Harrow Abu Dhabi: A Glimpse Inside the Prestigious British School Set to Open in 2027

Harrow Abu Dhabi, a new branch of the renowned British institution, is poised to open its doors in August 2027, aiming to attract families within the UAE and the wider Gulf region who might otherwise seek overseas education for their children. The school's founding headmaster, Adrian Frost, emphasized the school's 450-year heritage, drawing a parallel to acquiring a Rolls-Royce abroad – certain adaptations would be made for the local context, but the core philosophy would remain intact. "You could buy a Rolls-Royce in the UK, and you can buy a Rolls-Royce here, and you'll notice that there are certain differences," Frost explained to The National. "It's a different regulator. It's a different location. It's quite plausibly a different demographic that will be interested in the school, but yeah, the ethos and culture is very, very much the same."

For parents, this translates into an enriched school day featuring extracurricular activities, communal mealtimes, and supervised homework sessions, with a strong focus on reading and handwriting, and a reduced emphasis on screen time. Boarding options will be introduced after the school's initial year. Culinary arrangements on campus will be strictly regulated, prohibiting pupils from bringing packed lunches from home. The school will feature several dining halls offering a variety of nutritious meals and snacks, alongside lessons in proper dining etiquette and table manners.

Frost described the educational offering as unique to Abu Dhabi. The Saadiyat Island campus will initially cater to students from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6, with boarding facilities planned for a later phase. The exact opening date and fees for accommodation are yet to be confirmed, with Frost noting that the boarding aspect is several years away. The school was initially slated to open this year but was delayed due to operational constraints on Saadiyat Island, including infrastructure and regulatory approvals. These issues have since been resolved, and construction is progressing, with the building reaching its final floor and moving towards interior fittings.

The Abu Dhabi campus is designed to be approximately 30% larger than its Dubai counterpart, which opened earlier this year. Frost hopes that the school will serve as an alternative for families in the UAE and the Gulf who traditionally send their children abroad for boarding. Drawing from his own boarding school experience, he aims to replicate the supportive environment he witnessed for children from countries like Jordan and Bahrain. "There are parents who want boarding. I hope that they will look to us as an alternative option," he stated.

The school's location on Saadiyat Island, near cultural landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim museums, and New York University Abu Dhabi, is seen as a significant draw, particularly for a school prioritizing music and performing arts. "That location is not just an address, it’s a teaching resource," Frost remarked. His prior experience includes serving as vice-principal at Brighton College Abu Dhabi and establishing a boarding school in Portugal. Work is ongoing with regulators, the school operator Taaleem, and Harrow to finalize boarding policies, aiming to align with the standards of the Boarding Schools’ Association.

Frost cautioned that boarding is not suitable for every child, acknowledging individual differences. Annual fees are projected to range from Dh80,000 for FS1 to Dh106,000 for Year 6. Unlike some institutions, Harrow intends to include sports, performing arts, and other activities within these premium fees, though arrangements with external providers are still being finalized. The extended school day will encompass activities, meals, lessons, and supervised homework, referred to as 'prep'. Teachers will be addressed as 'beaks', in keeping with Harrow tradition. The Dubai school currently offers around 96 clubs and activities for its 400 pupils. Boarding will incur an additional charge in Abu Dhabi, the specifics of which are yet to be determined, with the aim of remaining competitive in the market. British families constitute a significant portion of the intake at the Dubai school.