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Diyafah International School

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 23,000 - 45,170
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1134
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 12
Introduction

Diyafah International School is a private British-curriculum school in Mohammed Bin Zayed City (Zone 13), Abu Dhabi, offering education from early years through sixth form (listed stages from FS1 to Year 13) and serving learners across the typical international-school age range (filed as 2 to 18 years). The school follows the National Curriculum for England with progression to IGCSE and AS/A‑Level pathways and also offers BTEC Level 3 courses; it publishes subject pathways and that external examinations are through Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA. English is the medium through which the British programme is delivered and the school maintains an English as an Additional Language (EAL) department to support learners; Arabic and Islamic studies are taught in line with UAE requirements (Arabic A/B and Islamic A/B in sixth form) and modern languages such as Spanish appear among KS4 options. Published provision and distinctive elements include a Personal Enrichment Programme (PEP), a Gifted & Talented strand, inclusion/SEND support and early‑years facilities (role‑play area, personalised outside play area, gymnasium and library).

Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Z13, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Diyafah International School has 1,134 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English.

Location
Diyafah International School is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Al Inarah Street (Zone 13). The campus is in the MBZ City area, with access to Abu Dhabi's road network. The school identifies its Abu Dhabi location as part of its community presence in the emirate.

Stages
Nursery/FS1 to Year 13, covering Early Years, Primary and Secondary education.

Type
Diyafah International School Abu Dhabi is co-educational and non-selective, welcoming applications from all nationalities and ability levels.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The school reports over 60 nationalities represented and more than 43 languages spoken; no public breakdown of exact nationality proportions is provided.

Additional learning support
The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help students for whom English is not a first language access the curriculum. The school reports a diverse community with over 60 nationalities represented and more than 43 languages spoken.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with the United Kingdom through the English/National Curriculum (British curriculum).

Religious affiliation
No formal religious affiliation is stated.

School day structure
The school day typically runs from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, reflecting standard school hours. The campus provides a canteen for lunch options on site.

Bus service
Transport is outsourced to School Transport Services LLC (STS). Buses are SMART with CCTV, GPS tracking and attendance scanners; the service includes a Salama attendance/app system and a standard annual fee. Area coverage includes Mohamed Bin Zayed City and other Abu Dhabi locations. Contact: transport@diyafahinternationalschool.com; +971 2 558 5665 ext. 107.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are mandatory for all students and are designed for the Abu Dhabi climate. Uniforms can be purchased online via Sumeru, with a uniform vendor representative available on campus to assist; in-person purchases can be made at the Uniform Store in the Secondary Block (open Monday to Friday 8:30 am–4:00 pm, and Sunday 8:30 am–1:00 pm). The PE kit uses four colours representing the House colours, and the uniform policy includes restrictions on jewellery, makeup, nails and hairstyles.

Food Options
The school follows a Healthy Eating and Nutrition Policy aligned with ADEK, promoting nutritious options in the school canteen and focusing on foods that support wellbeing. Food safety standards are observed with trained canteen staff, and there is an emphasis on allergy management and a nut-free environment. Nutritional education is integrated into the curriculum, and parental involvement is encouraged to support healthy eating at home.

House System
The school operates a four-house system comprising Hawks, Harriers, Eagles, and Falcons. The PE kit includes four colours that correspond to these houses, reinforcing house identity and spirit.

Governance and Ownership
Diyafah International School Abu Dhabi is owned and governed by Diyafah International School LLC. It is part of the Diyafah brand, which also includes Al Diyafah High School in Dubai, reflecting a broader group of schools under the Diyafah banner.
Fees

Annual tuition at Diyafah International School ranges from AED 23,000 to AED 45,170 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fees
- New-student registration fee is charged at the amounts listed by year group and is adjusted against the first term's fees. Registration / re‑registration amounts (AY 2025–26): FS1 AED 1,200; FS2 AED 1,400; Year 1–3 AED 1,550; Year 4–6 AED 1,650; Year 7–9 AED 1,850; Year 10 AED 2,050; Year 11 AED 2,050; Year 12–13 AED 2,250.

Annual tuition fees (by year group) — Academic Year 2025–26
- FS1 (Nursery/FS1): AED 23,000.
- FS2: AED 24,500.
- Year 1 to Year 3: AED 30,980.
- Year 4 to Year 6: AED 33,500.
- Year 7 to Year 9: AED 37,310.
- Year 10: AED 41,020.
- Year 11: AED 41,020.
- Year 12 and Year 13: AED 45,170.

