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Horizon English School Dubai

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 43,849 - 58,825
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 1301
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 15
Introduction

Horizon English School is a non-selective private British‑curriculum primary school in Jumeirah, Dubai, offering the National Curriculum of England for children aged 3–11 (FS1–Year 6), taught and overseen by largely British‑trained staff. Instruction is in English, with English as a core subject; other languages and religious studies in the timetable include Arabic and French, and Islamic studies are provided for Muslim pupils. The school emphasises early and sustained computing provision, including specialist computing suites and an iPad Pro for each pupil in Years 3–6, and offers residential trips in Years 5 and 6. Notable facilities published by the school include two libraries, a STEM room, two swimming pools, a performance hall, tennis and netball courts, a hybrid grass playing field, art and creative rooms, a recording studio and dedicated indoor Early Years play areas and courtyard gardens. Horizon is part of the Cognita family and publishes information on onward pathways to senior schools.

30B St, Al Wasl, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Horizon English School Dubai has 1,301 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Horizon English School is in the Al Safa area of Dubai, near Al Safa Park. The campus is on 30B Street off Al Wasl Road, placing it in the Jumeirah/Al Wasl corridor of central Dubai. The location is well connected by road and sits close to major routes for easy commuting.

Stages
The current Horizon English School campus serves children aged 3 to 11, covering Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6, following the National Curriculum of England. When Horizon English School Town Square opens in August 2027, it will form part of an all-through pathway extending to Year 13, initially offering FS1–Year 8.

Type
The school is a private, non-selective primary school. It is co-educational (mixed gender).

Pupil Nationality Mix
Total on-roll is 1,301 pupils; Emirati students number 41, and the largest nationality group is the United Kingdom. The Dubai KHDA inspection reports do not state the total number of nationalities represented, only identifying the largest nationality group. Local-to-international pupil ratio is 41 Emirati to 1,260 international (about 1:31).

Additional learning support
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision includes a dedicated inclusion department, a School Counsellor, an Occupational Therapist, and links with support organisations. There is a New Horizons daily life-skills class for more complex SEN, plus Gifted and Talented and English Language Learner (ELL) provisions.

Country affiliation
The school operates within the British overseas system and offers the English National Curriculum; it is classified as a British overseas school.

Religious affiliation
There is no explicit religious affiliation stated; the school describes its ethos as inclusive.

School day structure
School timings vary by year group. FS1 opens with gates at 7:20am and finishes around 1:20–1:30pm (Friday 11:50am–12:00pm). FS2 finishes around 1:30–1:40pm on weekdays (Friday similar close). Years 1–6 have gates open at 7:20am, finish at about 2:50pm (Friday 12:00pm). Weekly timings are published in the school timings section.

Bus service
A school bus service is provided for all students (FS1–Year 6) and is operated by Guardian One Transport. There are fourteen buses with routes across Dubai, female bus attendants, and journey times capped at 1.5 hours per RTA guidelines. Parents can track buses via a dedicated app; contact details for Guardian One Transport are provided for route information and fees.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required for all pupils. Uniforms can be ordered online via shopatsumeru.com and delivered to your home for a 30 AED delivery fee, or you can visit Sumeru on the 1st floor of J3 Mall, Al Wasl Road, Al Manara to try sizes. The school uses a four-house system: Flying Falcons, Arabian Wildcats, Desert Foxes, and Mountain Gazelles; House colours are used and House T-shirts are available for use on House and Sports Days.

Food Options
The Food Policy emphasises healthy eating and a no-nut policy to protect students with allergies. Water dispensers are located across the campus to ensure hydration. Medical and Wellbeing Teams provide guidance to families on healthy lunches and snacks and advise avoiding sugary and highly processed foods.

House System
The Horizon English School operates a four-house system with Flying Falcons, Arabian Wildcats, Desert Foxes, and Mountain Gazelles. Pupils are allocated to a house and siblings share the same house. House Days and Sports Days involve inter-house competitions with points awarded across the year and a term winner announced.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of the Cognita family of schools, indicating Cognita owns and governs Horizon English School as part of its network. In 2025 Cognita announced Horizon English School Town Square, an all-through campus planned to open in 2027 in Town Square, Dubai.
Fees

Annual tuition at Horizon English School Dubai ranges from AED 43,849 to AED 58,825 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- A non-refundable application fee of AED 500 is payable per application. The application fee is not deductible from tuition.

