Horizon English School Town Square logo

Horizon English School Town Square

Curriculum
British
Location
Dubai, Old Town
Fees
AED 49K - 68K

Horizon English School Town Square

The Executive Summary

Horizon English School Town Square is Dubai's most anticipated new school opening, scheduled for August 2027 pending KHDA approval. Backed by the Cognita global education group and drawing on 35 years of Horizon brand heritage, this all-through British curriculum Dubai school will serve children aged 3 to 18 across FS1 to Year 13 - making it one of the very few genuinely all-through options among Old Town schools and the wider southern Dubai corridor. The school enters the market without a KHDA rating of its own, but its sister campus, Horizon English School Jumeirah, holds an Outstanding KHDA rating - a significant reputational anchor that will shape parent expectations from day one. School fees Dubai families should note that the only published fee data point is AED 68,000 for Year 9, per the KHDA directory, with a full fee schedule not yet publicly available. For families in Town Square, Dubailand, and the surrounding southern communities, this school represents a genuinely compelling proposition - provided they are comfortable being part of a founding cohort in a school that has not yet opened its doors.
Opening August 2027Cognita-BackedOutstanding Sister SchoolAll-Through FS1 to Year 1335 Years Horizon Heritage

We have been waiting for a quality British curriculum school within walking distance of Town Square for years. The Horizon name and the Cognita backing give us real confidence - we signed up as founding families without hesitation.

Founding Family, Town Square Resident(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

The academic backbone of Horizon English School Town Square is the National Curriculum for England, delivered across all phases from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to post-16 qualifications. This is a familiar and well-structured framework for British-trained families and those seeking internationally portable credentials, and it is the same curriculum that underpins the Jumeirah campus's Outstanding-rated performance. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, the school's published philosophy centres on high-quality play, hands-on exploration, and purpose-built environments designed to foster curiosity and independence. This is not a drill-and-practise nursery - the school explicitly frames early learning as adventure-led, which will appeal to parents who want their youngest children to develop intrinsic motivation rather than rote compliance. The Primary phase (Years 1 to 6) builds on those foundations with a broad curriculum. Years 1 and 2 focus on reading, writing, and mathematics fundamentals, while Years 3 to 6 introduce specialist-taught subjects including Arabic, Islamic Education (for Muslim students), French, Art and Design, Music, Computing, PE, and Swimming. The inclusion of French and Arabic as specialist subjects from Year 3 is a meaningful differentiator in the Town Square market, where many competing schools offer Arabic only as a compliance subject. The Senior School curriculum (Years 7 to 11) follows a conventional British pathway. Years 7 and 8 provide broad discovery across English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, MSC (Moral, Social and Cultural Studies), History, Geography, Design Technology, Drama, Art, Computing, and PE. Years 9 to 11 narrow into GCSE examination preparation, with a wide range of subject options allowing students to tailor their programme. The school's stated approach combines high academic expectations with strong pastoral support - a balance that, if delivered, mirrors the best of British independent school practice. The Sixth Form is a genuine three-pathway model: an academic pathway (A Levels), a professional pathway (BTECs equivalent to 3 A Levels), and a hybrid pathway combining both. This flexibility is rare among Dubai British schools, most of which offer A Levels only, and it meaningfully widens the school's appeal to students heading toward vocational, creative, or entrepreneurial careers rather than traditional university routes. Because the school has not yet opened, there are no published GCSE results, A Level outcomes, or university destination data to assess. Parents should weigh the Jumeirah campus's track record as a proxy, while understanding that a new campus with a new student body will take several years to generate its own performance data. Academic support provision - including SEN, Gifted and Talented, and EAL - has been referenced in the school's ethos materials but specific staffing ratios and structured programmes have not yet been published.
FS1 - Year 13
Full All-Through Year Range
One of few all-through British schools in southern Dubai
3 Pathways
Sixth Form Options
A Levels, BTECs, or hybrid - rare flexibility in Dubai
Year 3+
French Introduced as Specialist Subject
Alongside Arabic and Islamic Education

