Amity International School logo

Amity International School

Curriculum
British
ADEK
Very Good
Location
Abu Dhabi
Fees
AED 47K - 66K

Amity International School

The Executive Summary

Amity International School Abu Dhabi is one of the more distinctive offerings among Al Bahyah schools, combining a full British curriculum - from EYFS through A Level and BTEC - with a genuinely unusual campus asset: a functioning boathouse with direct waterway access and sailing integrated into school life. Rated ADEK rating Very Good in the 2025 Irtiqa inspection (a rating it has now sustained across two consecutive cycles), Amity sits in the mid-to-upper tier of Abu Dhabi private schools. With school fees Abu Dhabi parents will pay ranging from AED 47,000 at Foundation Stage to AED 66,220 in the Sixth Form, it occupies a premium price band - but one that, on balance, is justified by the breadth of provision, the quality of the campus, and the strength of its pastoral and inclusion systems, which inspectors rated Outstanding. The school is operated by the Amity Education Group, which also runs Amity University in Dubai, giving Sixth Form students an unusual pathway to a mini-MBA experience. For families seeking a broad, confidence-building British education with strong community values and genuinely exceptional facilities in a relatively uncrowded part of Abu Dhabi, Amity is a compelling choice.
ADEK Very Good 2025Boathouse & SailingOutstanding Pastoral CareFS to Year 13

“Amity does a good job catering to individual needs. There are plenty of play-to-learn experiences for younger grades, and the extra-curricular activities are so many - the curriculum, the admin team, the branding. Very accommodating teachers who are not only brilliant academically but also teach children how to socialise.”

— Primary School Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Amity International School follows the British curriculum from Nursery through to Year 13, providing a coherent and internationally recognised academic pathway. Foundation Stage students follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, while Primary and Lower Secondary students (Years 1-9) follow the UK National Curriculum. Years 10 and 11 lead to IGCSE examinations, with the school offering a choice of 27 IGCSE courses - a broad slate that allows students to pursue both traditional academic and more creative pathways. The Sixth Form offers three distinct routes: A Levels (16 courses available), BTEC Level 3 Diplomas in Sport, ICT and Applied Science, or a hybrid combination of both - an unusual and pragmatic flexibility that acknowledges that not every able student is best served by a purely academic route. The school's educational philosophy centres on a growth mindset and an interdisciplinary approach, with a growing STEAM focus (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) embedded across the curriculum. Additional languages offered include French, German and Spanish alongside mandatory Arabic. Sixth Form students are further supported by the Amity Horizons Programme, a structured university preparation and personal development framework that includes an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and access to a mini-MBA at Amity University in Dubai - a genuinely differentiated offering in the Abu Dhabi market. On measured academic performance, the picture is strong in the lower and middle school but shows some softening at the senior level. The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection confirmed that students in Phases 1, 2 and 3 (KG through Year 9) achieve Very Good attainment and progress in English, mathematics and science. In Phase 4 (Years 10-13), attainment in English and mathematics declined to Good, while science regressed to Acceptable - a clear signal that the school needs to sharpen its upper-school academic rigour, particularly around extended writing, multi-step reasoning and inquiry-based science. In standardised GL assessments for AY2024/25, science attainment in Phase 2 was rated Outstanding and Very Good in Phase 3 - genuinely strong numbers. In PISA 2022, students scored 545.6 in reading, 551 in mathematics and 558.2 in science - all within the high proficiency benchmark and above school targets. TIMSS 2023 results placed Year 5 mathematics at 546 (above the international average of 503) and Year 9 mathematics at 522 (above the international average of 478). IGCSE results for 2023 showed 64% of grades at A*-A (9-7), a creditable result though the school has not yet published full cohort context or A Level data - a transparency gap that parents should press the school to address. Inclusion provision is robust: 140 students of determination are enrolled, and the identification and support systems for both SEN and Gifted and Talented students were rated Outstanding by ADEK inspectors.
64%
IGCSE grades A*-A (9-7)
2023 results - cohort size not published
558.2
PISA 2022 Science Score
High proficiency benchmark; above school target of 508
546
TIMSS 2023 Year 5 Maths
Above international average of 503
27
IGCSE Courses Offered
Broad subject choice at Year 10-11

