Cities / Dubai / Oaktree Primary School
Oaktree Primary School
Located in Al Quoz, Oaktree Primary School follows the British National Curriculum of England across Foundation Stage through primary years with small class sizes that enable personalized attention. The school has received an Outstanding rating from KHDA, suggesting strong academic delivery within its intimate school environment.
In brief
Located in Al Quoz, Oaktree Primary School follows the British National Curriculum of England across Foundation Stage through primary years with small class sizes that enable personalized attention. The school has received an Outstanding rating from KHDA, suggesting strong academic delivery within its intimate school environment. Recent social media activity shows graduation ceremonies and student activities, indicating active programming despite the school's smaller scale compared to Dubai's established primary institutions.
Parent testimonials consistently praise the school's teaching quality, with families describing teachers as professional, attentive, and advisable when addressing questions about children's development. One parent specifically noted their child learned significantly during enrollment, while another highlighted the school's welcoming and inclusive curriculum approach for English Language Learners. However, the school generates minimal discussion across typical expatriate forums or education comparison sites, contrasting with high-profile Dubai primary schools that dominate parent conversations about early years education options.
Strengths
- KHDA Outstanding rating indicating strong academic performance
- Small, intimate class sizes enabling personalized attention
- Professional and attentive teaching staff who respond well to parent concerns
- Inclusive approach welcoming English Language Learners
- British National Curriculum of England from Foundation Stage
- Positive parent testimonials about children's learning progress
Considerations
- Extremely limited visibility in expatriate education forums compared to established Dubai primary schools
- Small scale may limit extracurricular offerings and facilities
- Limited public information about fees, specific facilities, or detailed academic programs
- Minimal discussion among international families suggests specialized rather than broad market appeal
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | AED 16,225 |
| FS2 | 4 | AED 17,305 |
| Year 1 | 5 | AED 18,929 |
| Year 2 | 6 | AED 20,551 |
| Year 3 | 7 | AED 22,173 |
| Year 4 | 8 | AED 23,795 |
| Year 5 | 9 | AED 25,418 |
| Year 6 | 10 | AED 27,041 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | AED 525 |
Reviews
A small British primary at the cheaper end of Dubai's market, sitting at KHDA Acceptable through repeated inspection cycles. The pitch families respond to is the homely feel and inclusive intent; the drag is uneven teaching across the primary years, thin academic stretch, and reporting that parents say tells them less than they want about how their child is doing. New leadership under Olivia Rumah is the variable to watch.
Positives
- Small, homely feel. Parents describe a community-school atmosphere where staff know the children by name and the head is visible. The scale is part of the appeal.
- Foundation Stage. Early years is the strongest phase. Progress in English and maths in FS comes through as the most consistent part of the school.
- Inclusive ethos. The school positions itself as welcoming to students of determination and EAL learners, with individual plans where needs are identified. Families with mild additional needs talk about feeling listened to.
- Affordable for British curriculum. Fees sit at the lower end of the British curriculum market in Dubai, roughly AED 18,500 in FS1 to just over AED 31,000 in Year 6 for 2025-26.
Considerations
- KHDA rating. Acceptable for multiple inspection cycles, including January 2024. Acceptable is the floor KHDA requires.
- Teaching consistency. Quality varies markedly between classrooms, with lower Primary the soft spot. Differentiation and stretch for stronger pupils come up as limits in both inspection findings and parent talk.
- Communication on progress. A meaningful share of parents say they don't get enough detail on how their child is doing. Reporting clarity is a recurring complaint.
- Self-evaluation and governance. KHDA flagged self-evaluation and improvement planning as weak, with governance oversight needing sharpening. A change at the top in 2025 means the next inspection is the real test.
- Arabic in Primary. Arabic as a first language remains the weakest area in the primary years.
Leadership
Olivia Rumah
Olivia Rumah is the current Principal of Oaktree Primary School in Dubai, appointed after the January 2024 DSIB inspection during which Shirley Atkar held the role. She leads the senior leadership team including Vice Principal and Heads of various departments, overseeing a British curriculum primary school rated Acceptable by regulators.
Accreditations
- KHDA 01
- ADEK 02
Academic results
- Result As a primary-only school (FS1 to Year 6), Oaktree Primary School does not publish external exam results (like IGCSE or IB DP). KHDA inspection reports for 2023-24 note 'Acceptable' attainment in Engli