The English College, Dubai
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$11K – US$19K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3–18
Students: ~1,300
Location: Al Safa, Dubai
Updated February 2026
In Brief
The English College Dubai is one of Dubai's oldest British curriculum schools, established in 1992 and recently acquired by International Schools Partnership in 2023. While the school maintains a heritage reputation and offers UK curriculum from Foundation Stage through A-Levels, recent teacher discussions reveal concerning turnover rates and operational challenges that prospective families should carefully investigate.
Founded by H.H. Sheikh Butti Maktoum Juma AlMaktoum, EC operates as an all-through school from FS1 to Year 13 following the National Curriculum for England, including GCSEs and A-Levels. The school underwent significant restructuring when it merged its primary and secondary divisions in 2019, followed by ISP's acquisition in 2023 under Principal Emily Hopkinson's leadership. The institution has introduced the EC Diploma alongside traditional academics, integrating skills like critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and public speaking to prepare students for contemporary challenges.
Recent teacher discussions reveal significant operational concerns that contrast with the school's established reputation. Multiple sources describe over 15 teachers leaving recently, administrative confusion following restructuring, and what teaching professionals characterize as problematic working conditions. While some families appreciate the school's heritage status and smaller class sizes compared to larger Dubai institutions, the reported staff turnover and organizational challenges suggest potential instability that could affect educational consistency. Parent discussions indicate mixed experiences, with some describing the school as having 'fell off' from its former reputation.
What parents value
- –Heritage institution with over 30 years of Dubai education history
- –Small class sizes creating more personalized learning environment
- –National Curriculum for England with traditional British education approach
- –ISP network membership providing global education resources
- –EC Diploma program integrating 21st-century skills alongside academics
- –All-through education from Foundation Stage to A-Levels
Points of consideration
- –Significant teacher turnover with over 15 staff departures recently reported
- –Administrative confusion and organizational challenges following recent restructuring
- –Teacher discussions describe concerning working conditions and management practices
- –Mixed parent feedback suggesting decline from previous reputation
- –Recent ownership change to ISP may affect school culture and operations
- –Limited recent academic performance data or university placement information available
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage 1 | 3 | 11,164 |
| Foundation Stage 2 | 4 | 12,526 |
| Year 1 | 5 | 14,432 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 14,432 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 15,248 |
| Year 4 | 8 | 15,248 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 15,516 |
| Year 6 | 10 | 15,516 |
| Year 7 | 11 | 15,516 |
| Year 8 | 12 | 15,516 |
| Year 9 | 13 | 15,516 |
| Year 10 | 14 | 16,832 |
| Year 11 | 15 | 16,832 |
| Year 12 | 16 | 18,588 |
| Year 13 | 17 | 18,588 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | 136 |
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
Emily Hopkinson - Principal
Emily Hopkinson is an international school leader and teacher specializing in curriculum design, assessment, teaching, and safeguarding, currently serving as Principal at The English College Dubai since July 2024, following her role as Head of Secondary School there from 2020 to 2024.