Tuition fees (by year group) — annual and per-term detail

- Foundation Stage 1 (FS1)
- Annual tuition: AED 43,126.
- Term breakdown: Term 1 AED 17,974 (this includes a medical charge of AED 1,200 in Term 1); Term 2 AED 12,576; Term 3 AED 12,576.

- Foundation Stage 2 (FS2)
- Annual tuition: AED 51,440.
- Term breakdown: Term 1 AED 21,300 (this includes a medical charge of AED 1,200 in Term 1); Term 2 AED 15,070; Term 3 AED 15,070.

- Year 1 to Year 6 (per year)
- Annual tuition: AED 57,812 per year (same amount for Year 1 through Year 6).
- Term breakdown: Term 1 AED 23,846 (this includes a medical charge of AED 1,200 in Term 1); Term 2 AED 16,983; Term 3 AED 16,983.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual tuition is invoiced and payable in three instalments at the start of each term. The instalment split is 40% (Term 1), 30% (Term 2) and 30% (Term 3) of the annual tuition. Parents are required to pay fees in advance of attendance each term.

- A registration / enrolment deposit is required to secure a place. Returning pupils are required to pay a re-registration deposit equivalent to 5% of the full fee; deposits are deducted from the annual tuition in line with KHDA regulations. The school also lists specific fee types including non‑refundable deposit, registration fees and other named charges on its payments portal.

Boarding fees

- The school is a primary-only day school for ages 3–11 (FS1–Year 6); there is no boarding provision.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Medical charge: AED 1,200 (listed as a charge applied in Term 1 and included in the term totals above).

- Stationery / book charges and device charges: typical additional charges are shown (examples) such as stationery/book charges and a laptop/digital device charge. Published examples include stationery ~ AED 5,619 and laptop/digital device ~ AED 2,810 as separate, one-off costs.

- Uniform: Uniforms are available through the school's approved supplier. A Horizon House T-shirt is offered at AED 100 each (optional where a plain T-shirt of the correct colour is acceptable). Home delivery for uniform orders is available for a stated delivery fee.

- Other named optional / charged items (examples invoiced separately): occupational therapy sessions, LSA (Learning Support Assistant) fees, KHDA transfer certificate fees, lost library book charges and other ad hoc charges — these fee types are listed on the school's online payments form as chargeable items.

Refund information

- The application fee is non-refundable once an offer is accepted; the application fee is not deductible from tuition. Registration / re‑registration deposits are deducted from the annual tuition and are generally non-refundable except in specified, limited circumstances as set by school policy and KHDA rules. The school publishes a formal refund policy referenced on its payments portal.

Fee payment options

- The school accepts online fee payments via its HES Payments portal (online payment form). The portal lists payment types and specific fee items that can be paid online. For alternative payment methods and account queries parents may contact the school's admissions / finance team via the published school contact details.

Notes for budgeting

- Annual tuition amounts above represent the tuition component plus any mandatory charges that are shown in the term breakdowns (for example, the medical charge included in Term 1). Additional one‑off or annual charges for stationery, devices, transport, enrichment activities, after‑school care, trips and other optional services may apply and are billed separately.
Academics

