Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai
About
Inspection Rating
Very Good-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, Arabic
Phone
Website
Address
Hessa Street, Tilal Al Ghaf, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
10 ProgrammesFoundation Stage 1 (FS1)
1 year / pre_k
Early Years Foundation Stage for ages 3-4. Play-based inquiry learning with specialist Arabic, PE, and Music. Biophilic campus with outdoor learning spaces. Maximum class size of 20.
Foundation Stage 2 (FS2)
1 year / pre_k
Early Years Foundation Stage for ages 4-5. Enhanced structured learning with phonics and numeracy. Specialist teaching in Arabic, Music, and Swimming.
Years 1-2
2 years / primary
Key Stage 1. English National Curriculum with specialist teaching. Core subjects plus Riyada curriculum (leadership, UAE Social Studies, moral education, wellbeing). Max class size 20.
Years 3-4
2 years / primary
Lower Key Stage 2. Broadened curriculum with enhanced subject-specialist teaching. History, Geography, Art, DT, Computing, Music, and PE.
Years 5-6
2 years / primary
Upper Key Stage 2. Academic rigour increasing with secondary transition preparation. Enrichment programme and house system participation.
Years 7-8
2 years / secondary
Key Stage 3 lower. Broad curriculum with subject-specialist teaching across all disciplines. Sports partnership with ISD Dubai Sports City.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | EYFS | 3-4 | 78,758 | - |
| FS2 | EYFS | 4-5 | 84,009 | - |
| Years 1-4 | KS1-KS2 | 5-9 | 95,560 | - |
| Years 5-6 | KS2 | 9-11 | 101,861 | - |
| Years 7-8 | KS3 | 11-13 | 101,861 | - |
| Year 9 | KS3 | 13-14 | 113,412 | - |
| Years 10-13 | KS4-KS5 | 14-18 | 119,713 | - |
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Part of Cognita group. 510-year heritage from Royal Grammar School Guildford UK. School growing year-by-year per KHDA regulations — currently FS1 to Year 10, Year 11 opening September 2026.
Payment Information
KHDA Rating
2023–2024| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | GoodGood | GoodGood |
| Progress over time | N/A | GoodGood | GoodGood |
| Indicator | Foundation | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
| Progress over time | N/A | Accept.Acceptable | Accept.Acceptable |
Source: Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) — January 2024
Curriculum
English Early Years Foundation Stage with play-based learning. Informal Arabic learning with specialist teachers. Purpose-built early years spaces within the biophilic campus. Maximum class size of 20 students.
Teaching Approach
Play-based inquiry with specialist instruction in Arabic, PE, Music, and Swimming. Biophilic campus environment with indoor and outdoor learning. Teacher-student ratio of 1:10.5.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
English National Curriculum with the unique Riyada curriculum combining leadership, UAE Social Studies, moral education, and wellbeing. Arabic as a core subject with Islamic Studies for Muslim pupils. Foundation subjects include History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Computing, Music, and PE. Maximum class size of 20.
Teaching Approach
Subject-specialist teaching with Riyada curriculum thread throughout. Enrichment programme including sports, library sessions, and music. House system for co-curricular engagement. Maximum class size of 20 students.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Broad English National Curriculum with subject-specialist teaching across all disciplines. GCSE option choices begin in Year 9. Platinum partnership with ISD Dubai Sports City providing elite sports facilities. Career guidance introduced.
Teaching Approach
Subject-specialist teaching in state-of-the-art facilities. Access to ISD Dubai Sports City including 5 football pitches, 9-lane athletics track, tennis courts. Societies programme including Medical Society and Colebrook Society.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
Facilities
40,000 sqm purpose-built biophilic campus in Tilal Al Ghaf, designed by Bogle Architects. The region's first nearly Zero Energy School with innovative HVAC and renewable energy systems. Central atrium with trees, plants, and living walls connecting classrooms via a 'street' concept. Features a 500-seat auditorium, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, FIFA-approved football pitch, 9-lane athletics track, and double-storey library. Platinum Partner with ISD Dubai Sports City for elite sports access.
Academic
Double-Storey Library
Comprehensive double-storey library supporting independent study and research across all year groups.
Science Laboratories
Specialist science labs for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and general science.
Design Technology Labs
Specialist DT workshops for product design, engineering, and GCSE/A-Level coursework.
Computing Labs
Modern computing labs for coding, digital literacy, and Computer Science coursework.
Language & Music Labs
Specialist rooms for Arabic instruction, language learning, and music practice and performance.
Sports & Recreation
25m Indoor Swimming Pool
25-metre indoor swimming pool for PE, swim training, and competitive galas.
Learning Pool
Smaller learning pool for Foundation Stage and early swimmers.
FIFA Football Pitch
Full-size FIFA-approved football pitch. Part of 5 pitches available through ISD Sports City partnership.
9-Lane Athletics Track
Full 9-lane athletics track for training, sports days, and competitive events.
Tennis Courts
Dedicated tennis courts for PE and co-curricular tennis programmes.
Multi-Functional Sports Hall
Indoor sports hall for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor sports.
Performance & Arts
500-Seat Auditorium
Multi-purpose 500-seat auditorium for performances, assemblies, guest speakers, and community events.
Art Studios
Dedicated art studios for visual arts, photography, and creative projects.
Drama Studios
Specialist drama studios for performing arts, rehearsals, and productions.
General
Biophilic Central Atrium
Living central atrium with trees, plants, and living walls connecting all learning spaces via a 'street' concept.
Solar & Zero Energy Systems
Nearly Zero Energy School with innovative HVAC and renewable energy systems. Won Energy Project of the Year award.
Outdoor Learning Spaces
Purpose-designed outdoor learning and recreation areas integrated into the biophilic campus design.
Transport
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
Senior Leadership
Matthew Pearce
Principal
Principal of Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Previously Rector at The Glasgow Academy. Leads the school's British curriculum programme with a focus on academic excellence, small class sizes, and personalised pastoral care within the 510-year RGS Guildford tradition.
Nicholas Radbourne
Deputy Head of Senior
Deputy Head of Senior School with over 30 years of experience in education. Responsible for academic standards, student progress, and pastoral care in the secondary phase.
Charlotte Grieves
Deputy Head of Prep
Deputy Head of the Preparatory School overseeing the primary phase including EYFS and Key Stages 1-2. Leads curriculum delivery and pastoral care.
James Bennett
Director of Sport and Extracurricular Activities
Director of Sport and Extracurricular Activities. Manages the Platinum Partnership with ISD Dubai Sports City and oversees the school's comprehensive sports and co-curricular programme.
Laura Evans
Head of Inclusion
Head of Inclusion leading the school's inclusive education programme. Ensures all students receive appropriate support, differentiation, and EAL provision.