Al Shohub Private School, Abu Dhabi
British School in Abu Dhabi
Last updated
Curriculum
British
ADEK
Good
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 27K - 55K
The Executive Summary
Al Shohub Private School Abu Dhabi is a co-educational British curriculum school serving children from Nursery (FS1) through Year 6, situated in KHALIFA CITY and operated by Aldar Education, Abu Dhabi's largest private school group. Holding an ADEK rating Good following its June 2024 inspection - an improvement from its previous Acceptable rating - the school is in a genuine period of upward momentum. School fees Abu Dhabi parents will find compelling: at AED 27,840 to AED 33,420 annually, Al Shohub sits firmly in the mid-range bracket, making it one of the more accessible British-curriculum options among KHALIFA CITY schools. The appointment of Principal Ms Helen Morris in early 2024, a seasoned international educator with NPQH credentials and a track record at Outstanding-rated schools, signals that Aldar Education is serious about accelerating improvement here. The school's deliberate restructuring - discontinuing secondary and post-16 phases to focus exclusively on EYFS and Primary - is a bold strategic reset that, while disruptive in the short term, positions the campus to deliver a genuinely intimate primary experience with facilities that would be the envy of schools twice its size.
Aldar Education NetworkADEK Good Rating 2024AED 27,840 Entry FeesFS1 to Year 6 Only
“The school has a real family feel - the teachers know every child by name and the new leadership has brought a clear sense of direction that we hadn't felt before. My daughter looks forward to coming every day.”
— Year 3 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Shohub delivers the UK National Curriculum for England, adapted for the UAE context, alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for its youngest learners in FS1 and FS2. The curriculum spans Nursery through Year 6, covering core subjects including English, Mathematics and Science, complemented by Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies delivered in line with Ministry of Education requirements. The school's philosophy is explicit: blending the best of British education with the culture and heritage of the UAE to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience - and this dual identity is visible across timetabling, enrichment activities and the integration of national identity themes across all subjects.
Literacy is a declared priority. The school has embedded Accelerated Reading sessions directly into timetables, supported by structured Guided Reading to help every child reach their individual reading potential. The library holds over 13,000 books - approximately 9,000 in English and 4,000 in Arabic - and operates on a weekly class-visit schedule with additional open-access slots used up to three to four times per day. The Accelerated Reader platform and Granada Learning National Group Reading Test (GL NGRT) are used to track and benchmark reading comprehension progress across phases. The school has also integrated TIMSS and PIRLS-style questions into lesson planning to build familiarity with international assessment formats.
In the 2021 PIRLS assessment, Year 5 students scored 515, placing them at the intermediate international level and above the UAE average - though below their own target of 535. In the 2022 PISA assessment, results in reading literacy (451.8), mathematical literacy (426.8) and science literacy (442.8) were below international benchmarks, a candid finding the school acknowledges and is actively addressing through curriculum modifications and professional development. ADEK's 2024 Irtiqa inspection found attainment in English at Good in EYFS and Acceptable in primary, with progress rated Good across both phases. Mathematics mirrors this pattern: Good attainment in EYFS, Acceptable in primary, Good progress throughout. Science attainment is Acceptable in both phases, with science progress in EYFS dropping to Acceptable - the one area of clear concern.
From Year 2 upwards, the school operates a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, with platforms including Seesaw, EdPuzzle and Times Table Rock Stars embedded across subjects. FS1, FS2 and Year 1 students access centrally shared technology. Digital citizenship lessons are delivered regularly. Specialist teachers deliver Creative Arts - covering Art, Music and Drama - with collaborative projects linking specialist and class teacher instruction. All subject areas have undergone a thorough curriculum review under Ms Morris's leadership, with a strong focus on raising expectations and embedding more rigorous assessment-driven differentiation. Inclusion provision is structured across three waves: Wave 1 Quality First Teaching in class, Wave 2 termly catch-up interventions, and Wave 3 Individual Education Plans for those with more significant needs. The school reports that 99% of students are English Language Learners, with 40 currently requiring significant ELL support, assessed using the Bell Foundation framework. Students of determination represent over 6% of the school roll. University destinations are not applicable at this primary-only school.
