The British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi | Fees, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

The British School Al Khubairat, formerly called “Al Khubairat Community School”, now commonly known and referred to as “Al Khubairat”, “BSAK”, or “The British School”, is a non-profit school for English-speaking children in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The school roll is some 1,800 students.

The school was established in January 1968 on land donated by the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in an area of the city known as Khubairat. This area was the part of the Corniche where the pearl fishing fleet was first sighted on its return from sea. One suggested translation of the word ‘Khubairat’ is ‘good news’.

In May 1971, the school was registered as a legal entity by Amiri Decree No. 5 of 1971, with its management vested in the Board of Governors. The board is made up of elected governors and those appointed by the British Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The school has been sponsored since 1980 by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.

In 1980, the school moved into purpose-built facilities at its current location on Airport Road in Al Mushrif. The facilities provided primary education for children between 3 and 11 years old. The original campus comprised an administration block, four teaching blocks, and two sports halls. It also included a 25m swimming pool, around which were constructed staff quarters that accommodated the school’s teachers.

Toward the end of the 1990s, it became apparent that there was a need in Abu Dhabi for the provision of secondary education. Increasingly, Abu Dhabi was no longer a posting of two to three years for most British expatriates, with more families staying there for five to ten years. As The British School was the center for educational provision within the British expatriate community in Abu Dhabi, the Board of Governors approved the construction of a secondary school alongside the original primary buildings on the existing site. This was Phase 1 of The British School development program.

While Phase 1 was under construction, the board proceeded with the construction of Phase 2, a three-story building for the primary school. Construction commenced in April 2001, and the Jubilee Building

With two children attending this school, our experience has been outstanding. We have had very kind and attentive teachers who address issues as they arise in a very personable manner. The school has a firm and traditional feel while embracing modern changes and manages the day-to-day issues in a safe and appropriate manner… which, given the year of COVID-19, has been no mean feat!

Other than the other schools I’ve been to, this school is the best. Yes, there may be students smoking, but teachers are trying to stop it, and they really care about mental health. There is no bullying, and most people and teachers are nice!

The soccer field and facilities are excellent and spacious.

I went to this school back in the early and mid-1990s. I recently called to inquire about enrolling my daughter. I was surprised to hear that British passport holders get priority. Prioritizing students based on passport feels like one degree of separation from prioritizing based on skin color. I’m not sure how such a policy could exist and be tolerated in 2021. I guess the rest of us former colonies end up on a waiting list. I should say, it was and is a good school, but I’m not interested in enrolling my child in a school with a blatant policy like that.

School is decent but would be better if the teachers didn’t threaten every mistake with a sanction.

I’ve been a student for seven years now at this school, and the education is phenomenal. Highly recommend it.