The older sibling (in terms of provision, not age), Repton School Abu Dhabi's Fry campus caters to children from Years 2 to 4 (Prep School), through Junior (Years 5-6) and Senior Schools on a purpose-built site at the heart of Reem Island. The original Foundation School, which opened in 2013 remains open, and is located close to the new school which opened in September 2018.

The story so far...

Repton Fry Campus is the Junior and Senior School for Repton Abu Dhabi.  The school is effectively a 'through school' on two campuses: Repton Foundation School (Rose Campus) caters for children from Foundation Stage to Year 1. 

Repton Fry Campus caters to children aged from 6 (year 2) to 18 (year 13). The Junior School incorporates years 2 to 6 (including Pre-Prep for years 2, 3 and 4), whilst the Senior School covers the traditional Secondary School years from years 7-13.

Check out the facilities and opinions of staff, students and parents in our Experience Visit here.  

Feedback to WhichSchoolAdvisor.com through our Surveys has been somewhat limited, but recent comments, reflecting parent sentiment in general with regard to strengths of the school include:

"The leadership of the school and quality of teachers is exceptional"
"Great location and supportive leadership team and teachers".

Find out more about parents' view by reading the Buzz.

In March 2022, the Repton group of schools (which includes the two campuses in Abu Dhabi, and the two in Dubai) announced a significant changes to the leadership of Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi.

As a result of the departure of Zoe Woolley, Principal of Repton Al Barsha, to take up a new position as one of the first female Heads in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the first female Headmistress of Jeddah Prep and Grammar school, Repton Abu Dhabi Principal, Gillian Hammond, will be moving to Dubai to take over the interim leadership until the end of the 2023 academic year. 

Vice Principal Steven Lupton will take over as Interim Principal of Repton Abu Dhabi with the support of the existing senior leadership team including Aran Smith, Acting Vice Principal and Headteacher of Junior School, Stephen Davis, Headteacher of Senior School and Marie Al Nasrawi, as Headteacher of Rose campus at Repton Abu Dhabi. 

Expecting more than 800 students from September 2019,  Repton Fry Campus opened with a decided focus on students at the younger end of the spectrum, with six classes each in Years 2 and 3, 4 classes in Year 4, 3 in Year 5, two each in years 6 and 7 and 1 each in Years 8 and 9.

Average class sizes are 20 students with a maximum of 24 planned.  24 in a class is perhaps higher than a typical premium school where we would expect to see a absolute maximum class size of 20.  However, it is likely to be sometime before these numbers are reached in all year groups.

Teachers appear to be satisfied at the school - staff turnover, at 8%, is very much on the low side compared with the UAE average of 20-22%.  This is a good sign in terms of the relative stability of the school staffing. At the time of the ADEK inspection in early 2019, there were 43 teachers and a teacher;student ratio of 1:12.

In line with the policy of the longer established Foundation school, almost all staff are recruited from the UK (with the exception of specialist language teachers) and are required to have appropriate teaching qualifications plus experience without exception. 

The mix of student nationalities is somewhat broader; UAE nationals represent the largest single group at 19%, UK nationals follow at 10%, whilst Indian (8%), US (7%) and Canadian (5%) passport holders are among the other larger nationality groups.  Overall, over 70 nationalities are represented within the school.   There is a slightly larger male (57%) than female ratio (43%).

Repton Abu Dhabi is the fourth school, and one of three in the UAE, bearing the Repton name. According to the school, the partnership between all three schools is very strong and there are many initiatives which bring genuine meaning and substance to the links between Repton School Derbyshire, with its 450 year history, Repton School Dubai Repton School Al Barsha (formerly Foremarke School Dubai) and Repton School Abu Dhabi. 

The Dubai school has been rated Outstanding by the KHDA since 2014-15, whilst the Al Barsha school, which is now extending to offer an all-through provision, has been rated Very Good since 2017-18.  The Abu Dhabi Junior and Senior school achieved a Very Good rating in 2018-19 on its first inspection in its first year of operation.

Two members of the governing body of Repton UK are permanent members of the Repton Abu Dhabi board, with the aim of ensuring the greatest possible coherence between the two schools at all levels. There have been student exchanges between the UK school and Repton Dubai, and plans are underway for joint sports tours and trips. Similar plans are under discussion for Repton Abu Dhabi. Common in-service training initiatives for teachers are being developed and there is a regular interchange of ideas between staff in the three schools.

