British School Al Khubairat
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$12K - US$20K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~2,000
Location: Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
BSAK is the default choice for British curriculum families in Abu Dhabi who want strong exam results, deep roots, and fees that sit well below Cranleigh - its not-for-profit status means money stays in the school rather than returning to shareholders.
BSAK has been part of Abu Dhabi since 1968 and still operates as a not-for-profit - unusual in a market dominated by commercial operators. That structure matters: the school consistently reinvests into teaching rather than margin. ADEK Outstanding since 2018-19, BSO Outstanding, and a place in the Spear's Schools Index Top 100 globally and Top 10 Middle East (2026) position it among the stronger British schools in the wider Gulf region.
The 2025 A-Level results are genuinely impressive: 50% A*-A, 72% A*-B, and a 99% pass rate across a 2,000-student school. IGCSE showed 60% at grades 9-7. Parent satisfaction at 4.4/5 across 255 reviews - with 94% saying they would recommend the school - is the highest of the three schools on this list by a significant margin. The two-thirds British passport demographic and approximately 15% Emirati enrolment reflect the Al Mushrif neighbourhood's long-established expatriate community.
The main consideration is capacity: BSAK is popular and waitlists for certain year groups can be long. The Al Mushrif location puts it 15-20 minutes from Saadiyat or the newer southern districts at off-peak times. Families in MBZ City or Khalifa City should check commute times carefully.
What parents value
- –50% A*-A at A-Level and 60% grades 9-7 at IGCSE in 2025 are strong numbers for a school of 2,000 students - this isn't a small selective cohort. Spear's Top 100 globally and Top 10 Middle East reflect sustained results.
- –Not-for-profit since 1968: no dividend extraction. Fees run AED 45,560 to 74,560 for 2025-26, markedly lower than Cranleigh for equivalent year groups and with no textbook charges on top.
- –Parent satisfaction of 4.4/5 across 255 reviews and 94% recommending the school is the clearest signal of a community that is genuinely happy. That depth of data makes this a reliable rating, not an outlier.
Points of consideration
- –Waitlists exist for popular year groups. Register as early as possible - don't assume a space will be available for the September you need.
- –The Al Mushrif location is central but not close to Saadiyat Island or the newer western districts. From Yas Island or MBZ City, you're looking at 30-40 minutes at school run times.
- –50+ nationalities in a two-thirds British school means the student community is familiar in profile. Families seeking greater demographic diversity may find the international mix less varied than at ACS.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 (core day) | 3 | 12,406 |
| FS1 (extended day) / FS2 | 3 | 13,999 |
| Y1-Y6 | 5 | 15,118 |
| Y7-Y9 | 11 | 19,553 |
| Y10-Y13 | 14 | 20,302 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Photos
Academic Results
| A-Level A*-A (2025) | 50% |
| A-Level A*-B (2025) | 72% |
| A-Level Pass Rate (2025) | 99% |
| IGCSE Grades 9-7 (2025) | 60% |
BSAK runs EYFS through IGCSE and then A-Level and BTEC in the sixth form. The 2025 results put 50% of A-Level entries at A* or A, 72% at A*-B, and the pass rate at 99% - across the full 2,000-student school, not a filtered subset.
IGCSE grades 9-7 came in at 60% in 2025. University destinations span UK Russell Group, US, and Australian universities, with a significant proportion heading to UK institutions given the British-majority student body.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: Al Mushrif campus · Sports fields · Swimming pools · Performing arts facilities · Sixth form centre
The Al Mushrif campus has been developed over decades and carries the texture of a school that has been part of the city for a long time. Sport, drama, and music all have strong traditions - families mention consistent co-curricular quality across the year groups.
No additional textbook charges in the fee structure means the cost of day-to-day school life is more predictable than at many rivals. The parent community is tightly knit, which makes settling in straightforward for families new to Abu Dhabi.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: 2025-2026
Inspection body: ADEK / BSO
Rating: Outstanding
BSAK has held ADEK Outstanding since the 2018-19 inspection cycle and BSO Outstanding concurrently. The 2025-26 Irtiqaa inspection confirmed the Outstanding rating. The school also appears in the Spear's Schools Index Top 100 globally and Top 10 Middle East for 2026.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 2,000 students from FS1 to Year 13 representing 50+ nationalities. Approximately two-thirds hold British passports, with roughly 15% Emirati students - a profile that reflects the school's long-standing place in Abu Dhabi's British community.
The not-for-profit structure and community governance mean the parent body has a strong voice in how the school develops. The long-standing parent community is known as an active one.
Leadership
Mark Leppard MBE
Mark Leppard MBE has led BSAK through its sustained run of ADEK Outstanding inspections and international recognition, including ranking in the Spear's Schools Index Top 10 Middle East.