Yasmina British Academy
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$14K - US$18K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 2-18
Students: ~3,600
Location: Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
Updated April 2026
In Brief
A solid third-tier British option in Abu Dhabi if Cranleigh, BSAK, and Brighton are full or out of budget - fees are mid-market for the Outstanding rating, though the 50% Emirati intake and mixed parent satisfaction signal it's worth visiting in person before committing.
Yasmina sits fourth or fifth in most families' British shortlists for Abu Dhabi - behind BSAK, Brighton, and Cranleigh - but it holds genuine credentials: ADEK Outstanding and BSO Outstanding from the same 2023 inspection cycle. The school moved to a new purpose-built campus in Khalifa City A between 2022 and 2024, which means it's a different physical experience from the older campus many reviews describe.
The student body is unusual for an international school: around 50% of enrolment is Emirati, making this one of the most locally mixed British schools in the city. Families who value that cross-cultural daily experience find it a genuine plus. The HPL (High Performance Learning) framework shapes teaching across all phases, and GCSE 2025 results - 1,000+ entries, 43% at grade 7-9, 85% pass rate - are reasonable for a school of 3,600 students, though the grade 9 figure of 13% is lower than BSAK or Brighton.
Parent satisfaction at 3.7/5 from 32 reviews is lower than you'd expect for an Outstanding school, and around 25% of surveyed families say fees don't represent good value. At AED 67,270 for Y10-Y13, Yasmina is cheaper than Brighton and much cheaper than Cranleigh, but self-funding families should weigh what they're getting for the price. The 650-seat auditorium and new-build facilities are the physical highlights.
What parents value
- –ADEK Outstanding and BSO Outstanding from the same May 2023 inspection - a strong dual accreditation that very few Abu Dhabi schools hold. The new campus, completed in stages between 2022 and 2024, is purpose-built rather than adapted.
- –Mid-market fees for the Outstanding rating: AED 49,740-67,270/year puts Yasmina 20-25% below Brighton and 35-40% below Cranleigh for comparable year groups. Registration is 5% of annual fees with no additional capital charge.
- –GCSE results across 1,000+ entries in 2025 - the scale of the cohort is a data point in itself, and 85% pass rate with 43% at grades 7-9 is a reasonable benchmark for families expecting a mainstream rather than selective outcome.
Points of consideration
- –Parent rating of 3.7/5 (32 reviews) is the lowest of Abu Dhabi's Outstanding British schools. Around 19% of surveyed families say they're dissatisfied with academic performance. Ask current Y9-Y11 parents specifically about teacher continuity and homework expectations.
- –50% Emirati student body is a distinctive feature but cuts both ways - the cultural mix is real, but it's a very different community from the 80%-international intake you'd find at BSAK or Cranleigh. Worth visiting to judge whether it feels right for your family.
- –Three years of campus transition (2022-2024) disrupted routines for families who joined mid-move. The new campus is settled now, but ask admissions what has changed in the pastoral structure since the move was completed.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1-Y1 | 2 | 13,544 |
| Y2-Y6 | 6 | 13,936 |
| Y7-Y8 | 11 | 15,496 |
| Y9 | 13 | 16,613 |
| Y10-Y13 | 14 | 18,317 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (5% of annual tuition - new students) | 677 |
| Re-registration Fee (5% of annual tuition) | 677 |
Academic Results
| GCSE entries (2025) | 1,000+ |
| GCSE grade 9 (2025) | 13% |
| GCSE grades 7-9 (2025) | 43% |
| GCSE pass rate (2025) | 85% |
Yasmina runs the British National Curriculum from FS1 through to A-Level and BTEC in the sixth form. With over 1,000 GCSE entries in 2025 - the largest cohort of any school in this analysis - the 43% grades 7-9 and 85% pass rate represent a broad, mixed-ability outcome rather than a selective one.
A-Level and BTEC Level 2 and 3 are available in the sixth form. Average class sizes of 25 across secondary reduce at options stage. University destinations follow the standard British-curriculum pathway - primarily UK universities, with Russell Group entry for strong students.
Extra Curriculars
Facilities: New purpose-built campus (completed 2022-2024) · 650-seat auditorium · HPL (High Performance Learning) framework · Sports facilities · Khalifa City A location
The new campus in Khalifa City A was built in stages between 2022 and 2024 and includes a 650-seat auditorium as its headline facility. The HPL framework runs across all phases, shaping both classroom delivery and co-curricular programming.
Khalifa City is well-connected from Abu Dhabi Airport corridor, Yas Island, and western suburbs. Families in Khalifa City A itself will find the commute straightforward; those coming from Al Reem Island or central Abu Dhabi should factor in 30-40 minutes each way at peak hours.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
Latest review: May 2023
Inspection body: ADEK / BSO
Rating: Outstanding
ADEK and BSO both rated Yasmina British Academy Outstanding in May 2023, covering the school's performance across teaching, learning, and pastoral provision. The BSO accreditation report is publicly available via WhichSchoolAdvisor.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Around 3,600 students from FS1 to Year 13, making Yasmina one of Abu Dhabi's largest British schools. Approximately 50% of enrolment is Emirati, with British, Indian, and other Arab nationalities making up most of the remainder.
The school draws heavily from Khalifa City A and surrounding areas. Average class sizes of 25 across secondary phases are manageable but larger than Cranleigh or BSAK.
Leadership
Keith Miller
Keith Miller has led Yasmina British Academy since 2022, overseeing the school's transition to its new Khalifa City A campus. He has held senior leadership roles in British international schools across the UAE and Middle East.