UK's Harrow School to open Abu Dhabi campus

The prestigious Harrow School is set to open its campus in Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island in mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the UAE's education sector.

The move comes after approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and a land lease agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

The school is backed by Taaleem Holdings, a leading K-12 premium education provider in the UAE, and Harrow International Schools Limited.

This landmark development will be Abu Dhabi's first boarding school, offering a unique educational experience that combines academic excellence, co-curricular opportunities, and character development, following the renowned Harrow house system.

The new campus will be built on a prime 70,000 square metre plot and will initially cater to students from Early Years to Year 6, with plans to expand into higher years.

The campus will have a capacity of 1,800 students and will gradually open enrolment in October 2025, following an Expression of Interest process.

The Harrow Abu Dhabi campus will draw on a 450-year legacy of educational excellence, offering a British curriculum alongside Harrow's distinctive academic approach, exceptional pastoral care, and extensive co-curricular programmes.

Emphasis will be placed on personalised attention through optimised class sizes, fostering both academic rigour and holistic development. The school will contribute to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global education hub, enriching its knowledge economy.

The school is currently in the advanced design stage, led by the Dubai-based architecture firm KODA.

Taaleem holds exclusive rights to operate Harrow International Schools across the GCC region and expects to announce an additional campus in the UAE later this year.

A milestone for Taaleem!
Taaleem and Harrow, in partnership with ADIO and ADEK, have signed an agreement to bring Harrow International School to Saadiyat Island in 2026, reinforcing our commitment to world-class education in the UAE.#ProudlyTaaleem #Inspiringyoungminds pic.twitter.com/I3ZkYTsd1K

— Taaleem (@Taaleem) February 12, 2025