Dubai: Despite the high tuition fees, the school is operating at full capacity, with students now on a waiting list
From a special chef team that customizes the menu to lavish graduation ceremonies at Dubai Opera, one of the most expensive schools in Dubai lays out the red carpet for its students.
With a school fee exceeding Dh100,000 for Year 13, Repton School Dubai, situated in Nad Al Sheba 3, is the first UK-branded international school to commence operations in the UAE.
Amazingly, despite the high tuition fees, the school is at capacity and, according to the principal, some students are on a waiting list.
While a visit to this school with its turrets, building blocks and palm trees may feel like a magical experience, the school’s exorbitant fees are perhaps justified by the fact that it has been rated “outstanding” since the Knowledge and Education Human Development Authority (KHDA) in 2014.
Other schools with similar fees include North London College School Dubai, Gems World Academy, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, Kent College Dubai and Nord Anglia International School Dubai.
On Monday had the opportunity to tour the institution and learn more about the indicators that mark it out as a top school of excellence.
World-renowned tennis academy
principal Gillian Hammond said: So the waiting list is gradually growing. Even when Dubai had a big boom of 12% last year, we are still growing at 17%, which is amazing. We have students from all over the world. We are also one of the top 10 tennis academies in the world… This is the Emilio Sanchez Academy, which opened on our premises last year.
The Emilio Sanchez Academy is widely known for its unique training system, taught by trainers with a global reputation. The Academy has produced elite players such as Kuznetsova, Andy Murray, Dimitrov, Hantuchova, Monaco, etc.
“So we will have some tennis professionals that will go to Wimbledon (one day). So they can actually come from anywhere in the world and study with us, but they can come to the tennis academy before or after school,” she added.
Diversity and inclusion
The school is also listed in the top 100 private schools in the world in the Spears Index for 2021.
“We have 100 nationalities and we celebrated that recently. We want to ensure we are fully inclusive and that’s what energizes our school. Our students are future global leaders. They have to think globally.
Bespoke courses, outstanding graduates
While Repton goes to great lengths to highlight its historical links with its British namesake, its curriculum is tailored specifically to international students, who universities from all over the world want to visit.
Professor Hammond stressed that the school offers tailored academic programmes that aim to redefine what an education should look like beyond ‘excellent’.
She added: We’ve also introduced BTECs (business and sporting qualifications) because not everyone can get through GCSEs and A-levels, or GCSEs and IB. You can mix and match different things. So we’ve introduced some tailored pathways and give kids very specific careers advice.
We’re delighted with our alumni because our children go off to the best universities…. Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, MIT, Stanford. We’re so proud of the list.”
Boarding facilities
With 72 full boarders, Repton School Dubai is only one of the two schools in the emirate that provides residential opportunities for students on a full-term or flexible boarding basis.
“We do a 1 to 10 ratio of staff to children within the boarding house. We also have a specific boarding nurse and then we have boarding securities (males and female) at the doors constantly. We see them as our own children.”
With two separate boarding houses, one for boys and one for girls, the experienced team of staff includes the housemaster or mistress, resident tutor, residential matron, boarding assistants, nurses, on-site doctor, and ancillary support staff.
The boarding houses provide accommodation for students in Year 7 through Year 13. Some students opt to stay on a weekly basis and return home on weekends, while others stay for the entire school year.
Sharing the boarders’ schedule, Hammond added, “The students dine at the restaurant, rejoining with their peers both in the morning and at lunch. Likewise, they gather for their evening meal together. This routine extends to weekends as well. In their boarding houses, younger children opt for dormitory-style accommodations so that they don’t feel lonely, and it also enables easy supervision. As they mature, they are gradually transitioned to independent or shared rooms, with two children often choosing to room together.”
In-house chef
With libraries, games rooms, social areas, sports, and other recreational facilities, the school staff makes sure all 72 teenagers are kept busy throughout.
“Underneath the restaurant block is a full-service hotel-style kitchen. There is a chef with his own team. We have an underground passage that delivers all of the food deliveries. We’ve hired our own chef and in-house team for the boarders. They also cater to the entire school. They pack lunches and serve hot lunch. They’ll do the boarding breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner,” said Hammond.
“This means that students get far more say in what are their favourites and what are the things that they really want to have. Additionally, there are themed meals for Diwali, Iftar, and Christmas,” she added.
Graduating in Opera House
On Graduation Day, graduates gather every year at Dubai Opera to take pride in their achievements.
“The final stage of graduation takes place at Dubai Opera, where the formal graduation ceremony takes place. Everyone looks forward to this special day. Students get dressed up and put on their caps in advance. It’s a big event for us,” Hammond added.
Repton Passport
In a first of its kind, graduates will also be able to view their grades in the Repton Passport. The Repton Passport is the region’s new blockchain-secured multimedia digital portfolio for grades 1 to 12, launched by the US government in June 2022. The Repton family of schools was featured.
Students’ grades will also be displayed in a unique digital yearbook, along with their academic and extracurricular achievements during their time at the school.
Hammond explained that these resumes contain links to blockchain-secured credentials that students can share with one-click authentication.
“The Lepton Passport has an integrated CV generator. This innovative feature allows students to seamlessly create multiple customized resumes, simplifying the university and job application process,” the rector added.