The Best School for Environmental Science and Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024 Revealed. Top Schools Award Winner. Official.
The Winner
The SchoolsCompared.com Top Schools Awards for
The Best School for Environmental Science and Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024
is awarded to:
The Arbor School Dubai
Our view of The Arbor School Dubai
Web: https://thearborschool.ae
KHDA: Good with Very Good and Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school–review/the–arbor–school
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all–through/dubai–all–through/arbor–school–al–furjan/
The Arbor School rewrites the rulebook on what Environment focused education means in practice. This is a school that provides an education for sustainability, not about sustainability. It is equally, if not even more about, justice, humanity, ethics, fairness, equality, a more harmonious world. To build a better world Arbor focuses on exploring the world in all its aspects through the fundamental ecological concepts – and giving students exposure to an extraordinary breadth of opportunities to discover their purpose, talents and passion. Together, in delivering these, Arbor gives its students the tools to graduate and build rewarding and successful lives. It’s a fundamentally different approach to that adopted in other schools – and one built on a very clever, quite political, understanding of the world and action. The school talks about not being focused on creating activists per se, but the underlying model of education upon which everything is based is, in itself, a giant call for change and action:
“We are not a school that does what schools have done before, or do currently. We do education differently.
What has been done before in education got us into the state of the world we have today.
We do not believe in the status quo. The status quo is just another word for sustainability. Our students do not accept the world as it is. They do not accept that the focus should be on sustainability.
We could have easily just designed a school that supports the status quo. We could have educated children in sustainability and keeping things the same. But, look around you, the same is not good enough.
[We reject] the approach of most schools.
We look much more radically, and aspirationally, at the possibility of a world that is not merely sustainable, but one that is abundant – a world that flourishes and has harmony. This means we question everything.
Brett Girven, Principal, The Arbor School, speaking with SchoolsCompared.com 2023
The Arbor School stands out in so many ways, but it is the radical approach to environmental education adopted here with passion, seriousness and intent, that is absolutely stand-out. The result in is an exceptionally inspirational and meaning-rich education for students.
Abundance, rather than Sustainability, is explored here, this through a diverse syllabus stretching across the same broad spectrum of British curriculum subjects you will find at all outstanding British schools, but with a much greater depth of purpose. Do not expect a school that is a narrowly focused on green issues and teaching in a limited array of subjects that are focused only on ecology. That is not what the school is about.
Instead, Arbor is focused on working out how the world can build globally sustainable communities based on a world that works for all people. This is a radical, activist approach to sustainability and very different from the way that sustainability and eco-literacy are taught and explored by other schools.
Arguably other schools take an historical approach to the subject. Arbor replaces this with an empirical approach that looks to, hands-on, shape the future.
In all subjects, as far as possible, the school does this using place-based learning, which brings these most fundamental of ecological concepts alive. It pulls in disciplines across the curriculum, from the Arts to the Sciences, to do this. Arbor is not a green school, if that is understood as meaning a school that only teaches, for example, Zoology or Botany. Instead, it is about giving all subjects weight – from Literature to Economics, from Physics and Chemistry to Mathematics, but within the overarching context of ecological opportunity, sustainability and abundance.
Examples of local and contextual place-based learning include integration within the curriculum of powerful local areas of research and natural impact. These include:
- The Jabal Ali Marine Reserve which is used by students every day, four days a week, between October and January by students;
- Visits to the desert, its wadis and mountains. The desert is not about being green, as most people understand green, it is about a plethora of ecological issues that take in every discipline; and,
- Visits to The Fujairah Research Centre to explore economic solutions and impacts of human experience, research and developments.
These and related areas give students a lens to explore culture, moral and social issues, Economics, Sustainability, Mathematics, Literature, Geography, Arabic – every possible subject and part of human experience.
Worth noting it is nigh on impossible to get access, let alone regular access, to the Marine and Wildlife Reserves that The Arbor School has managed to secure for its students. These are world recognised protected space in the UAE. They are not tourist attractions available to the public. You do not, and cannot, buy tickets. No school too, comes anywhere near this level of integration of real-world empirical study – and across subjects.
