Newlands School, Al Warqa – THE REVIEW
Newlands School Dubai – updated August 2019
Newlands School Dubai Background
Newlands School Dubai is a new UK curriculum school which launched in the Al Warqa area in September 2017. Conveniently located for families living in both the northern residential areas of Dubai, as well as those in Sharjah and beyond, the school promises to offer a “high quality, international education as an affordable option for parents”.
Initially opening from FS1 to year 6, Newlands School Dubai is today open to Year 8 (2019) and will eventually offer the full English National Curriculum through to IGCSE and A Level. Fees range from AED 19,200 in FS1 to AED 28, 800 in Year 8.
The school is committed to raising achievement within the Emirati community and will provide scholarships enabling young children with opportunities to access high-quality education that is supported by the School. In the first year, 5 scholarships specifically for Emirati girls will be provided.
Newlands School Dubai has a strong focus on incorporating the culture and background of Dubai into the education offered at the school, which aims to establish a setting where students will celebrate the Arabic language, Islamic values and Emirati innovation and achievement, whilst ensuring that students are prepared with “the critical skills needed to succeed in the 21st Century.”
Newlands School facilities include 42 classrooms with the Foundation Stage on the ground floor, separated from older students. Years 1 to 3 are located on the Ground floor with exterior access. In addition, there are specialist art, media and music rooms, a dedicated Activity Room, 4 Science labs including specialised Physics, Chemistry and Biology facilities and 1 general lab for primary students, 1 specialist room for computing, coding and ICT, multi-purpose sports and theatre hall, a library/learning centre, Special Needs Centre, Cafeteria and Teacher CPD Centre.
Sports facilities include a multi-purpose hall, a 10×20 metre swimming pool with changing facilities plus outdoor football pitch and cricket nets. There is a strong focus on extra-curricular activities – academic, non-academic and sporting – with an extended lunch break of one hour to enable students to participate during the school day as well as after school.
Students receive a personalised education with maximum class sizes of 25 for Foundation Stage and 26 from Year One upwards. Each Year Group has a ‘Year Leader’ and each class will have a Tutor who takes responsibility for the care and all-round development of each student. Individual Class Tutors lead on communication between the student’s home and the school.
The school supports students with a range of special needs across the spectrum – behavioural, social and emotional; communication and interaction; sensory and physical; medical conditions or health-related disability; learning difficulties; gifted and talented, and disabled. The SEND team focus on addressing gaps in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy, early difficulties caused by adopting English as an additional language, mild dyslexia and dyspraxia, certain forms of autism, mobility difficulties and manageable difficulties in hearing and sight.
The owners of Newlands School come from a long background of over 40 years in the provision of the UK curriculum across schools in South Asia, South East Asia and Oman. Founder and Chairperson of Newlands School, Mrs. Nasreen Kasuri, commented “We feel proud to be able to offer a world-class English curriculum at affordable prices to discerning families in Dubai”.
Bottom Line? The SchoolsCompared Verdict 2019
With an experienced organisation behind it and the promise, on all-through opening, of a quality British education to A level at affordable prices, Newlands has the potential to attract a significant number of families in the northern Dubai/Sharjah border area.
The focus on local culture and, specifically, the aim to attract Emirati students through the scholarship programme, suggests that Newlands School really does intend to be a truly international school with a very local focus.
First inspection due 2020-21
NA
NA
NA
Private, for profit
FS1: 19,200
FS2: 19,200
Year 1: 23,400
Year 2: 23,400
Year 3: 23,400
Year 4: 23,400
Year 5: 26,400
Year 6: 26,400
Year 7: 28,800
Year 8: 28,800
Year 9: TBC
Year 10: TBC
Year 11: TBC
Year 12: TBC
Year 13: TBC
UK National Curriculum, EYFS, IGCSE, A Level
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
No
No
Not published
1:26
British
TBC
2017
Al Warqa, Dubai
Arabic (largest nationality)
International
Mixed
Yes
Beaconhouse Group
+971 50 8003460
http://www.newlandsschool.ae/
42 standard classrooms
4 science labs with 3 of them as specialist labs (for secondary physics, chemistry and biology) and 1 general lab for primary
1 specialist room for computing, coding and ICT
a multi-purpose hall
1 library/learning centre and a staff development/training centre
Special Needs base and resource centre
Kitchen and catering facilities
10×20 metre swimming pool with changing facilities plus outdoor football pitch and cricket net
External play spaces of more than 1,100 sqm including separate areas for KG, primary and secondary
Additional outdoor space for parking, access and for massing – meeting regulatory requirements for cars and buses
Clinic space (doctor’s room, treatment room, nurses’ room, waiting areas) exceeding minimum guidelines
2 prayer rooms for males and females separately (1 each, with their own ablutions)
Established and experienced operator
Recognised UK curriculum
Smaller class sizes compared with more costly schools
Strong focus on local culture
Good range of facilities
Strong focus on SEND provision
Little detail available currently on additional costs (if any) related to SEND provision
Additional fees for books on top of tuition fees (ranging from AED 1,200 to AED 1,700 pa)
The only school with Native teachers and less fees in Al Warqa. Highly recommended.
Since Mr David has joined as a Principal, this school has changed alot . My children love going to school everyday and I can’t thank them enough for that.
Newlands has a Warm and loving atmosphere. The leadership and teachers always welcome attending parents with open arms and a smile. My children love their school. Teachers also work hard and send interesting and inspiring homework for our children children. I would highly recommend this school.
In this time of covid 19 this school has shown great effort in making e learning successful. I was very worried for my children in the beginning when the schools were closed but Ms Stella and Mr Alex they made my children so happy. I can proudly say that I am happy with the school.
My child joined newlands this year, we are all happy with Newlands, affordable and better than other school which looks luxury, I can see my child making big progress in this school