Tuition billed per term (amounts payable by term for AY 2025–26 and due dates)
- Billing frequency: three instalments (three terms) for most year groups; some senior year groups follow a two-term pattern. Due dates for AY 2025–26 are: Term 1 (due 15 August 2025), Term 2 (due 05 December 2025), Term 3 (due 05 March 2026).

Term-by-term payable amounts (Term 1 shown as the total first-term amount parents pay including the registration/re-registration charge where applicable):
- FS1 (Annual AED 23,000): Term 1 AED 9,200; Term 2 AED 6,900; Term 3 AED 6,900.
- FS2 (Annual AED 24,500): Term 1 AED 9,800; Term 2 AED 7,350; Term 3 AED 7,350.
- Year 1 (Annual AED 30,980): Term 1 AED 12,392; Term 2 AED 9,294; Term 3 AED 9,294.
- Year 2 (Annual AED 30,980): Term 1 AED 12,392; Term 2 AED 9,294; Term 3 AED 9,294.
- Year 3 (Annual AED 30,980): Term 1 AED 12,392; Term 2 AED 9,294; Term 3 AED 9,294.
- Year 4 (Annual AED 33,500): Term 1 AED 13,400; Term 2 AED 10,050; Term 3 AED 10,050.
- Year 5 (Annual AED 33,500): Term 1 AED 13,400; Term 2 AED 10,050; Term 3 AED 10,050.
- Year 6 (Annual AED 33,500): Term 1 AED 13,400; Term 2 AED 10,050; Term 3 AED 10,050.
- Year 7 (Annual AED 37,310): Term 1 AED 14,924; Term 2 AED 11,193; Term 3 AED 11,193.
- Year 8 (Annual AED 37,310): Term 1 AED 14,924; Term 2 AED 11,193; Term 3 AED 11,193.
- Year 9 (Annual AED 37,310): Term 1 AED 14,924; Term 2 AED 11,193; Term 3 AED 11,193.
- Year 10 (Annual AED 41,020): Term 1 AED 16,408; Term 2 AED 12,306; Term 3 AED 12,306.
- Year 11 (Annual AED 41,020): Term 1 AED 20,510; Term 2 AED 20,510; Term 3 not applicable (two-term pattern for this year group).
- Year 12 (Annual AED 45,170): Term 1 AED 22,585; Term 2 AED 22,585; Term 3 not applicable (two-term pattern for this year group).
- Year 13 (Annual AED 45,170): Term 1 AED 22,585; Term 2 AED 22,585; Term 3 not applicable (two-term pattern for this year group).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Term fees are payable in advance on or before the stated due dates for each term (Term 1: 15 August 2025; Term 2: 05 December 2025; Term 3: 05 March 2026 for AY 2025–26). Late or unpaid fees may lead to warnings, temporary suspension, withholding of reports or the transfer certificate, and reporting to the regulator. A minimum one-month notice is required for a Transfer Certificate application; Ministry/regulator rules apply to fee payment and refunds in those cases.

Boarding
- There is no boarding provision listed; the school operates as a day school and provides outsourced school bus transport for pupils who require it.

Other costs and fees
- Examination fees: Board/examination fees for students in Years 11–13 are charged on a cost‑recovery basis and are invoiced per student.
- Personal Enrichment Programme (extracurricular) charges: Co‑curricular activities organised by external providers are charged separately; in‑house clubs may have no additional charge.
- Transport: Bus/transport is charged separately through the outsourced provider; parents must register separately for transport and pay the transport provider's fees.
- Uniform: Uniforms are purchased from an authorised supplier; uniform costs are additional.
- Books and stationery: Curriculum textbooks and class notebooks are issued by class teachers and no separate book fee is charged in the sixth-form guidance; parents should expect to cover any optional or replacement items as required.

Refunds and withdrawal
- The registration / re‑registration fee is non‑refundable when enrollment is withdrawn; registration/re‑registration is adjusted against the first term's fees. Refunds of other fees on cancellation or withdrawal are handled in accordance with regulator (ADEK/ADEK-equivalent) and Ministry guidelines and the school's published terms and conditions; a minimum of one month's notice is required when applying for a Transfer Certificate and Ministry guidelines affect payment/refund handling.