The Arbor School is better understood not as “green school” but, rather, as a school for future economists, biologists, literary critics, politicians, mathematicians, activists, designers, engineers, journalists – students across every discipline, who will leave the school understanding the world through the deeper mindset of ecology, context and the opportunities. These are the future leaders of a world that is not a tweaked version of the world we have now, but a different, new and better one. And that knowledge comes from hands-on, real-world engagement with Nature – and nature locally.
It is absolutely not about reading about the melting of the polar ice caps in books, but, instead, seeing the work of
Nature here locally and meaningfully – in the desert; in the Mangroves; and in the economic ways that the UAE negotiated its move away from an economy built on carbon, to one built on a variant of Tourism that stands out for its protection of the natural world. These are the lessons Arbor teaches, and the issues which it explores so powerfully, hands-on in a way unique in the UAE – and indeed worldwide.
The GCSE option in Global Perspectives (Cambridge) in many ways brings these disciplines together. Partly project-based, partly essay-based and partly examination-based, the subject focuses on the type of deep experiential, place-based learning and empirical engagement that Arbor believes is central to an outstanding education and explores the major issues of the twenty first century using knowledge from all disciplines.
Pictured: Brett Girven, Principal, The Arbor School Dubai
The Arbor School is a rare pioneer in education. Brave, principled, innovative, many see first the six biodomes that dramatically define the landscape around it. But impressive as these are, these are mere pointers to the much richer education and underpinning philosophy that really go the heart of what is being achieved here for children. The richness of offer here is truly something to behold. This is a school that is leading the world in all that it achieves for children and its rich and pioneering re-drawing of the foundations of an outstanding education.
Award Presentation
Best-School-for-Environmental-Science-The-Arbor-School-Winner-Certificate
The Top Schools Award for Best School for Environmental Science and Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024 will be presented to The Arbor School Dubai at a special Breakfast Celebration at The Emirates Golf Club on the morning of 16th November 2023. At the event the recipient of The Top Schools Awards 2023 – 2024 for Outstanding Contribution to Education will be revealed.
Historic winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Education in the UAE Award include H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, recognised for his era defining leadership of Education in Dubai as a force for good; and the Varkey Family, for their instrumental role in shaping education in the UAE, and ensuring the life chances for generations of children, following the founding of GEMS Education in 1959.
Our Finalists.
Our extraordinary Finalists and those schools which have achieved outstandingly in so many ways for children in the Best School for Environmental Science and Sustainability category follow. Each of the following schools are recognised for their profound contribution to Environmental Science, Ecology and Sustainability in UAE Education:
American School of Dubai
Web: https://www.asdubai.org
KHDA: Good with Very Good and Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school–review/american–school–of–dubai
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/curricula/united–states–american–schools–in–uae/american–school–dubai–albarsha/
As in so many areas, The American School Dubai shines bright in its commitment to, and delivery of, environment education. Over the last five years the school has won multiple awards for its educational commitment and innovation in this area including:
- 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize
- Expo 2020 ‘Sustainability Champions’ Award
- MSA Service Learning Program of Distinction Award
- Eco-Schools Green Flag Award
- GESS Award for Environmental Ambassador for ASD’s Edible Education Program
- International School Awards (finalist) for Environmental Initiative category
- 2020 Roots & Shoots Award
- EEG Plastic Recycling Award Recipient
- EEG Paper Recycling Award Recipient
- EEG Aluminium Can Recycling Award Recipient
- ASD PTSA Grant recipient for the following projects:
- Elementary School reusable classroom plate/cutlery sets o Garden Kitchen restoration
- Cafeteria waste management system
Environmental education is built into DNA of whole-school life – and physically marked in its thriving sustainable garden, bee and sensory gardens, and composting program. The Expo 2020 ‘Sustainability Champions’ Award led to the installation of solar arrays that, as of 2023, have reduced the campus’ energy consumption from the grid by 4%—with plans underway to reduce overall grid-sourced energy by up to 50% by 2027. Students continually engage in and lead on-campus, community-wide, and global sustainability initiatives.
