Sunmarke School, Dubai
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$14K – US$24K
Curriculum: IB · British
Age Range: 3–18
Students: ~2,000
Location: Jumeirah, Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
Sunmarke School Dubai is a British curriculum through-school in Jumeirah Village Triangle with KHDA Very Good ratings and Outstanding Foundation Stage recognition. While the school offers multiple post-16 pathways including IB Diploma and A-Levels, recent parent discussions reveal serious concerns about administrative practices, teacher quality, and school culture that prospective families should carefully investigate.
Founded in 2016 by the Fortes Education group, Sunmarke operates from a campus in JVT serving students from Foundation Stage through secondary levels. The school follows the National Curriculum for England enhanced with STEAM learning approaches and offers Forest School sessions in a nearby woodland area. Under Principal Ben Rothwell's leadership, the institution provides multiple post-16 pathways including IB Diploma, A-Levels, and BTECs, positioning itself as a through-school option for families seeking British curriculum continuity.
Parent discussions reveal deeply polarized experiences with the school community that contrast sharply with its official ratings. While some families appreciate individual teachers and the Foundation Stage programming, multiple recent reviews describe concerning administrative practices, unprofessional teacher behavior, and what parents characterize as business-focused operations with limited consideration for student welfare. Former students and parents describe issues ranging from harsh academic policies to what they perceive as politically motivated decision-making that has driven away quality teaching staff.
What parents value
- –KHDA Very Good rating with Outstanding Foundation Stage recognition
- –Multiple post-16 pathways including IB Diploma, A-Levels, and BTECs
- –Unique Forest School programming in nearby woodland area
- –Through-school continuity from Foundation Stage to secondary
- –STEAM learning emphasis in curriculum delivery
- –Some individual teachers receive positive recognition from families
Points of consideration
- –Multiple recent parent reviews describe serious administrative and cultural concerns
- –Former students report unprofessional teacher behavior and harsh academic policies
- –Parents describe business-focused operations with limited consideration for student welfare
- –Reports of quality teaching staff leaving due to management practices
- –Limited visibility and discussion compared to established Dubai British institutions
- –Jumeirah Village Triangle location may not appeal to all family preferences
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage 1 | 3 | 14,442 |
| Foundation Stage 2 | 4 | 15,838 |
| Year 1 | 5 | 17,929 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 17,955 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 18,196 |
| Year 4 | 8 | 18,222 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 18,238 |
| Year 6 | 10 | 18,239 |
| Year 7 | 11 | 22,512 |
| Year 8 | 12 | 22,534 |
| Year 9 | 13 | 22,567 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 23,651 |
| Year 11 | 15 | 23,686 |
| Year 12 | 16 | 24,074 |
| Year 13 | 17 | 24,108 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application & Assessment Fee | 143 |
Photos
Academic Results
Sunmarke School consistently achieves exceptional academic results across multiple pathways. For the 2024-25 academic year, the school reported: - International Baccalaureate (IBDP): Average point score of 36.5 (more than 6 points above the world average), with 90% of students exceeding the world average, 66% scoring 35+ points, and 28% achieving 40+ points (Sunmarke Academic Results). - A-Level & BTEC: 100% pass rate.
Extra Curriculars
Sunmarke offers over 160 extracurricular activities (ECAs), many of which are included in the school fees. - Sports: Football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, netball, badminton, mini-karate, kickboxing, athletics, swimming, and cricket (Sunmarke ECAs, Sports & PE). - Arts & Creative: Fine arts, drama, dance (Hip-hop, K-pop, Jazz), music labs, TV & radio production, fashion designing, and photography (Sunmarke FAQ).
The school features one of the largest campuses in Dubai with extensive facilities: - Sports: FIFA-18 sized football pitch, 200m athletics running track, a 25m swimming pool, a learner pool, and multiple courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, and netball. There are also two expansive multipurpose sports halls (Sunmarke FAQ). - Performing Arts: A 600-seat auditorium, a dedicated 'Black Box' theatre for drama and dance, three fine arts labs, a drama studio, four music labs, and TV & Radio production studios (Sunmarke FAQ).
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- KHDA/DSIB: Very Good 2023-2024
Accreditations
- BSO Outstanding, 2023 IBO
- Not publicly listed.
Memberships
- BSME, DASSA, FOBISIA games participant, Duke of Edinburgh
- Not publicly listed.
Student Body
- Enrolment: Total enrolment is approximately 1,300 students (Third-party stats). - Nationalities: The student body is highly diverse, representing 90+ nationalities, with the largest percentage hailing from the U. K.
Leadership
Mr. Patrick Affley - Director
Mr. Patrick Affley is a long-term UAE resident who served 11 years as Founding Principal of Dove Green Private School in Dubai.