In June 2024, Sharjah-based property developer Arada announced a partnership with Bright Capital Investment to bring one of the UK’s leading independent schools to the Masaar megaproject in Sharjah. With planned capacity for 2,700 students, Reigate Grammar School Masaar will be the first branch campus of a British independent school in Sharjah, offering a full KG to Grade 12.
Masaar is located in the developing Suyoh district, close to Tilal City, the Sharjah Mosque and Arada’s first project, Nasma Residences. The community has easy access to Emirates Road and Mleiha Road, and is a 15-minute drive from Sharjah International Airport, and a 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
The school is expected to open in September 2027, expanding the Reigate Grammar School brand to the UAE, following in the footsteps of the original English school and a further six schools in Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam.
Founded in 1675 near London, Reigate Grammar School was ranked as one the UK’s top 20 private schools by A-Level results in 2023 and has been named ‘School of the Year’ by a range of British industry and education bodies. In particular, the school is known for its educational approach, dubbed ‘The Reigate Way’, which emphasises visionary leadership, innovative teaching methods and exemplary pastoral care, focusing on student wellbeing.
Reigate Grammar School Masaar will be operated by Bright Capital Investment, a UAE-based education provider. Established in 2010, Bright Capital Investment aims to cover the complete education spectrum from pre-primary to secondary and is also planning to expand across the Middle East and Africa. Early in 2024, Reigate Grammar School and Bright Capital Investment announced that they intended to open three schools in Dubai – no further information has been provided.
The only other school in the Gulf, Reigate Grammar School Riyadh, (RGSR) was established 2022, following the decision by owners ADECO to enter in to an agreement with Reigate Grammar School UK for the management of what had originally been Multinational School. In May 2024, it was announced that two further branches were being planned, with a second Primary school branch of RGSR due to open in the Al Qurtoba area of the city in August 2024.
Announcing the plans for the Sharjah school, Sean Davey, Global Business Director for Reigate Grammar School International, said, “We are delighted to be working in close partnership with Arada and our friends at Bright Capital to establish the first UK branch school in Sharjah, located within the highly impressive and premium Masaar development. All students will benefit from being part of our international Reigatian community which provides rich educational, learning and cultural links with exchange opportunities.”
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According to operators, Bright Capital Investment, the collaboration aims to offer unparalleled academic opportunities to students in the UAE, ensuring they receive a world class education that prepares them for global success, emphasising the group’s dedication to enhancing the educational landscape in Sharjah and the UAE.
What about the curriculum?
The school is expected to offer the Early Years Foundation Stage for students in KG, followed by the National Curriculum for England leading to I/GCSE and A Level examinations.
What about the facilities?
Reigate Grammar School Masaar will be built on a 450,000 square foot plot in the northern corner of the project, which contains 3,000 villas and townhouses linked by a ‘green spine’ of 70,000 trees.
The school’s state-of-the-art campus will incorporate a range of world-class facilities including a performing arts centre, a library, a STEM Centre, multi-purpose halls, sports facilities and swimming pools.
What about the fees?
No information has been provided about the fees, but we would be surprised if they were not at a premium level. Other UK independent schools with UAE branches include Brighton College Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, the Repton Dubai, Al Barsha, the Repton Abu Dhabi Foundation and Junior/Senior schools and the most recent entrant, Royal Grammar School Guildford in Dubai. All offer fees at a premium plus level.