Horizon English School

Horizon English School began in 1989 as a small villa school with 12 children and now has more than 1,000 pupils on a campus in Al Wasl, Jumeirah. KHDA lists it as Horizons English School and rates it Outstanding for overall quality, wellbeing and inclusion in 2023-24. The inspection report records 1,301 pupils, 86 teachers and 45 teaching assistants. It has been part of the Cognita group since 2021, and the school says nearly all class teachers are British trained. KHDA's inspectors singled out the caring community ethos and the high level of wellbeing it produces, along with outcomes in English, mathematics and science and the quality of the Foundation Stage. Wellbeing leaders use internationally validated frameworks and run Global Be Well days around themes pupils choose. The recommendations were the familiar ones: raise expectations in Islamic Education and Arabic. SchoolsCompared.com gives the school a parent rating of 88 and notes it was once recognised as the happiest school for children in the UAE at the Top Schools Awards. The published school day is Monday to Thursday with gates opening at 7.20am, drop-off from 7.30am and pick-up at 2.50pm for Years 1 to 6. FS1 pick-up is 1.20pm to 1.30pm, and every year group finishes at 11.30am on Fridays. Those hours give Years 1 to 6 about seven hours of school time on a standard day. Fees need a careful read. KHDA's directory shows AED 31,503 for FS1 and FS2 and AED 44,121 for Years 1 to 6, while the school's own 2026-27 table lists AED 43,849 for FS1, AED 52,163 for FS2 and AED 58,825 for Years 1 to 6, including a AED 1,200 medical fee, stationery and a digital device. Ask the admissions office which figure applies to your child. The school is primary only, with Horizon English School Town Square due to open in August 2027 as a through-school option.