Julie Jones
We’re delighted that you’re considering NAS Abu Dhabi.
We look forward to answering your questions and getting to know your family.
The Admissions Team
Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi
At NAS Abu Dhabi, all our students follow a carefully designed curriculum pathway to success, from early years through to sixth form. Guided by outstanding British and international teachers, your child will get exceptional academic results that open doors to higher education across the globe. One in two Nord Anglia students go on to study at one of the world’s top 100 universities, including Cambridge, Stanford, and Imperial College London.
Your child will also enjoy an extraordinary range of global learning experiences, cultivating their creativity and resilience and nurturing their passions and talents. This includes exclusive collaborations with The Juilliard School, UNICEF, and MIT, as well as life-changing trips, expeditions, and enrichment activities.
Nord Anglia Education is the world’s leading premium schools organisation, with over 80 schools across 32 countries, inspiring and educating 70,000+ students aged 1.5 to 19 years.
| Number of students |
2400 will be the total capacity of the school. |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
Currently, around 75 different nationalities. |
| Most common nationality |
British |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
About 10% |
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
French, Spanish, German and Mandarin. |
| Max. number of students per class |
24 |
| Average number of students per class |
20-24 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
We use a balanced approach as we believe it is crucial for students to learn the traditional way. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online during emergencies) |
We use virtual classroom technologies to allow learning to continue in situations where face-to-face learning is not an option, which is now extremely rare. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Muslim students follow the Ministry Of Education curriculum for Islamic Studies. |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Only Muslim students attend Islamic classes. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
IGCSE, A Levels |
| Results in these examinations |
Our first Y11 cohort will take GCSE examinations in Summer 2026. Results from early entries last year: 67% grade 9; 87% grades 7-9; 100% strong pass or higher. Two of our students have been recognised by Pearson Edexcel for outstanding GCSE results. One sat Chinese a year early and earned the highest mark in the Middle East, receiving an Outstanding Pearson Learner Award. Another received an Excellence Award after scoring grade 8 or above in eight subjects. In November, 14 students sat their GCSE early: every student secured a grade 8 (A*), with half achieving the top grade, 9 (A**). Two students achieved full marks. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
It varies depending on the year group. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
One in two Nord Anglia students go on to study at one of the world's top 100 universities, including Cambridge, Stanford, and Imperial College London. Guided by outstanding British and international teachers, your child will get exceptional academic results that open doors to higher education across the globe. |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Learning support offered |
Support is provided based on the child's needs. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
All children at NAS Abu Dhabi are supported to reach their full potential, regardless of their level. Teachers are highly skilled in personalising the learning so that everyone is supported, challenged and stretched. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
| Entry evaluation for students |
We meet all students before enrolling, either online or in person. This meeting helps us understand a child's needs and determine where extra support is required to ensure their success in our curriculum. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
CAT4 tests and conversations with students and parents. Previous reports will also be reviewed. |
| Waiting list |
We do have a waiting list for some year groups. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
We accept applications all year round. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
Lessons start promptly at 8:30 am. Between 7:30 am and 8:15 am, we offer #MEtime (Morning Enrichment). This is a window where students have the option to engage in invigorating activities, skill-building experiences, enjoy a nutritious breakfast with friends at school, or stay at home and sleep a bit longer. |
| School finish time |
Lessons finish at 3:30 pm. Afternoon Enrichment programme runs from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes. While the core school day runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, students can come to school at 7:30 am and join any of the activities offered within the #MEtime. In the afternoon, we offer over 100 enrichment activities so that children can stay in school until 4:30 pm. This gives families flexibility and offers students plenty of opportunities to engage in a variety of activities, explore interests and nurture talents. |
| School bus service available |
Yes, for the core ours (8:30 -3:30) and an optional service after afternoon enrichment at 4:30. |
| School provided lunches |
We have partnered with Food Nation, an award-winning catering provider to ensure our students have nutritious, healthy and tasty snacks and lunch options that are prepared on site daily. Food Nation shares our commitment to sustainability and health. Orders are made conveniently on the parent app. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Parents can expect to find a broad range of extra-curricular activities before and after school. We have over 100 different activities catering for all interests and nurturing holistic development. |
| Sports activities included |
Students have access to the highest standard of Physical Education, sports programmes and facilities. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Students will have the opportunity to participate in team sports and competitions, such as ADISSA, BSME and Nord Anglia Middle East Games. |
| Facilities at the school |
Large classrooms, 3 world-class libraries, 8 state-of-the-art science labs, multiple DT labs, mulriple music rooms, dedicated play areas for EYFS and Primary, an auditorium and an amphitheatre, offering students advanced learning environments and exceptional experiences to grow their talents. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Outdoor sports fields with running track, indoor and outdoor multi-purpose sports hall, and 3 swimming pools (50 metres, 25 metres and learner pool), gym. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
NAS Abu Dhabi champions an ambitious education – there are no limits to what our students can achieve. Our personalised, transformational education inspires your child to be their best, achieving outstanding academic outcomes that will take them to the world’s best universities. By joining a Nord Anglia Education school, your child will be exposed to unique learning opportunities through our exclusive collaborations with The Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UNICEF, as well as life-changing trips, expeditions, and enrichment activities. Nord Anglia Education is the world’s leading premium schools organisation, with more than 80 schools across 32 countries, inspiring and educating 70,000+ students aged 1.5 to 19 years. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
NAS Abu Dhabi follows the National Curriculum for England, offering a carefully designed curriculum pathway to success, from Early Years Foundation Stage for its youngest students, leading to IGCSE for those in Years 10 and 11, followed by AS and A level examinations in Years 12 and 13. At the forefront of this experience is a personalised approach to learning to empower students to map out their academic journey from their early years. The Nord Anglia schools are known for their broad curriculum offering in both technology and performing arts, including their associations with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Juilliard School of Performing Arts. Parents can expect to find a broad range of sports activities, together with a wide range of extra-curricular activities. |