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Amity International School's co-curricular programme is one of the broadest in the Al Bahyah area, and arguably its most distinctive selling point for families who believe that education extends well beyond the classroom. The school offers a wide range of after-school clubs and activities spanning competitive sport, performing arts, academic enrichment and community service - with the overall breadth of provision consistently highlighted by parents as a major strength. The school's most singular ECA offering is its sailing programme, delivered through a fully operational boathouse with direct waterway access - an asset that is genuinely unique among Abu Dhabi private schools. Accredited by the British Royal Yachting Association, the programme is open to both students and parents, embedding the school within the local community in an unusual and meaningful way. The waterway location also supports environmental education around marine ecosystems. Sport plays a central role in school life, with the school's own description emphasising that physical activity develops cooperation, leadership, resilience and positivity. Facilities support a full competitive sports programme including football on a full-size pitch with a 500m running track, basketball, tennis, netball, swimming (in a 50m Olympic pool and a separate learner pool), and 4G astroturf fields. A double-height sports hall provides year-round indoor capacity. Performing arts provision is extensive. The school has dedicated music rooms with a remarkable range of instruments - from Yamaha digital pianos and Kawai uprights to djembe drums, electric guitars and a full music technology Apple Mac suite with MIDI controllers. Drama is supported by a dedicated drama room and a black box theatre, with a 600-seat soundproofed auditorium hosting school productions. Dance benefits from a dedicated studio with spring flooring. Academic enrichment includes subject societies, school trips and visits to Amity University in Dubai. The school's student leadership infrastructure is broad: Pupil Council, House Captains, Eco-Ambassadors, Playground Buddies and peer mentoring roles all give students structured responsibility. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is available, providing a recognised framework for personal challenge and community engagement. A business enterprise group, sports newspaper and interactive IT club round out the academic enrichment offer.
500m
Running Track
Full-size football pitch plus athletics facilities
Royal Yachting Association AccreditedDuke of Edinburgh Award600-Seat Auditorium50m Olympic PoolBoathouse & Sailing

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is unambiguously the strongest dimension of the Amity International School offer, and the one area where ADEK inspectors awarded the school its highest rating. Protection, care, guidance and support were rated Outstanding across all four phases in the 2025 Irtiqa inspection - a consistent finding that has been maintained since the previous inspection in 2022. This is not a small achievement: Outstanding in pastoral care is the exception, not the norm, among Abu Dhabi private schools. Safeguarding at Amity is described by inspectors as exemplary, underpinned by comprehensive child-protection policies, rigorous procedures, well-trained staff and well-rehearsed emergency routines. The school premises and clinic are maintained to an exceptionally high standard, with clear protocols in place. This is the kind of institutional rigour that should give parents genuine confidence, not just reassurance. For students with additional learning needs, the identification and support systems are robust. The school operates a Hive Sensory Room and sensory circuits, and offers both in-class support and pull-out provision. Where a student requires a dedicated Learning Support Assistant, the school assists with recruitment - though parents should note that LSA costs (approximately AED 3,000 per month) are borne directly by families rather than included in school fees. The student well-being architecture includes a school counsellor, a house system with House Captains, Playground Buddies, Eco-Ambassadors and a functioning Pupil Council. Inspectors noted that relationships among students and staff are highly respectful and considerate, sustaining calm classrooms and a positive, inclusive ethos. Personal development was rated Very Good in Phases 1-3 and Good in Phase 4, with students displaying positive attitudes, self-discipline and a growing sense of responsibility. The school's careers education and personalised guidance for Sixth Form students were specifically commended for ensuring smooth transitions to students' preferred post-school pathways.