Memberships and affiliations evidence the outward looking engagement of the school both in terms of community outreach and internationally:
- Green Schools Alliance
- Eco-Schools Program
- Global Schools Program
- Emirates Environmental Group
- Roots and Shoots UAE
This sort of depth in global and UAE engagement extends to student leadership partnerships:
- UAE Schools Changemakers
- Collaborative (founding member)
- IMPACT Schools (founding member)
- Global Changemaker Project (through the Youth Forum Switzerland)
- Global Issues Network
- Compassion Summit
Extremely impressively, two direct members of staff are employed to deliver the schools sustainability and environmental programmes. This level of investment is almost unheard of. The American School of Dubai justifies its place as one of the most outstanding schools in the United Arab Emirates – and its work in this area is integral to achievements.
Fairgreen International School
Web: https://www.fairgreen.ae
KHDA: Good with Very Good and Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school–review/fairgreen–international–school
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/curricula/international–baccalaureate–schools–in–uae/fairgreen–internationalschool–sustainable–city–dubailand/
Environmental sciences courses at Fairgreen International School gain meaning and impact from the school’s unique placement within Sustainable City. Environmental Science is practically integrated into the community and broader school life. Examples of investment include a landmark rooftop garden as well as the Sustainable City’s biomes. In addition to the core curriculum, Fairgreen International School also offers a rich and diverse range of extracurricular activities that inspire students to explore Environmental Science and Sustainability in even greater depth. The school’s Eco-council provides students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects that promote environmental awareness and sustainability including plastic reduction campaigns, composting, and recycling.
Fairgreen is a member of Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoot programme and has received awards for our service and support. Dr Goodall personally visited the campus to show her support and recognize the school for its investment. Fairgreen is also part of the Million Solar Star programme and has pledged to support connecting schools with solar resources and engaging students in deploying clean energy. The school has pledged its support for the goal of inspiring one million students as “Solar Stars” to scale up solar power at schools around the world.
Social Responsibility is one of the seven pillars defining the focus and ethics of education and life at Fairgreen International School and central to its focus across International Baccalaureate disciplines. Students in
secondary school have the option to enrol in the SuMaS (Sustainability Management School) program as part of the Career Related Certificate from the International Baccalaureate. In this programme students have the choice of pathways which include sustainability, leadership, sustainable finance and digital innovation, sustainable hospitality management, sustainable fashion management and nature conservation.
Additionally, Fairgreen International School also has a strong commitment to sustainability in its day-to-day operations. It has continued to introduce initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using solar power to generate a significant majority of the school’s electricity needs, reducing water consumption through monitoring of sinks, investment in LED lighting and ongoing upgrades to efficient glazing.
Fairgreen International School told us:
“The teaching of Environmental Science and Sustainability at Fairgreen International School in Dubai is truly exceptional, providing students with a comprehensive and engaging education in these critical areas. Through its commitment to sustainability and its innovative curriculum, the school is equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle the environmental challenges of the future.”
Without doubt, Fairgreen International School remains top-three in the UAE for the quality of its environmental education – and a leader in the IB curriculum delivery in this space.
GEMS Legacy School
Web: https://www.gemslegacyschool–dubai.com
KHDA: Good with Very Good and Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school–review/gems–legacy–school
Principal Asha Alexander (and Executive Leader of Climate Change of GEMS Education) is one of the best known conviction educators working in the Environment space in the UAE – and her reputation is deserved. United Nations Climate Change (UNCC) Teacher-educated/accredited, Mrs Alexander has placed GEMS Legacy School on the world map as being the first school with a climate change teacher ambassador in every classroom. Students plant 15,000 trees each year as part of the ‘Plant a Legacy’ project, this inspiring recognition by the UK’s Guardian broadsheet to feature the school’s climate literacy template. Mrs Alexander was invited by UNITAR [United Nations Institute for Training and Research], and eduCCate Global, to attend and speak about the Trans-formative Teaching of the Climate Curriculum & the Climate Change Teacher (Certified) at COP 25, the global climate change conference in Madrid.