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

As a school that has not yet opened, Horizon English School Town Square has not published a confirmed extracurricular programme. What the school has communicated is its enrichment philosophy: that learning extends well beyond the classroom through trips, performances, leadership initiatives, and service projects embedded across all phases. The curriculum pages reference enrichment opportunities including educational trips, school performances, leadership programmes, and community service as integral parts of the Primary experience - not optional add-ons. This framing suggests an ECA culture modelled on the Jumeirah campus's approach, where co-curricular participation is expected rather than merely available. In the Senior School, the school's stated ambition is for students to take initiative, contribute to the community, and develop confidence through structured leadership and service opportunities. The Sixth Form explicitly references personal growth and community contribution as pillars alongside academic achievement, suggesting programmes analogous to those found at the Jumeirah campus - which has established sport, performing arts, and enrichment traditions over 35 years. Parents should note that the specific ECA timetable, the number of clubs, competitive sports fixtures, drama productions, and any affiliation with programmes such as Duke of Edinburgh will only be confirmed closer to or after the August 2027 opening. The Cognita network's resources and the Horizon brand's established co-curricular culture provide reasonable grounds for optimism, but founding families are making a commitment based on stated intent rather than demonstrated delivery at this specific campus.
2027
ECA Programme Launch Year
Full programme to be confirmed at opening
Enrichment-Led PhilosophyLeadership from PrimaryCommunity Service EmbeddedThree Sixth Form PathwaysCognita Network Resources

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care sits at the explicit centre of Horizon English School Town Square's stated identity. The school's founding narrative - repeated consistently across its website and communications - is that belonging, care, and connection are not aspirational values but operational commitments. Principal Nick Hart has articulated this publicly: his belief is that great education is high academic achievement rooted in a feeling of belonging. This is not a throwaway mission statement; it reflects a genuine pedagogical position that wellbeing and attainment are mutually reinforcing rather than competing priorities. The school's approach to student welfare draws on Horizon's 35-year heritage and Cognita's group-wide safeguarding frameworks. Cognita operates schools across multiple countries and maintains standardised child protection, safeguarding, and wellbeing protocols across its network - giving parents a degree of assurance that pastoral systems will be robust from day one, even before the school has built its own inspection track record. Specific pastoral structures - including any house system, tutor group configuration, counselling provision, anti-bullying frameworks, and student voice mechanisms - have not been published as of the time of writing. The school has, however, referenced its Parent Experience Centre as a space where families can engage with the team and understand the community being built ahead of opening. This proactive family engagement during the pre-opening phase is itself a pastoral signal: schools that invest in belonging before they open tend to maintain that culture once they do. The KHDA's wellbeing and inclusion ratings for this campus are listed as pending, as the school has not yet been inspected. Parents who prioritise detailed, independently verified pastoral data should factor this into their decision.

Meeting the team at the Parent Experience Centre felt genuinely warm - not a sales pitch. You could tell they actually care about building a community, not just filling seats.

Prospective Parent, Town Square(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Horizon English School Town Square is being constructed as a purpose-built campus within the Nshama-developed Town Square master community in southern Dubai. The groundbreaking ceremony between Cognita and Nshama has taken place, confirming the campus is under active construction ahead of the planned August 2027 opening. The school's homepage describes the facility as offering world-class facilities designed to give every student the space, opportunities, and support to thrive. Specific facility details - including campus size, number of science laboratories, library specification, auditorium capacity, swimming pool provision, sports fields, art studios, music rooms, and technology infrastructure - have not been published on the school's website as of the time of writing. The facilities page returns a 404 error, indicating this information is still being prepared. What is confirmed is that the campus is described as purpose-built, suggesting it has been designed from the ground up for educational use rather than adapted from commercial or residential space. The school references purpose-built spaces in the Early Years specifically, designed to encourage collaboration, creativity, and independent exploration - a meaningful commitment given that Early Years environments have a significant impact on developmental outcomes. The campus is located within Town Square, one of Dubai's fastest-growing family communities, positioned in the Dubailand area. This location places the school within walking or short driving distance for residents of Town Square, Serena, Villanova, and surrounding communities - a significant logistical advantage for families in these areas who currently face long commutes to established British curriculum schools in Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, or Nad Al Sheba. The campus location in the heart of a pedestrian-friendly master community is a genuine differentiator. Parents visiting ahead of opening can access the Parent Experience Centre at Shop 19, Warda 1 Building, Town Square, where campus plans are available for viewing. This is the most reliable way to assess the facility specification before the school opens.
2027
Campus Opening Year
Purpose-built, pending KHDA approval
FS1 to Year 13
Campus Design Scope
All-through provision in a single purpose-built site
Purpose-Built CampusCognita-Nshama PartnershipTown Square LocationEarly Years Specialist SpacesWalking Distance CommunityOpening August 2027