“Fantastic inclusion for children with additional needs. The teachers are very accommodating - not only brilliant in academics but also teach children how to socialise. Amity is building confident, kind, responsible and independent human beings.”

— Year 4 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Amity International School occupies a large, purpose-built campus in Al Bahyah, situated near Deerfields Mall on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway and set towards the coast, directly opposite an inlet to the main waterway. The location is well-connected for families living in the western Abu Dhabi corridor, including communities around Khalifa City, Al Reef and Al Bahyah itself - though families based in central Abu Dhabi island should factor in commute time. The campus is organised around a central quadrangle and teaching block, with the Foundation section housed in a dedicated wing. ADEK inspectors described the school premises as being of very high quality, with specialist facilities that provide full accessibility and resources well matched to curriculum requirements - and rated Management of staffing, facilities and resources as Outstanding. This is a campus that has clearly been built and maintained with serious investment. Key facilities include: three libraries (including a dedicated Arabic library), science laboratories, a Design and Technology Centre, an Art Auditorium, music rooms with acoustic practice rooms and a music technology suite, a drama room and black box theatre, a 600-seat soundproofed auditorium, a dedicated Sixth Form study centre and the Aloft Café. The Foundation section benefits from its own reception, colourful dining hall and age-appropriate outdoor play areas. A recently developed hydroponics facility reflects the school's sustainability focus. Sports facilities are among the most extensive of any school in the Al Bahyah area: a 50m Olympic swimming pool and separate learner pool, a full-size football pitch with a 500m running track, 4G astroturf pitches, basketball courts, outdoor tennis and netball courts, a double-height indoor sports hall, and a dance studio with spring flooring. The school's unique boathouse with direct waterway access - accredited by the British Royal Yachting Association - is the single most distinctive facility asset in the school's portfolio. Technology infrastructure includes Promethean interactive boards in all classrooms, a dedicated music technology Apple Mac suite, and a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy from Year 1 upwards - meaning no additional device charges for families, though parents should ensure their child has an appropriate device. The school does not yet offer audiobook or e-book facilities, which inspectors noted as an area for future development.
3
Libraries on Campus
Including dedicated Arabic library
Outstanding
ADEK Rating: Facilities & Resources
Management of staffing, facilities and resources - Irtiqa 2025
50m Olympic PoolBoathouse & Waterway AccessThree Libraries600-Seat AuditoriumHydroponics FacilityDesign & Technology Centre

Teaching & Learning Quality

The quality of teaching at Amity International School is strong across the majority of the school, but shows a meaningful differential between the lower and upper phases that parents of secondary-age children should weigh carefully. The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated teaching for effective learning as Very Good in Phases 1, 2 and 3 (KG through Year 9), while in Phase 4 (Years 10-13) it declined from Very Good to Good - a regression from the previous inspection cycle. Inspectors observed that in the lower phases, most teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge, plan engaging and well-structured lessons, and respond effectively to students' needs. The school employs approximately 98 teaching staff, the majority of whom are native English speakers qualified to deliver the UK curriculum. The largest proportion are UK-trained, with Irish, American, Canadian, Australian and South African teachers also represented. Arabic and French teachers are native speakers. The teacher-to-student ratio is approximately 1:12 in the lower school - a low figure that enables a more personalised approach to learning and support. Assessment practice is rated Very Good in Phases 1 and 2, but declined to Good in Phases 3 and 4. Inspectors noted that in the upper school, while assessment data is used to identify underachievement, feedback to students is not consistently applied and next steps are sometimes unclear. The monitoring of different student groups - particularly higher attainers - is not consistently rigorous enough to inform precise planning. This is a systemic issue that the school's leadership has acknowledged in its improvement targets. The school uses Granada Learning (GL) standardised assessments in Years 4-10 and participates in the ACER International Benchmark Tests (IBT) for Arabic. Professional development is described as a whole-school priority, with teachers receiving training on international benchmark assessments, formative assessment strategies and effective item design. However, inspectors noted that the impact of professional development on classroom practice is not yet consistently measurable - a gap the school has committed to address. The school's BYOD policy and Promethean board infrastructure support technology integration across phases, though the depth of pedagogical use of technology in Phase 4 lessons is an area where greater consistency is needed.
1:12
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Lower school; enables personalised support
98
Teaching Staff
Majority UK-trained, native English speakers
Very Good
Teaching Quality: Phases 1-3
ADEK Irtiqa 2025; Phase 4 rated Good