515
PIRLS 2021 Reading Score (Year 5)
Above UAE average; below school target of 535
451.8
PISA 2022 Reading Literacy Score
Below OECD international benchmark
13,000+
Library Books
~9,000 English, ~4,000 Arabic
6%+
Students of Determination
Significant increase since previous inspection
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Al Shohub offers a range of free after-school clubs and activities spanning sports, academics and creative disciplines, supplemented by paid external providers offering specialist sessions such as gymnastics and tennis. The ECA programme is intentionally broad, recognising that participation in extracurricular activities supports leadership development, teamwork, communication, character building and academic performance - benefits the school articulates explicitly in its programme rationale.
Sports provision is a genuine strength, aided by the school's unusually well-resourced facilities for a primary campus: two swimming pools, a large gymnasium, tennis courts and netball courts provide the infrastructure for competitive and recreational sport. The school participated in the Aldar Education Festival of Football Finals, powered by Manchester City, fielding both boys' and girls' teams - evidence of inter-school competitive sport within the Aldar network. Sports Week is a regular fixture on the school calendar, celebrated with visible enthusiasm across the student community.
The performing arts are delivered through a dedicated Creative Arts specialist covering Art, Music and Drama, with collaborative projects linking specialist instruction to class teacher activities. This integrated model means creative arts are not siloed but reinforced across the curriculum. Cultural identity and UAE heritage are woven into enrichment events: the school celebrates occasions such as Garangao (Haq Al Laila) and Ramadan with community events that reflect its strong Emirati identity. A sustainability initiative - including plans for an on-campus farm with growing produce, a garden shop and small animals - represents one of the most distinctive enrichment programmes in KHALIFA CITY schools, blending science, entrepreneurship and environmental awareness for older primary students. Community service and social responsibility are embedded in the sustainability ethos, with children developing finance and management skills through the planned garden shop enterprise.
2
Swimming Pools on Campus
Exceptional for a primary-only school
Two Swimming PoolsOn-Campus Farm InitiativeAldar Football NetworkCreative Arts SpecialistUAE Heritage Events
Pastoral Care & Well-being
ADEK's 2024 Irtiqa inspection rated Health and Safety, including safeguarding, as Very Good across both EYFS and primary - the highest sub-rating the school received and a genuine point of distinction. The school's buildings are described by inspectors as spacious, modern and very well maintained, providing a very safe, hygienic and secure environment accessible for all children, students and staff. This is not incidental: a safe, well-ordered physical environment is the foundation of effective pastoral care, and Al Shohub's infrastructure delivers it.
The Inclusion Department provides a layered pastoral and academic support structure. A School Counsellor and Social Worker sit within the Inclusion Team, ensuring that emotional and social well-being needs are addressed alongside academic ones. Specialist facilities include a Sensory Room with lighting, bubble tube and fine motor boards; a Sensory Circuit with alerting, organisational and calming areas; a fully resourced Speech and Language Room; and an Occupational Therapy Room featuring a five-metre climbing wall, cocoon and platform swings - described by the Principal as among the best she has encountered in a UAE school. External Occupational Therapy and Speech therapists provide in-school sessions during the school day.
The school's small size - currently 542 students with a planned capacity of approximately 770 - is itself a pastoral asset. With class sizes averaging 25 students and a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:14, children receive a level of individual attention that larger Abu Dhabi schools struggle to replicate. The school operates a Wave 1/2/3 inclusion model ensuring that pastoral and learning support is calibrated to each child's needs. Anti-bullying frameworks and student voice mechanisms are embedded within the school's community ethos, with leadership encouraging a genuine atmosphere of inclusivity. Parent engagement is rated Good by ADEK, with the inspection team noting the school's success in encouraging parents to engage as partners in their children's learning.
“What stands out is how safe and settled my son feels. The teachers genuinely know him - his strengths, his worries - and the support from the inclusion team has been transformative for our family.”
— Year 2 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Shohub moved to its purpose-built campus in Khalifa City A in November 2013, located behind the local police station on the P.O. Box 31515 address. The campus was designed with child-centred learning environments at its core, and the school's decision to focus exclusively on EYFS and Primary from 2024-25 onwards has created an extraordinary situation: a primary school with secondary-grade facilities.
Key campus highlights include two swimming pools, a large gymnasium, tennis courts, netball courts, and extensive outdoor play areas that allow younger children to explore and learn through play. The school reports 9 specialist facility areas, including science laboratories - notably a full secondary science lab now reconfigured for primary use - a professional-grade kitchen with approximately 20 to 30 cooking stations, specialist art suites, music rooms, and an impressive auditorium. The library occupies a bright, spacious room equipped with comfortable seating, study desks, an interactive whiteboard, tablets and laptops, and a small independent study room. Reading corners exist in all Foundation Stage and primary classrooms.