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching quality at Horizon English School Town Square cannot yet be assessed through inspection data or examination outcomes, as the school has not opened. However, the available evidence on staffing and pedagogical approach provides meaningful signals for prospective parents. The school has confirmed two senior leadership appointments ahead of opening: Mr. Nick Hart as Founding Principal and Mrs. Charlotte Grieves as Founding Head of Primary. Mrs. Grieves joins from RGS Guildford Dubai, a well-regarded British curriculum school, bringing what the school describes as high expectations and genuine care for every child. The calibre of these early appointments - drawing from established, high-performing schools - suggests a deliberate strategy to build teaching quality from the top down. The school's homepage references British-trained and experienced teachers as a headline differentiator, indicating an intention to recruit predominantly from the UK teaching pool. This is consistent with the Horizon Jumeirah campus's staffing model and with Cognita's group-wide approach to teacher recruitment across its international network. The pedagogical approach described across the curriculum pages is inquiry-led and experiential in the Early Years, transitioning to structured subject-specialist teaching in the Senior School. The Primary phase emphasises curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking - language consistent with a progressive but academically rigorous approach. The Sixth Form model, with its three distinct pathways, implies a commitment to personalised learning and differentiated provision at the upper end of the school. Specific data on teacher-to-student ratios, the percentage of staff with postgraduate qualifications, retention rates, and professional development structures are not yet available. These will be critical metrics to assess once the school has completed its first inspection cycle with KHDA.
20+
Years Experience - Founding Principal
Mr. Nick Hart, previously Principal of Horizon Jumeirah
RGS Guildford Dubai
Head of Primary Previous School
Mrs. Charlotte Grieves, Founding Head of Primary
British-Trained
Teacher Recruitment Focus
Stated as a headline school differentiator

Leadership & Management

The leadership structure of Horizon English School Town Square has been carefully assembled in advance of opening, reflecting the seriousness with which Cognita and the Horizon brand are approaching this new campus. Mr. Nick Hart serves as Founding Principal, a role that carries significant weight given the school's pre-opening status. Hart brings more than 20 years of educational leadership experience and has most recently served as Principal of Horizon English School Jumeirah - the Outstanding-rated sister campus. His move to lead the Town Square campus represents a deliberate transfer of institutional knowledge and culture, not simply a lateral appointment. The school's communications describe him as a leader who believes great schools start with genuine care, strong community, and the shared goal of helping every student flourish - a philosophy that aligns closely with the school's founding ethos. Mrs. Charlotte Grieves has been appointed as Founding Head of Primary, joining from RGS Guildford Dubai. Her appointment was announced in December 2025, indicating that senior leadership recruitment is progressing well ahead of the August 2027 opening. The school is owned and operated by Cognita, a global education group with schools across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Cognita's involvement provides governance infrastructure, curriculum frameworks, safeguarding standards, and operational support that a standalone new school would take years to build independently. This is a material advantage for founding families: the school may be new, but its governance is not. Parent communication channels - including apps, portals, and meeting structures - have not yet been detailed publicly. The school currently operates a Parent Experience Centre as its primary pre-opening family engagement channel, with the admissions team available throughout the week. This proactive approach to pre-opening communication is a positive indicator of the school's commitment to transparent parent engagement once operational. The school's strategic direction is clear: establish a flagship all-through British curriculum school in one of Dubai's fastest-growing family communities, leveraging the Horizon brand's 35-year reputation and Cognita's global resources to deliver from day one.

Fees & Value for Money

Horizon English School Town Square is a new British curriculum school opening in August 2027, offering education from FS1 through to Year 13. The school offers two fee structures: a Founding Family rate for the 2027–2028 academic year, which includes a 10% reduction on standard fees, and the Standard Tuition Fees applicable from the 2028–2029 academic year onwards. Standard annual fees range from AED 49,000 for FS1 & FS2 up to AED 68,000 for Years 7 & 8, positioning the school within the mid-to-upper tier of British curriculum schools in Dubai.

