Springfield International School, Dubai
British School in Al Awir 1, Dubai
Last updated
Curriculum
British
Location
Dubai, Al Awir 1
Fees
AED 25K - 35K
The Executive Summary
Springfield International School Dubai - operating as PACE Springfield International School - is one of the newest entrants in Dubai's private school market, having opened its doors in Al Awir 1 for the 2024-25 academic year before being acquired by the PACE Group. The school follows the British curriculum, incorporating the Cambridge framework and the National Curriculum for England from Foundation Stage through to Year 7, with an ambitious long-term plan to expand to Year 13 and offer GCSEs, BTECs, and A Levels. Its defining proposition is straightforward and deliberately positioned: affordable, quality British education for families in a part of Dubai that has historically been underserved by the private school sector. With school fees starting from AED 20,000 (discounted rate for 2025-26) - among the lowest for a British curriculum school in Dubai - it occupies a genuinely distinct price point. The KHDA rating for this school is not yet available, as the school has not yet been inspected by DSIB, which is entirely expected for a school in its first years of operation. Parents searching for Al Awir 1 schools will find very limited competition in the immediate vicinity, which is both an opportunity and a risk.
British Curriculum DubaiAffordable Fees from AED 20KPACE Group OperatedFS1 to Year 7 CurrentlyInclusion-Focused
See how Springfield International School compares across all 105 British schools in our Best British Schools in Dubai 2026 guide.
“We love the balanced approach PACE Springfield takes between strong academics and pastoral care. Our child is thriving in a warm, nurturing environment where creativity and curiosity are encouraged.”
— Primary School ParentAcademic Framework & Learning Style
PACE Springfield International School follows the National Curriculum for England, incorporating the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for its youngest learners in FS1 and FS2, and the Cambridge-informed National Curriculum for England through Primary and into early Secondary. The school also integrates the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic subjects, meeting regulatory requirements and embedding cross-curricular themes related to Emirati culture. According to the school's curriculum overview, the programme currently runs from FS1 through to Year 7, with a declared intention to expand progressively to Year 13, ultimately preparing students for GCSEs, BTECs, and A Levels. The school also references plans to include the ASDAN curriculum, which is designed to develop life and vocational skills alongside traditional academic pathways - a relatively rare and thoughtful addition for a school at this price point.
The school's stated pedagogical philosophy centres on differentiated and individualised instruction, with aims including fostering innovation, promoting inclusivity, inspiring excellence, nurturing emotional growth, encouraging collaborative learning, and creating a safe and supportive environment. These are commendable ambitions, though as a school in its early years of operation, there is limited independent evidence yet to verify how consistently these principles are applied in the classroom. The curriculum page highlights a commitment to a broad, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum promoting innovation, challenge, cultural, moral, physical, and wellbeing development. English Language Support (ESL) is offered at three levels - Beginner (AED 8,000/year), Intermediate A (AED 6,000/year), and Intermediate B (AED 3,000/year) - with structured individual sessions each week, which is a practical provision for the diverse families the school is targeting. No external examination results are yet available, as the school has not yet reached GCSE or A Level stage. Academic results data and university destinations will only become meaningful once the school matures through its secondary phase, which is several years away.
FS1 - Year 7
Current Year Groups Offered
Expanding to Year 13 long-term
3 Levels
ESL Support Tiers
Beginner, Intermediate A, Intermediate B
AED 3,000 - 8,000
Annual ESL Programme Fee
Charged in addition to tuition
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school in its first two years of operation, PACE Springfield has put in place a structured extracurricular framework that is more considered than many new schools manage. The curriculum overview outlines a tiered ECA programme across all phases, with students expected to attend at least 6 to 10 sessions per term per activity. Enrolment forms are distributed at the start of each term, and parental permission is required for any activities held on school grounds.
At Foundation Stage, activities include Arts and Crafts Club, Storytelling and Drama, Gardening and Outdoor Exploration, and Sports Club - age-appropriate choices that align well with the EYFS ethos of learning through play. Elementary School (Years 1-5) students can access Coding and Robotics Club, Science and STEM Club, Debate Club, Environmental Club, Sports Teams, and Arts and Design Club - a solid breadth for a primary-phase school. At Middle School level (Years 6-9), the programme expands into Entrepreneurship Clubs, Coding and App Development, Drama and Theatre, Student Councils, Creative Writing and Journalism, and Sports Teams. The Secondary pathway (Years 10-13) is planned to include Model United Nations (MUN), Science Olympiad, Advanced Sports Teams, Robotics Competitions, Astronomy Club, and Career and College Prep Clubs - aspirational programming that will take several years to activate as the school grows. Social media posts confirm that students have already participated in off-campus educational trips, including visits to the Museum of the Future and the Green Planet, which speaks positively to the school's commitment to experiential learning even in its early phase.
