Amity English School, Dubai
British School in Al Qusais 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
British
Location
Dubai, Al Qusais 1
Fees
AED 24K - 31K
The Executive Summary
Amity English School Dubai is one of the most significant new entrants to the Al Qusais 1 schools landscape, having opened its doors in September 2024 under the banner of the globally recognised Amity Education Group. Amity English School follows the National Curriculum of England, delivering a full-through British education from Foundation Stage to Year 7 currently, with year groups being added annually up to Year 13 subject to KHDA approval. The school's central proposition is straightforward and genuinely differentiated for this part of Dubai: affordable British education backed by a group with over 30 years of academic experience and more than 200,000 students worldwide. With school fees Dubai parents are paying ranging from AED 19,200 to AED 23,250 per year (discounted 2025-26 rates), this is firmly mid-range territory - a striking contrast to the premium pricing of the group's sister UK curriculum school in Abu Dhabi. The KHDA rating is currently unavailable as the school has not yet been inspected, which is a material consideration for parents making a high-stakes decision. Transparency around outcomes, teacher qualifications, and student numbers remains limited at this early stage.
Affordable British CurriculumAmity Education GroupFS1 to Year 13 PathwayAl Qusais School Zone
See how Amity English School compares across all 105 British schools in our Best British Schools in Dubai 2026 guide.
“We chose Amity because the fees made British curriculum education accessible for our family, and the welcoming atmosphere on our tour gave us confidence. It feels like a community being built from the ground up.”
— Year 2 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Amity English School follows the National Curriculum of England, incorporating the EYFS framework for Foundation Stage learners and progressing through the standard Key Stage structure into secondary. The school's stated educational philosophy centres on fostering a growth mindset and embedding a positive, can-do attitude - language that reflects contemporary British pedagogical thinking around resilience and intrinsic motivation. The curriculum is described as personalised and adapted to meet the needs of an international student body in Dubai, which is appropriate given the diverse nationalities typical of schools in the Al Qusais area. The school's website highlights a broad curriculum encompassing arts, sciences, languages, physical education, and humanities, with cross-curricular topics and performing arts woven into the programme. Students are encouraged to participate in clubs, societies, publications, and intra- and inter-school competitions, suggesting an intention to provide a rounded academic experience beyond rote learning. Because the school only opened in September 2024 and currently runs from FS1 to Year 7, there are no GCSE, IGCSE, or A-Level results to report - a significant gap for parents evaluating long-term academic outcomes. The school's website references future provision through to Year 13, including IGCSE and International A-Level pathways, but these remain aspirational at this stage. The school has not yet been inspected by KHDA's DSIB, so there is no independent attainment or progress data available. Parents considering Amity English School for older children should factor in that the secondary programme is in its infancy, and exam results will not be available for several years. The school's value-based education model, which aims to develop responsible, adaptable, and resourceful global citizens, is philosophically coherent but unverified by external inspection. Academic support provision for students of determination, gifted and talented learners, and EAL students is referenced on the school's website in broad terms, with inclusion described as recognising every student's entitlement to a learning experience that respects diversity and removes barriers, though specific staffing or programme details are not publicly available.
FS1-Y7
Current Year Groups Offered
Expanding to Year 13 annually subject to KHDA approval
30+
Years of Group Academic Experience
Amity Education Group global track record
0
IGCSE/A-Level Results Available
School opened September 2024 - results years away
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Amity English School positions extracurricular engagement as a core pillar of its educational offer, not an afterthought. The school's website highlights sport, creativity, and community as three defining strands of student life. Under its Athletes in the Making programme, sport is described as playing an important role in the school community, with students developing cooperation and leadership skills, resilience, and positivity through physical activity. Sports facilities on campus include a swimming pool and a football field, which are meaningful assets for a school at this fee level. The school's Creators in the Making strand emphasises encouraging creativity, innovative thinking, and the capacity to challenge the existing paradigm - language that points toward design thinking, maker culture, and arts-based learning rather than purely academic enrichment. The school references clubs, societies, publications, and both intra- and inter-school competitions as part of its broader co-curricular programme. Performing arts, including drama and music, are referenced as part of the curriculum offer. However, the school is in its first two years of operation, and the full range and depth of its ECA programme has not yet been independently verified or catalogued in detail on the school's website. Parents should ask directly about the specific number of clubs, the frequency of activities, and whether ECAs are included in fees or charged separately. Given the school's early stage, the ECA programme is likely still being built out, which is both an honest limitation and a potential opportunity for families who want to help shape the culture of a new school community.