Fee payment methods and instructions
- Online parent portal: Credit and debit card payments are accepted via the school parent portal. Cash, cheque or card payments are accepted at the school fee counter. Parents who do not have card facilities are asked to submit post‑dated cheques for Term 2 and Term 3 together with payment for Term 1. Bank transfer options are used for some payments as noted in admissions communications. Cheques are subject to bank realization and bank charges apply for dishonored cheques.
Academics

Diyafah International School teaches British Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Diyafah International School follows the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) with a Pearson curriculum aligned to the National Curriculum of England. Foundation Stage follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The curriculum includes Arabic (A/B), French and Spanish, and UAE MOE subjects such as Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies. English is the language of instruction for most subjects, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available. The school features a house system (Hawks, Harriers, Eagles, Falcons), a Student Council, and an extensive after-school extracurricular program. The school is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Zone 13, Abu Dhabi; the principal is Mr. David Flint, and ADEK rates the school as an A Band Good School in e-learning.

Higher Education Progression
Alumni have gained admissions to leading universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia and the Indian subcontinent.

Gifted and Talented
The Inclusion Policy identifies a Gifted & Talented Coordinator and the ASDAN program to support advanced learners. The Winnie D'Cunha Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition discount for high-achieving students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school prioritises emotional and mental health as part of a positive whole-school environment. There is an ethos of constructive, caring relationships across the school built on trust, kindness, safety and security. Students have a sense of belonging and are encouraged to talk to their teachers about worries and difficulties. The school teaches social and emotional skills through the Counsellor and Social Welfare worker, helping students identify feelings, thoughts and emotions. All staff are encouraged and supported to be alert to students' behaviour and interactions, and safeguarding procedures guide responses to concerns. There is a safeguarding policy in place and staff receive safeguarding training.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has an Inclusion Policy aligned with ADEK's 2023 Inclusion Policy. There are currently 40 students registered on eSIS with additional learning needs at Tier 2 or 3 of support. Current provision uses Shadow Teachers/Individual Assistants to support these students. Standard inclusive provision includes staffing for inclusion: 2023-24 – Head of Inclusion; SEN Teacher; Gifted & Talented Coordinator; 2 Learning Support Assistants; 2024-25 – Head of Inclusion; 3 SEN Teachers; Gifted & Talented Coordinator; 8 Learning Support Assistants. The policy also provides for accessible learning spaces, inclusive teaching and learning support, assessment accommodations, and a centralised assessment, referral and tracking system.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The EAL Department was established in September 2018 to support learners whose first language is not English. It is currently staffed with two EAL teachers and an EAL Learning Support Assistant, led by Head of Department Trudian Pryce. The department's mission is to develop English language skills so that students academically succeed, participate globally and adapt to a diverse society. Teaching and learning take an inclusive approach: content is broken into small steps, graphic organizers are used, and exam skills such as skimming, scanning and identifying key information are taught; a bilingual dictionary is encouraged. Identification and Support involves initial assessments and GL NGRT Reading Tests and English Progress Tests to determine the level of EAL support, with students banded into waves A–E and parents notified if further support is needed. Levels of Support include Intensive Pull Out, Regular Language Pull Out, In Class Support and Regular Monitoring.

Mental Wellbeing
The school prioritises emotional and mental health alongside physical health and safety. It fosters constructive, caring relationships built on trust, kindness and safety and aims to create a sense of belonging. Students are encouraged to talk to their teachers about worries and difficulties. A Counsellor and Social Welfare worker deliver social and emotional skills and help students identify feelings and emotions. Staff are supported to observe and respond to wellbeing and behavior in the school. Two full-time nurses provide medical support during the school day and arrangements for private consultations can be made.

Safeguarding
The school has a safeguarding policy in place with procedures for staff to follow when concerns arise. The safeguarding lead works with the Wellbeing Committee, Head of Inclusion, School Counsellor and Health & Safety Officer to promote safeguarding across the school community. The policy aligns with ADEK's 2023 Inclusion Policy and ADEK regulations. The policy is effective as of 02 January 2024.
Parent Experience

History
Diyafah International School, Abu Dhabi builds on the 40+ years legacy of Dubai's Al Diyafah High School. Al Diyafah High School, Dubai, was founded in 1982 and began as a nursery with two children in a villa on Al Diyafah Street, later moving to a larger campus in 2001. The Diyafah brand has evolved into a holistic education provider with an international student body. Diyafah International School, Abu Dhabi was established in 2013 on Abu Dhabi Island in Mohammed Bin Zayed City. The school's mission is Let Your Light Shine, guiding the development of competent, caring, and confident students through holistic education.

