Excel International School, Al Ain
British School in Al Falaj Hazzaa, Al Ain
Last updated
Curriculum
British
ADEK
Good
Location
Al Ain, Al Falaj Hazzaa
Fees
AED 19K - 30K
The Executive Summary
Excel International School Al Ain is one of the most compelling value propositions in Al Falaj Hazzaa - a genuinely affordable British curriculum school that has demonstrated real, measurable improvement in a short time. Opened in 2022 under the established AJ Group of Schools, it earned an ADEK rating Good in its 2024 inspection, having jumped from Acceptable in its very first inspection cycle - a trajectory that few newer schools achieve so quickly. School fees range from AED 18,760 to AED 30,210, placing it firmly at the accessible end of the Al Falaj Hazzaa schools market. With a current roll of just 377 students and an average class size of 23, the intimacy here is real: teachers know names, not numbers. The school delivers the UK National Curriculum through to Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and International A Levels, making it a genuine all-through option for families planning to remain in Al Ain through secondary. For budget-conscious families seeking a structured British education with strong pastoral values and a community feel, this is a school worth serious consideration.
ADEK Good 2024Acceptable to Good in one yearAED 18,760 entry feesAJ Group of SchoolsPearson Edexcel Centre
“The teachers genuinely know my child as an individual. At this price point, I honestly did not expect this level of personal attention and care.”
— Year 4 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Excel International School follows the UK National Curriculum, structured across the full K-12 pathway. In the Foundation Stage, the school adopts the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, emphasising learning through play and structured exploration. From Years 1 to 6, the school delivers the Cambridge Primary Curriculum - chosen specifically for its international context and its emphasis on active, inquiry-based learning - covering compulsory subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Art and Design, Physical Education (including swimming), and ICT. UAE Social Studies, Islamic Studies (for Muslim students), and Moral Science (for non-Muslim students) are also embedded, alongside compulsory Arabic and optional languages including French, Tagalog, and Urdu.
From Year 7 onwards, students build towards the Pearson Edexcel IGCSE in Years 10 and 11, with the school already recognised as an official Pearson Edexcel Exam Centre. Years 12 and 13 will follow the Pearson Edexcel International A Level programme, including AS examinations carrying UAE Ministry of Education equivalency. The school is also working towards affiliation with Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE).
In terms of assessed academic performance, the picture is encouraging. The 2024 ADEK Irtiqa inspection found attainment and progress in English at Good in both primary and secondary. Mathematics attainment reached Very Good in secondary, and Science attainment also reached Very Good in secondary - both notable achievements for a school where all students are English Language Learners. In standardised assessments, Phase 3 students achieved outstanding levels in the Granada Learning Progress Tests (GL-PT) for English, Mathematics, and Science in Fall 2023/24. Year 5 students who participated in TIMSS 2023 scored 536.95 in mathematics and 544.84 in science - both above international averages.
The school uses CAT4 assessments to understand student cognitive profiles, and the Clevertech online reading platform (Grades 1-5) provides personalised reading support. Reading instruction is structured around the Oxford Reading Tree and Big Cat schemes, with KWL charts and Bloom's Wheel used to develop critical comprehension. The library holds approximately 12,000 books in Arabic and English.
Honestly, the school's academic framework has real strengths at secondary level, but the ADEK inspection identified persistent weaknesses in the Foundation Stage and lower primary, where teaching quality remains at Acceptable, differentiation for students of determination and the most able is inconsistent, and critical thinking skills are underdeveloped. University destination data is not yet available given the school's recent establishment, with the first A Level cohort expected to graduate in 2027. Parents of high-ability primary-age children should probe the school on its Gifted and Talented provision before enrolling.
