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Pearl British Academy

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 44,480 - 46,030
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 753
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 17
Introduction

Pearl British Academy is a private English‑medium primary school on Muroor Road in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, offering the National Curriculum for England and Wales from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6 (ages 3–11). The academy teaches in English and, in line with UAE Ministry of Education requirements, provides Arabic language, UAE social studies and Islamic education where applicable. It is part of the Aldar Academies group and publishes that it has been accredited as a High Performance Learning (HPL) school. Inspection and prospectus documents on the school website list a range of specialist and recreational facilities, including music rooms, a multi‑purpose sports hall, indoor gym, swimming pool, Astroturf, netball court, reading corners and a large library, together with technology resources to support teaching and learning. The academy's site also publishes admissions guidance, term dates, fee schedules and inspection reports.

Muroor Rd, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Pearl British Academy has 753 pupils, typical class sizes of 17, instruction in English.

Location

Pearl British Academy is located on Muroor Road in the Al Danah area (Zone 1) of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The campus sits on a main city artery with good road access and public transport links to central Abu Dhabi. The full address is Muroor Road, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi. Pearl British Academy is part of Aldar Academies.

Stages

The school delivers the English National Curriculum from Foundation Stage 1 and Foundation Stage 2 through Year 6. FS1–FS2 cover early years (ages 3–5), followed by Year 1 to Year 6 in the primary phase. The curriculum uses enquiry-based learning with integrated subjects across the primary range.

Type

Pearl British Academy is a co-educational day school. It operates within the Aldar Academies network; there is no boarding provision.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Pupils come from 59 nationalities. The largest groups are Emirati and Jordanian (about 16% each), followed by Indian (about 12%) and British (about 4%). About 40% of students speak English as a second language, with support provided as needed.

Additional learning support

The academy provides Additional Learning Needs/SEN support. About 6% of pupils are identified as Pupils of Determination, with support in place for these learners. Almost 40% of pupils are English as an Additional Language learners and receive targeted language assistance. A full-time school nurse supports pupil wellbeing.

Country affiliation

There is no formal country affiliation. The school follows the English National Curriculum and is described as British in nature within the Aldar Academies network.

Religious affiliation

The school has no religious affiliation. Religious Education is not taught; Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies are taught in line with UAE MOE guidelines.

School day structure

Foundation Stage day typically runs from 7:50 am to 2:00 pm. Primary classes run from 7:50 am to 2:20 pm, with after-school activities from 2:20 pm to 3:20 pm.

Bus service

Bus transport is provided by Emirates Transport as the designated provider for Aldar Academies. The annual return-bus fee is 5,000 AED, and arrangements are made through the school, subject to ADEK approval.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required for Pearl British Academy. Uniforms can be purchased online or in person at Magrudy, Al Wahda Mall.

Governance and Ownership

Pearl British Academy is part of Aldar Academies, owned and operated by Aldar Education. The Aldar Academies network includes seven academies and one nursery, with Aldar Education owning and operating 31 schools across the UAE.
Fees

Annual tuition at Pearl British Academy ranges from AED 44,480 to AED 46,030 for 2026/27.

Fees — Academic Year 2025/2026

- FS1: AED 44,480 per annum. Term 1: AED 17,792; Term 2: AED 13,344; Term 3: AED 13,344.
- FS2: AED 46,030 per annum. Term 1: AED 18,412; Term 2: AED 13,809; Term 3: AED 13,809.
- Year 1 — Year 6: AED 46,030 per annum. Term 1: AED 18,412; Term 2: AED 13,809; Term 3: AED 13,809.

Application / Registration fees

- New joiners: a non-refundable registration fee equal to 5% of the annual tuition fee is charged upon offer acceptance and is adjusted against the final term's tuition.
- Returning students: a re-registration fee of 5% of the annual tuition fee is charged to confirm a place and is adjusted against the final term's tuition.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is divided into three instalments and invoiced on a termly basis. Term lengths: Term 1 runs September–December (4 months); Term 2 runs January–March (3 months); Term 3 runs April–June (3 months).
- Standard invoice due dates: Term 1 due 1 August; Term 2 due 1 December; Term 3 due 1 March. A full-year invoice for all three terms may be issued with due date 1 August upon request. Registration / re-registration fees are payable within seven days of offer acceptance (and re-registration dates are set in advance for returning families).
- Late or non-payment: the school issues three consecutive written warnings (each at least one week apart); the school is authorised to suspend a student for up to three days (at most once per term) for continued non-payment; the school may withhold report cards, transfer certificates or block transfers until outstanding fees are cleared. Parents are notified in writing if outstanding fees put re-enrolment at risk.

