Cities / Abu Dhabi / Al Maharat Private School
Al Maharat Private School
A small school in Shakhbout City that switched from the UAE Ministry curriculum to the UK National Curriculum in 2022, still finding its footing.
In brief
A small school in Shakhbout City that switched from the UAE Ministry curriculum to the UK National Curriculum in 2022, still finding its footing.
The curriculum change cost the school most of its enrolment, and only around 100 students were on roll at the June 2024 ADEK inspection. Class sizes are tiny, with strong individual attention and an inclusive approach that suits some families with mild learning needs.
Parent feedback is positive on staff warmth and accessibility, particularly for early-years children. The school is part of the ICS group network. Families who choose Al Maharat are usually Shakhbout City residents looking for a low-pressure, small-cohort British-stream environment rather than parents shopping the wider Abu Dhabi market.
Fees
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | AED 1,000 |
Reviews
A small Shakhbout City school still rebuilding after a sharp pivot. The Ministry-of-Education-to-UK switch in 2022 hollowed the roll out to around 110 students, and the school has been climbing back since. The ADEK rating moved from Acceptable to Good in 2024, safeguarding sits in the top band, and the senior team that drove that turnaround is now extended by a new principal who arrived in April 2025. What parents talk about most is the intimacy: everyone known by name, the inclusion team reaching out rather than being chased. The trade for that is a thin secondary offer and core primary attainment that the inspectors still rate as Acceptable rather than Good.
Positives
- Small-community feel. Roll of around 110 means classes are small and teachers know every child. Parents describe leadership as visible and approachable.
- Inclusion and SEND. Families with additional needs talk about proactive contact from the inclusion team and a building designed to be accessible. Individual plans run with input from outside specialists.
- Inspection trajectory. ADEK moved the school from Acceptable to Good in 2024, with care and support flagged as a strength. Safeguarding rated Very Good.
- Mid-range fees. Annual fees of roughly AED 20,000 to 31,000 sit well below the headline British schools in Abu Dhabi.
Considerations
- Primary attainment. Core primary English, maths and science still sit at Acceptable rather than Good in the most recent inspection. Arabic-medium subjects also.
- No sixth form. Years stop at the lower secondary end. Families need to plan a transition for IGCSE and A Level.
- Scale of the offer. A roll this small constrains sport, music and clubs compared with the larger British schools across the city.
- Leadership turnover. Principal changed again in April 2025. The senior team that started in 2022 is credited with the turnaround, but continuity at the top is still relatively new.
Leadership
Christine Woods
With over 30 years of international leadership experience, I have worked across diverse schools in the UK and UAE, including as a Founding Principal in Sharjah and a senior leader in several outstanding Abu Dhabi schools. My mission has always been to build schools where students love to learn, teachers are empowered to grow, and families feel deeply connected.
Location
مدينة شخبوط منطقة 165 - 9MP2+9G8 قطعة P1 - Shakhbout City - MSH25 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates