Reigate Grammar School UAE Openings
Reigate Grammar School, the famous British School brand, is set to launch in the UAE. The current aim is to open three 2000-student plus capacity campuses of the famous British School, the first of which is now confirmed to launch in the Suyoh district of Sharjah. The new school will offer a British Curriculum, founded on the National Curriculum of England and Wales to students between 3 years and 18 years, through EYFS to GCSE and gold standard A Level. To be known as RGS, some confusion with the existing Royal Grammar School in Dubai, also known as RGS, is expected and both schools are keen that they not be confused and are not related.
Reigate Grammar School Masaar, as the Sharjah campus will be known, will open in September 2027. The school will have a 450,000 sq ft plot, located within the Masaar community, which itself lies within Sharjah’s Suyoh district. Catering to students from Kindergarten to the end of Grade 12, the latest international branch of Reigate Grammar School UK will eventually be home to some 2,700 students.
In keeping with other ‘Reigates’ around the world, RGS Reigate Masaar will offer a broad range of premium facilities, including a performing arts centre, library, multi-purpose halls, a STEM centre, sports facilities and swimming pools.
The RGS Reigate schools will be run by Bright Capital in a “close” partnership with Reigate Grammar School UK and UAE based property developer, Arada. Bright Capital is best known for its historical operation of the Star International schools (here and here) in which it retains an interest with the major school group International Schools Partnership and Bright Learners.
Speaking confidentially, a source exclusively told us:
“Reigate Grammar School has a robust network that will ensure significant exchange programs between our founding school in the UK and our UAE schools. The Reigate UK team will be working closely with the team here in the UAE and there are considerations of exchange and mobility programs for both teaching faculty staff and students.
“Our long-term plan is to open 3, or more, Reigate Grammar School branch campus schools in the UAE each with a capacity in excess of 2000 students.”
You can gain an insight into what we can expect from the new UAE RGS schools from an introduction by Shaun Fenton, Headmaster Reigate Grammar School UK and Executive Headmaster Reigate Grammar School Vietnam:
Reigate Grammar School UAE Partnership
Pictured: Benazir Akthar, Head of Operations Bright Capital Investment (inset left), Dolly Goriawala, Education Expert, Bright Capital Investments (in red), Esref Temel (signatory left), Managing Director and Partner, Bright Capital Investment with Shaun Fenton OBE, Executive Headmaster of Reigate Grammar School (signatory right), Sean Davey, Managing Director of Reigate Grammar School International (inset right) and legal advisor Ross Barfoot, Partner, Dentons (far right).
Established in 1675 in London Reigate Grammar School was ranked in the top-20 private schools in the UK by A-Level results in 2023. Reigate Grammar School and Reigate Grammar School International currently operate 6 schools globally (in UK, Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam). Reigate Grammar School, Riyadh was opened in 2022. The RGS schools, however, whatever their number, are up against exceptionally strong competition from other Tier 1 blue chip “Big Brand” British international public school brands now in the UAE, including Brighton, Repton, Royal Grammar School Guildford, Durham, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi – and there are many more coming. Add a sprinkling of fantastic British not-for-profits, GEMS top tier British Jumeirah and British-IB Wellington schools – and outstanding home grown schools like Safa Community School and Safa British School – and the competition at the top is positively sizzling with the very best the world can offer.
Pictured: the famous UK school from which RGS schools in the UAE will draw their values and ambition for students
Shaun Fenton OBE, Executive Headmaster of Reigate Grammar School, told SchoolsCompared.com:
“I am delighted with this new partnership with Bright Capital and excited to establish world class schools in the UAE as part of our global village philosophy, where we nurture every child to become the best versions of themselves, fulfil their potential, and become global citizens with noble purpose.
“Our partnership with Bright Capital marks a significant milestone as we extend our presence into the UAE.
“Reigate and Bright Capital are committed to developing international links offering students in the UAE access to exceptional educational opportunities and, in creating cultural and learning links across continents, facilitating visitation and exchange opportunities for students and staff which will further enrich the Reigatian community.”
Sean Davey, Global Business Director for Reigate Grammar School International continued:
“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. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to establish a premium world-class school as part of our global village philosophy, where we will ensure that all of our children fulfil their potential and become global citizens with noble purpose.
“We look forward to working with the brilliant team at Arada to create an outstanding campus, and also with Bright Capital, to ensure that the educational provision at Reigate Grammar School Sharjah is both inspiring and exceptional. All students will benefit from being part of our international Reigatian community which provides rich educational, learning and cultural links with exchange opportunities.”
Masaar is intended to be a premium, ‘forested’ community
Esref Temel, Managing Director, Bright Capital, responded:
“We are delighted to partner with Arada, to bring the first ever UK branch School to Sharjah. With its 350-year rich history and consistent ranking among the top 20 British schools, Reigate Grammar School represents educational excellence. Our 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.
“This initiative highlights our commitment to investing in transformative projects that enrich the community and shape the future. Establishing Reigate Grammar School emphasises our dedication to enhancing the educational landscape in Sharjah and the UAE.”