Horizon English School Dubai teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
Horizon English School follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales for children aged 3 to 11 (FS1–Year 6). In the Early Years Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2), learning centers foster seven core areas of development (physical, personal, social and emotional, communication and language, literacy and numeracy, understanding the world, expressive arts) with weekly specialist teaching in Arabic, Music, PE and Library and access to extensive outdoor spaces. Lower Primary – KS1 (Years 1–2) covers English, Maths, Science, Arabic (Islamic Studies for Muslim pupils), French, Music, PE, Swimming, Topic (Geography and History), Art and Design, Social Studies and Moral Education, with Computing, French, Music, Swimming, PE, Arabic and Islamic studies delivered by specialists. Upper Primary – KS2 (Years 3–6) continues the National Curriculum with increased time for specialist subjects (French, Arabic, Islamic Studies where relevant, Computing, Art and Design, Music, PE and Swimming) alongside core English, Maths, Science, Social Studies and Moral Education; Computing is supported by iPad Pro devices for Years 3–6. The school operates a through-school pathway to a senior campus, Horizon Town Square opening in August 2027 with priority placement for Horizon students, and KHDA has rated the school Outstanding since 2018–19.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Horizon English School places wellbeing and happiness at the heart of its community, with an unconditional focus on pupil and staff wellbeing and happiness. The Vision & Values framework emphasizes a flourishing school where social, emotional, and physical well‑being are central to development. The school operates an Inclusion department with a School Counsellor as part of its specialist team, enabling targeted social–emotional support. The New Horizons life‑skills programme provides social connection and independent living practice for students with more complex SEN needs. The Principal's Message reinforces inclusion and wellbeing as core priorities, and KHDA notes an outstanding overall rating held since 2018/19, reflecting sustained welfare and quality.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Horizon English School is a mainstream school with robust SEN provisions. It is wheelchair accessible and offers intensive one‑to‑one support and an alternative curriculum for a wide range of needs, guided by a dedicated inclusion team that includes a School Counsellor and an Occupational Therapist. The school has links with multiple support organisations and does not require external assessments to place a child on the SEN register, while providing guidance for additional support such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, or behavioural support. For more complex SEN needs, the New Horizons Programme runs a daily life‑skills class to foster friendship, independence, and social engagement. There is also a Gifted and Talented provision and English Language Learners (ELL) support as part of the inclusion framework. Horizon English School is not a specialist SEN institution; it is a mainstream school with inclusive SEN provisions.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (ELL) provisions are included within the school's inclusion framework. English Language Learners (ELL) provisions are discussed during the admissions process, and new entrants undergo the WIDA Online assessment with the Head of Inclusion to determine current English proficiency and identify needed support to excel in both written and spoken English. The school explicitly outlines ELL provisions as part of its SEN/ELL offering. Next steps for ELL support are determined through the admissions process.

Mental Wellbeing
The school's Three Horizons framework prioritises a Flourishing environment where pupils' social, emotional, and physical well‑being are integral to development. The mission emphasises nurturing independent learners and critical thinkers while ensuring learners feel included and stimulated, with strong attention to relationships and well‑being alongside academics. The Principal states that inclusion and wellbeing are central to Horizon's ethos, and the school has sustained an Outstanding KHDA rating since 2018/19, reflecting its focus on welfare and holistic development. A dedicated School Counsellor within the Inclusion team supports student mental wellbeing as part of the broader wellbeing culture.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a Cognita Middle East policy applied across Horizon English School, with the policy updated to August 2025 and implemented from December 2024. Safeguarding is described as everyone's responsibility, requiring staff to identify concerns, share information, and escalate to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Deputy DSL, with oversight by the Regional Safeguarding Lead. The policy defines safeguarding and child protection, establishes a school culture of safety, and outlines annual training and knowledge bases for staff. Governance includes safeguarding reporting to regional teams and an annual safeguarding review, with references to local and international frameworks (e.g., MOE National Child Protection Policy, Wadeema's Law). The policy also covers information sharing, data protection, and safeguarding across off‑site activities and external placements, with documented implementation dates and review timelines (next review August 2026).
Parent Experience

History
Horizon English School was founded in 1989 in a small villa with just 12 children. It grew into a larger Dubai campus delivering the British curriculum to children aged 3 to 11. From 2012 the school was owned by Al Najah Education and, in March 2021, was acquired by Cognita, joining Cognita's family of private schools. In September 2025, Horizon English School announced a new all-through campus in Town Square, scheduled to open in August 2027, serving ages 3 to 18 and initially launching FS1 to Year 8 in collaboration with Nshama. The school remains part of the Cognita family and plans to extend its through-school offering as part of the Horizon network.

Community
Horizon English School has a diverse, international community with students from over 80 nationalities. Wellbeing and happiness are central to the school's ethos, and KHDA has rated it Outstanding since 2018–19. The school emphasises a sense of community through cultural celebrations and parental involvement, supported by an active parent group. Friends of Horizon is a parent-led group that plans events in and around the school.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Horizon (FOH) is the parent-led organisation that plans and manages events in and around Horizon English School. It operates with a central committee and invites volunteers to join or assist in other capacities. FOH runs an extensive calendar of evening events for both parents and pupils, including Family Beach Day, International Day, Autumn Festival, Winter Festival Sing-along, Community Iftar, Family Movie Night, and Park Playdates. A coffee morning for new parents is held at the start of each term to help newcomers feel part of the Horizon community. FOH activities strengthen family engagement and community ties within Horizon, and involvement can be arranged by emailing fohparents@gmail.com.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Horizon English School is a British curriculum primary school in Jumeirah established in 1989, serving children aged 3 to 11 (FS1–Year 6). It offers a through-school pathway with a Town Square campus opening in August 2027. The school provides two libraries, a STEM Room, an indoor Early Years play area and an Early Years Courtyard Garden, along with a recording studio and spaces for art, computing and performances. Outdoor facilities include tennis and netball courts, a hybrid grass playing field and an outdoor playground. The school holds an Outstanding KHDA rating.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities at Horizon English School include tennis and netball courts and a hybrid grass playing field. There are two swimming pools on campus. The sports spaces support PE and a broad programme of activities.