GEMS Legacy School is the UAE’s, and world’s, first eduCCate Global, UN Accredited Climate Change Hub School. As part of this, the Sustainable Development Goals are not taught as a stand-alone but are, rather, fully integrated into the curriculum as a climate literacy component through Problem-based and Actionbased learning.
School-wide initiatives also include recycling, composting and waste management in addition to various activities surrounding Eco-Art.
Mrs Asha Alexander Principal – GEMS Legacy School, Dubai Executive Leader – Climate Change, GEMS Education told SchoolsCompared.com:
“As the epicentre of learning, schools must teach students how to think critically, solve problems and use creativity, thereby enabling students to work in career areas that are predicted to experience significant growth. At GEMS Legacy School, we have integrated technical subjects with the arts (STEAM) to create a comprehensive educational approach so that students can improve their cognitive abilities, develop empathy and cultural sensitivity, while learning skills relevant to the 21st century. We aim to develop students who possess complex problem-solving skills that will lead them to transform society with innovation and sustainable solutions for the pressing problems of climate change, poverty, hunger, gender inequity, and sustainable development among others using the STEAM approach.”
It speaks volumes about what is delivered here that GEMS Education has made Legacy, a KG1 to Grade 7 school, its Centre of Excellence for Sustainability and Climate Change Education.
Regent International School
KHDA: Very Good with Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school–review/regent–international–school
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/primary–schools/dubai–primary–schools/regent–international–school–greensemirates–hills/
Regent International was transformed by the late Jason Jonathan King, in an overarching two-year project between 2021 and 2023 that took the best from a spectrum of schools across the UAE, including Sunmarke, to build a school focused on inspiring children. At its centre is a focus on curiosity as the springboard to child-centred learning – and the environment and sustainability are used as the primary levers within this. Teachers inspire students through nature-based discovery and exploration in a forest-school modelled outdoor environment in the early years, to establish learning foundations in technical, personal and social areas of the curriculum. This extends into a community learning environment that encompasses its location within The Greens. Innovations include teaching in the Japanese art of Hapa-Zome, clever use of hydroponics to manufacture perfume and lemonade, Eco Warrior initiatives to cascade climate activism throughout the school, and external speaker engagements (including Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature–WWF, speaking on career opportunities as an environmentalist).
Joanne Leslie, Environment & Sustainability Lead and Deputy Head of EYFS and Key Stage 1, Regent International School, told SchoolsCompared.com:
“One of the main benefits of adopting the curiosity approach is the focus of teaching children the importance of sustainability and saving our planet. We do this daily in a variety of ways and have stepped away from purchasing plastic toys in classrooms. Instead, we look for the beauty of natural, open-ended materials which can have multiple uses and purposes. Children can then take responsibility of their own environment and take care of the world around them. We look to transform and reset educational practice by bringing curiosity, awe and wonder to our curriculum by encouraging our children to embrace nature, value the outdoors and protect our planet in the process.”
Dr. Neil Hopkin FRSA, Executive Principal, Fortes Education continued:
“In today’s world, environmental challenges such as climate change and resource depletion are becoming increasingly pressing issues. It’s important that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and skills to address these challenges and work towards a more sustainable future. By incorporating environmental education into the curriculum and providing opportunities for students to explore and learn about these issues, Regent International School is preparing its students to be informed and responsible citizens who can make a positive impact on the world.”
A final note.
The Top Schools Awards takes over a year to produce. It engages with parents, students educators and educationalists over countless months, and the work invested in these Awards is the stuff of sleepless nights and deeply felt responsibility. We produce these Awards to celebrate our amazing schools, our magnificent teachers – who are the centre of the universe, our school leaders, whose lives will be judged by their impact on children, and the amazing students that they build a future for. These Awards are only about recognising this – in a world in which our schools and educators have far, far too little recognition. If on exploring these Awards you do one single thing, it should be to reach out to each and every one and thank them for all they do, each and every one of our schools, teachers and school leaders. You have absolutely no idea how much that would mean.
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