Al Sadiq Islamic English School vs Grammar School Dubai
Al Sadiq Islamic English School and Grammar School Dubai are both in Dubai, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer EYFS and British programmes. Al Sadiq Islamic English School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, and Grammar School Dubai also offers Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are AED 4,579 - 9,499 at Al Sadiq Islamic English School and AED 5,120 - 7,040 at Grammar School Dubai, which puts Al Sadiq Islamic English School roughly 16% higher. Al Sadiq Islamic English School takes pupils from 4 to 16, and Grammar School Dubai from 4 to 18.
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Curriculum
British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
1970
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
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Location
Opp. Dubai Festival City, Al Garhoud Schools Area, P.O. Box 11230, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The school is located in the Al Garhoud area near Dubai Festival City.
Stages
Stages
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Stages
UK Curriculum from Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) through Year 13.
School type
School type
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School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
Over 60 nationalities represented.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Inclusive education with support for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and provision for students with determination.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
United Kingdom (British curriculum).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
Transport arranged by the school. For transport inquiries: transport@grammarschool.ae; +9714 202 48 22.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application fees - Application (assessment) fee: AED 500, payable at the time of application.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term) - Annual tuition amounts are as follows (amounts shown in AED): - FS2: AED 4,687. - Year 1: AED 5,243. - Year 2: AED 5,243. - Year 3: AED 5,243. - Year 4: AED 5,243. - Year 5: AED 5,384. - Year 6: AED 5,384. - Year 7: AED 6,764. - Year 8: AED 6,764. - Year 9: AED 6,764. - Year 10: AED 7,931. - Year 11: AED 9,499.
- Per-term presentation: annual tuition is payable in three instalments. The school states that annual tuition is invoiced in three instalments and the first instalment will not exceed 40% of the annual tuition; exact instalment amounts and due dates are set by the school at offer/invoicing. Use the annual figures above to determine term values; if split equally across three terms, per-term amounts (rounded to two decimals) would be: - FS2: AED 1,562.33 per term. - Year 1–4: AED 1,747.67 per term. - Year 5–6: AED 1,794.67 per term. - Year 7–9: AED 2,254.67 per term. - Year 10: AED 2,643.67 per term. - Year 11: AED 3,166.33 per term.
Mandatory and total fees - Typical mandatory annual fees (applied in addition to tuition) include: Computer fee AED 557; Activities fee AED 334; Miscellaneous fee AED 213. These items are listed on the school's KHDA fee fact sheets and are included in the ‘Total Fees' figure for each year group. Example totals and mandatory items are shown on the KHDA fact sheets for each grade.
Enrolment, registration and re‑enrolment deposits - Re-enrolment deposit (returning students): up to 5% of annual tuition or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable but deductible from Term 1 fees. New-enrolment deposit (on acceptance): up to 10% of annual tuition, non-refundable and deductible from Term 1 fees.
Optional / other fees and typical ranges - Transport (bus) service: ranges by route and year group. Typical published ranges: approximately AED 3,250–7,750 per year depending on route and grade. Transport is charged termly/annual as per transport registration and is payable in advance per the transport schedule. - Uniform: typically ranges from around AED 625 to AED 1,000 depending on year group and item list. - Books and learning resources: broadly AED 450 up to AED 1,400 (varies by year and programme). - Stationery and ID replacement: commonly cited at about AED 300 for stationery and AED 150–200 for ID card replacement. - Optional activities and charges (examples and ranges): extracurricular activities AED 350–1,650; annual day AED 150–200; local trips AED ~300 each; overseas educational trips AED 7,500–14,000 (where applicable); STEM/robotics devices and programmes and SEND external assessment fees also listed with ranges on year-group fact sheets.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition billing: annual tuition is billed in three instalments in advance; the first instalment will not exceed 40% of the annual tuition. Students may not start the academic year unless term fees are paid or a payment plan is agreed with the school's Accounts Team. Exact instalment due dates are set and communicated by the school. - Transport billing: transport fees are payable in advance for each term; transport policy specifies term deadlines (examples shown for transport: Term 1 by 1 August; Term 2 by 15 November; Term 3 by 15 February). Transport seats are confirmed only on full payment for the term/year as required.
Payment methods and invoicing - Accepted modes for fee payments at the school accounts/finance counter include: cash, cheque, debit card and credit card; parents are also asked to provide post-dated cheques (PDCs) for instalments where applicable. The school can issue Pro‑Forma invoices for parents seeking employer reimbursement; direct/company payment arrangements are handled through the Accounts team. These payment channels and procedures are set out in the school's finance/transport documentation.
Refund and withdrawal terms - Withdrawal notice and refunds: notice of withdrawal must be given in writing in advance as set by the school; the school's tuition refund rules follow KHDA regulations. Tuition fees paid before the start of the academic year are refundable with only registration / re-registration fees deducted; transport and other optional-services refunds are handled term-wise as described in the transport policy. Outstanding fees may result in withholding of reports or transfer certificates until cleared.