There are striking similarities between the schools, in uniforms, house names and traditions, institutional language and in fact everything that goes into producing a common ethos and environment some three thousand miles apart. For those families relocating back to the UK, or considering UK Boarding for their child, both Repton and Foremarke Hall (Repton’s preparatory school) offers a continuity of curriculum and culture.

What about support for students of Determination and those with Gifts and Talents?

A particular focus of both Repton Abu Dhabi campuses is in the provision of support for students with additional learning needs (SEND) or who are Gifted and Talented (G&T). The inclusion department, which works across both campuses, has a team of 10 staff including school counsellors and support assistants.  Staff are trained to work with students with a variety of additional needs including Autism, Downs Syndrome and ADHD among others. The team works in a consultancy role with class teachers and specialists to ensure that all students have access to quality teaching initially.  Where further support is required, extension or enrichment activities, needs assessment, individual targets and action plans are formulated to meet the student's individual needs.  Unusually, this service is provided free of charge.

What about the curriculum?

For a school that aims to be wrapped in the traditions of its 450 year old UK namesake, Repton School Abu Dhabi has a noticeably non-traditional vision:

“Our vision is to be the premier technology school in the UAE ensuring that all our pupils are equipped and stimulated to engage in our ever more technical world with confidence and flair”.

A Repton education, according to Repton Abu Dhabi, stands for an academically selective school with high aspirations that never loses focus of the individual child. The school aims to "blend the pursuit of excellence with a broadening of the mind; the fulfilment of succeeding as an individual with the pleasure of working as part of a team; and an investment in self-discovery with an awareness of others". This is a holistic approach "or ‘wholeness’ that personifies a Repton education". It certainly has a more traditional ring.

Children follow the English National curriculum in the Junior School until Year 6. In Pre-Prep (Years 2-4), English and STEM skills are a key focus, with Science and Computing being other core subjects. Repton Abu Dhabi was recognised as the first Apple Distinguished School in the UAE and innovation is a common thread running through school life. Digital technology plays a vital role in all subjects, with each  child using their own iPad throughout their life in the school. This becomes a progressive ePortfolio of children’s work, and parents are sent regular updates on their child’s progress electronically.  The focus on STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths - is very much at the core of the curriculum throughout Repton Abu Dhabi.

In keeping with the UAE Ministry of Education requirements, Arabic is also taught as a core subject. Muslim children are also taught Islamic Studies, while UAE Social Studies are taught formally from Year 1 onwards. The school endeavours to weave Emirati culture through all curricular subjects. Given that the percentage of Emirati children attending the Foundation school is among the highest groups, this focus is not surprising and well advised.

To develop well-rounded children, French, Art, Music, Physical Education (PE) and Swimming are taught as part of the core curriculum. As would be expected, language subjects are taught by specialist teachers with the expectation that all pupils should be developing secure conversational skills in both Arabic and French by the time they leave the Junior School. Regular homework is set in all core subjects to support and extend children’s learning, and to instill self-discipline and independent study.

Music and the performing arts are viewed as a vital component of the school and the development of a fully rounded child. The children enjoy specialist music lessons and regular opportunities are created for pupils to perform, and develop their own confidence to both their peers and a wider audience, through regular assemblies and shows. Throughout the school art work is displayed from pupils in all age ranges. Pupils are taught to create in a variety of media as well as being given specific guidance on technique.

Sport has long been at the heart of quality UK independent schools and this is also the case at Repton Abu Dhabi. From FS1 onwards, pupils are taught by specialist PE teachers and this is integral to the Fry campus. Children participate in games and swimming during their normal timetable and are able to add one of the many additional options as part of the after school activity programme. 

The school is a member of the Abu Dhabi International Sports Association (ADISSA) leagues and we are told that last year 164 students participated in seven teams across the disciplines.  Repton also hosts an annual Emirati Boys Only Swimming Gala, swimming lessons for the public, Adissa Swim Galas, tennis lessons and tennis and football unified lessons for SEN students.  Many students participate in community sporting events, such as the Abu Dhabi Marathon.

The school currently offers over 180 Extra-curricular activities; some provided by Repton staff free of charge and others are paid for and provided by the school’s partners Gulf Star and IMI. 

Repton Abu Dhabi also offers international trips to Switzerland and other European countries and is currently considering further away locations, such as New Zealand, for sports, cultural and service initiatives.