Inclusion-specific facilities are particularly noteworthy: a Sensory Room, Sensory Circuit, Speech and Language Room, and an Occupational Therapy Room with a five-metre climbing wall and specialist swing equipment. These are facilities more commonly found in specialist settings, not mainstream primary schools. Outdoor areas were upgraded and redeveloped during 2024-25, and sports facilities have been improved. An on-campus farm is planned, adding a sustainability and life-skills dimension to the campus footprint.
Technology infrastructure includes centrally shared devices for FS1 to Year 1, and a BYOD policy from Year 2 upwards, supported by platforms such as Seesaw, EdPuzzle and Times Table Rock Stars. The campus is well-maintained and ADEK inspectors confirmed it is well resourced in terms of facilities and materials. For families in Khalifa City A and surrounding residential communities - including nearby areas well-served by Emirates Transport's school bus - the campus location offers convenient access without the commute demands of central Abu Dhabi schools.
9
Specialist Facility Areas
Including science labs, art suites and sports areas
13,000+
Library Books
With dedicated KS1 and upper primary reading areas
Purpose-Built 2013 CampusSecondary Science LabProfessional Kitchen 20+ StationsTwo Swimming PoolsOT Room with Climbing WallOn-Campus Farm Planned
Teaching & Learning Quality
ADEK's 2024 Irtiqa inspection rated Teaching for Effective Learning as Good across both EYFS and primary - an improvement from the previous cycle and a meaningful signal that the quality of classroom instruction is moving in the right direction. The inspection team identified strong subject knowledge as a standout characteristic: teachers across both phases demonstrate solid understanding of their subjects and of how students learn. This is consistent with the school's staffing profile: teachers are predominantly of UK and Irish nationality, British-trained and internationally experienced, with teaching assistants supporting all EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 classes and providing cross-year-group support from Year 3 upwards.
The teacher-to-student ratio is approximately 1:14, with class sizes capped at 25 in EYFS to Year 1 and 30 from Year 2 to Year 6, with current averages around 25 across the school. This is a genuinely favourable ratio by Abu Dhabi standards, enabling meaningful differentiation and individual attention. The school employs over 40 teachers and 10 teaching assistants, with a total staff headcount of 40 recorded at the time of the ADEK inspection.
However, ADEK's inspection was candid about inconsistencies. The quality of teaching is not yet uniform between English-medium and Arabic-medium subjects, particularly in EYFS and primary. Assessment information, while now analysed more rigorously under the new leadership, is not yet fully embedded to effectively differentiate learning - particularly for higher attainers, who inspectors noted are not always sufficiently challenged. Teacher talk time remains an area for reduction, and learning activities are not always initiated promptly. The school's professional development programme has been strengthened, with staff training focused on international assessment literacy (TIMSS, PIRLS, PISA), guided reading strategies, GL NGRT interpretation, Super Sonic Phonics and the Accelerated Reader platform. The new Principal has instated a clear action plan, and the appointment of new Heads of Inclusion and Ministry of Education subjects signals a deliberate investment in middle leadership capacity.
1:14
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Across the school; favourable by Abu Dhabi standards
40+
Teaching Staff
Predominantly UK/Irish nationality, British-trained
25
Average Class Size
Maximum 25 in EYFS-Y1; maximum 30 in Y2-Y6
Leadership & Management
The leadership story at Al Shohub is, frankly, the most important story of the school's current chapter. Ms Helen Morris joined as Principal in February 2024, bringing credentials that are difficult to overstate for a school of this size and fee point. She holds a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education, the UK's National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), and multiple Masters-level qualifications in Education, specialising as an Advanced Skills Teacher. Her UAE track record includes the principalship of Dubai's Outstanding-rated Horizon English School (2011-2015), a founding primary principal role at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park under Taaleem, and executive leadership of the Children's Garden bilingual KG/Primary operations with 900 students. Most recently, she led Aldar Education's Charter Schools programme, overseeing eleven K-12 US curriculum schools serving 15,500 Emirati students - a scale of operational experience that is directly relevant to Al Shohub's predominantly Emirati student body.
