Safa British School
Safa British School
Safa British School (SBS) is a privately owned, co-educational British curriculum school located in Al Safa, Dubai, established in 2005. From modest beginnings as a small primary, SBS has grown into a fully-fledged all-through school educating over 1,750 students from 80+ nationalities, from FS1 through Year 13. The school relocated to a purpose-built campus in Al Safa in 2020, featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, performing arts black box theatres, F1 in Schools and FAB labs, and the famous Safa Farm. SBS follows the English National Curriculum enhanced by a Curiosity Approach in Early Years, GCSEs and IGCSEs at Key Stage 4, and International A Levels with BTEC options in Sixth Form. The school achieved a Very Good KHDA rating in 2023-2024 with Outstanding ratings for wellbeing, inclusion, leadership, and many other areas. SBS also holds an Outstanding BSO (British Schools Overseas) accreditation. Known for exceptional staff retention with turnover as low as 2%, the school is led by Principal Brian Horwell with support from Executive Principal Leanne Fridd. The first GCSE cohort in 2024 achieved 42% at Grades 9-7, well above UK averages.
Fees for 2026/2027, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
Fees are KHDA's approved tuition for 2026/27, which the school charges in full - no discount is recorded, so the approved and charged figures are the same. The school's own fee page is still headed 2025-2026 but the amounts are unchanged, which is what the Dubai fee freeze produces. Tuition only: uniform, stationery, a device and transport are charged separately. A sibling discount of 15% applies from the third child, and academic and sporting scholarships of up to 50% are awarded competitively - neither is included in the figures shown.
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KHDA 2023–2024 inspection
Follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage framework with the Curiosity Approach - a child-led, play-based methodology that promotes natural learning through exploration and discovery. Enhanced outdoor play provision with direct classroom access to outdoor spaces. Focus on communication, personal development, physical skills, and early literacy and numeracy.
English National Curriculum with phonics-based reading instruction and structured core academics. Arabic and Islamic Education introduced per UAE requirements. Strong emphasis on building foundational literacy, numeracy, and scientific curiosity.
Broad and enriched English National Curriculum with specialist teaching in science, languages, and creative arts. Enhanced digital learning programme introduced. French language instruction alongside Arabic. Preparing students for the transition to secondary education.
Full subject specialisation with separate science disciplines. Modern foreign language options alongside Arabic. House system embedded for inter-house competitions and peer mentoring. Careers guidance begins with GCSE subject selection preparation in Year 9.
GCSE and IGCSE programme with core and option subjects. BTEC Level 2 vocational pathways also available for practical learning. First GCSE cohort in 2024 achieved 42% at Grades 9-7, well above UK averages, with 24% at Grade 9.
International A Level programme with BTEC Level 3 and hybrid A Level-BTEC pathways. Dedicated Sixth Form centre with independent study areas. First Year 13 cohort set to graduate in 2025-2026. UCAS support and university preparation for UK, UAE, and international destinations.
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Specialist science labs for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics practical work across secondary year groups.
Fabrication laboratories equipped with CNC machine, 3D printers, and maker tools for design, engineering, and technology projects.
Dedicated lab for the F1 in Schools STEM competition programme - designing, manufacturing, and racing miniature Formula 1 cars.
Well-stocked library with over 5,500 books supporting independent study and research across all subjects.
Specialist art studios for drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and creative design projects.
Dedicated Sixth Form centre with independent study areas, breakout spaces, and university preparation resources.
Full Olympic-size swimming pool for lessons, competitive swimming, and water polo programmes.
Separate shallow pool designed specifically for Early Years and younger primary students.
Principal
Appointed Principal from April 2025, formerly Head of Secondary at SBS since 2019. Started his career as a Geography teacher in the UK before moving to Dubai in 2014. Previously served as Deputy Headteacher and Secondary Headteacher with a major UAE school group.
Vice Principal and Head of Primary
Head of Secondary
Deputy Head Primary
Deputy Head Secondary
Director of Inclusion
Head of Foundation Stage, Assistant Head
Assistant Head, Designated Safeguarding Lead - Primary
Registrar
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Al Safa 1, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