6-10 Sessions
Minimum ECA Attendance Per Term
Per activity, per student
Coding and Robotics ClubModel United Nations (planned)Science and STEM ClubDrama and TheatreMuseum of the Future Trips
Pastoral Care & Well-being
The school's stated values - Integrity, Empathy, Respect, Inclusion, Happiness, Commitment, and Quality - form the backbone of its pastoral philosophy. These are not merely decorative; the emphasis on inclusion is particularly notable, with the school explicitly welcoming students with Special Educational Needs and committing to individualised programmes to support access to the curriculum and smooth social transitions. Parents of students of determination are asked to submit relevant reports, including Educational Psychologist assessments, so that appropriate support plans can be put in place before enrolment begins - a process-driven approach that is reassuring.
The school's mission statement emphasises a holistic and inclusive educational experience, and its curriculum documentation references the creation of a safe and supportive environment as a core teaching aim. Student voice is encouraged through Student Councils at Middle School level, and the school publishes a newsletter featuring pupil voice contributions, as evidenced by social media posts referencing student comments from educational trips. Anti-bullying frameworks, formal counselling provision, and a house system are not explicitly detailed on the school's public-facing materials - a gap that parents should probe at open day. Given the school's early stage of development, some of these structures may still be forming. The warm community feel is evident from social media activity, which shows engaged students and enthusiastic staff interactions.
“PACE Springfield has been a wonderful place for our child to grow both academically and personally. The teachers are caring and truly dedicated to each student's success. We feel confident knowing our child is supported every step of the way.”
— Primary School ParentCampus & Facilities
PACE Springfield International School is located in Al Awir 1, on the eastern outskirts of Dubai - a largely residential Emirati community that sits adjacent to open desert. The campus itself is described as a modern single-storey building with extensive green outdoor space, featuring smart classrooms for all year groups. Social media posts confirm hands-on science learning environments, with Year 6 students pictured conducting practical electricity circuit experiments - suggesting functional science lab provision even at this early stage.
The campus location is a double-edged consideration. For families already based in Al Awir or nearby communities, it is a genuine convenience. For families in central Dubai or established expat hubs, the commute is significant - the school is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from Downtown Dubai in normal traffic. The school does offer bus transport covering multiple zones: Dubai I (AED 5,500/year), Dubai II (AED 6,500/year), Dubai III (AED 8,000/year), and New Sharjah (AED 5,500/year), which extends its catchment meaningfully. The school's own website notes that the current building appears designed for younger students, and questions remain about how the physical infrastructure will scale as the school progresses toward Secondary level. Planned expansions have not been publicly detailed. Technology provision includes smart classrooms, and the curriculum references coding labs and STEM facilities, though independent verification of the full technology infrastructure is not available at this stage.
4 Zones
Bus Transport Coverage Areas
Dubai I, II, III and New Sharjah
AED 5,500 - 8,000
Annual Transport Fee by Zone
Subject to management approval
Smart ClassroomsGreen Outdoor SpaceScience Practical LabsMulti-Zone Bus ServiceModern Single-Storey BuildingAl Awir Desert-Edge Location
Teaching & Learning Quality
The school's website presents a team of named teaching staff, with the homepage featuring profiles for teachers including Heba, Halima, Hanan, Preethi, Kamaludheen, Saffron, Susie, Kafaa, Salma, Maryam, and Madeeha - a visible and humanising touch for a new school. The school states that its teachers are native English speakers with UK and international experience, which is an important signal for parents seeking a genuinely British educational environment rather than a curriculum-in-name-only offering.
The school's stated pedagogical approach encompasses fostering innovation, promoting inclusivity, inspiring excellence, encouraging collaborative learning, and embracing lifelong learning. The curriculum documentation references differentiated and individualised instruction as a core commitment across all stages. Social media evidence shows Year 6 students engaged in hands-on, practical science learning - collaborative circuit-building exercises - which suggests that inquiry-based and experiential methodologies are being applied, not just described. Teacher-to-student ratio, staff qualification data (percentage with Masters or higher), and formal retention statistics are not published, which is common for a school at this stage. The school operates Monday to Friday (7:30 AM to 4:00 PM) and Sunday (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), reflecting the UAE school week. Professional development is referenced in the curriculum framework as an ongoing commitment, though no specific programmes or external accreditations are cited. As the school matures and undergoes its first DSIB inspection, these data points will become clearer.
UK-Trained
Teacher Background Requirement
Native English speakers with UK/international experience
Not Yet Published
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
To be confirmed post-DSIB inspection
Leadership & Management
The school is currently led by Principal Salman Ibrahim, whose contact is listed on the KHDA school directory. The school is operated by the PACE Group, a UAE-based education operator that took over the school following its initial opening in 2024. The school's founding principal departed in mid-2025, and Salman Ibrahim has taken on the leadership role - a transition that parents should factor into their assessment of leadership stability at this early and critical stage of the school's development.