2
Core ECA Strands (Sport + Creativity)
Athletes in the Making and Creators in the Making programmes
Athletes in the MakingCreators in the MakingSwimming Pool On-SiteFootball FieldInter-School Competitions
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Amity English School articulates a clear pastoral philosophy on its website: teachers are described not merely as subject specialists but as pastoral guides whose role extends beyond knowledge transfer to fostering the skills, character attributes, and values necessary for success in the twenty-first century. This teacher-as-mentor model is consistent with good practice in British curriculum schools and suggests an intention to embed pastoral care within everyday classroom relationships rather than siloing it into a separate counselling function. The school's stated commitment to inclusive learning - recognising every student's entitlement to a learning experience that respects diversity, enables participation, removes barriers, and anticipates a variety of learning needs - provides a philosophical foundation for student welfare. However, the school has not yet published detailed information about its safeguarding policies, anti-bullying frameworks, counselling provision, or mental health support structures on its public-facing website. Given that the school opened in 2024 and has not yet been inspected by KHDA, independent verification of pastoral care quality is unavailable. Parents with children who have specific emotional, social, or learning support needs should request detailed information about the school's inclusion team, counselling resources, and referral pathways before enrolling. The school's value-based education model and emphasis on a growth mindset culture do suggest a positive and supportive ethos is intended, and the small, growing community may offer a more personalised environment than larger, more established schools in the area.
“The teachers really know my child by name and check in on how she is settling. For a new school, the personal attention has been genuinely impressive.”
— FS2 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Amity English School is located in the Al Qusais School Zone in Dubai, close to Al Mulla Plaza, making it accessible from the surrounding residential communities of Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, and Deira. The campus was purpose-built for the school's 2024 opening and is described by the school as offering a unique environment designed to engage inquisitive minds. Key facilities listed on the school's website include spacious, technology-enabled classrooms, a library, science and ICT labs, an indoor multi-purpose area, and a maker's room dedicated to design thinking and project-based learning. Foundation Stage classrooms are described as well-resourced spaces with access to outdoor areas, which is an important feature for early years learning in line with EYFS best practice. Sports facilities include a swimming pool and a football field - notable assets at this price point, where many comparable mid-range schools in Dubai do not offer on-site aquatic facilities. Creative studios are also referenced as part of the campus offer. The school's technology infrastructure includes smartboard-equipped classrooms, though specific details about device ratios or digital learning platforms are not publicly available. The campus is relatively new, which means facilities are in good condition, though the school has not yet had the opportunity to develop the depth of specialist spaces - such as dedicated performing arts theatres or extensive science laboratory suites - that more established schools offer. Parents relocating to the Al Qusais area will find the school's location convenient, with the area well-served by road links and public transport.
2024
Campus Opening Year
Purpose-built facility in Al Qusais School Zone
6+
Key Facility Types On Campus
Pool, labs, library, maker's room, sports field, classrooms
Swimming Pool On-SiteScience and ICT LabsMaker's RoomTechnology-Enabled ClassroomsFootball FieldOutdoor FS Play Areas
Teaching & Learning Quality
Amity English School describes its teaching team as passionate teachers experienced in using facilities and resources to support the very best outcomes for students. The school's website emphasises that teachers serve a dual function: as subject specialists and as pastoral guides who foster the skills, character attributes, and values necessary for twenty-first century success. This is an admirable framing, but it is important for parents to note that the school has not publicly disclosed specific information about teacher qualifications, nationalities, the proportion holding postgraduate degrees, or teacher-to-student ratios. The school has not been inspected by KHDA, so there is no independent assessment of teaching quality available. The school's pedagogical approach is described as personalised and inquiry-oriented, building an environment that promotes confidence and supports risk-taking and exploration - language consistent with a blended, student-centred teaching philosophy rather than a purely didactic model. The school's maker's room and project-based learning emphasis suggest an intention to use active, hands-on learning methodologies alongside more traditional instruction. Given the school's positioning as an affordable British curriculum option, it is reasonable to expect that the teaching team is internationally diverse, drawing from a range of nationalities with British curriculum experience. The new principal, Mr Samuel Holliday, brings experience from several Dubai schools including Safa British School, Kings School Nad Al Sheba, South View School, and PACE, which suggests a commitment to recruiting leadership with established UAE British curriculum expertise. Professional development culture and teacher retention data are not yet available for this school, which is a gap parents should probe during school visits.
