Cranleigh Abu Dhabi

What the school is

School partnership and campus plans

The Abu Dhabi and Surrey schools developed the partnership before the 2014 opening. Operations passed to Aldar Education in 2018 while the UK relationship continued. Cranleigh serves Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form phases. Published enrolment figures differ, so request current pupil numbers and class sizes for the relevant phase.

The cited June 2026 announcement describes an AED 385.8 million Prep and Senior campus project adjacent to the Pre-Prep site, scheduled for 2027–28. It gives a capacity of 2,178 pupils across the planned site. Ask which phases move when, and what happens if the schedule slips; planned capacity is a building figure, not a guide to current vacancies or class sizes.

Published facilities include a 650-seat auditorium, a black-box theatre, a 150-seat recital hall, three libraries, music facilities and dance and drama studios. The cited profiles describe activities continuing until approximately 5:30–6pm, with compulsory lessons, optional activities, extra charges and collection arrangements varying by age.

Academics in practice

Results, sixth-form choices and inspection findings

The reported 2025 IGCSE results include 23% of grades at 9, 49% at 9–7 and 96% at 9–4. Reported A-level A*–A shares were 44% in 2023, 42% in 2024 and 52% in 2025; the 2025 A*–C share was 92%. The cited review describes IGCSE cohorts above 100 and A-level cohorts of approximately 50, so a few pupils can move the A-level percentages by several points.

The school describes discussion-based Harkness teaching in sixth form, alongside the Extended Project Qualification, A-levels and BTECs. Subject combinations depend on the timetable and course entry requirements. The school’s recruitment materials include undated results percentages; the figures above use the cited review’s dated series instead.

The cited inspection lists record Outstanding overall ratings through 2025–26. The secondary summary of the 2025 report describes Acceptable Arabic First Language attainment in several phases and Good Islamic Education. The school also holds British Schools Overseas accreditation, which is separate from the ADEK inspection.

Admissions and cost

Tuition, grade-band changes and extra costs

The published 2026–27 tuition schedule lists AED 71,500 for Preschool (ages 3–4) to Year 1, AED 82,510 for Years 2–4, AED 88,010 for Years 5–9 and AED 105,980 for Years 10–13. Registration is 5% of annual tuition and is credited against the first term, so it should not be added again to annual spending. The fee policy lists re-registration on 1 May and term payments on 1 August, 1 December and 1 March.

The listed tuition rises by AED 17,970 between Year 9 and Year 10, approximately 20.4% at the cited rates. That is a grade-band difference, distinct from an annual fee increase. Uniform, food, transport, examinations and out-of-hours activities are additional; the cited bus charge is AED 4,740 annually from Year 2.

Published admissions reporting describes age-appropriate assessments, including play-based assessment in Foundation and formal assessment in later phases. It also mentions scholarship categories from Year 7, with eligibility, deadlines and award terms set by the school each year. Parent-review samples for the school are small and voluntary.

The family experience

Saadiyat life and the extended day

Journeys to Saadiyat can involve bridge crossings and school-run traffic, and bus routes and timings may change with the planned campus move. Ask whether drop-off and collection will be at the same site for children in different phases.