By a busy motorway in Dubai, a glitzier version of Harry Potter-esque turrets rise from the sands.
They belong to a British boarding school that dates back more than 450 years in its home country but just a few in Dubai.
Spread over 130,200 square metres, the first intakes at Repton Dubai included 340 students. Today it has more than 2,000.
Repton opened its Abu Dhabi branch in 2013 and plans to expand to a bigger campus next year. It has 290 students this year but will have 400 for the 2015-2016 year.
“It’s more common nowadays for the workforce to be moving around along with their families and children, and with Middle East being a dynamic region, it is a hot market, including for education,” said Robert Relton, the headmaster of Repton School Abu Dhabi.
When it opened in 2007, Repton Dubai was among the first international school brands to start up in this country, and the trend has only accelerated since then – along with an increase in school fees. More international brands are on the way as the economy goes steady, more expats with families relocate here, and there is more disposable income, say analysts and school headmasters.
Enrolments at private institutions in the UAE accounted for 69 per cent of the total enrolments in 2012, up from 39 per cent in 2000, according to the investment bank Alpen Capital. And the figure in the Arabian Gulf region as a whole is expected to rise 5.7 per cent between 2003 and 2020 compared with the 1.7 per cent growth rate of gross enrolment in public schools during the same period.
In Dubai alone, the student population is expected to touch 360,000 by 2020, up from about 270,000 this year.
“A desire for better quality education, growing numbers of expatriates in the UAE as well as rising income levels have prompted the growth of this trend,” says Mahboob Murshed, the managing director at Alpen Capital Middle East.
Most of the branded schools that have entered this country are British after the model proved successful in the Far East. Harrow School showed the way, opening in Bangkok back in 1997.
Shrewsbury School also set up in Bangkok in 2003, while Dulwich College set up campuses in China in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou, and in Seoul, South Korea. It entered Singapore last year.
Brighton College entered Abu Dhabi in 2011, and Cranleigh in Abu Dhabi last year.
Kent College is expected to open its £27 million (Dh147.5m), 400,000 square feet campus in Meydan , Dubai, next year.
Durham School, which has delayed its opening from September, and Millfield also have plans for UAE campuses. Some others had a tougher time.
Raffles in Dubai cut ties with its Singapore schools company Raffles Campus after Emaar Education, the owner of Raffles schools in Dubai, sold back the Singapore company to its original owners in 2010. Another Singapore-based company, Global Schools Foundation, parted ways with its local partner Score Plus Education in 2012, saying it was “extremely pained by the experience”, The National reported at the time.
The preparatory school spin-off of Repton is Foremarke, which opened in 2013 with year one and year two. Last year it added year three and year four, and will start year five from September. Located in Dubai’s DuBiotech free zone, the school follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for England and Wales. It currently has 214 students with an expected 400 in the new academic session.
“The market has been under-supplied with schools and the UAE Government has been very keen to attract high-quality international schools to the region to meet demand,” according to Mark Atkins, the headmaster of Foremarke.
Branded schools, despite higher than average fees, attract parents drawn by the promise of top-quality education and a range of extra-curricular activities, such as golf, sailing and even street dance.
Repton Abu Dhabi has fees starting at Dh55,000 a year and that rises to Dh61,000 for the year two. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi had fees starting at Dh65,000 and went up to Dh80,000 a year for year nine for the past academic period. A non-branded school in Abu Dhabi, for instance, can typically have fees starting at Dh14,000 that go up to Dh22,000 a year.
Repton Dubai has a boarding school component where fees range between Dh120,979 a year to Dh161,199 a year.
Anna Martella, a mother of two daughters aged five and seven who attend Repton Abu Dhabi, is among the handful of parents whose employer covers the school fees.
“We are in a lucky situation, and we chose the school because we liked it, the teachers, the location is convenient as we live on Reem Island, and it has a wide range of extra-curricular activities,” says Ms Martella, who is from Italy. “And it’s a small school – sometimes big ones can be intimidating to small children.”
While Mr Atkins says the quality of schools is what matters rather than the brand name, the latter does help in a competitive market. “Experience of a quality UK brand does have value in attracting teachers, teacher exchange and training and quality assurance,” he says.
It also helps if a school can secure a good location. Repton Abu Dhabi’s campuses are located on Reem Island, with the latest one occupying 7,000 square metres. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is spread across seven hectares on Saadiyat Island.
Moreover, the entry of branded schools increases competition to provide quality education. And competition means schools will have to offer value for money, according to Mr Atkins.
While it is hard to replicate the campus experience of an international school in its home setting in a foreign location such as Dubai or Shanghai, brand names help.
“British education is considered a standard and that’s some comfort for a range of parents,” Mr Relton says.
His school has students of 51 nationalities, with British expats and Emiratis at 17 per cent each.
All this also fits into the overall UAE 2030 vision to diversify its economy away from a reliance on hydrocarbons.
“With the Government opening up the sector for private players, the UAE is already witnessing increased private participation and higher enrolment rates at private educational institutions,” Mr Murshed says.
Overseas schools also contribute to boosting skill sets, says Mr Atkins. “Good schools encourage expat talent and offer Emiratis a greater choice – the result, rising standards and a more skilled workforce in terms of foreign workers and highly educated locals.”
Still, challenges remain such as the turnover of good teachers and rising salaries.
“Recruiting quality teachers from the international market is a high-cost component for private operators and on an average, teachers in the [Arabian] Gulf serve a tenure of three years,” Mr Murshed says.
Repton Abu Dhabi replaced 10 per cent of its teachers last year, whereas in the overall market the average is between 30 and 40 per cent, Mr Relton says.
Teacher housing is another area that can throw up challenges. Rising rents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have a direct impact on a school’s operational costs.
“Staff salaries in the UAE are not rising with inflation and sadly more competitive salaries can be found in Asia,” Mr Atkins says. “A shortage of quality teachers for the UAE schools is imminent.”
One of the ways the schools are trying to retain teachers is by giving access to further training.
“We do a lot of digital training, and there is a thrust towards [classroom tools] such as iPad Mini and MacBook,” Mr Relton says, noting that it brings teachers up to date.
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Man United: Lingard (53', 90' 1)
Burnley: Barnes (3'), Defour (36')
Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:56
General Classification after Stage 3:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb) 0:02:06
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
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Abu Dhabi race card
5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75 million
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released
Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
