Inside Dubai's New Harrow International School Ahead of Grand Opening

The head of Dubai's new Harrow super premium school has pledged to bring the ethos of the renowned UK institution to the Emirates as it prepares to open its doors for the start of the academic year. Harrow International School Dubai will welcome 400 pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 6 on Monday after overcoming the challenges of the Iran conflict to open on schedule.

Executive headmaster Simon O’Connor said the vast site reflects the school's ambition. The five-hectare campus includes science laboratories, a two-storey dining hall, a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool, grass rugby pitches and an auditorium. Operated by UAE education group Taaleem, the Dubai campus sits on a 50,000 square metre plot in Jumeirah Village Circle and is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 students at full capacity.

Mr O'Connor previously stated that not a single day of construction work was missed despite grappling with supply chain disruptions, teachers changing their minds, and families opting to defer due to regional conflicts. His goal is now to instil the centuries-old traditions and values of Harrow, which was founded in 1572 under a royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I in London. Tuition fees for the class of 2026-27 will range from Dh80,000 to Dh106,000, rising to Dh128,000 for Year 13 pupils.

Harrow is one of several prestigious UK schools expanding into the UAE, joining institutions like Queen Elizabeth's School Dubai and Rugby School Dubai. Meanwhile, the Gems School of Research and Innovation in Dubai Sports City is also ready for its academic year, with incoming principal Richard Jones emphasizing individualised learning to prepare students for a competitive job market shaped by AI.