UAE Schools Win Top UK School Awards

The UAE out-performed every other country in the British International School Awards in London last week.

The awards are designed to celebrate innovation in strategic, financial and educational projects and aim to recognise excellence in British schools overseas. 

Cranleigh Abu Dhabi won the 'New British International School of the Year 2017 Award' which recognises a school under three years old, that has made an immediate impact on the pupils and community it serves.

Cranleigh was joined by Dubai based Nord Anglia International School Dubai as well as, Epsom College Malaysia and Le Régent Crans-Montana College in Switzerland, on the final shortlist for the category.

"We are all so proud of what has been achieved with our partners the Royal Group and TDIC and delighted to have had our work recognised with this award.  In particular, it acknowledges the remarkable job that has been done by the whole Cranleigh Abu Dhabi team over the past seven terms since we opened our doors in 2014." Brendan Law, Headmaster, Cranleigh.

Dubai based, Deira International School won the 'Pastoral Care Initiative of the Year' for its new hybrid transitional structure for Year six students. The system ensures a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary school by allowing Year six students access to both Primary and Secondary teaching, learning and pastoral strategies over a full academic year.

Deira International Director, Jeff Smith told WhichSchoolAdvisor.com, “students begin life in Year six by being part of the Key Stage 2 programme for assemblies, breaks and lunch, therefore already being accustomed to routines and expected behaviours. This avoids potential ‘dips’ in attainment and uncharacteristic inappropriate behaviours.

"By term three they are fully integrated into Secondary school life. Making this transition over time avoids the immediacy of the going from the large fish in a small pond to the little fish in a huge pond; this feeling can impact greatly on a student’s academic and social performance.”

Since integrating the hybrid transitional structure, the school has been rated Outstanding by the KHDA for its pastoral care, while attainment and progress in the core curriculum has risen from Unacceptable to Very Good.

Dubai English Speaking School was also shortlisted in the same category.

Jumeirah College was shortlisted for the ‘Senior Leadership Team of the Year’ category, for the school's unique leadership approach which sees leadership distributed throughout the staff.

Jumeirah College principal Simon O’Connor told WhichSchoolAdvisor.com, “over the last three years the standard of teaching at the College has improved significantly. There’s also a far wider understanding of the nature of leadership and this has created a continuing momentum of leadership development at all levels.”

 He went on to say, “I am very honoured that Jumeirah College’s achievements have been recognised by BISA and COBIS. The awards celebrate innovation in strategic, financial and educational projects and it is wonderful to have the College discussed within this context."

Abu Dhabi was well represented in the 'Teaching Initiative of the Year' category with both the British International School of Abu Dhabi and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi on the shortlist, however, the award went to Dulwich College Bejing.

In the 'International Impact' category, another Abu Dhabi school, the British School Al Khubairat, also made the shortlist.