Academic Facilities
There are two libraries for study and research. A STEM Room supports science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities. Two computing suites support digital learning. There are Art and Creative Rooms and a Recording Studio for creative and media work. Indoor Early Years play area and Early Years Courtyard Garden support EYFS learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Horizon offers before- and after-school enrichment activities beyond the classroom. A range of sports clubs including football, basketball, netball, rugby and swimming, plus STEM clubs and arts/music classes, expand opportunities. Free staff-led enrichment activities include football, Islamic clubs, coding, basketball, maths club, swimming, netball, language clubs, Arabic art, painting, choir and tech challenge. School trips and residentials include visits to The Green Planet, Dubai Aquarium, Al Ain Zoo, Oli Oli and Children's City, plus wilderness trips for Key Stage Two and an annual ski trip to France for Years 4–6.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers the National Curriculum of England for children aged 3 to 11 years (FS1–Year 6), delivered by expert British-trained teachers. The learning environment emphasises wellbeing and happiness while developing independent learners and critical thinkers. Horizon English School Town Square will open in August 2027 to provide a through-school pathway to senior education, offering priority placement at the senior campus. The school has an Outstanding KHDA rating since 2018–19.

Arts & Creative
Arts and music are part of the enrichment program, with activities such as art, painting and choir. Arabic art and language clubs are available alongside Islamic clubs. Coding, Maths club, STEM clubs and Tech Challenge provide opportunities to explore technology and problem solving beyond the classroom.

Cultural & Language
Language clubs and Islamic clubs are offered. Arabic art is available as part of the arts program. The Inclusion, Gifted & Talented and ELL page describes English Language Learner (ELL) provisions with ESL support and WIDA assessment.

Social & Hobbies
Sport at Horizon includes swimming, football, rugby, netball, rounders, running club and athletics. The school participates in competitive fixtures with other British primary schools in Dubai and in the British Schools Middle East (BSME) Games. Year 3–6 pupils take part in annual outdoor adventures, and there is an annual ski trip to France.

Community & Service
Friends of Horizon is a parent-led group that plans and manages events for the school community. Events include Family Beach Day, International Day, Autumn Festival, Winter Festival Sing-along, Community Iftar, Family Movie Night and Park Playdates. FOH has a central committee and welcomes volunteer involvement from parents.

Leadership & Professional
A Student Council operates for Years 1 to 6 to promote independence and school improvement. Year 6 offers extended leadership opportunities, including Head Boy/Head Girl, House Captains, and Prefects for Digital and Wellbeing, among other roles. These roles help students develop communication, collaboration and decision-making skills for future success.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing and happiness are central to Horizon's ethos. PE is taught twice weekly, and a range of sports including swimming, football, rugby, netball, rounders, running club and athletics are offered. Horizon participates in inter-school competitions such as the BSME Games, reflecting a strong focus on physical health and teamwork.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches the National Curriculum of England for children aged 3 to 11 years (FS1–Year 6), delivered by expert British-trained teachers.
Reputation

Awards
Awarded as the 'Happiest School in the UAE' at the Top School Awards.

Accreditations
The school holds an Outstanding KHDA rating since 2018-19 and is part of Cognita.
Admissions

Admissions
The Horizon English School is a British-curriculum primary school in Jumeirah, Dubai, founded in 1989. It offers a British curriculum for children aged 3 to 11 (FS1–Year 6) and is taught by British-trained teachers. The school is non-selective and private. It is part of the Cognita family since 2021. The school has an Outstanding KHDA rating consistently since 2018-19. There are over 1,000 students enrolled. Horizon English School runs a through-school pathway to Senior School, with the Town Square campus opening in August 2027 and priority placement for Horizon students at the new senior school. Direct pathways exist to Cognita sister schools after Year 6, including RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha, and Horizon International School. The campus features facilities such as a STEMM room, an inclusion department, enhanced sports facilities, and outdoor spaces. The school's staff include predominantly British-trained teachers, with most having two to three years of experience. The school has been celebrated as the 'Happiest School in the UAE' at the Top School Awards. The school is described as centrally located in Jumeirah.
School Events
The school has not added events
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