Top British School to Open in Meydan, Dubai
More welcome news for parents struggling to find a place at high quality schools in Dubai as Kent College Canterbury announces plans to open in 2015.
Concerns have been raised by parents in the UAE in the past regarding the standards, ethos and atmosphere of franchise schools operating in the country. It's clear that all parties involved in this project are acutely aware of these concerns and are keen to allay them from the outset.
The school will open its doors to more than 2,000 students in the well-located Meydan development which is in the midst of major development.
It is part of a series of initiatives where Meydan is partnering with Mir Hashem Khoory (MHK) and leading global educational bodies.
Kent College Canterbury Meydan will be a fully designated campus and not a franchise operation and the school will be managed and operated directly by Kent College.
Concerns have been raised by parents in the UAE in the past regarding the standards, ethos and atmosphere of franchise schools operating in the country. It's clear that all parties involved in this project are acutely aware of these concerns and are keen to allay them from the outset.
Dr David Lamper, headmaster, Kent College, said: "Kent College in Dubai will maintain a very close relationship with the one in the UK. Any Dubai student, at any point in time, may request a transfer to Kent College in the UK, provided that seats are available there."
The Kent College Canterbury's Meydan campus will offer classes from KG 1 to 12th Grade, with pupils in grade 6 and above benefiting from finishing classes and a strong emphasis on equestrian training due to the close proximity to Meydan, Dubai's leading racecourse. Other facilities will include football and rugby fields, tennis courts, cricket grounds, and infrastructure for track and race events.
The project has an estimated total budget AED150m, will be built on 400,000 sq ft of land, with construction expected to start in the third quarter of 2013. The school is expected to start enrolling students in February 2015 for the 2015-2016 academic year.
In total twelve new schools are expected to open in the academic year 2013-14 – five Indian curriculum schools and seven British/IB schools.
The 12 schools will have a total physical capacity of 28,730 students, with a first year enrollment projection of about 5,000 students.
For more news on schools opening in the UAE, go here.