Very Good
Secondary Maths & Science Attainment
ADEK Irtiqa 2024 - above Good benchmark
536.95 / 544.84
TIMSS 2023 Scores (Maths / Science)
Above international averages; Year 5 cohort
Outstanding
GL Progress Test Results - Phase 3
English, Maths and Science, Fall AY2023/24
12,000
Library Books (Arabic & English)
Structured reading curriculum; Oxford Reading Tree scheme
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school of 377 students, Excel International School's extracurricular programme punches above its weight. The school operates 16+ Excel Clubs running within the school week, predominantly on Wednesdays, covering a range of interests from academic enrichment to creative and physical pursuits. Notably, the school runs an AI and Robotics Club - a forward-thinking addition that reflects the school's ambition to embed innovation skills, even if the ADEK inspection noted these skills are not yet consistently visible in classroom lessons.
The school has an active Pulse Forum (Student Council), which provides student voice and leadership experience. A Scouts programme operates alongside the clubs, offering structured character development and community service experience. Students from FS through to Year 9 participate in sustainability projects, including hydroponic planting, while older students support charitable initiatives in collaboration with the Red Crescent, selling items they have made and donating the proceeds.
In the performing arts and literacy space, the school runs a Book Publishing Club through which students author and illustrate their own books - a genuinely distinctive initiative that bridges reading, writing, and creative expression. The school hosts an annual Reading Month featuring competitions, events, and book fairs, as well as a KG Graduation and Annual Day Ceremony that brings the whole community together.
Sports facilities currently include a football field, basketball area, and an oval running track. A swimming pool is planned as part of the upcoming campus extension. The school is actively seeking to expand sporting competition opportunities, with the ADEK inspection noting that parents have expressed a desire for increased participation in regional sporting events - an area where the school's small size creates both intimacy and limitation. The Wednesday clubs structure means ECA participation is embedded into the school day rather than purely optional after-school, which benefits families with transport constraints.
16+
Excel Clubs on offer
Including AI & Robotics; Wednesday in-school schedule
AI and Robotics ClubScouts programmeRed Crescent charity workBook Publishing ClubHydroponic sustainability projects
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care at Excel International School is one of its clearest strengths - and one of the most compelling reasons to choose it over larger, more anonymous alternatives in Al Ain. The ADEK 2024 inspection rated Care and Support as Good across all phases, and the inspection team specifically noted that students are highly engaged, respectful, and maintain positive relationships with peers and staff. Attendance has reached Very Good levels - a direct result of targeted family engagement and the school's introduction of themed Fridays to incentivise attendance.
The school has appropriate safeguarding systems and child protection policies in place, rated Good by ADEK. Health and safety protocols are described as comprehensive. For students with additional learning needs, seven students are formally identified as students of determination, each with an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) reviewed termly. The school monitors additional students who may require support beyond this formal cohort.
Inclusion provision is growing: from the 2024-25 academic year, the school expanded its team to include a Head of Inclusion, two inclusion teachers, and bilingual learning support assistants - a meaningful structural investment for a school of this size. There are currently no additional fees charged for inclusion support.
Student leadership is fostered through the Pulse Forum (Student Council), which holds formal elections each academic year - a tradition the school has maintained since its founding. The investiture ceremony for student council leaders is a genuine community event. Given the small school size (average class of 23), students benefit from close relationships with teachers and phase coordinators, and the ADEK inspection confirmed that senior leadership is highly accessible to parents. The school's communication channels - including the Edunation App - keep parents informed about attendance, academic progress, and school events in real time.
One area to watch: the ADEK inspection noted that student reports do not yet formally record non-academic strengths and areas for development. Parents who value holistic reporting should raise this directly with the school.
“The school feels like a real community. My child knows every teacher by name and the teachers genuinely care about what happens outside the classroom too. That matters to us as a family.”
— Year 6 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Excel International School occupies a purpose-built campus on a plot of 10,800 sqm (over 116,000 sq ft) in the Al Falaj Hazzaa district of Al Ain, located on Al Sard Street. The building footprint covers 1,212 sqm on the ground floor and 1,245 sqm on the first floor, housing 24 classrooms across two levels. Specialist facilities include Science and Computer labs, a Discovery Forest - a nature-inspired learning environment for Key Stage 1 and 2 students - a canteen, and a clinic.