As the school begins to grow its Secondary section from 2019, it intends to offer a full range of IGCSE’s, in addition to A Levels for Sixth Form. This diverges from the path taken by Repton Dubai, which offers the IB Diploma programme in Years 12 and 13. In Years 7-9, students are taught core subjects (Maths, English and Science) in ability groups and non-core subjects in mixed ability groups. At the end of Year 9, students, after participating in a full guidance programme, choose their IGCSE options and will follow these over a two year period. At the end of Year 11, (Grade 10), students who achieve a minimum of 6 passes at IGCSE at grade B or above will be invited to join the Sixth Form to follow the full A Level programme.

What about Academic Achievement?

Repton Abu Dhabi's 2021 I/GCSE cohort was among all students in the UAE who were unable to sit their examinations as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic and the first cohort of students at the school to take part in these public examinations. As a result, the exams were marked by teachers and leaders of the school, and awards were based on assessments and predicted grades.

A small cohort of 21 students were entered for 174 examinations and achieved a 100% pass rate for students in achieving 5 or more GCSE grades at 9-4’s (A*-C) including English and Mathematics. 34% of entries were awarded the highest Grade 9, whilst 44% of exam entries were awarded Grade 9-8 (A*), with 64% attaining the Grade 9-7’s (A*-A). 79% of entries were awarded A*-B whilst 98% of entries received an A*-C grade. 

Standout students included Omar Abu Drya who achieved 9/8’s, (A*) grades for all nine exam entries. His outstanding performance has attained him an academic scholarship at the Sixth Form for the 2021/2022 academic year at Repton Abu Dhabi. Marina Perez Martin has also been awarded an academic scholarship at the Sixth Form after achieving Grade 9/8’s (A*) and one grade 7 (A) across 8 subjects.

Liyan Al Ramahi also attained grade 9/8’s (A*) across all nine subjects for which she was entered, and Sami Youssef attained eight grade 9/8’s (A*) and one grade 7 (A).

What about facilities?

As would be expected with a brand new campus in an area under development, facilities are impressive. The school encompasses a total built up area of 25,000 sqm and houses state-of-the-art facilities including a six-lane 25-meter indoor swimming pool, two regular sized gymnasiums and one 40x20m Indoor Futsal Gymnasium as well as four shaded rooftop tennis courts. There is also a sky-court/dining area with capacity for 400+ students as well as a central library, in addition to the art centre, design and technology rooms, music halls, science laboratories and many educational learning spaces.

To find out more about the facilities read our Experience visit report.

The specific focus on STEAM subjects within the school means that the technology resources are particularly impressive.  These include a robotics lab equipped with drones, 3D printers, flight simulators, spherical robots and swivl devices among others.

What the inspectors say

The Repton Abu Dhabi Junior and Senior school was inspected by ADEK's inspectors for the first time in February 2019 and achieved the same Very Good rating as the Foundation section.  At the time of the inspection, the school was only open to Year 9 and was predominantly made up of approximately 450 Junior School students, with some 60 students in the Secondary section. 

Summarising the main outcomes of the inspection, the report notes that "The school opened in September and has almost trebled in size this academic year. The school has students in Years 2 to 9. Most students are additional language speakers in English and/or Arabic and have been learning to speak them for under a year. There is limited assessment data for the very small number of middle school students. Repton is an Apple Distinguished School in recognition of its use of digital learning."

Further, the inspection team commented: "The overall performance of the school is very good. Achievement is very good as a result of the very good teaching and curriculum quality in most subjects. Students’ independent learning skills and personal development are very good overall, and attitudes, behaviour and innovation skills are outstanding. Procedures for students’ health and safety and support for students with special educational needs (SEN) and those who are G&T are outstanding. Senior leaders have established an aspirational vision for students’ high achievement but achievement in Islamic education, Arabic and social studies is not yet as good as almost all other subjects."

It is doubtful that Repton Abu Dhabi's team could have hoped for a more positive report!  Five of the six Key Performance Standards were rated Very Good, whilst the Protection, Care, Guidance and Support of students was rated Outstanding.

In terms of the strengths of the school, the inspectors found these to be:

• Leaders’ have established high expectations and clear vision for student learning.
• Students make very good progress in most subjects, including English mathematics and science.
• Students have excellent attitudes and behavior, and creative and innovation skills.
• Robust and extremely thorough systems for health, safety and safeguarding provide high levels of care for students.
• The high quality academic and personal support and guidance for SEN and G&T students enable them to make very good progress.
• Excellent communication with and involvement of parents ensure they are fully informed about school events and their children’s learning and progress.