Leadership & Management

Amity International School is led by Dr. Sarah Wade, who took up the position of Executive Principal in late 2023. Dr. Wade joined from Amity's sister school in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, where she had served as principal since 2019. She brings significant international experience, including eight years in various senior roles at the Qatar Foundation - a background that gives her both Gulf-region credibility and a genuinely international perspective on school leadership. The previous principal, Mr. Adrian Frost, had led the school from 2018 and was widely credited with driving the school's improvement from Good to Very Good in ADEK ratings. The school is operated by Amity Education Group, which also manages Amity University in Dubai and a not-for-profit education foundation with over 170,000 students worldwide. This group structure provides Amity Abu Dhabi with access to broader academic resources, including the mini-MBA pathway at Amity University available to Sixth Form students - a genuine differentiator that reflects the group's university-level ambitions for its school-age students. The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa inspection rated the effectiveness of leadership as Very Good, noting that leaders sustain a clear vision aligned with UAE priorities, maintain a collaborative and inclusive culture, and hold teams accountable through structured performance management. School self-evaluation and improvement planning were also rated Very Good, with inspectors noting that processes draw accurately on internal and external assessments and incorporate stakeholder feedback. Governance was rated Very Good, ensuring compliance, strategic direction and accountability. Parent communication is managed through the school's online portal, direct email, and WhatsApp-enabled admissions contact. The school publishes a school calendar and maintains an active website. The admissions team is led by Ms. Naomie Etheridge, Director of Admissions, with dedicated contact lines for Foundation, Secondary and general enquiries. One area where inspectors called for improvement is in clarifying lines of accountability at all leadership levels, particularly to accelerate improvement in Phase 4 - suggesting that middle leadership in the upper school requires strengthening to translate the school's overall strategic direction into consistently high-quality classroom outcomes.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection of Amity International School, conducted in October 2025 and covering the academic year 2024/25, confirmed an overall rating of Very Good - the second-highest rating on the ADEK scale. This rating has been sustained since the previous inspection in 2022, representing a stable rather than improving trajectory. The school was previously rated Good, making the sustained Very Good a meaningful achievement, though the inspection data reveals important nuances that parents should understand. The headline story is a tale of two schools. In the lower and middle phases (KG, Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 - roughly FS1 through Year 9), Amity performs consistently well across almost all dimensions: achievement, teaching, assessment, curriculum and personal development are all rated Very Good or better. This is a strong, well-run primary and lower secondary school. In Phase 4 (Cycle 3 - Years 10-13), however, a pattern of regression is visible across multiple performance standards. Science attainment dropped from Good to Acceptable; English and mathematics attainment declined from Very Good to Good; teaching quality declined from Very Good to Good; and assessment quality remained at Good. This is not a crisis, but it is a clear signal that the upper school requires focused attention. Two areas stand out as genuinely Outstanding: Protection, care, guidance and support (rated Outstanding across all four phases) and Management of staffing, facilities and resources (also Outstanding). These are not peripheral ratings - they speak to the core safety and operational excellence of the school. The school's international benchmark performance is also a genuine strength: PISA 2022 scores placed students well above international averages in reading (545.6), mathematics (551) and science (558.2). TIMSS 2023 results in Years 5 and 9 mathematics and science similarly exceeded international benchmarks. Key recommendations from ADEK inspectors centre on four themes: raising achievement in Phase 4 across all subjects; strengthening the consistency of teaching and assessment across phases; improving leadership accountability at the middle-management level; and deepening alignment with international assessment frameworks. Parents of children in Years 10-13 should specifically ask the school what targeted interventions are in place for Phase 4 improvement.
Outstanding Pastoral Care & Safeguarding
Protection, care, guidance and support rated Outstanding across all four phases. Safeguarding is exemplary, with comprehensive policies, rigorous child-protection procedures and well-rehearsed emergency routines. The clinic operates efficiently with clear protocols.
Strong Lower School Achievement
Students in Phases 1, 2 and 3 achieve Very Good attainment and progress in English, mathematics and science. PISA 2022 scores and TIMSS 2023 results place students well above international benchmarks, reflecting genuine academic strength in the primary and lower secondary years.
Outstanding Facilities & Resource Management
Management of staffing, facilities and resources rated Outstanding. The campus is of very high quality, with specialist facilities providing full accessibility and resources well matched to curriculum requirements - among the best physical environments in Abu Dhabi's private school sector.
Phase 4 Academic Performance Regression