Aldar Education, the school's owner since 2022, is the largest private school operator in Abu Dhabi, educating over 37,000 students across more than 31 schools. Its backing provides Al Shohub with network resources, curriculum frameworks, IT infrastructure (including the Live Aldar parent portal for re-registration), and access to group-wide professional development. The Governing Body has been established as part of the post-acquisition restructuring, and ADEK rated Governance as Good in the 2024 inspection.
Parent communication operates through the Aldar Education digital ecosystem, with the Live Aldar account platform used for re-registration and routine updates. The school also provides three informal feedback processes per year, weekly teacher updates and an annual report. ADEK inspectors noted significant improvement in parent engagement under the new ownership and leadership, rating Parents and the Community as Good. The leadership's strategic direction is clear: consolidate as a high-quality EYFS-to-Year-6 primary school, accelerate attainment, strengthen middle leadership, and build the school's reputation as a genuine community hub in Khalifa City.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection took place in June 2024 (Academic Year 2023/24), resulting in an overall Good rating - a meaningful improvement from the Acceptable rating recorded in the 2021-22 inspection. This improvement is significant because it occurred during a period of considerable structural upheaval: the school changed ownership in 2022, appointed a new principal in early 2024, and simultaneously restructured from a full K-13 school to an EYFS-to-Year-6 primary, resulting in a 21.78% reduction in student numbers. That the school improved its overall rating under these conditions speaks to the quality of the new leadership and the resilience of the teaching staff.
The inspection framework assessed performance across six performance standards. Health and Safety, including safeguarding, achieved Very Good - the standout rating and the highest awarded to the school. Teaching and Assessment improved to Good across both phases. Leadership and Management improved from Acceptable to Good. Students' Personal and Social Development is rated Good overall, though Understanding of Islamic Values and Social Responsibility sub-domains remain at Acceptable in both phases.
The attainment picture is nuanced. English attainment is Good in EYFS and Acceptable in primary; Mathematics mirrors this. Science attainment is Acceptable in both phases. Arabic attainment is Acceptable in both phases - a regression from the previous inspection - while progress in Arabic remains Good. UAE Social Studies attainment in primary is Acceptable with Good progress. Islamic Education attainment is Acceptable in EYFS and Good in primary. The pattern is consistent: progress is generally Good across subjects, but attainment lags, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects and science. This gap between progress and attainment is the central challenge the school must address.
The rating history reveals a school that has oscillated: Good in 2015-16, Acceptable in 2017-18, Acceptable in 2021-22, and now Good again in 2023-24. The current trajectory is positive, but the school must demonstrate that this improvement is sustained and not cyclical.
Safeguarding & Health: Very Good
ADEK awarded Very Good for Health and Safety including child protection across both EYFS and primary - the highest rating in the inspection and a genuine institutional strength. Buildings are spacious, modern, well-maintained and fully accessible.
Student Progress: Consistently Good
Students make good progress across both phases and across Arabic and English-medium subjects. Progress in English, Mathematics, Arabic and Islamic Education is rated Good in both EYFS and primary, demonstrating effective teaching that moves children forward from their individual starting points.
Leadership Trajectory: Improved to Good
Leadership and Management improved from Acceptable to Good, reflecting the impact of new ownership, a new principal and a restructured senior team. ADEK noted effective direction shared and understood across the school community, with improved accountability systems and school improvement planning.
Attainment Gap in Arabic-Medium Subjects
Attainment in Arabic, UAE Social Studies and Islamic Education (EYFS) is rated Acceptable despite Good progress - indicating students are moving forward but starting from a low base. ADEK specifically recommends raising attainment in Arabic-medium subjects and improving phonemic awareness in FS and extended writing across genres.
Differentiation for Higher Attainers
Assessment data is not yet fully embedded to challenge higher attainers effectively. ADEK recommends personalising learning strategies more effectively for gifted and talented students, reducing teacher talk time, and modifying the curriculum to extend learning for all identified groups including students of determination.
Inspection History
2015-16
Good
2017-18
Acceptable
2021-22
Acceptable
2023-24
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Al Shohub Private School offers a British curriculum education in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, with tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year ranging from AED 27,840 for Foundation Stage and early primary years up to AED 54,580 for Year 13. Fees are structured to reflect the progression through school phases, with Foundation Stage and Years 1 through 7 at one tier, Years 8–10 at a mid-range tier, and Years 11–13 at the highest tier, reflecting the additional resources and specialist teaching required at post-16 level.
