Best Schools for Performing Arts, Abu Dhabi, Dubai

North London Collegiate School Dubai

The launch event for North London Collegiate School, Dubai, opening in September 2017, was held at Dubai Opera. The venue was very specifically chosen to underline the emphasis that NLCS Dubai will place on the education of the whole child, and the provision of Performing Arts in particular. Students from NLCS London attended the event and performed (one soprano performance and a duet of cello and violin) to underline the skills developed at the London school.

North London Collegiate School in the UK consistently achieves top positions in GCSE, A-level and IB rankings, and secures genuinely outstanding university outcomes for its students. The Times ranks the school first in the UK for all schools for the IB Diploma (the curriculum on offer in Dubai) as well as GCSEs, and the top girls’ school for overall Sixth Form results.

The UK school has a rich history of alumni who have gone on to shine in the Performing Arts. North Londoners have played at St John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and the House of Lords; tours abroad have included performances in Venice, New York and Tuscany. Musical alumnae include the composer Judith Weir CBE and virtuoso string players, pianists and pop musicians. Many pupils have gone on to perform at the National Theatre, in the West End and in television and film.

Prospective parents should take confidence that the franchise/branch model used by North London Collegiate School in the UK to expand its overseas presence has already been proven in the establishment of a sister school in Jeju in South Korea [NLCS Jeju] which opened in 2011. In terms of results, the Korean school is amongst the best in North East Asia for International Baccalaureate Diploma scores.

Like the UK school, one key aspect of provision that is being emphasised is that broader ECA/whole child provision to balance the academics.

Having worked at NLCS in London and Jeju for fourteen years in total, the Principal of NLCS Dubai, Daniel Lewis, knows an NLCS education is about much more than academic success.

“NLCS Dubai will provide an outstanding extra-curricular programme that makes full use of our setting in Dubai and the UAE. Music and performance are a particular strength at NLCS schools, hence our decision to hold our launch at Dubai Opera. A focal-point of the NLCS Dubai campus will be our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre; combined with our sporting and games facilities, this will provide an opportunity for each student to develop their own interests.”

Each student will be able to explore and develop a love of music. As would be expected, Music will be part of the core curriculum from pre-KG to grade 8. Thereafter, students will follow the MYP and IBDP Music curricula as options. Music facilities will include a suite of specialist music practice rooms, a music recording studio, a keyboard composition suite and the performing arts centre.

As well as class music lessons within the timetable, students will have the opportunity to have private music instrumental lessons at an extra fee. Students will also have the chance to participate in orchestras, bands, chamber groups and choirs that will perform throughout the year. NLCS Dubai anticipates that 25-35% of students will be involved in peripatetic music classes.

The Drama Department will boast access to the Performing Arts Centre as well as several drama and dance studios and a backstage workshop. The state-of-the-art theatre and concert hall (equipped with full ‘flying’ capability – the facility is second-only to Dubai Opera in terms of professional theatre spaces in Dubai) will be able to host up to 750 audience members. There will be many opportunities for students to become involved with drama beyond the classroom in ambitious and challenging productions and the students will be able to gain experience of lighting, sound, set design and stage management.

The school intends to collaborate with Dubai Opera in establishing back-stage workshops to give practical opportunities and experience to both performers and non-performers. Drama will be taught on a weekly basis to grade 8 and will then be offered as part of the MYP and IBDP programmes.

Dance will be offered an additional subject as the school grows.

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