UAE school news, 21 to 27 September 2026

Between Monday 21 September and Sunday 27 September 2026, 17 private schools across the UAE announced 19 verifiable developments on their own websites and social channels.

This week in brief: 2 admissions or campus announcements, 3 new programmes, 1 leadership change and 13 awards and competition results. By emirate: Dubai 12, Abu Dhabi 7.

Admissions, campuses and fees

ICS Mushrif – International Community Schools (Abu Dhabi): ICS Mushrif has officially opened EdZania, a new play-based learning space where young learners role-play as doctors, dentists, pilots, bankers, cooks, shoppers and public servants, learning through imagination and exploration. (Instagram post, 25 September)
Swiss International Scientific School (Dubai): The school has officially opened a new Golf Simulator Studio on campus, equipped with TrackMan technology. Parents were welcomed to explore the facility and learn about the SISD Golf Academy, a programme powered by top-100 golf coach Mitchell Spearman, offering coaching for students of all abilities. (Instagram post, 22 September)

Curriculum, programmes and accreditation

Dubai Heights Academy (Dubai): Dubai Heights Academy offers the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, with Bronze and Silver levels, to students in Years 10-13. According to the school, the programme develops confidence, leadership and independence through new experiences and can also strengthen university applications. (Instagram post, 24 September)
GEMS World Academy (Dubai): The school states it is a fully accredited IB World School offering the Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma and Career-related Programmes, together with Early Years, covering the complete IB journey from early years through graduation at one campus. (Instagram post, 24 September)
GEMS Winchester School (Dubai): GEMS Winchester School Dubai has launched a Centre of Excellence for Finance and Leadership and will pilot the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB). The school says it is part of a world-first K-12 partnership between GEMS Education and ICAEW, letting students begin an internationally recognised professional qualification while still at school. (Instagram post, 23 September)

Leadership changes

Ajyal International School - MBZ (Abu Dhabi): The school introduced its new Head of Secondary, Mr. Peter Hartland, who outlined his vision for supporting students through their secondary journey, from making subject choices to preparing for university and life beyond school. (Instagram post, 25 September)

Awards and competitions

Abu Dhabi Indian School (Abu Dhabi): At the CBSE UAE Cluster Kho-Kho Tournament 2026-27, the school's Under-14 boys team won the championship and qualified for the CBSE Nationals in India. The Under-17 and Under-19 boys teams both won bronze medals. (Instagram post, 27 September)
Private International English School (Abu Dhabi): On 24 September 2026, KG students of Private International English School took part in the Eco Threads KG Interschool Fancy Dress Competition conducted by SSIS, winning 1st prize in the solo performance category and 3rd prize in the group performance category. (Instagram post, 25 September)
Sunrise English Private School (Abu Dhabi): At the UAE CBSE Cluster Boys Kho-Kho Championship 2026, featuring 22 teams, Sunrise English Private School finished runners-up in the U-19 and U-14 categories and took third place in the U-17 category. (Instagram post, 24 September)
The Indian High School (Dubai): The Indian High School's Oud Metha campus finished second among more than 70 schools at Crescendo 2026, an online competition hosted by Lilavatibai Podar High School covering finance, marketing, policy-making and public relations. Every team the school fielded reached the final rounds of its event. (school's website, 24 September)
GEMS Winchester School (Dubai): GEMS Winchester School Dubai has secured seven places on the shortlist for this year's Education Achievement Awards, spanning programme, team and individual staff categories including Inclusion Programme of the Year, Secondary School Team of the Year and STEAM Programme of the Year. (Instagram post, 24 September)
The Indian International School (Dso Branch) (Dubai): The school's band earned the Best Choice of Song Award at the Battle of the Bands: The Mashup Masters 2026, delivering a six-minute performance by 14 musicians that blended Indian Classical, Broadway, rap, pop and Bollywood genres. (Instagram post, 24 September)
Woodlem Park School (Dubai): The school's Boys' Kabaddi Team secured the Bronze Medal at the CBSE Cluster Kabaddi Championship, hosted at Woodlem Park School in Ajman. (Instagram post, 24 September)
The Sheffield Private School (Dubai): The Sheffield Private School has received the Best School Award at the International Middle East Educational Awards 2026, its fourth consecutive year winning the accolade, which the school links to its students' performance in IGCSE, AS and A-Level examinations. (Instagram post, 24 September)
International Indian School (Abu Dhabi): The school's U14 and U19 Kabaddi teams secured the runners-up position at the CBSE UAE Cluster Kabaddi Championship, competing among 30 teams. (Instagram post, 23 September)
GEMS Legacy School (Dubai): The school's U14 and U19 girls' basketball teams both finished 2nd Runner-Up at the CBSE UAE Cluster Basketball Tournament 2026, a first double podium in the school's history. (Instagram post, 22 September)
Private International English School (Abu Dhabi): The school's Under 19 boys' handball team finished as runners-up at the CBSE Cluster Handball Championship after a strong performance throughout the competition. (Instagram post, 22 September)
JSS Private School (Dubai): At the Ei ASSET Recognition Ceremony, JSS Private School was recognised among the Top 25 schools nationally for outstanding ASSET 2025-26 results, and its Grade 3 English team was named among the best-performing grades across the UAE. Three teachers were also honoured as best performing. (Instagram post, 21 September)
M S B Private School (Dubai): MSB Private School, Dubai was named Overall Champion at TCS Innoverse 2026, hosted by The Central School, Dubai on 19 September 2026, achieving 7 first-place and 2 second-place finishes across Mathematics, English and Gifted categories. (Instagram post, 21 September)

Previous edition: UAE school news, 14 to 20 September 2026.