Brighton College Abu Dhabi

Focus 

Well-educated, respectful, curious, kind students

Day fees 2024/25 

$13,800–$22,000

Pupils 

1,800

Ages

3–18

Spear’s Review

Brighton College Abu Dhabi strongly endorses the style and traditions of the British independent school system and remains closely associated with its sister school, Brighton College UK. 

Pupils follow the national curriculum of England and Wales and can choose from a wide range of subjects. There is also an impressive selection of extracurricular activities on offer, including swimming, ball sports, music, reading clubs and Model UN. 

Since the school opened in 2011, it has consistently achieved outstanding results in GCSEs and A-Levels, and many pupils go on to attend leading universities in the UK, US and elsewhere. 

Academics

63 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

53 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A. 

University and college destinations

According to the school, almost all Brighton College pupils proceed to higher education, either immediately after the summer they leave school, or after a gap year. In past years students have matriculated at Oxbridge, Russell Group universities and Ivy League schools.

Head teacher

Craig Lamshed joined Brighton College Abu Dhabi as a board member in 2022 and became the school’s acting headmaster in June 2024. 

Barney Durrant is due to take on the headmaster role from April 2025. Durrant’s previous roles include leading St Lawrence College in the UK, as well as senior positions at Harrow International School Hong Kong and Stowe School. Durrant holds a BA from University College London, a PGCE from Cambridge and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Nottingham.

Admissions

According to the school, parents are asked to complete an online application; the admissions team will contact parents within one to two school days to arrange their child’s entry appointment or advise them of the next step. Play sessions are scheduled for Nursery to Year 1 pupils on campus. Video submissions for observation are arranged for international applicants. CAT4 entry appointments, a written piece of reading and comprehension, and interview with the heads of school are scheduled for Year 2 to Year 13 pupils.

Accessibility 

Zayed International Airport: 15 minutes

Location

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