The school library is a well-organised, compact space housing approximately 12,000 books in both Arabic and English. While functional and well-stocked, the library's limited footprint prevents the creation of dedicated reading zones - a constraint the school acknowledges.
Sports facilities currently include a football field, basketball area, and an oval running track. Separate outdoor play areas are provided for Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 students versus older primary pupils - an important safety and developmental consideration. A swimming pool is not yet operational but is included in the planned campus extension.
Significantly, a 600 sqm extension project was scheduled to commence in June 2025, with completion targeted before the start of the 2026-27 academic year. This new building will incorporate additional classrooms, a multi-purpose hall and auditorium, activity rooms, a free-play area, and a swimming pool - facilities that will meaningfully upgrade the school's offering as it grows towards its full capacity of 636 students.
The campus location in Al Falaj Hazzaa provides good road access for families residing in the surrounding residential communities. The school operates a bus service covering the Al Ain area. For families commuting from central Al Ain or adjacent districts, journey times are generally manageable. The school's intimacy - small enough that students are never lost in a crowd - is arguably its strongest campus asset.
10,800 sqm
Campus Plot Size
Purpose-built; Al Falaj Hazzaa, Al Ain
24
Classrooms
13 ground floor, 11 first floor; specialist labs included
Purpose-built 10,800 sqm campusDiscovery Forest learning space600 sqm extension underwaySwimming pool planned 2026Science and Computer labs24 classrooms across 2 floors
Teaching & Learning Quality
Teaching quality at Excel International School has improved materially since its founding, and the ADEK 2024 inspection reflects this. Teaching for Effective Learning is rated Good in both primary (Cycle 1) and secondary (Cycle 2), having improved from Acceptable. The Foundation Stage remains at Acceptable - a persistent challenge that the school's leadership has explicitly acknowledged in its improvement planning.
The school employs 39 teachers, all holding a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and a Diploma in Education. Teacher nationalities are predominantly Indian, Egyptian, and Pakistani. The school also has 7 teaching assistants. The teacher-to-student ratio is approximately 1:10 - exceptionally low by UAE standards - and average class sizes sit at 23 students, with a maximum of 26. This staffing model creates genuine conditions for differentiated instruction, even if the ADEK inspection found that differentiation in practice remains inconsistent, particularly for students of determination and the most able.
Professional development is structured and linked to school priorities, with external trainers regularly brought in. The ADEK inspection noted that questioning techniques in secondary have improved as a direct result of professional development investment. However, the inspection also identified that personalised training - particularly in differentiated instruction and early years pedagogy - is not yet fully embedded. The school's use of Granada Learning Progress Test (GL-PT) data to adapt curriculum planning is a genuine strength: the ADEK inspection specifically cited this as evidence of data-informed leadership.
Assessment practice is rated Good in secondary but remains Acceptable in Foundation Stage and primary - a gap that parents of younger children should factor into their decision. The constructive feedback policy is inconsistently applied across the school, and the marking and feedback policy requires more consistent implementation. Teachers have access to rich assessment data (GL-PT, CAT4, IBT Arabic), but the challenge is translating that data into differentiated lesson planning - an area the school has been explicitly directed to improve by ADEK inspectors.
1:10
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Exceptionally low; strong individual attention
23
Average Class Size
Maximum 26; well below UAE average
Good
Teaching Quality - Primary & Secondary
ADEK Irtiqa 2024; improved from Acceptable
Leadership & Management
Excel International School is led by Principal Leonard Murphy, a highly experienced UAE educator holding a Master's degree in Education from the University of Johannesburg. His UAE track record includes serving as Principal and Academic Vice Principal at ADEK for four years, and as Principal of Arab Unity School in Dubai for three and a half years. He joined the AJ Group of Schools as a School Improvement Specialist in 2023 before assuming the role of Chief Academic Officer for the group and Principal of EIS - a trajectory that signals both personal investment in the school's growth and institutional confidence in his leadership.