Achievement in English, mathematics and science declined in Years 10-13, with science dropping to Acceptable. Extended writing, multi-step reasoning and inquiry-based science require urgent strengthening. Teaching and assessment quality in Phase 4 also declined from Very Good to Good.

Consistency of Feedback and Differentiation

Inspectors found that feedback to students and assessment for learning are not consistently applied in lessons, particularly in Phases 3 and 4. Differentiation for higher-attaining students and monitoring of different student groups require greater rigour across the upper school.

Inspection History

2025
Very Good
2022
Very Good
2019
Good

Fees & Value for Money

Amity International School's school fees 2026 run from AED 47,000 at Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery) to AED 66,220 in Years 10-13, with a structured three-tier fee increase as students progress through Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form. The fee schedule is ADEK-approved for AY2025-2026 and is stated to remain valid for future academic years unless replaced by a later approved schedule. Fees are split across three terms: Term 1 receives the largest share (40%), with Terms 2 and 3 each receiving 30%. In the context of Abu Dhabi's private school landscape, Amity sits in the premium price band - above mid-market schools but below the top tier of Outstanding-rated international schools charging AED 80,000-100,000+. For families comparing Al Bahyah schools, Amity's fee level is broadly consistent with its ADEK Very Good rating and the quality of its campus and pastoral provision. The value proposition is strongest for families with children in the primary and lower secondary years, where the ADEK-rated Very Good teaching and the breadth of facilities and ECAs represent genuine value. For families with children in Years 10-13, the Phase 4 academic regression noted by ADEK inspectors is a factor that should be weighed against the fee level. Additional costs include transport (AED 5,000 per year), uniforms (AED 500-750 depending on year group), and exam fees for external qualifications - the school publishes a separate exam fee schedule for AY2025/26. Trips and catering are additional. Notably, there are no textbook or materials charges - the school operates a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy, meaning families need to provide an appropriate device but will not be billed for books or classroom materials. This is a meaningful saving relative to schools that charge AED 1,500-3,000+ annually for books. A need-based Bursary Programme is available for families who cannot meet the full fee. Applications are made through a Confidential Statement of Financial Circumstances, reviewed by the Director of Admissions and the Principal. Bursaries are subject to annual review. No merit-based scholarships are publicly advertised. Fees can be paid at the school cashier, via the online payment portal, or through the Skiply application or bank transfer.
AED 47K-66.2K
Annual Tuition Fees 2025-26
AED 0
Textbook & Materials Charge
PhaseAnnual Fee
Foundation Stage
47,000
Foundation Stage
48,360
Primary
51,270
Primary
51,270
Primary
55,280
Primary
55,280
Primary
55,280
Primary
55,280
Secondary
59,860
Secondary
59,860
Secondary
59,860
Secondary
66,220
Secondary
66,220
Sixth Form
66,220
Sixth Form
66,220

