Queen Elizabeth’s School Expands to Dubai Sports City
In a significant step for educational expansion, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, is set to launch Queen Elizabeth’s School in Dubai Sports City in August 2026. This initiative marks the first time a UK state-funded grammar school is venturing into the global scene.
Key Facts for Prospective Parents
- Opening Date: August 2026, located in Dubai Sports City
- Type of School: Co-educational day school. The launch will be phased, beginning with Nursery up to Year 8 and eventually expanding to Sixth Form.
- Curriculum: The school will follow the National Curriculum for England.
- Tuition Fees: Annual fees will be applied (exact amounts not announced yet), differing from the free, state-funded model in Barnet.
- Operational Model: GEDU will manage the school, following the branding and ethos of QE, with every campus featuring its own head and staff.
What Sets Queen Elizabeth’s School Apart in Dubai
The opening of QE Dubai provides parents with another robust UK curriculum option, specifically from a state-run grammar background. Unlike independent schools, this institution promises an academically driven environment focused on character development and a strong emphasis on sports, thanks to the exemplary facilities in Dubai Sports City.
Caroline Pendleton-Nash, CEO of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools, highlighted this milestone, stating, “While the model of establishing international branches is familiar among leading UK independent schools, this marks the first time in history that a distinguished UK state grammar school has embarked upon such a partnership.”
Similarities and Differences with QE Barnet
QE Barnet has built a reputation as a selective boys’ grammar school recognized for its impressive academic performance and pathways to top universities, including Oxbridge. The Dubai campus will operate as a co-educational, fee-paying institution, maintaining the academic standards and character development initiatives of its UK counterpart. Notably, it will implement the QE Flourish Programme, focusing on Care, Challenge, Create, and Compete.
Who is Managing the Dubai Campus?
GEDU (Global Education) takes the helm as QE’s international partner. They also run GBS Dubai, which provides vocational pathways such as BTEC and HND programs at higher education levels.
About Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
Established in Hertfordshire, UK, QE Barnet is a state-funded grammar school catering to around 1,300 boys from ages 11 to 18. It is consistently ranked among the nation’s top schools, recognized for its outstanding academic outcomes and its significant number of Oxbridge offers. In the 2024 UCAS application cycle, it achieved the highest number of offers for a UK grammar school, demonstrating its academic rigor and strong outcomes.
In its 2022 Ofsted inspection, the school received an “Outstanding” rating, with inspectors acknowledging its broad and balanced academic curriculum. All students are required to study English, math, science, humanities, and a modern foreign language in Years 10 and 11, among other subjects.
Future Prospects for Queen Elizabeth’s Schools
Neil Enright, Headmaster of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the UAE expansion: “We are delighted to have received this encouragement from the KHDA to offer a rounded and enriching QE education to children in the UAE, spreading opportunity and supporting students to become the leaders of their generation.” He also indicated the potential for future international collaborations, which could establish a global network of students at various campuses.
Other Global Expansion Plans
In collaboration with Global Education, QE Barnet aims to open three new international schools under its banner. Besides the Dubai location, plans are underway for schools in India, including openings in GIFT City, Gujarat, and Gurugram, near Delhi. Each of these campuses will have its independent leadership while retaining the QE brand and ethos.
Understanding Dubai Sports City as a Location
Dubai Sports City is a well-known residential and sporting hub that boasts excellent accessibility to major roads. It features extensive sports facilities, including a multi-purpose stadium, cricket ground, football pitches, and an athletics track—ideal for a school prioritizing physical education.
Other Emerging UK Schools in the UAE
The educational landscape of the UAE is seeing significant growth, with multiple established UK schools branching out, including Harrow and Gordonstoun, alongside IB options in various emirates. Families can look forward to additional co-educational British curriculum institutions, enhancing educational choices across Dubai and beyond.
Latest Development: Dubai International Academy is set to open in Town Square by 2026.