Payment methods and plans

- Accepted payment channels: Aldar Live Mobile App, online payment link, bank transfer, cheque or credit card. Cash payments are not accepted. Returned cheques attract bank charges.
- 0% instalment payment plans are available through participating banks (examples cited include FAB, ADIB and ENBD), allowing tuition to be spread as monthly credit-card instalments.

Other costs and optional services

- Uniforms are purchased separately; uniform supplier arrangements are through Magrudy (online or in-person retail). Tuition does not include uniform costs.
- Food services, transport, examination fees and extra-curricular activities that are run by external providers are not included in tuition and are charged separately. Most teacher-led extra-curricular activities are included in tuition.
- Bus transport: a typical annual fee for a return journey is AED 5,000 per student (organised through the school's transport provider). This charge is subject to change.

Boarding

- The academy is a primary day school and does not operate a boarding programme.

Refund information

- Registration fee: refundable for new students if the school receives written notification at least two weeks prior to the start of the new academic year. Re-registration fee: refundable if written notification is provided on or before 30 June.
- Refunds and fee retention where a student starts then leaves during a term: if a student attends part of the first week and then discontinues without sufficient written notice, the school may retain up to 5% of the annual tuition (equivalent to the registration fee). If the student attends between one week and three weeks in a term, the school may retain the value of one full month's tuition and the registration/re-registration fee. If attendance is over three weeks and up to six weeks in a term, the school may retain two months' tuition plus the registration/re-registration fee. If the student attends more than six weeks in a term, the school may retain the full-term fee and the registration/re-registration fee.

Summary notes

- Tuition figures quoted above are expressed in AED and do not include uniform, food services, transport, examination fees or external extra-curricular activities. Key elements of the fees, payment schedule, refund and late-payment procedures are set out in the school's fee policy and are applied as stated above.
Academics

Pearl British Academy teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum

Pearl British Academy delivers the English National Curriculum from Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) through Key Stage 2 (Years 1–6). Core subjects are English, Mathematics and Science, with Design and Technology, ICT, History, Geography, Music, Art and Design, Physical Education and Personal, Health and Social Development as foundation subjects; Modern Foreign Languages begin in Year 3. Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies are taught in line with UAE MOE guidelines, and Religious Education is not taught. The Academy is rated Outstanding by ADEK and by BSO, reflecting its performance standards. For older students, the Aldar Academies' International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is available for ages 16–19 (Years 12–13) across Pearl British Academy, featuring six subject groups and a DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service) with Higher and Standard Level courses. The Diploma Programme emphasizes breadth of knowledge, language study and independent research to support progression to international universities.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Pastoral care and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) are supported by a dedicated pastoral structure led by the Head of Pastoral and Enhanced Provision, with senior leadership involvement to provide care, guidance and personal development for students' social and emotional wellbeing.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school provides inclusive, mainstream SEN support for pupils of determination (POD) through individual education plans (IEP) and shadow teachers; about 6% of pupils are identified as POD and roughly 40% of pupils speak English as a second language, with POD and EAL provisions documented in inspections.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision is met through in‑class support and targeted intervention, with teachers identified to assist pupils where English may be a barrier, and EAL planning is detailed in teachers' plans; approximately 40% of pupils speak English as a second language.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported by a full‑time on‑site school nurse who provides health‑related services for all students throughout the day.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and pupil welfare are addressed under Standard 3 of the British Schools Overseas framework, with evidence of care, guidance and support for pupils.
Parent Experience

History

Pearl British Academy was founded in 2007 as Aldar Academies' first school. It began as a single 247-student facility in Abu Dhabi and has grown into a network of seven Aldar Academies serving over 9,000 students. The academy follows the English National Curriculum. It is located in the heart of Abu Dhabi city, and its leadership includes British Schools of the Middle East inspectors. It has earned Outstanding ratings from ADEK and BSO.

