals to represent the UAE at the International FLL Championship in South Korea, finishing 2nd in the Robot Design Award category among 44 teams from 33 countries. (Instagram post, 17 September)
Private International English School (Abu Dhabi): The school secured overall 2nd place at the BME Hindi Poetica, Kavyanjali Hindi poetry competition, with podium and consolation finishes across four categories, celebrating students' talent and teachers' guidance. (Instagram post, 17 September)
Brighton College (Dubai): The school's B team was named winner of the WSG Golf 2026 Team Event, an international golf competition, which the school describes as a brilliant achievement on the international stage. (Instagram post, 16 September)
Sunmarke School (Dubai): At the World Scholar's Cup Global Rounds, three of the school's four competing teams, nine students in total, qualified for the Tournament of Champions at Yale, USA, this November, earning gold and silver medals across debate, writing and academic challenges. (Instagram post, 16 September)
Raffles World Academy (Dubai): Raffles World Academy's World Scholars Cup team performed strongly at the Global Round, earning 5 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 4 trophies, with recognition across Scholars Challenge, Collaborative Writing and Scholars' Bowl, culminating in a qualification. (Instagram post, 15 September)
Deira International School (Dubai): The school's F1 STEM Racing team won the Fastest Car Award at the National Finals at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, with car Nitro Nova recording a 1.335-second track time, and achieved 3rd place overall. (Instagram post, 14 September)
GEMS New Millennium School (Dubai): The school was named Overall Champions and Under-11 Group Champions at the CBSE UAE Cluster Swimming Championship, held on 4th and 5th September 2026 at GEMS New Millennium School Al Khail, Dubai. Eleven swimmers qualified for the upcoming CBSE National Swimming Championship in India. (Instagram post, 14 September)

Previous edition: UAE school news, 7 to 13 September 2026.