Mr. Murphy is supported by a structured leadership team: Ms. Agnes Nathaniel as Head Teacher, Ms. Lourdes Joseph as Assistant Head Teacher and Phase Coordinator for Years 6-9, Ms. Reena Jacqueline as Phase Coordinator for Years 2-5, and Ms. Deborah Cunnea as Phase Coordinator for FS2 and Year 1. This layered phase leadership structure is appropriate for a growing all-through school.
The school is part of the AJ Group of Schools, founded 35 years ago by Mr. Mohammed Saif Al Reyami. The group also operates Al Ain Juniors School (British and Indian systems), Al Ain Juniors Nursery, English Garden Nursery, and House of Colours Nursery - giving EIS the benefit of an established educational ecosystem, shared resources, and institutional experience.
The ADEK 2024 inspection rated Leadership effectiveness as Good and Governance as Good, with governors described as holding school leaders accountable and ensuring adequate resource allocation. School self-evaluation and improvement planning remains at Acceptable - the inspection specifically noted that the Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) is descriptive rather than evaluative, and that SMART targets within the School Improvement Plan (SIP) need strengthening. Parent communication is strong: the Edunation App provides real-time access to attendance and academic data, and open house and parent consultation events are held each term. The ADEK inspection rated Parents and Community as Good, noting that parents feel welcomed, valued, and well-informed.
ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)
Excel International School's most recent ADEK Irtiqa inspection took place in January 2025 (covering AY2024/25) and returned an overall rating of Good - a significant step up from the Acceptable rating received in the school's inaugural inspection in early 2024. This one-band improvement in a single cycle is not common and reflects genuine, sustained effort from leadership and staff.
The headline story is attainment: Mathematics and Science in secondary reached Very Good attainment, while English attainment reached Good across primary and secondary. All three core subjects improved from their previous ratings. Personal and social development improved to Good across all phases, and attendance reached Very Good - a direct outcome of targeted family engagement strategies.
Teaching quality improved to Good in primary and secondary, though the Foundation Stage remains at Acceptable - a pattern consistent with many newer schools that are still building early years expertise. Assessment practice in secondary reached Good, while primary and FS remain at Acceptable. Curriculum design across all phases sits at Acceptable, though curriculum adaptation improved to Good in secondary.
The ADEK inspection's key recommendations centre on five themes: improving achievement in FS and primary through better differentiation; strengthening assessment practice and feedback consistency; sustaining TIMSS performance and preparing for PISA and PIRLS; improving curriculum implementation (particularly Arabic First Language contact hours, which are below MoE requirements); and strengthening leadership self-evaluation and the School Improvement Plan. These are substantive, not cosmetic, challenges - and parents should ask the school directly how each is being addressed in 2025-26.
Rapid Academic Improvement
The school improved from Acceptable to Good overall in a single inspection cycle, with secondary Maths and Science reaching Very Good attainment - a strong signal of effective leadership and teaching development.
Very Good Attendance & Student Wellbeing
Attendance reached Very Good levels across the school, with students described as highly engaged and respectful. Comprehensive safeguarding and health and safety systems are in place and rated Good.
Strong Parent Partnership
The ADEK inspection rated Parents and Community as Good, noting that parents feel welcomed, valued, and well-informed. Communication channels are effective and senior leadership is highly accessible.
Foundation Stage & Primary Differentiation
Teaching, assessment, and curriculum design in FS and lower primary remain at Acceptable. Differentiation for students of determination and the most able is inconsistent, and critical thinking skills are underdeveloped in younger year groups. This is the school's most significant improvement priority.
Curriculum Compliance & Self-Evaluation
Arabic as a First Language teaching time does not meet MoE requirements. The School Improvement Plan lacks SMART targets and the SEF remains descriptive rather than evaluative - limiting the school's ability to drive and measure strategic change.
Inspection History
2024
Acceptable
2025
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Excel International School (formerly Zakher Private School – British Division) offers a British curriculum education in Al Ain, with ADEK-approved tuition fees for the 2025–26 academic year ranging from AED 18,760 for Foundation Stage 2 and Year 1, up to AED 30,210 for Years 12 and 13. Fees are structured across clear phase bands, reflecting the increasing complexity and resources required at each stage of learning, from Early Years through to Post-16 A-Level preparation.