As has so often been the case in international curriculum schools in the UAE, it is the provision of the core Arabic-based subjects where improvement is required. Having said this, the vast majority of ratings for Arabic and Islamic Studies are rated Good, whilst only Social Studies achieved Acceptable ratings. 

The areas of improvement identified by the inspection team were:

• Raise further students’ attainment and progress in Islamic education, Arabic and UAE social studies by:
  - improving the quality of teaching in these subjects
  - establishing designated leadership for the subjects
  - developing a detailed action plan for improvement with measurable success targets based on students’ expected outcomes.
• Further improve the leadership of teaching and the curriculum by:
  - focusing monitoring of lessons on students’ learning outcomes
  - ensuring the analysis of assessment data informs improvements in teaching and the curriculum in all subjects, particularly in Arabic medium subjects and social studies.

There is no question that the initial inspection of the Junior and Senior School showed very positive results for Repton Abu Dhabi.  However, it will be interesting to see how well the school performs when its second inspection (due in 2020-21, but postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic) takes place.  At this point, Repton Abu Dhabi (Fry Campus) is likely to have a much larger student base in its Secondary school, and will also have a track record in terms of IGCSE (and potentially A Level) results. 

First indications, based on the 2021 results were positive, but based on small cohort and teacher-assessed rather than marked by examiners with students having sat the examinations, it will be interesting to see how the school and its students cope with a return to a more 'normal' exam routine.  

If you would like to read the full inspection report - and we strongly recommend that you do so in order to understand the reason behind the ratings - you can find it here.

The Buzz

WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has received a limited number of responses to our School Survey. Those parents who have shared their views, have rated the school overall with 3.7/5 or a positivity rating of 84%.

The majority of respondents tell us that their children enjoy going to school and have a strong sense of belonging.  Parents are, for the most part, fully satisfied with the academic performance of the school (some 74%) though 10% profess themselves dissatisfied.  30% of respondents feel that their children require additional tuition outside school.

Parents are largely satisfied with communication and feedback from the school, and with the school's disciplinary policy - the vast majority of parents have no concerns about bullying. Despite these largely positive views, however, only 69% of parents would recommend Repton Abu Dhabi to other parents - below the UAE average of 80% - whilst a resounding 26% parents would not recommend the school. 

We find the results in this latter context somewhat surprising.  We wonder whether the 26% who would not recommend the school to other parents, are the same 26% of respondents who felt that the school fees at Repton Abu Dhabi did not represent value for money.  

The requirement for online learning through a large part of 2020 and 2021 may well have contributed to this rather negative feedback.  With students having returned to in-class learning, it will be interesting to see if parents' views change in this regard.

If you are a parent, teacher or student at Repton Junior and Senior School Abu Dhabi, please share your experience and comments with other potential members of your community and complete our Survey here.

Our View

In terms of competitors, Repton Abu Dhabi still has a little catching up to do. Whilst the reputation of the Foundation School (now offering places for students from FS1 to Year 1 only) has grown following its ADEK inspection in 2015-16 and again in 2017-18, when it was rated Very Good, the Secondary section is still relatively new, and has not yet had any students graduate, although the first set of IGCSE results are encouraging.  The school is also inspected on an annual basis by Repton UK key staff who carry out Quality Assurance Visits (QAV) to ensure that standards are being maintained.

Obvious competitors include Cranleigh (located not far away on Saadiyat Island) who have already opened their Sixth Form, and also Brighton College,  both of which have recently been upgraded to Outstanding by ADEK. These schools also have strong and established relationships with the UK "Mother" schools.  Both offer UK A Levels at Sixth Form.

What about the fees?

Fees are currently AED 61,000 for all year groups from FS1 to Year 8, rising to AED 70,000 for years 9 - 11 and AED 74,000 for years 12 and 13.  These compare with favourably with Brighton College (whose fees are very similar), and are significantly lower than Cranleigh, whose fees range from AED 80,000 to AED 96,000 for the same year groups. 

This school is in a Best School by parents ranking

Repton (Fry Campus), Junior & Senior School, Abu Dhabi is a Best of school, a ranking determined by parent surveys on the site. It can be found in the following Best of rankings:

• #129 in Best Schools in the UAE
• #27 in Best Schools in Abu Dhabi
• #6 in Best IB Schools in Abu Dhabi

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