Choose a school around your child’s future

Set the non-negotiables for your child

Start with the actual year group, learning needs, family budget and school-run time.

• Compare British, American, IB, Indian or other pathways and continuity if you move countries.
• Confirm age eligibility, assessment, waiting lists and places directly with admissions.
• Ask about inclusion, additional learning support, language, wellbeing and extracurricular interests.

Research the school and its future pathways

Confirm the licence and current regulator information. Check the date and scope of an inspection report: an official inspection judgement is different from a customer review or your own visit score.

• Ask about teacher qualifications, turnover, class size and individual support.
• Check examinations, diplomas, progression and any university-entry or certificate-equivalency requirements relevant to your plans.
• Read written safeguarding, behaviour, bullying and parent communication policies.

Look beyond the brochure on the tour

Observe pupil engagement and the learning atmosphere in your child’s year group. Ask your child how the visit felt.

• Ask how additional challenge and learning support work in practice and whether there are extra charges.
• Review play, sport, laboratories, toilets, technology and accessible facilities.
• Check medical cover, pick-up controls, transport safety and how parents raise concerns.

Compare the full cost and keep the evidence

The PDF includes a ten-part visit scorecard and a three-school comparison planner. Record annual tuition separately from termly and one-off fees.

• Include application fees, deposits, transport, meals, uniforms, activities and possible increases.
• Record the inspection report date alongside your own visit score; do not combine them into a single rating.
• Before applying, confirm documents, deadlines, refund conditions and the next admissions step.

Compare your shortlist

Use the downloadable planner to record the same information for each option.

Official starting points

• KHDA school directory
• ADEK
• SPEA
• Ministry of Education

Reviewed 24 October 2026. Confirm current details directly. A profile is not an endorsement, accreditation, owner verification or a promise of availability.