The Aquila School, Dubai

In Brief

The Aquila School is a British curriculum school in Wadi Al Safa that opened in 2018 under the International Schools Partnership, serving ages 3-18 with IB Diploma post-16 options. Recent parent and teacher discussions highlight the school's positive community atmosphere and strong teaching staff, though it maintains relatively moderate visibility compared to Dubai's tier-one British institutions.

Founded as ISP's first new-build flagship project in the UAE, The Aquila School operates from a purpose-built campus opposite Dubai Silicon Oasis under founding Principal Wayne Howsen's leadership. The school follows the British National Curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage through Key Stages, enhanced with IB Diploma and Career-related Programmes post-16 under Head of Sixth Form Arran Elmes. Recent BSO inspection awarded Outstanding ratings for leadership and management, while KHDA rated the school Good overall with Very Good recognition in Foundation Stage, wellbeing, and personal development.

Parent discussions reveal generally positive experiences with the school's teaching quality and community environment, with families particularly appreciating the school's approach to supporting children who don't speak English well initially. The school maintains a 1:11 teacher-to-student ratio with nearly all 120 teaching staff from the UK or Ireland, creating what parents describe as a supportive learning environment. However, the school generates moderate discussion levels compared to established Dubai British institutions, suggesting it serves families seeking quality British education without the premium positioning of schools like Dubai College or JESS.