AED 49,000
Annual Fees From
AED 68,000
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS1
AED 49,000
FS2
AED 49,000
Year 1
AED 52,000
Year 2
AED 52,000
Year 3
AED 57,000
Year 4
AED 57,000
Year 5
AED 57,000
Year 6
AED 57,000
Year 7
AED 68,000
Year 8
AED 68,000

Tuition fees do not include school lunches, transportation, or educational trips, and some extracurricular activities with external providers may incur additional charges. A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the approved annual Standard Tuition Fees is required for new students upon acceptance of an offer, while returning students pay a 5% deposit — both are deducted from the annual tuition fees in line with KHDA regulations. An application fee of AED 525 (inclusive of VAT) is also required per application and is not deductible from tuition fees.

Families benefit from a 5% sibling preferred rate for third children and beyond, in addition to the founding year discount. Fees can be paid in full at the start of the academic year or in three instalments: 40% in August, 30% in December, and 30% in March. The school's fee policy is subject to change at the school's discretion, and refunds are processed in accordance with KHDA regulations.

Additional Costs

Application fee
AED 525 (inclusive of VAT)
School lunches
not included in tuition fees
Transportation
not included in tuition fees
Educational trips
not included in tuition fees
Some extracurricular activities with external providers may incur additional charges

Discounts & Concessions

Founding Family discount
10% reduction on tuition fees for the 2027–2028 academic year
Sibling preferred rate
5% for third child and beyond

Payment Terms

Full payment at the start of the academic year
Three-instalment plan
40% in August (Term 1), 30% in December (Term 2), 30% in March (Term 3)
New student deposit
10% of annual Standard Tuition Fees (non-refundable, deducted from annual fees)
Returning student deposit
5% of annual Standard Tuition Fees (deducted from annual fees)

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Horizon English School Town Square is a school worth watching closely and, for the right family, worth joining early. The combination of Cognita's global governance, the Horizon brand's 35-year track record, Outstanding-rated leadership transferred directly from the Jumeirah campus, and a purpose-built all-through campus in one of Dubai's most underserved school catchment areas makes this one of the most credible new school openings Dubai has seen in years. The honest caveat is equally clear: this is a school that does not yet exist. There are no KHDA inspection results, no published exam outcomes, no confirmed ECA programme, and no complete fee schedule. Several key pages on the school's website are not yet live. Families who need certainty - who require independently verified ratings, established peer communities, and a proven track record at this specific campus - should wait for the school to complete its first inspection cycle before committing. For families already living in Town Square, Serena, Villanova, or the wider Dubailand area, the calculus is different. The alternative is a long daily commute to established British curriculum schools further north. The opportunity to enrol in a founding cohort, shaped by experienced leadership and backed by a credible operator, at a location that genuinely serves the community - that is a compelling proposition that will not be available once the school is established and oversubscribed. This is a school for families who combine informed optimism with practical due diligence: who visit the Parent Experience Centre, ask hard questions about fees and facilities, understand the founding family trade-offs, and make a considered bet on a school that has every structural ingredient for success.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families living in Town Square, Dubailand, Serena, or Villanova who want an all-through British curriculum school within their community, and who are comfortable being founding members of a new school backed by credible leadership and Cognita's governance infrastructure.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families who require independently verified KHDA inspection ratings, established exam results, or a confirmed extracurricular programme before committing - or those whose children are in Years 9 to 13 and need an immediately operational senior school with a proven track record.

We know we are taking a calculated risk as founding families. But with Nick Hart leading it and Cognita behind it, we feel the risk is as managed as it can be for a school that hasn't opened yet. We are excited.

Founding Family, Dubailand Resident

Strengths

  • Backed by Cognita, a credible global education operator with proven governance
  • Founding Principal has 20+ years experience and led Outstanding-rated Horizon Jumeirah
  • All-through British curriculum from FS1 to Year 13 - rare in southern Dubai
  • Purpose-built campus designed specifically for educational use
  • Three Sixth Form pathways including A Levels, BTECs, and hybrid - unusual flexibility
  • Located within Town Square, serving an underserved family catchment area
  • Sister campus holds Outstanding KHDA rating - strong quality benchmark
  • French introduced as specialist subject from Year 3 alongside Arabic

Areas for Improvement

  • School has not yet opened - no KHDA inspection data, exam results, or verified ratings
  • Fee schedule largely unpublished - only Year 9 AED 68,000 confirmed via KHDA
  • Key website pages (fees, facilities, student life) are not yet live
  • ECA programme, SEN provision, and pastoral structures not yet publicly detailed
  • Founding cohort families accept inherent uncertainty of a pre-opening school