Welcome to the british international school abu dhabi

Whatever your child loves to do, there’s an exceptional experience waiting for them at BIS Abu Dhabi. They’ll be supported by fully qualified staff who will help them flourish.

Nothing beats the thrill of a new adventure. Your child will kayak, climb, and trek at a purpose-built residential camp in Dibba and snorkel, swim, and scuba dive in Dhow. They’ll go on once-in-a-lifetime expeditions to Tanzania and Switzerland, and influence social change at UN headquarters in New York.

Our STEAM programme with MIT opens students’ eyes to the possibilities of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, encouraging teamwork, resilience and communication. Our collaboration with The Juilliard School, the world-renowned performing arts conservatory, offers the highest quality artistic education, setting our students up for the international stage.

An ever-changing line-up of more than 100 co-curricular activities engage, challenge, and excite our students. From building model Formula 1 cars on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track to Harry Potter, British Sign Language, Lego robotics, and basketball clubs, there really is an activity for everyone.

Outstanding teachers shape lives, which is why we only recruit the very best. All our teachers are native English speakers who have a wealth of experience in British and international schools. They hold UK qualified status or equivalent, and many have a Master’s degree.

We invest in our teachers’ development through training that puts them at the forefront of global education trends. Our BISAD Improvement Cycle (BICycle) programme brings colleagues together to share ideas and drive innovation. And on the award-winning Nord Anglia University platform, our teachers study for further qualifications and access cutting-edge resources from MIT, UNICEF and The Juilliard School.

Our teachers love working here, which is down to our warm, inclusive school community that embraces individuality and celebrates uniqueness. On average, our teachers stay with us for almost five years – many for much longer. This means they really get to know our students and understand how they learn best.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, your child will get superb academic results. In 2021, 63% of our IGCSE students got A* or A grades – more than double the UK average. Our 2022 average IBDP points score of 34 puts our students among the highest achievers in the world. Two of our students achieved the perfect score of 45, too, placing them in the top 1% worldwide.

Your child will also become a well-rounded, culturally aware global citizen. Our exceptional teachers will nurture their personal growth, supporting your child to do what they love, excel in new areas, and be ambitious.

All our students follow the English National Curriculum, including IGCSEs, before studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Years 12 and 13. These qualifications set the standard for international education and provide pathways to higher education across the globe. Our students’ success takes them to universities including Oxford, Sydney, McGill, and Berkeley.

While they’re with us, your child will learn about the challenges facing our planet – and take action to address them. One of the ways they’ll do this is through our exclusive collaboration with UNICEF. Your child will explore global issues – including climate change and the UN Rights of the Child – through debates and international trips, where they’ll share their ideas on the world stage.

Through the BISAD Diploma, we encourage our students to show honesty, kindness and respect, and help others. Our Personal, Social and Moral Education programme is embedded in every child’s curriculum, too. Your child will also team up with friends to clean beaches, join our outreach expedition to Tanzania, and support local good causes.

Our purpose-built campus has some of the best school facilities in Abu Dhabi.

State-of-the-art dance studios, music suites and science labs support our world-leading performing arts and STEAM programmes. Our air-conditioned sports hall, indoor swimming pool, and expansive outdoor playing fields enable athletes to train, compete, and get active. And in our ultra-modern media suites and libraries – which are stocked with more than 15,000 books – students read, research and study with friends. Opening in 2023, our new performing arts centre will include a 524-seater theatre and coffee shop.

We love innovation. Our school is part of a Nord Anglia pilot programme that uses cutting-edge technology to monitor, support, and enhance students' learning. And every day, lessons are brought to life by the latest education technology. This includes iPads, VR headsets and 3D printers, which are used across the curriculum.

Everyone’s welcome at our school. Our diverse community is home to children, families, and teachers from more than 90 countries, creating a vibrant international environment that celebrates difference – and where everyone flourishes.

This includes you, our parents, who are an essential part of our school. From welcome coffee mornings to workshops and themed get-togethers, you’ll quickly settle into our family-orientated community. Our BIS Abu Dhabi Community Group also organises fun-filled events throughout the year, including National, International and House Days, which bring everyone together.

Being part of the Nord Anglia family means there are no borders to your child’s education. Through the Global Campus learning platform, our students take on challenges and learn in exciting ways alongside friends in 32 countries across the world.