Community

Pearl British Academy sits within the Aldar Academies network and serves a diverse international community in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Family involvement is supported through regular staff-led Parent Workshops and a formal parent-facing program. The school's social content shows active community life, including events such as Year 5 and Year 6 swim galas, Year 6 transition trips to Muna British Academy, Year 4's UAE topic work, and assemblies. Open days and parent tours are coordinated by a dedicated Parent Relations Executive, with families able to arrange visits via PRE.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

There is no separate PTA listed on Pearl British Academy's public pages; parent engagement is coordinated through a dedicated Parent Relations Executive (PRE). A Welcome Pack for new families and the Rewards by Aldar program are part of parent engagement. Regular Parent Workshops are hosted by staff to discuss educational practice and school initiatives. Parents can contact the PRE to arrange visits and open days (PRE@pearlbritishacademy.ae). Open days and tours are advertised and coordinated via PRE. Public posts on the school's social feed show active parent–student engagement in events such as the Pearl Parliament relaunch and Year 6 swim galas.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Pearl British Academy is a diverse private international English school in the heart of Abu Dhabi. The campus offers state-of-the-art facilities for technology-enabled learning, healthcare, safety, and sports. Technology in the classroom is integrated across the curriculum, and the school holds Apple Distinguished School status. A full-time school nurse supports student wellbeing. The sports facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, a swimming pool, netball court, Astroturf and outdoor play areas.

Sports Facilities

The school's sports facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, a swimming pool, a netball court, Astroturf and outdoor play areas. These facilities support physical development and social interaction for students across age groups. Safety, welfare and security of students are prioritized across Aldar Academies. The sports spaces are designed to complement the curriculum and wellbeing priorities of the Academy.

Academic Facilities

The English National Curriculum is taught, with the Early Years Foundation Stage for nursery and FS2 and Years 1–6 in primary. The curriculum covers English, mathematics, science, computing, history, geography, art and design, design and technology, physical education, music, Arabic, and, in primary, social studies and Islamic education. Foundation Stage 1–2 and Years 1–6 are supported by a written curriculum, phonics instruction, and UK-sourced standardised assessments. Apple Distinguished School status reflects the integration of technology across learning. Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies are taught in line with UAE MOE guidelines, and Religious Education is not part of the MOE framework.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Pearl British Academy provides a range of extracurricular activities including maker-space based inquiry and leadership opportunities such as Pearl Parliament and Eco-Ambassadors. There are A-league competitive sports and a broad program to support wellbeing, personal development and community engagement. The school emphasises enquiry-based learning, leadership development and social responsibility as part of its broader curriculum. Parents are kept informed through workshops and ongoing engagement as part of the Aldar Academies network.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The school teaches the English National Curriculum. The learning pathway is delivered through enquiry or project-based learning, which inspires a love of learning and challenges students to complete real-world tasks. In Foundation Stage 1 and 2 (ages 3 to 5), continuous provision with indoor/outdoor play is used, and Year 2 to Year 6 use lab-based learning experiences to develop specified expertise, including coding. The school leads and involves students in community projects as part of inquiry-based learning and real-life learning.

Cultural & Language

Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies are taught according to UAE Ministry of Education guidelines.

Social & Hobbies

The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and participates in A-league competitive sports.

Community & Service

Students lead and participate in community projects as part of inquiry-based learning and real-life learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The academy provides health services through a full-time school nurse and regards wellbeing as a core part of care. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, a swimming pool, a netball court and Astroturf play areas.
Languages

Language Provision

The school teaches in English under the English National Curriculum. Arabic is taught in line with UAE MOE guidelines. Modern Foreign Languages are taught from Year 3 onwards.
Reputation

Awards

The school holds an Outstanding rating from ADEK and from BSO; it carries the High Performance Learning Award as part of its profile.

Accreditations

The school is rated Outstanding by ADEK across all six performance standards and Outstanding by BSO. The Senior Leadership Team are British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) inspectors who support international school development.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Submit your enquiry online. Our Parent Relations Executive will respond within 2 working days to assist you. They provide initial information to guide you on next steps. This initiates the admissions process.

2. Schedule a tour or a meeting with our Senior Leadership team to find out more about our Academy. The session provides information about the school's aims and approach to learning. You will have the opportunity to meet the leaders and ask questions.

3. Submit your completed application and our Admissions Team will be in touch within 2 working days. They will acknowledge receipt of the application and outline any additional information needed. You will receive guidance on next steps and timelines.

4. Within 2 working days of a successful assessment, you will receive an offer of a place at our Academy. If you accept the offer and pay the registration fee, you will be enrolled. Enrollment completes the process for your child's place at Pearl British Academy.
School Events
The school has not added events