The school's vision - to provide an inclusive and holistic educational experience within a culture of curiosity and creativity where students can explore and learn independently - is clearly articulated and genuinely differentiated from generic mission statements. The mission emphasises preparing students to shape the future through outstanding education with a global perspective. Parent communication channels include WhatsApp (a dedicated number is prominently displayed on the school website), an online application portal, and email. The school publishes a newsletter and maintains active Facebook and Instagram channels, which provide a reasonable window into school life. A formal governance structure, advisory board, or parent council is not publicly documented, which is an area where transparency could be improved as the school grows. The dual-website situation - with both springfieldschool.ae and pacespringfield.com active - creates some confusion for prospective families and is an operational detail the management should address.
Fees & Value for Money
Pace Springfield International School offers a UK curriculum (British, 13-year) for students from FS1 through Year 7. The school's KHDA-approved annual tuition fees range from AED 25,000 for Foundation Stage (FS1 and FS2) up to AED 35,000 for Year 7, positioning it as a competitively priced British curriculum school in Dubai. As a school founded in 2024, it provides a modern educational environment with transparent fee structures approved by the KHDA.
AED 25,000
Annual Fees From
AED 35,000
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS1
AED 25,000FS2
AED 25,000Year 1
AED 28,400Year 2
AED 28,400Year 3
AED 28,400Year 4
AED 30,800Year 5
AED 30,800Year 6
AED 30,800Year 7
AED 35,000Tuition fees are distributed across three terms: 40% in Term 1 and 30% each in Terms 2 and 3. A one-time entrance fee of AED 500 is charged for new admissions, along with an enrollment fee of up to 10% of tuition (non-refundable but deductible from the first term). Existing students are charged a re-enrollment fee of up to 5% of tuition fees. A resources fee is included in the Term 1 payment, though students joining from Term 2 or 3 will be charged this separately.
The school offers special discounts for Emirati students (10% off tuition) and for children of martyrs (15% off tuition). A medical fee is also charged alongside tuition fees on a term-wise basis, following the same 40/30/30 split. Transportation is available subject to management approval, and optional fees may be charged on a case-by-case basis with parental consent.
Additional Costs
Entrance Fee (New Admissions)500(one-time)
Enrollment Fee (New Admissions)(annual)
Re-enrollment Fee (Existing Students)(annual)
Medical Fee(annual)
Resources Fee(annual)
Transportation(annual)
Discounts & Concessions
Emirati Discount10%%
Martyr's Children Discount15%%
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
PACE Springfield International School is a school for families who want a genuine British curriculum education at a price point that most Dubai British schools cannot match, and who are either based in or willing to commute to the Al Awir area. It is a school that wears its values - inclusion, empathy, happiness - openly and sincerely, and the early social media evidence suggests a warm, engaged school community is taking shape. The PACE Group's operational backing provides some structural stability, and the school's explicit commitment to welcoming students of determination is commendable and relatively rare at this price tier.
The honest caveats are significant, however. This is a very young school: no DSIB inspection has taken place, there is no external validation of academic quality, leadership has already changed once, and the school currently operates only to Year 7. Families seeking a school with a proven track record, published exam results, or an established sixth form pathway should look elsewhere. The long-term ambition to grow to Year 13 is credible but unproven, and families enrolling in FS1 today are making a bet on an institution that will look very different by the time their child reaches GCSE age. For the right family, this is an exciting early-adopter opportunity at a genuinely accessible price. For families who cannot afford the risk of a school still finding its feet, it is not yet the safe choice.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families based in or near Al Awir 1 seeking affordable British curriculum education for primary-age children, particularly those who value an inclusive ethos and are comfortable with a newer school still building its reputation.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families who require a DSIB-rated school with a proven academic track record, published exam results, an established secondary programme, or leadership continuity - or those for whom the Al Awir location represents a prohibitive commute.
“
We chose Springfield because of the price and the inclusive approach. It is early days, but the teachers genuinely know our child and the community feel is real. We hope the school keeps growing.
— Year 2 Parent
Strengths
- Among the most affordable British curriculum fees in Dubai (from AED 20,000)
- Explicit inclusion commitment with structured SEN admissions process
- Broad ECA framework spanning robotics, MUN, drama, and STEM
- Multi-zone bus service extending catchment to Sharjah and wider Dubai
- Warm, community-oriented school culture evident from social media
- PACE Group operational backing provides institutional stability
- ESL support available at three structured levels
- Only British curriculum school serving the Al Awir 1 community
Areas for Improvement
- No DSIB inspection rating yet - zero independent quality verification
- Leadership change in year one creates uncertainty about stability
- Currently only FS1 to Year 7 - no secondary or sixth form pathway yet
- Campus designed for younger students; scalability to secondary is unproven
- Additional costs (ECAs, ESL, transport) can add AED 6,000-18,000 to headline fees