Gemma Thornley
Principal
The Arbor School is an exciting, dynamic and forward-thinking school that prepares young people for a rapidly changing world, nurturing a core belief in environmental mindfulness, responsibility and the importance of sustainability.
Providing a high standard of education based on the National Curriculum for England, we offer a unique ecological approach to learning within a positive and caring school environment, that’s enriched with a compassionate, ethical outlook focused on ecoliteracy, sustainability and environmental justice.
Pupils are encouraged to be engaged, resourceful, curious problem solvers whilst connecting with nature and their world.
We instill in our children a confidence to question and challenge the systems that we live in coupled with compassion and care for their friends, family and wider members of the community as well as a sense of responsibility for their environment.
At the Arbor School we approach education through a multifaceted, experiential lens. This is a necessary component of ecological place-based education and project-based learning, both of which are key foundational aspects of our curriculum. Our pupils are encouraged to be engaged, creative, curious problem solvers whilst reconnecting with nature and their world.
Through experiential education, our students develop a mind-set of experimentation, imagination and curiosity with a special focus on ecological mindfulness and ethical values such as compassion, resilience, and innovation.
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 42 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1300
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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50
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Most common nationality
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British
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Ratio of local students to international students
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Low
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Native English speaking teachers
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Teachers are all UK trained, and all staff are high level English speakers.
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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Yes, and one on one tuition.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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French , Arabic and Spanish. A mother tongue programme is also available as an after school activity.
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Max. number of students per class
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There is a maximum of 22 students in each class within the Foundation Stage, whilst classes throughout the remainder of the school shall not exceed 25 students per class.
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Average number of students per class
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24
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes, and a HLTA for every class also.
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Use of technology in the classroom
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For technology specific lessons such as Computer Science and for projects which are enhanced using technology. We employ a range of learning styles.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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Yes
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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The school is equipped with a prayer room and Muslim students take Islamic Studies classes.
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How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion?
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The school in inclusive and welcoming of all students. Non-Muslim students take alternative pathways during scheduled Islamic Studies classes.
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External examinations or assessments available
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IGCSE, A Levels
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Results in these examinations
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97% of students achieve 5 GCSEs 9-4 including English and Maths. Our first cohort is due to undertake A Level examinations in 2026.
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Yes
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Approximate hours of homework given
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This varies through Year groups, and is scheduled according to the needs of particular ages.
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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Our first cohort is due to graduate in 2026
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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SEND
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Learning support offered
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As per the expectations of the Inclusion Quality Mark, Education for All and good educational practice, students with additional needs will be supported at The Arbor School, through a supportive induction process and the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs). This service will be developed by the appropriate educational professionals in the Teaching and Learning unit and will define in class support, group work with specialist support in the teaching and learning unit, and one to one support.
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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Our Thrive programme provides tailored pathways for students with unique education needs.
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Student access to education psychologist
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Yes.
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Entry evaluation for students
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Assessment.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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The Arbor School attempts to ensure that the application procedure is informative, yet stress free for the children and families involved. As an inclusive school, Arbor is very aware that children shine in many different ways, so Arbor makes holistic decisions at admissions. Both students and parents meet with the Principal, and for children up to Year 2, a simple period of observation is held in a play setting, combined with some reading and Maths tasks. For children in Year 3 and above, an online diagnostic tool is used, but yet again, informs the process in a holistic manner.
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Waiting list
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Yes, in Primary.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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There are rolling admissions, however the start of the academic year is in August.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes.
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School start time
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7:40
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School finish time
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KG1 - kG2: 15:20
KG3 - G5: 16:15
These timings include the co-curricular programme at the school, which is an expected element of study.
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Supervised care before/after school
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Yes, as an option.
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School bus service available
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Yes
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School provided lunches
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Yes
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Yes, there are vegan, vegetarian and non vegetarian options.
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Uniform required
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Yes
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Facilities at the school
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Libraries, music rooms, auditorium, reflection garden, muddy play area, science labs, black box, biodomes.
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Sports facilities at the school
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FIFA compliant soccer pitch, multi-purpose hall for indoor sports, a variety of outdoor courts and a specially designed swimming pool.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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The Arbor School provides a high standard of education based on the National Curriculum for England, enriched with a compassionate, ethical outlook focused on eco-literacy, sustainability and environmental justice. This educational vision is embedded within the curriculum of The Arbor School in Al-Furjan and reflected in every lesson and task.
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Teaching approach of the school
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The Arbor School believes that the curriculum offered is an essential response to changes in the nature of schooling, as well as changes in society and the environment. The school will therefore identify themes and real-life topics of interest that provide meaningful contexts, allowing for project-based, cross-curricular topic approaches in which independent learning flourishes.
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Foundation | Ages 3 to 5
At Arbor School, we instil a love for learning from the very first steps and we recognise the importance of children having a secure and engaging start to their formal education. Our school vision develops an understanding of the world and how it is changing and we nurture sustainable mindsets through our eco-literacy specialism and our incredible facilities.
We follow a framework from the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which focuses on the wellbeing and development of children, through a play based approach. Through specialist teaching areas that include climate-controlled biodomes, learning gardens, food technology kitchen, art, drama and music studios, our unique environment will enhance your child’s first hand experiences.
Primary | Ages 5 to 11
Throughout the Primary, we cultivate emotional, social and ecological intelligence through daily school experiences across all subject areas. We provide stimulating learning opportunities which lead to children progressing through a series of assessment levels, culminating in their graduation in Year 6.
From the earliest years, our children begin to develop their understanding of ecoliteracy and become aware of both local and global issues surrounding environmental justice. This is supported by a commitment to exploring local ecosystems, whilst accessing our climate-controlled biodomes and learning garden for more detailed work within controlled environments.
Secondary | Ages 11 to 18
At Arbor, we strive to deliver an exceptional educational experience through a dynamic and holistic curriculum. Rooted in the National Curriculum of England and enriched by our commitment to sustainability and global citizenship, our approach ensures students are prepared for the challenges of the modern world while nurturing a deep connection to ecological literacy and personal growth through educating for sustainability.
The Arbor School Sixth Form provides a transformative educational experience equipping our students with skills, capabilities and dispositions for an ever-changing world whilst preparing them for their own futures. With a diverse range of A-levels and BTEC qualifications, students are empowered to explore their passions and achieve their aspirations, whilst being guided by our expert team on their future pathways and careers.
Arbor School Biodomes
Our ‘living classrooms’ include six climate-controlled biodomes; three large geodesic domes that sit at the heart of the Arbor School Bio Park, two of which function as a full tropical ecosystem available for Ecoliteracy teaching for all years.
The third dome is our Eco Exploratorium originally conceived as a Maker Space, this dome has been reimagined as a hub of specialist Ecoliteracy teaching and learning. It serves as one of two classrooms available for Ecoliteracy teaching for Middle Years students and is used by students in all phases and year groups. The school’s three mini biodomes are dedicated to everything from reading spaces to plant nurseries.
Our Campus
Nestled in Dubai’s Al Furjan community, The Arbor School offers a unique ecological learning environment. Central to its design is 3 climate-controlled biodomes as well as vibrant outdoor learning spaces, a green house, and a bee apiary, serving as immersive ‘Living Classrooms’ where students engage directly with diverse ecosystems.
The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including specialized science labs, art studios, and a 340-seat auditorium with an adjoining black box theatre and a fully-equipped recording studio. Athletic amenities include a full-sized football pitch, indoor and outdoor courts, and a swimming pool.
Complementing its commitment to sustainability, the on-site Farmhouse Café embraces a farm-to-fork philosophy, utilizing school-grown produce, and locally sourced organic ingredients.
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