UAE school news, 26 October to 1 November 2026

Between Monday 26 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, 15 private schools across the UAE announced 15 verifiable developments on their own websites and social channels.

This week in brief: 3 leadership changes, 11 awards and competition results and 1 event. By emirate: Dubai 11, Abu Dhabi 4.

Leadership changes

• GEMS School of Research and Innovation (Dubai): Richard Jones, the incoming Principal of GEMS School of Research and Innovation, discussed Dubai's changing education landscape and his vision for the school in a Business Breakfast interview on Dubai Eye. (YouTube video, 27 October)
• British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) (Abu Dhabi): The British School Al Khubairat announced Mr Robin Macpherson FRSA as its next Head, succeeding Mark Leppard MBE from August 2027. He joins from Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen, where he has been Head of College since 2020, bringing over 20 years of international leadership experience. (Instagram post, 27 October)
• South View School (Dubai): South View School introduced Mr Paul Dallyn as its Head of Secondary for the new academic year, saying he will work with students, families and staff to shape a secondary experience built on academic ambition, personal growth and a strong sense of belonging. (YouTube video, 26 October)

Awards and competitions

• The Indian High School (Dubai): The school's Girls' U19 football team secured second runner-up at the CBSE UAE Cluster Competitions 2026. The school praised the team's teamwork, determination and shared passion for the game. (Instagram post, 1 November)
• Royal Grammar School Guildford (Dubai): The school hosted the Year 5 Dubai Maths Super League, welcoming 24 teams from schools across Dubai for three rounds covering mental maths, problem-solving and a Maths Sprint. Its own mathematicians secured 1st place with a score of 96 out of 115. (Instagram post, 30 October)
• Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (Dubai): Seventeen of the school's students ranked in the Top 20 at national level across different age groups in the Kenken competition. The next stage for the school's maths students is the International Challenge. (Instagram post, 30 October)
• International Indian School (Abu Dhabi): The school's under-14 badminton team won the ADEK Unified Badminton competition, a result the school celebrated as a proud moment, crediting the young champions' dedication, teamwork and winning spirit. (Instagram post, 28 October)
• The Indian International School (Dso Branch) (Dubai): The school's table tennis team played through two days of competition at the CBSE UAE Cluster and secured Second Runner-Up finishes across all four categories. Thirteen players took part. (Instagram post, 28 October)
• Nord Anglia International School (Dubai): A team of four Year 5 pupils from NAS Dubai finished second in the Year 5 Maths Super League, hosted by Royal Grammar School Dubai, competing against 44 other schools. The event featured mental maths, problem-solving and a speed-and-accuracy relay final. (school's website, 28 October)
• American School Dubai (Dubai): High School Social Studies teacher Paul Strootman has been selected for the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award. Students admitted to UChicago's incoming class nominate the teacher or counselor who most shaped their intellectual growth, and he was recognised from hundreds of nominations. (Instagram post, 27 October)
• Brighton College Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi): At the ABT First Decade Summit & Awards Ceremony, which honoured top schools from more than 1,400 participating institutions, Brighton College UAE Group received the Excellence Shield for outstanding Arabic and Islamic results. Brighton College Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai each won an Excellence Shield in Arabic Language. (Instagram post, 27 October)
• Dunes International School (Abu Dhabi): Dunes International School has been honoured with the 5-Star Award under the Sustainable Schools Initiative, presented by the Emirates Environmental Group, recognising the school's commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. (Instagram post, 27 October)
• GEMS Jumeira Primary School (Dubai): The school's U11 basketball team delivered outstanding performances at the Dubai School Games tournament, winning every game. The team was praised for fantastic teamwork, sportsmanship and determination from start to finish. (Instagram post, 26 October)
• Hartland International School (Dubai): Hartland International School has been awarded Diamond status by ALPS (A Level Performance System), recognising it as performing within the top 1% of schools nationally and internationally for student progress and academic outcomes. (Instagram post, 26 October)

Events

• Repton School (Dubai): Repton Dubai was honoured to welcome H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the school, a visit it called a moment of immense pride as it approaches its 20th anniversary. The school has been open since 2007. (school's website, 26 October)

Previous edition: UAE school news, 19 to 25 October 2026.