Al Diyafah High School, Dubai
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$3K – US$7K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3–18
Students: ~1,700
Location: Al Nahda, Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Al Diyafah High School Dubai is a long-established British curriculum school founded over 40 years ago by Mrs. Winnie D'Cunha and still family-run today. Located in Al Nahda 2, it offers GCSEs and A Levels with a focus on personal attention and has earned recognition for enterprise education through its success in the Tycoon UAE Competition.
Founded in the 1980s by Indian educator Mrs. Winnie D'Cunha, Al Diyafah High School remains under direct family management with her daughter running the Dubai branch and son overseeing their sister school in Abu Dhabi. The school follows the English National Curriculum leading to (I)GCSEs and A Levels, with core subjects including English, Mathematics, Sciences, Arabic, and Islamic Studies for Muslim students. Optional subjects span from Business Studies and Computing Science to Art and Design, providing students with diverse pathways for their qualifications.
The school gained significant recognition in 2023 when its students dominated the Tycoon UAE Competition by Peter Jones Foundation, with their 'Unstress' team winning the overall championship and Al Diyafah teams sweeping multiple categories. This enterprise education focus has been part of the school's program since 2018-19 and demonstrates their commitment to developing practical business skills alongside traditional academics. While specific facilities details for the Dubai campus aren't widely available, the school maintains its founding motto 'Let their Light Shine' and emphasizes personal attention through smaller class sizes.
What parents value
- –Long-established school with over 40 years of experience in Dubai
- –Family-owned and managed, providing continuity and personal oversight
- –Strong performance in enterprise education - dominated 2023 Tycoon UAE Competition
- –Offers full British curriculum pathway from GCSEs to A Levels
- –Emphasis on smaller class sizes and personal attention to students
- –Located in Al Nahda 2, accessible to families in northern Dubai areas
Points of consideration
- –Limited publicly available information about specific facilities and campus details
- –Fee structure and exact costs not readily available for comparison
- –No recent KHDA inspection ratings mentioned in available sources
- –University placement data and academic results not widely published
- –May have less extensive facilities compared to larger international school chains
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS 1 | 3 | 3,158 |
| FS 2 | 3 | 3,158 |
| Year 1 | 5 | 3,326 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3,326 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3,326 |
| Year 4 | 8 | 3,425 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3,425 |
| Year 6 | 10 | 3,425 |
| Year 7 | 11 | 3,499 |
| Year 8 | 12 | 3,983 |
| Year 9 | 13 | 4,398 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 5,588 |
| Year 11 | 15 | 5,588 |
| Year 12 | 16 | 5,672 |
| Year 13 | 17 | 6,713 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Admission and Registration Fee | 272 |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Dubai's international schools serve a highly diverse student body drawn from over 180 nationalities. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
Neetha Shetty - Principal
Neetha Shetty holds a Master's degree in Mathematics, a Bachelor's degree in Education, and a Master's in Educational Leadership and Management from Middlesex University, UK.