Safa Community School
About
Inspection Rating
Outstanding-- KHDA
Languages Taught
English, Arabic, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin
Phone
Website
Address
Al Barsha South, Dubai, UAE
Programs Offered
15 ProgrammesFoundation Stage 1 (FS1)
1 year / EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage for ages 3-4. Play-based, child-led learning across 7 areas of development. Flexi-FS1 option: 3, 4, or 5 days per week during first two terms.
Foundation Stage 2 (FS2)
1 year / EYFS
Early Years Foundation Stage for ages 4-5. Preparing children for Key Stage 1 through structured play and early literacy.
Year 1
1 year / KS1
Key Stage 1 for ages 5-6. National Curriculum with specialist teaching. French, Spanish, German, or Mandarin introduced.
Year 2
1 year / KS1
Key Stage 1 for ages 6-7. Building core literacy and numeracy skills with subject specialist teaching.
Year 3
1 year / KS2
Key Stage 2 for ages 7-8. Developing deeper subject expertise and increasing independence.
Year 4
1 year / KS2
Key Stage 2 for ages 8-9. Broader curriculum with cross-curricular learning.
Tuition Fees 2025/26
All fees in AED per academic year
| Grade | Key Stage | Ages | KHDA Fee | School Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | EYFS | 3-4 | 54,437 | - |
| FS2 | EYFS | 4-5 | 54,437 | - |
| Year 1 | KS1 | 5-6 | 56,753 | - |
| Year 2 | KS1 | 6-7 | 56,753 | - |
| Year 3 | KS2 | 7-8 | 56,753 | - |
| Year 4 | KS2 | 8-9 | 59,070 | - |
| Year 5 | KS2 | 9-10 | 61,386 | - |
| Year 6 | KS2 | 10-11 | 63,703 | - |
| Year 7 | KS3 | 11-12 | 75,286 | - |
| Year 8 | KS3 | 12-13 | 75,286 | - |
| Year 9 | KS3 | 13-14 | 79,919 | - |
| Year 10 | KS4 (GCSE) | 14-15 | 80,495 | - |
| Year 11 | KS4 (GCSE) | 15-16 | 82,732 | - |
| Year 12 | Sixth Form | 16-17 | 84,967 | - |
| Year 13 | Sixth Form | 17-18 | 89,440 | - |
Fee Calculator
Estimate total annual fees for your family
Transport via STS (pricing varies by area). No cafeteria meal plan — packed lunches required. 80% of 120+ ECAs offered free. Saturday school support at no cost.
Payment Information
Refundable if school does not offer a place
Re-registration: AED 2,400 charged in Term 3 invoice, offset against Term 1 of next year. Medical fee: AED 1,500 annually.
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 | GoodGood | GoodGood |
Source: Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) — March 2024
Curriculum
UK EYFS framework with play-based, child-led learning. Flexi-FS1 option allows 3, 4, or 5 days per week. Arabic taught twice weekly through play, music, and movement. Swimming from FS1 in the dedicated learner pool.
Teaching Approach
Play-based and child-led with both indoor and outdoor environments. Emphasis on curiosity, enthusiasm, building capacity to learn, forming relationships, and thriving.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
National Curriculum for England adapted for international context. Subject specialist teaching begins. Modern Foreign Languages introduced from Year 1.
Teaching Approach
Building on EYFS foundations with specialist teaching across all subjects. Schemes of work delivered in English with UAE MOE Arabic and Islamic Studies curriculum.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
IGCSE Option Subjects
National Curriculum for England with deeper subject expertise and increasing independence. 98% of Year 6 students progress to SCS Secondary.
Teaching Approach
Developing deeper subject expertise with increasing independence. Preparing for transition to secondary with cross-curricular learning.
Core Subjects
Specialist Subjects
IGCSE Option Subjects
Facilities
Academic
14 Science Laboratories
Dedicated labs for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
5 Computer Science Labs
Fully equipped computing facilities
2 STEAM Labs
Dedicated STEAM learning spaces
6 Design Technology Rooms
CAD/CAM, CNC machining, and automotive production facilities
2 Food Technology Rooms
Equipped kitchens for Food Technology
4 Libraries
Including a state-of-the-art children's library
Performing Arts
550-Seat Auditorium
Theatre with retractable seating for productions and events
8 Art Rooms
Specialist art studios
7 Music Rooms
Music teaching rooms with practice facilities
3 Drama Rooms
Dedicated drama studios
Dance Studio
Purpose-built dance studio
Sports & Recreation
2 Olympic-Sized Swimming Pools
Outdoor covered pools plus a dedicated learner pool
2 Indoor Sports Halls
Full-size indoor sports halls
FIFA-Approved Soccer Pitch
International-sized football pitch
4G Rugby Pitch
Full contact rugby pitch with inbuilt shock pad
Athletics Track
Refurbished high-performance running track
CrossFit Outdoor Zone
Outdoor conditioning and fitness area
4 Netball Courts
Outdoor netball facilities
Tennis Courts
Outdoor tennis court facilities
Wellbeing
Medical Clinic
Fully equipped with in-house doctor and 3 nurses
Student Life
Senior School Campus
Purpose-built AED 50m facility for Years 10-13, opened September 2022
Extracurricular Activities
Staffing & Leadership
Senior Leadership
Leanne Fridd
Principal
New Zealander. Joined SCS in 2016 as Headteacher/Vice Principal. University of Canterbury graduate. Holds NPQH from UCL Centre for Educational Leadership. Previously Head of Learning and Teacher Innovation at GEMS Wellington Primary School. Toured Finland studying best-practice educational systems.
Mike Davies
Head of Secondary
Led the expansion of the secondary school. 90% of previous Year 6 cohort joined SCS secondary under his leadership. Advocates for individual student opportunity.
Jemma Hudson
Head of Primary
Leads the primary phase at Safa Community School.
Eleanor Nolan
University and Careers Advisor
Supports Sixth Form students with university applications and career guidance. Highlighted diversity of graduate destinations across STEM, medicine, law, business, and archaeology.