One of the most important jobs I have as a Principal is the recruitment of teachers. Although we do not like to see our staff move on to new countries and new opportunities, this is unfortunately a fact of life for all international organisations within the UAE. Added to this is the natural growth of a popular school and each year we have a few teaching vacancies we have to fill.
As a school with an international reputation, plus part of Nord Anglia Education, we are able to attract some highly experienced and talented teachers to join our team. In addition to this, it is then crucial that the ongoing professional development of our teachers is of the highest standard. Our teachers then continue to learn as part of BIS Abu Dhabi, remain at BIS Abu Dhabi and can offer more to their classes for many years to come.
One of our key teacher training projects is known as CSI, an acronym which stands for Collaborative School-based Inquiry. During this term all our teachers have worked in small groups to research an area of teaching which is relevant to them and to prepare a workshop to share with other members of staff. This series of workshops take place next Wednesday, 30th November, as part of our Staff Training Day and is known as the Learning Symposium.
This is the third Learning Symposium we have held during the last couple of years. The quality of the research and inquiry from our teachers has been recognised by the nomination recently received for the British International School Awards. We therefore find the Learning Symposium is attracting people from other schools who wish to come and see what BIS Abu Dhabi is doing and to learn alongside our staff. Next week we are expecting to host visitors from Dubai, from ADEC and from other schools within Abu Dhabi.
We often talk to the students about the importance of keeping on learning throughout your life. This is extremely evident from the teachers here at BIS Abu Dhabi and is something that makes a significant difference to our classrooms every day.
Patrick Horne, Principal
I was really touched by Áine’s newsletter piece last week, posing the question: ‘What would I tell my younger self?’
I spent some time afterwards thinking about my own parenting journey, and what it’s all been about, now that my two are adults and have ‘flown the nest’. Parenting isn’t easy for any of us, and that’s true even if you’re an experienced school leader – at home, I’m just Dad.
The British International School Abu Dhabi (BIS Abu Dhabi) was deeply honoured to welcome Her Highness Sheikha Shamma Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan to its campus on Thursday, 17 April 2025. Her Highness, President & CEO of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and The Climate Tribe, is a distinguished entrepreneur, thought leader, and researcher with a deep commitment to sustainability, climate change, and gender equity.
You might have seen the trend going around - “If I could tell my younger self one thing…” - a moment to reflect, to offer advice we wish we’d heard earlier, or to remind ourselves of what truly matters.
As students prepare to cross some of the biggest milestones in school life, it feels like the perfect time to pause and join in that conversation. But it’s not just our students who are preparing — so are we, as parents. These milestones don’t just belong to them. We’re living every part of it too: the anticipation, the pride, the nerves, and the quiet hopes. Sometimes, it’s the hardest thing in the world — to watch them take these big steps, to stay strong when they wobble, to let go just a little more. It’s a milestone for us as much as it is for them — and we’re walking it together.
Finding the right school for your child is a big decision. Whether you’re new to Abu Dhabi, transitioning from another school, or simply looking for the best fit, we know it can feel overwhelming. At The British International School (BIS) Abu Dhabi, we’re here to make that journey as smooth and reassuring as possible. From your very first enquiry to your child’s first day (and beyond), we’ll be with you every step of the way. This article tackles the key concerns families face when transitioning to a new school, offering clear insights into our admissions process to ensure a smooth and informed journey.
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