N/A
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Not publicly disclosed - ask at admissions
N/A
% Teachers with Postgraduate Qualifications
Not publicly disclosed at time of review
2025
New Principal Appointed
Mr Samuel Holliday joined August 2025
Leadership & Management
Amity English School is owned and operated by Amity Education Group, an Indian-based organisation with a substantial global footprint supporting over 200,000 students across preschools, schools, and university campuses worldwide, with more than 120,000 alumni. In the UAE, the group operates Amity University in Dubai, CBSE curriculum schools in Dubai and Sharjah, and the British curriculum Amity International School in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai English school is the group's newest UAE venture and its first foray into affordable British curriculum schooling in Dubai. The school's current principal is Mr Samuel Holliday, who took up the role in August 2025. Mr Holliday is a long-standing UAE resident, having been in the country since 2013. His previous roles include Assistant Head Teacher at Safa British School and Kings School Nad Al Sheba, Primary Head Teacher at South View School, and Vice Principal at PACE. This is his first Principal position, which is a relevant consideration - he brings depth of UAE British curriculum experience but is building his leadership portfolio at Amity English School Dubai. The school was initially led by Dr. Booshra Foroodian, formerly of Amity International School Abu Dhabi. The school's vision is centred on fostering a growth mindset, embedding a value-based education model, and developing responsible, adaptable, and resourceful global citizens. Parent communication channels are not detailed on the school's website, though the admissions team is reachable by WhatsApp, email, and phone, with extended opening hours including Saturday mornings. The school's governance structure, as part of the Amity Education Group, benefits from the group's established operational and academic frameworks, though local governance details specific to the Dubai school are not publicly available.
Fees & Value for Money
Amity English School Dubai offers a British curriculum (UK 13-year pathway) for students from FS1 through Year 7. For the academic year 2025-2026, the school's KHDA-approved tuition fees range from AED 24,000 for Foundation Stage and Year 1 up to AED 31,000 for Year 7. Notably, the school is currently offering a discounted annual fee for AY 2025-2026, bringing fees down to between AED 19,200 and AED 24,800 depending on the year group — representing a significant saving of up to 25% off the approved rates.
AED 24,000
Annual Fees From
AED 31,000
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS1
AED 24,000FS2
AED 24,000Year 1
AED 24,000Year 2
AED 26,000Year 3
AED 26,000Year 4
AED 26,000Year 5
AED 28,000Year 6
AED 28,000Year 7
AED 31,000Tuition fees are payable across three terms, with Term 1 (September–December) carrying a slightly higher proportion of the annual fee. The school charges an application fee of AED 500 (non-refundable) for new students, plus a 10% non-refundable registration fee adjusted against tuition. Additional costs such as uniforms, transport, and activities run by external providers are charged separately and are not included in the tuition fees.
As a newer school founded in 2024, Amity English School positions itself as an accessible British curriculum option in Dubai, with fees sitting at the more affordable end of the market for UK-curriculum schools. Payments are due before the academic year begins and before each term, with bank transfer accepted as a payment method. Families are encouraged to contact the admissions team for full guidance on fee payment procedures.
Additional Costs
Application Fee500(one-time)
Registration Fee(one-time)
Uniform(annual)
Transport(annual)
External Activities / ECA(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Annual Discounted Fee20-25%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Amity English School Dubai is a school for families who want a British curriculum education at an accessible price point in the Al Qusais and surrounding areas of Dubai, and who are comfortable being early adopters of a new school still building its identity and track record. The school's backing from the established Amity Education Group, its purpose-built campus with genuine facilities including a swimming pool and science labs, and its experienced new principal in Mr Samuel Holliday all provide reasonable grounds for confidence. The discounted fees for 2025-26 represent exceptional value by Dubai standards for a British curriculum school. However, parents must be clear-eyed about what they are signing up for: there is no KHDA inspection rating, limited published data on teacher qualifications or student outcomes, and the secondary programme is still in development. For families with children in Foundation Stage or lower primary who are happy to grow with the school, this is a compelling option. For families with older children approaching GCSE or A-Level, the school is not yet a viable choice - the programme simply does not extend that far yet, and exam result data does not exist.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families in Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, or Deira seeking affordable British curriculum education for young children (FS1 to Year 7), who value a small, growing community and are comfortable with a school building its reputation rather than resting on an established one.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families requiring an independently inspected and rated school, parents of children in Year 8 and above (the programme does not yet exist), or families prioritising proven GCSE and A-Level results and a fully-established secondary provision.
“
We knew we were taking a small leap of faith with a new school, but the fees made it possible for us to access British education in Dubai, and so far the experience has exceeded our expectations.
— Year 3 Parent
Strengths
- Highly affordable British curriculum fees (AED 19,200-23,250 discounted 2025-26)
- Backed by established Amity Education Group with 30+ years experience
- Purpose-built campus with swimming pool and science labs
- Full-through school pathway planned to Year 13
- Experienced new principal with strong UAE British curriculum background
- Small, growing community offering personalised attention
- Accessible Al Qusais location with good transport links
Areas for Improvement
- No KHDA inspection rating - school has not yet been independently assessed
- Secondary programme only at Year 7 - no GCSE or A-Level provision yet
- Limited public transparency on teacher qualifications and student numbers
- No published scholarship, sibling discount, or bursary information
- Track record in Dubai is limited to one academic year of operation