ADIO & Taaleem Partner to Launch Harrow Int'l School in GCC on Saadiyat

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has joined hands with Taaleem Holdings PJSC (Taaleem), a top education provider in the UAE, to build a Harrow International School on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This will be the first Harrow school in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the first boarding school in Abu Dhabi.

This partnership was made possible after getting approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). Taaleem has also signed a special land lease agreement for a plot on Saadiyat Island and an agreement with Harrow International Schools Ltd. in 2024 to bring the school to the UAE.

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This project is a big step for Taaleem as it expands its network of schools. It also marks progress for ADIO’s Musataha program, which helps UAE investors build long-term projects on public land. This program aims to improve the quality of life in Abu Dhabi and attract important projects that support the city’s plans.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi will provide a top-class education with a strong focus on academics, extracurricular activities, and character-building. The school is famous for its house system and aims to give students an excellent learning experience while making Abu Dhabi more attractive for wealthy families. This project is part of a bigger plan to make Abu Dhabi a better place for families looking for the best education for their children.

This school will also add value to Taaleem’s group of schools, making it a leader in the high-end education market. By introducing the well-known Harrow name, Taaleem hopes to grow and strengthen its position in the education sector.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is set to open in mid-2026. It will be built on a large 70,000-square-meter plot and will first welcome students from Early Years to Year 6. Over time, more grades will be added, and the school will have space for 1,800 students. Soon, families will be able to express their interest in joining, and enrollments will officially begin in October 2025.

The school will follow the British curriculum and will bring Harrow’s well-known teaching methods, caring student support, and extracurricular programs to the UAE. Class sizes will be kept small to give students the best attention, ensuring strong academic and personal development.

The opening of Harrow International School Abu Dhabi will improve the UAE’s reputation in the world of education by offering students a global, high-quality learning experience. Taaleem continues to help the UAE reach its goal of becoming a global education hub, attracting students from around the world and improving the country’s knowledge economy.

His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary at ADEK, said: "We support investment in education and aim to make learning better for all students. Harrow International School Abu Dhabi will make our education system even stronger and help Abu Dhabi become a top place for quality education. We will continue to bring in more world-class schools and offer students the best learning experiences."

His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO, said: "Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is an important step toward building a strong knowledge-based economy. Through smart partnerships, we are bringing in top institutions that will benefit our communities in the long run. This project shows our dedication to improving quality of life, preparing young leaders, and making Abu Dhabi a top choice for investors, businesses, and talented people."

His Excellency Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE, said: "The opening of Harrow International School in the UAE proves the strong bond between the UK and the UAE in education. Harrow is a school with a history of developing strong leaders, including Winston Churchill. Abu Dhabi will now have a school that follows British education traditions, helping students reach their full potential and build a better future."

Khalid Al Tayer, Chairman of Taaleem, said: "Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is the first Harrow school in the GCC and marks our move into top-tier education. This reflects our goal to provide the best learning opportunities and shape the future of education in the UAE. This project also follows the growth strategy we shared when Taaleem became a publicly listed company, investing in new, modern schools in high-demand areas and improving education across the UAE."

Mel Mrowiec, Chairman of Harrow International Schools Limited, said: "For the past 20 years, Taaleem has been a trusted provider of excellent education in the UAE. Our partnership with Taaleem will bring Harrow’s unique teaching approach to new communities in the GCC. The Taaleem Harrow Schools will focus on leadership, character development, and strong academics, preparing students for success in a fast-changing world."

The design of the school is already in progress, led by the award-winning architecture firm KODA.
Taaleem has exclusive rights to open and manage Harrow International Schools across the GCC and is planning to announce another Harrow school in the UAE later this year.