Discounts and concessions - Discount types published by the school include: sibling discounts (2nd child 3%; 3rd+ typically 5% as per the published discount schedule), staff discounts (up to 50% for employees), a welcome discount for certain early-years admissions, and early/full-payment discounts (examples: full payment by set deadline attracts an additional discount). Specific eligibility and stacking rules are applied by the school.
Boarding - The school operates as an annual day school; no boarding fees apply.
Notes on presentation of figures - Annual tuition figures above follow the school's KHDA fee fact-sheet listings for the 2025–2026 / KHDA-reported fee schedule used by the school; the school invoices tuition in three instalments and will provide the precise instalment amounts and due dates at offer/invoice (first instalment capped at 40% of the annual tuition).
Fee details
Application / Registration fee
- A non-refundable registration/application fee is payable for new students: AED 525 (inclusive of VAT).
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term)
- FS2 / KG1: AED 5,120 per year — AED 1,707 per term (three equal termly instalments). - KG2 / Year 1: AED 5,120 per year — AED 1,707 per term. - Year 2: AED 5,120 per year — AED 1,707 per term. - Year 3: AED 5,120 per year — AED 1,707 per term. - Year 4: AED 5,120 per year — AED 1,707 per term. - Year 5: AED 5,760 per year — AED 1,920 per term. - Year 6: AED 5,760 per year — AED 1,920 per term. - Year 7: AED 5,760 per year — AED 1,920 per term. - Year 8: AED 5,760 per year — AED 1,920 per term. - Year 9: AED 7,040 per year — AED 2,347 per term. - Year 10: AED 7,040 per year — AED 2,347 per term. - Year 11: AED 7,040 per year — AED 2,347 per term. - Year 12: AED 7,040 per year — AED 2,347 per term. - Year 13: AED 7,040 per year — AED 2,347 per term.
(Per-term figures shown are the annual tuition divided into three equal termly instalments.)
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual tuition is invoiced and collected in termly instalments (three equal payments corresponding to school terms). - A seat reservation / enrolment deposit is required for new admissions: up to 10% of the annual tuition, non-refundable but deductible from the first-term balance. - Re-enrolment (returning student) fee may be charged (commonly up to 5% of the tuition or an AED 500 minimum); such fees are non-refundable and are deducted from the first-term fee. - Parents are normally required to pay the first instalment (and supply post-dated cheques or complete an approved instalment agreement) at acceptance to secure the place. - Outstanding balances may affect re-enrolment and access to school services until cleared.
Boarding
- No boarding provision applies; the school operates as a day school.
Other mandatory and optional costs
- Mandatory / routine charges that may be added to tuition include (examples and typical values): - Medical fee: AED 100. - ICT / technology fee: AED 150. - Examination/board charges where applicable (charged at cost by exam boards). - Required items and one-off costs (examples): - Uniforms: around AED 800 (estimate band shown in fees listings). - Books: AED 650 to AED 2,250 depending on year and subject choices. - Stationery: approximately AED 250. - School ID-card replacement: AED 150. - Optional / extra-curricular and service fees (examples and typical ranges): - Transport (school bus): route-dependent; typical annual two-way route fees range from roughly AED 3,800–6,900. - Extracurricular activities, clubs and after-school programmes: AED 300 up to AED 1,750 or more depending on activity. - Local educational trips: AED ~275 (typical). - Overseas trips, specialist programmes or enrichment courses: can range from several thousand AED to over AED 10,000 depending on destination and duration. - Some charges (books, resources, uniforms) are charged when items are provided and may not be refundable once issued.
Refund information
- Registration / application fees and enrolment deposits are non-refundable. - Re-enrolment fees are non-refundable. - Charges for items already supplied (books, uniforms, issued resources) are typically non-refundable. - Transport and optional-service fees are generally non-refundable once the service has commenced; withdrawal after the start of term usually results in the term's fee being retained in full. - Late or outstanding fee consequences include suspension of services, withheld reports/enrolment until arrears are cleared, in line with standard school finance practices.
Fee payment options
- Accepted payment channels include: online card payment, bank transfer to the school's bank account (IBAN/SWIFT), payment at the school accounts counter (cash, cheque, or credit card), and approved instalment plans or third-party payment platforms where available. - Post-dated cheques or formal instalment agreements are commonly used to cover termly or multi-term payment schedules. - Credit-card payments may be processed through a payment gateway or at the accounts office; available credit-card installment (0% conversion) options depend on bank offers and are subject to the bank's terms.
Notes on discounts and concessions
- Sibling discounts and staff concessions may be offered according to the school's published discount policy (examples: second/third child sibling discounts and employee discounts); these are applied at the school's discretion and according to the school's published discount rules.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
Uniform is compulsory. Foundation Stage 1 to Year 11 use a core uniform with year- and gender-specific items; hijabs must be plain grey in regular uniform and white for PE; footwear should be suitable black shoes as specified for the uniform policy.
Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The school has a canteen overseen by the Operations Manager; canteen staff follow current Food Safety legislation and risk assessments are conducted for catering activities.
Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school is part of the Athena Education group of schools.
Governance and ownership
The school is affiliated with Athena Education. There is a School Governance Body that governs the school.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school follows the National Curriculum for England, including the Early Years Foundation Stage in FS2 and the Cambridge International IGCSE Programme in Years 10–11. Al Sadiq Islamic English School caters for students from FS2 to Year 11. The curriculum is broad and balanced within a structured framework. The subjects taught include English, mathematics, science, Arabic, Islamic Education, and Moral, Social and Cultural Studies. Within the Athena Group, students have the option to continue at Grammar School to study for AS and A‑Level Examinations.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates have the option to pursue AS and A‑Level examinations at Grammar School within the Athena Group.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Al Sadiq Islamic English School is conveniently situated behind Al Twar Center in Al Qusais 2, offering easy access to Al Qusais Metro station and public bus transport. The campus prioritises learning enrichment with dedicated spaces for programs such as ICT, Art, STEAM, and more. The Library serves as a hub for learning opportunities, providing students with access to a wealth of information and technology. Foundation Stage benefits from a covered play area supervised by teachers. Primary and Secondary students enjoy two covered basketball courts.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Primary and Secondary have two covered basketball courts. Foundation Stage has a covered play area for physical activity, supporting PE and core physical development. The campus provides these spaces to facilitate active learning and recreation.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Three fully equipped science laboratories for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Three computer labs with internet facilities and AV resources. The well-resourced library offers a diverse collection for research and independent learning. The campus also provides dedicated spaces for ICT, Art, and STEAM programs.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Dedicated spaces for enrichment programs such as ICT, Art, and STEAM. These spaces support extracurricular learning and creative exploration beyond the core curriculum.
Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Al Sadiq Islamic English School is located in Al Qusais, Dubai. It is affiliated with the Athena Education group. The British Curriculum is rooted in Islamic values and traditional principles. The school holds Cambridge affiliations for its examinations.
History
Grammar School Dubai was established in 1970. It follows a British curriculum and is based in Dubai. The Athena Education values are at the core, with a strong emphasis on a partnership with parents to support children's development, including respect and trust. The school is part of the Athena Education group of schools.
Community
Community
Life at Al Sadiq features events and activities that engage students and families. UAE President Addresses School Children is highlighted as an ongoing activity. Celebrate the Success of ASIES Graduates marks the school's celebration of student achievement. Winter Fiesta 2025 and Teachers' Day are among annual events that bring students, staff, and families together.
Community
Grammar School Dubai is community-focused with an international outlook. The school serves a diverse student body comprising over 60 nationalities. Community service, charity and citizenship are a focus of the curriculum. The school supports student leadership through the Grammar Student Government, which plans events and represents the voice of the student body.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Al Sadiq Islamic English School follows a British curriculum, blending the National Curriculum for England with Islamic values. The school offers IGCSE education to support high academic standards. Parents report progress in core subjects such as Maths and writing, reflecting active classroom learning.
Academic & intellectual
The school has an extensive after-school enrichment programme that covers sporting, practical and academic interests. Enrichment is a core part of the learning-for-life approach, with activities offered at lunchtime and after school. Participation is encouraged, and students may propose new clubs; if a viable group and leader are found, the activity goes ahead. The radio team operates during mornings as part of the student life programme.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Film-making workshops and photography are offered as creative activities. These opportunities appear among the school's extra-curricular offerings.
Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
The school has language development activities across the languages introduced at school, helping students become readers, writers, and storytellers in those languages.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Students participate in junior debate clubs and EEG public speaking competitions, and there is involvement in a Student Council. These activities foster teamwork and communication skills.
Social & hobbies
There are lunchtime and after-school activities; students are encouraged to participate in at least one activity. The school runs a radio team as part of student life, and pupils can form new clubs by proposing ideas.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
Community service, charity and citizenship are a key focus of the curriculum. Enrichment activities include clubs, teams, assemblies, field trips and visits.
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Leadership programmes include film-making workshops, a junior debate club, Student Council, and EEG public speaking competitions. These activities develop leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
Leadership & professional
The Grammar Student Government is the voice of the student body; students plan events, participate in community service projects and contribute to school spirit.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Badminton is among the extracurricular activities offered, promoting fitness and physical well-being. Photography is also available as a hobby alongside sports.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Specialist PE teachers deliver the curriculum across the school with a focus on developing healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
The school follows the National Curriculum for England, with English used as the language of instruction. Arabic is taught as a language with Arabic A/B offered in Key Stages 2 and 3. Modern Foreign Languages include Urdu, Bengali and French. An English as an Additional Language (EAL) program provides targeted support for students learning English.
Language provision
The school teaches in English. All Foundation Stage pupils learn Arabic. Arabic is offered as an additional language in Primary and Secondary, and Arabic First Language is provided for Arabic-speaking students. Attainment in Arabic First Language is Acceptable in Primary and Secondary, while Attainment in Arabic as an Additional Language is Weak; the curriculum is an adaptation of the Ministry of Education framework within the English National Curriculum.
