Cities / Dubai / Al Salam Community School
Al Salam Community School
Founded by Sue Johnston as part of the Al Salam educational legacy dating back to 1986, ASCS delivers British curriculum education from early years through A Levels with mandatory UAE Ministry subjects in Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies.
In brief
Al Salam Community School teaches the British curriculum from Foundation Stage to A Level in Al Twar, alongside the UAE Ministry's Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies, to around 2,000 pupils. It holds CIS, NEASC, COBIS and British Schools Overseas accreditation, and KHDA has rated it Good at every inspection. Annual fees run from AED 23,795 in Foundation Stage to AED 41,102 in the sixth form, and the school reports 56 per cent of GCSE grades at A* or A.
Parents describe a family-run feel and a credible British education at mid-range fees, and inspectors credit the leadership's work on inclusion, with more than 130 students of determination on the register. Staff turnover is the main concern: KHDA's February 2024 report found almost half the staff were new. Inspectors also want more consistent primary teaching and stronger Arabic, and one parent moved their child after two terms, citing difficult management.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | AED 23,795 |
| FS2 | 4 | AED 23,795 |
| YR 1 | 5 | AED 27,041 |
| YR 2 | 6 | AED 27,041 |
| YR 3 | 7 | AED 29,204 |
| YR 4 | 8 | AED 29,204 |
| YR 5 | 9 | AED 31,367 |
| YR 6 | 10 | AED 31,367 |
| YR 7 | 11 | AED 35,152 |
| YR 8 | 12 | AED 35,152 |
| YR 9 | 13 | AED 36,775 |
| YR 10 | 14 | AED 38,938 |
| YR 11 | 15 | AED 38,938 |
| YR 12 | 16 | AED 41,102 |
| YR 13 | 17 | AED 41,102 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Fee | AED 525 | |
| Registration Fee | AED 2,000 |
Reviews
- Reviews lean positive, anchored on the family-run feel and the British curriculum at affordable fees. Parents across multiple sources describe the school as a credible mid-fee British option, with 11 ratings on record.
- KHDA has rated the school Good at every inspection since opening in 2019. British Schools Overseas inspectors awarded an Outstanding rating in January 2026.
- Parents flag strong inclusion provision: 134 students of determination registered, with leadership praised by inspectors for raising the profile of inclusion.
- Negative signal centres on staff turnover and management. The February 2024 KHDA report flagged that almost half of staff were new, with turnover at 20 percent. One parent moved their child to GFM Mizhar after two terms, citing difficult management. Staff describe weak pay structured as allowances rather than basic salary, affecting end-of-service gratuity.
- One parent feedback survey showed roughly a third of parents dissatisfied. Inspectors recommended improving primary teaching consistency and Arabic.
Positives
- Affordable British curriculum. Reddit and parent reviews repeatedly name the school as a credible mid-fee British option, with strong IGCSE results in the 2025 cycle.
- Family-run feel and inclusion. Parents and inspectors flag a strong community feel with active inclusion of students of determination.
Considerations
- Staff turnover. KHDA's February 2024 report noted almost half of staff were new, with turnover at 20 percent. Glassdoor staff reviews flag weak pay structures.
- Management responsiveness. One Reddit parent moved their child after two terms citing difficult management; other parents praise open communication.
- Primary teaching and Arabic. KHDA inspectors recommended improving primary teaching consistency and Arabic resourcing.
Leadership
Kifaya Khan
Kifaya Khan is a qualified British Headteacher with 20 years of experience in education. Originally from East London, he holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Queen Mary’s University of London and a second bachelor's in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 02
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 03
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 04
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 05
- KHDA 06
Academic results
- A Level grades at A or A* 35%
- GCSE results at A*-A 56%
- GCSE results at A*-B 75%