AED 27,840
Annual Fees From
AED 54,580
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Preschool (Ages 3-4)
AED 27,840FS2
AED 27,840Year 1
AED 27,840Year 2
AED 33,420Year 3
AED 33,420Year 4
AED 33,420Year 5
AED 33,420Year 6
AED 33,420Year 7
AED 33,420Year 8
AED 44,560Year 9
AED 44,560Year 10
AED 44,560Year 11
AED 49,020Year 12
AED 49,020Year 13
AED 54,580Tuition fees are payable in three termly instalments, split approximately 40/30/30 across Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3, with due dates of 1st August, 1st December, and 1st March respectively. Payments are accepted by bank transfer, cheque, or payment link; cash payments are not accepted. A registration fee is payable immediately upon offer acceptance, and a re-registration fee is due by 1st May each year — both are deductible from the total annual tuition fee.
In addition to tuition, families should budget for transport (bus) fees of AED 5,000 per year if required. The school does not list separate charges for books or uniforms in its ADEK-published fee schedule. Al Shohub Private School is regulated by ADEK, and any fee changes during the academic year are subject to ADEK approval, providing families with confidence in fee transparency and governance.
Additional Costs
Registration Fee1,500(one-time)
Registration Fee1,000(one-time)
Re-Registration Fee1,500(annual)
Bus (Transport)5,000(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Shohub Private School is a school in genuine, evidenced transition. Under Aldar Education's ownership and with Ms Helen Morris at the helm, it has moved from Acceptable to Good in its ADEK Irtiqa rating, invested meaningfully in leadership, inclusion and facilities, and articulated a clear strategic identity as a community-focused, British-curriculum primary school with an unusually strong UAE cultural dimension. The fee point - AED 27,840 to AED 33,420 - makes it one of the most accessible British curriculum options in Khalifa City, and the facilities it offers at that price point are, frankly, extraordinary: two swimming pools, a secondary-grade science lab, a professional kitchen, a fully equipped OT room, and a planned on-campus farm.
The honest caveat is that this is still a school building towards its potential rather than one operating at it. Attainment in Arabic-medium subjects and science remains Acceptable. Differentiation for higher attainers needs strengthening. The school has undergone significant structural change - losing its secondary and post-16 phases - and the resulting instability in staffing and student numbers is still working through the system. Parents choosing Al Shohub in 2026 are, in effect, investing in a trajectory rather than a finished product. For the right family, that is an entirely reasonable and potentially very rewarding choice. For families who need a school that is already consistently delivering Outstanding or Very Good academic outcomes, the search should continue elsewhere in Abu Dhabi's private school landscape.
For Abu Dhabi education families seeking a nurturing, community-oriented British primary school with genuine Emirati cultural roots, strong pastoral care, exceptional facilities for the fee level, and the security of Aldar Education's network behind it, Al Shohub is a compelling option in 2026.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families with children aged 3-11 seeking an affordable British curriculum primary school in Khalifa City with strong pastoral care, excellent facilities, a genuine UAE cultural identity, and the backing of Aldar Education's network - particularly those with Emirati children or families valuing a tight-knit community feel over prestige brand recognition.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families requiring consistently high attainment in Arabic-medium subjects or science, those seeking a school with a long track record of Outstanding ADEK ratings, or parents whose children need significant secondary-level academic preparation - Al Shohub currently offers no pathway beyond Year 6.
“
We chose Al Shohub because of the fees and the location, but what kept us is the community. The school genuinely feels like it is going somewhere, and the new principal has made a real difference to the atmosphere.
— Year 4 Parent
Strengths
- Exceptional facilities for the fee level: two pools, secondary science lab, professional kitchen
- ADEK improved from Acceptable to Good in 2024 - clear upward trajectory
- Highly credentialled principal with NPQH and Outstanding-school track record
- Aldar Education network backing provides resources, IT and governance support
- Safeguarding and health rated Very Good - highest sub-rating in inspection
- Favourable 1:14 teacher-to-student ratio with small average class sizes of 25
- Mid-range fees (AED 27,840-33,420) among lowest for British curriculum in Khalifa City
- Outstanding inclusion facilities including OT room, sensory circuit and speech therapy
Areas for Improvement
- Attainment in Arabic, science and UAE Social Studies remains Acceptable - below Good
- PISA 2022 scores below international benchmarks in all three domains
- School offers no pathway beyond Year 6 - families must transition at Year 7
- Differentiation for higher attainers identified by ADEK as needing significant improvement
- Structural instability from ownership change and phase restructuring still working through system