Community
The school emphasises community engagement with parents and teachers to build an ethos of empathy and respect. Diyafah students are encouraged to participate in social initiatives across areas such as the environment, literacy, and relief aid, reflecting the school's holistic education approach.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Diyafah International School in Abu Dhabi provides a campus with dedicated spaces to support holistic learning. The campus features a Winnie D'Cunha Hall for assemblies and events, a Design and Technology suite with a CAD/CAM room and 3D printers, and ICT facilities including intelligent panels in all classrooms and ICT laboratories. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) is supported on the Microsoft School Network, and the school emphasizes well-resourced learning spaces to support a range of subjects and activities. The school also notes extensive after-school activities and a focus on well-being and leadership through student councils.

Sports Facilities
The school runs an extensive after-school activities programme with external providers offering activities such as football and karate, alongside in-house options like dance, netball, badminton, yoga, and other physical activities. The environment supports a broad range of sport and fitness options as part of its extracurricular offerings.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities are organized around the National Curriculum for England for key stages, with English, mathematics, science and other core subjects taught under a Pearson curriculum framework. The Year 5 and Year 9 handbooks outline subject offerings that include English (Pearson), Maths (Pearson), Science (Pearson), Arabic, Islamic Studies, UAE Social Studies and languages such as French and Spanish, supported by published curriculum guides and handbooks.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Diyafah International School offers a broad after-school enrichment programme with activities including dance, debating, chess, robotics, Lego, football, karate and other clubs, as well as ICT skills and 21st-century learning activities. External providers supplement in-house offerings to foster leadership, teamwork and creativity.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a British curriculum with CAIE, Edexcel, ASDAN, and OxfordAQA exam boards. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) department supports learners with two EAL teachers and a Head of Department, Trudian Pryce. A Personal Enrichment Program extends learning beyond the classroom across academics, sport, and the arts. Extra-curricular activities are delivered after school through independent providers as part of the ECAs program.

Arts & Creative
Art and Drama are celebrated as forms of creative expression, with opportunities to explore painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and acting. The Creative Arts program is supported by a broad music offering, including wind, string and percussion instruments, keyboards and Music Technology equipment.

Cultural & Language
Arabic language, History of the United Arab Emirates, and Heritage of the United Arab Emirates are part of the culture offerings. The school welcomes students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and includes the My Identity co-curricular program linked to language identity. The English as an Additional Language program supports language development for multilingual learners.

Social & Hobbies
Extra-curricular activities include Football, Robotics, 3D Designing, Space STEM, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Python Programming, Ballet, Dance, Swimming, Badminton, and Karate. The ECAs schedule runs on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

Community & Service
The Student Council leads social responsibility initiatives and UAE-approved charity fundraising. Citizenship values include Belonging, Volunteering, and Conservation.

Leadership & Professional
There is a Senior Leadership Team and a Student Council that enables student leadership and has a concrete influence on school policy. The principal is Mr. David Flint.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Facilities include a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and a 25-metre indoor pool, with shaded outdoor play areas and courts. A medical room with two full-time nurses is on site to support health and welfare. After-school activities are offered to promote wellbeing and physical development.
Languages

Language Provision
Arabic is taught at two levels (Arabic A and Arabic B). French and Spanish are offered in Key Stage 3. Arabic language support is available, and Quran instruction is provided for Arab and non-Arab students. The school follows the National Curriculum for England for Key Stage 3 and uses Pearson curriculum components for certain year groups (Year 5). The Pearson curriculum originates from Oxford University, England.
Reputation

Awards
The school has been rated A Band Good School in ADEK's e‑learning components.

Accreditations
The school is accredited and affiliated with international education organisations and is inspected regularly by the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi (ADEK).
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions are open from Nursery/FS1 to Year 13 for Academic Year 2026-27, starting in September 2026. To apply, register online and submit the required attachments: passport copy of your child and the most recent school report if applicable. The admission process consists of: 1. Online application submission with the specified attachments; 2) Admission interview & tests: Stay & Play for FS1/FS2; Pearson baseline assessment for Year 1; CAT4 test for Year 2–Year 11; and an interview with the Head of Secondary or the KS Coordinator for Year 12–Year 13; 3) Acceptance & admissions: If accepted, an offer is issued by the Admissions Team. For inquiries, call the admissions team from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday at +97125585665.
School Events
The school has not added events
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