Additional Costs

School Bus / Transport5,000(annual)
Uniform (FS1-Year 6)500(annual)
Uniform (Year 7-Year 11)600(annual)
Uniform (Year 12-Year 13)750(annual)
External Examination FeesVariable(annual)
School Trips & CateringVariable(annual)
Learning Support Assistant (if required)3,000(monthly)
Textbooks & Materials0(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Need-Based Bursary

Scholarships & Bursaries

No merit-based scholarships are publicly advertised. A need-based Bursary Programme is available; contact Ms. Naomie Etheridge, Director of Admissions, at registrar@amityabudhabi.ae or +971 2 503 9003.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Amity International School is a well-established, genuinely well-resourced British curriculum school that offers one of the broadest and most distinctive educational experiences among Al Bahyah schools - and indeed across Abu Dhabi private schools more broadly. The combination of an ADEK 2026 Very Good rating, Outstanding pastoral care, exceptional facilities (including the unique boathouse and sailing programme), a strong lower-school academic track record, and a premium but not top-tier fee level makes it a compelling choice for the right family. The school's sweet spot is clearly the primary and lower secondary years. Families enrolling children from Nursery through Year 9 will find a warm, inclusive, confidence-building environment with strong teaching, excellent support systems and an unusually broad co-curricular offer. The school's sustainability ethos, community-minded values and international demographic - with 86 nationalities represented - make it particularly well-suited to globally mobile families seeking a school that reflects the world their children will inhabit. For families with children in Years 10-13, the picture is more nuanced. The Phase 4 academic regression identified in the 2025 Irtiqa inspection - declining attainment in English, mathematics and science, and weaknesses in extended writing and inquiry-based learning - means that academically ambitious families targeting top UK universities should probe the school carefully on its upper-school improvement plans before committing. The Sixth Form's A Level and BTEC flexibility is genuinely useful, and the Amity Horizons Programme and EPQ offer are strong, but the underlying academic data requires scrutiny. The school's transparency on exam results - partial at best - is an area where it needs to do better to earn the full confidence of discerning parents making a significant financial commitment.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families seeking a warm, internationally diverse British curriculum school with exceptional facilities, Outstanding pastoral care and a confidence-building ethos for children from Nursery through lower secondary. Globally mobile families who value community, breadth and a unique co-curricular offer including sailing will find Amity a genuinely distinctive choice.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Highly academically focused families targeting elite UK universities whose children are in Years 10-13, given the Phase 4 attainment regression identified by ADEK inspectors. Families based in central Abu Dhabi island who find the Al Bahyah commute prohibitive should also consider proximity carefully.

“

The facilities are extraordinary and the pastoral care is second to none. My children have grown in confidence every year. The sailing programme alone is something you simply cannot find anywhere else in Abu Dhabi.

— Year 7 Parent

Strengths

  • Outstanding ADEK rating for pastoral care and safeguarding across all phases
  • Unique boathouse and Royal Yachting Association-accredited sailing programme
  • Very Good attainment in English, maths and science through Year 9
  • PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 scores above international benchmarks
  • Exceptional campus facilities including 50m Olympic pool and 600-seat auditorium
  • No textbook or materials charges under BYOD policy
  • 27 IGCSE courses and flexible A Level/BTEC Sixth Form pathways
  • Need-based bursary programme available for eligible families

Areas for Improvement

  • Phase 4 (Years 10-13) academic attainment declined in 2025 inspection - science rated Acceptable
  • Limited transparency on A Level results and full IGCSE cohort data
  • Feedback and differentiation for higher-attaining students inconsistent in upper school
  • LSA costs (approx. AED 3,000/month) borne entirely by parents for students requiring dedicated support
  • Al Bahyah location may be a significant commute for families based on Abu Dhabi island