AED 18,760
Annual Fees From
AED 30,210
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS2
AED 18,760Year 1
AED 18,760Year 2
AED 20,630Year 3
AED 20,630Year 4
AED 22,690Year 5
AED 22,690Year 6
AED 22,690Year 7
AED 22,690Year 8
AED 24,960Year 9
AED 24,960Year 10
AED 27,460Year 11
AED 27,460Year 12
AED 30,210Year 13
AED 30,210As a Pearson Edexcel-registered centre, Excel International School provides students in Years 9–13 access to internationally recognised IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. The school's fee structure is competitively positioned within the British curriculum private school sector in Al Ain, offering families a pathway from Foundation Stage through to Post-16 education within a single institution. Uniform costs range from AED 400 to AED 525 depending on year group, and an optional school bus service is available at AED 5,000 per year.
Families are encouraged to contact the school administrator directly for queries regarding fees, payment plans, or any additional costs. The full ADEK-approved fee structure for 2025–26 is available to download from the school's official website.
Additional Costs
School Bus5,000(annual)
Uniform (FS2–Year 1)400(annual)
Uniform (Year 2–Year 3)400(annual)
Uniform (Year 4–Year 7)450(annual)
Uniform (Year 8–Year 11)500(annual)
Uniform (Year 12–Year 13)525(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Excel International School is a school in genuine ascent. In just three years of operation, it has moved from Acceptable to Good under ADEK's rigorous Irtiqa framework, built a structured leadership team, and established a British curriculum pathway from FS2 all the way to A Level. For families in the Al Falaj Hazzaa area - or those willing to commute within Al Ain - it offers something rare: a properly structured British education at fees that do not require a senior executive salary to sustain.
The school is not yet at the level of the most established British schools in the UAE. The Foundation Stage and lower primary teaching quality needs to improve, differentiation for the most able and students of determination is a work in progress, and the campus - while purpose-built and functional - is still growing into its full potential. The first A Level cohort will not graduate until 2027, so university destination data does not yet exist. These are honest limitations that parents deserve to know.
But the direction of travel is clear and the fundamentals are sound. Strong, experienced leadership. A committed and improving teaching team. An intimate school community where children are known as individuals. TIMSS scores above international averages. And a campus extension that will deliver a pool, auditorium, and additional classrooms before the 2026-27 school year. For the right family, this is an excellent choice.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families seeking an affordable, structured British curriculum education in Al Ain who value small class sizes, personal attention, and a tight-knit school community - particularly those with children in primary or secondary who do not require elite Gifted and Talented provision or specialist SEN support beyond mild additional learning needs.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families with children in Foundation Stage who prioritise outstanding early years teaching quality, or those whose children have complex special educational needs requiring specialist provision. Also not the best fit for families seeking an established track record of university placements or a premium campus experience comparable to higher-fee UAE schools.
“
We chose EIS because of the fees, but we stayed because of the community. Watching the school grow and improve year on year gives us real confidence in where it is heading.
— Year 8 Parent
Strengths
- Improved from Acceptable to Good in a single ADEK inspection cycle
- Exceptionally low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:10
- Among the most affordable British curriculum schools in Al Ain
- Secondary Maths and Science attainment rated Very Good by ADEK
- TIMSS 2023 scores above international averages in both subjects
- Very Good attendance - evidence of strong family engagement
- Full K-12 British pathway from FS2 to A Level on one campus
- Sibling discounts and 10-month payment plan ease financial planning
Areas for Improvement
- Foundation Stage teaching quality remains Acceptable - not yet Good
- No university destination data yet; first A Level cohort graduates 2027
- Arabic as a First Language contact hours below MoE requirements
- Campus facilities still growing - pool and auditorium not yet operational
- Differentiation for most able students and students of determination inconsistent
Campus
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