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We’re proud to share that students at The British International School Abu Dhabi are celebrating another year of outstanding success in the IB Diploma Programme, as well as a landmark achievement with our first ever BTEC International Level 3 Extended Diploma results for the 2024/25 academic year. Read on to discover how our students excelled in both academic and vocational pathways, and what exciting opportunities lie ahead.

Our commitment to personalised learning doesn’t stop with our students, it extends to our teachers too. Just as we strive to nurture each child’s learning journey by recognising individual needs and strengths, we believe the same philosophy should guide how we support the professional growth of our staff.    This article explores how professional development, collaboration, and a culture of support drive excellence in teaching at BIS Abu Dhabi.

As we draw this academic year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly remarkable journey for The British International School Abu Dhabi. This year has been defined by so much more than achievement, it has been a year of resilience, creativity, compassion, and bold ambition. Read on to discover the unforgettable highlights, proud achievements, and inspiring moments that made this year at BIS Abu Dhabi truly remarkable.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, curiosity isn’t bound to the classroom, it’s a mindset we nurture year-round. With Curious as our Term 3 ambition, we’re excited to carry this focus into Term 1 next year. Curiosity sparks exploration, strengthens connections, and drives metacognitive awareness; helping children understand how they think when they are curious. Discover simple thinking routines and summer activities that help children stay curious, reflect on their thinking, and start the new term inspired.

The penultimate week of term always brings a mix of energy and reflection. Lessons are still purposeful, but there is also a sense of looking back, recognising just how far our students have come. This year, we have seen strong academic success across the school. Students have worked hard, and the outcomes reflect that effort. But just as important have been the achievements beyond the classroom in music, sport, language, technology, and the arts. Our curriculum is broad for a reason, and it has been clear this year that our students are thriving in many ways.

The British International School Abu Dhabi, part of the Nord Anglia Education family, is proud to announce that three students have been selected to attend this year’s 2025 Nord Anglia Student Summit in Houston, Texas, a transformative leadership event focused on global citizenship, sustainability, and student-led innovation.  Read on to discover how these young changemakers will collaborate with peers worldwide to drive meaningful impact.

Celebrating Our Shared Success: A Year of Partnership and Recognition As we approach the end of a vibrant academic year filled with events, achievements, and memorable moments, I am delighted to share some fantastic news with you all. Our school has been honoured with not one, but two prestigious awards in recognition of our commitment to parent engagement: the MENA Parent Partnership Award and the ADEK Best Parent Engagement Award. Read on to discover how these awards celebrate our collaborative culture, highlight parent-school partnerships, and support meaningful improvements for our students.

From her very first days in Nursery to her final moments as an IB Diploma graduate, Samsara has spent 15 years growing, learning, and thriving at BIS Abu Dhabi. A true BISAD Baby, she has left a lasting mark not only in the classroom, but across courts, fields and swimming pools. As she reflects on her school journey, Samsara shares how sport became a constant companion, shaping her character, building resilience, and offering balance alongside academic success. Discover how sport helped shape her unforgettable school experience — and why it could do the same for your child.

Our facilities provide the backdrop to – and inspiration behind – many of our students’ greatest achievements.   From our Creative Technology Zone and 524-seat auditorium to the Team Falcon Sports Academy, every space is designed to enrich learning and unlock endless possibilities.  Curious about what’s coming next? Discover how our latest campus developments will take student learning and parent connection to the next level.

It’s something I’ve believed for a long time — that learning isn’t predetermined by our genes. It’s about growing, persevering, and learning through the process. I was really mindful of this idea at this week’s wonderful Primary Summer Concert, after which I found myself reflecting on whether these amazing children have an innate talent, or whether they have achieved so much because of hard work and practice. I believe it’s the latter. These children, their parents, and their teachers all seem to share the belief that by trying and working hard, they will get better at what they do. This is what we call a growth mindset.

On 22nd May, BIS Abu Dhabi proudly celebrated the graduation of our incredible Class of 2025. This special event brought together students, families, and staff to celebrate a milestone that was years in the making, one filled with dedication, friendships, and unforgettable memories. The school auditorium was filled with pride and excitement as the ceremony unfolded. Read on to relive the highlights of this special day.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, we believe that when families and schools team up, incredible things happen. We’re proud to have won the Parent Partnership category at both the ADEK Awards 2024/25 and the MENA School Excellence Awards 2025, but this award is about more than just recognition. It’s about the people, the conversations, and the community that make it all possible. Read on to discover how we’re making a difference together.

This week at BIS Abu Dhabi, we have had the joy of celebrating both ends of the school journey and it has been a beautiful reminder of how we support our students to dream big and grow into their future selves.

At BIS Abu Dhabi, inclusion isn’t a separate initiative, it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the moment a student joins us, they are welcomed into a caring, respectful, and inclusive environment, guided by the values of Kindness, Honesty, and Respect. Discover how this ethos shapes every classroom, corridor, and connection in our school community in this blog.

As exam season unfolds, there's a special kind of stillness that settles over the school. In the quiet hum of the examination hall, behind the rustle of papers and the soft clicking of keyboards, is a profound truth: we are witnessing a moment that our students will carry with them forever. It is the culmination of years of learning, growth, and perseverance, a chapter closing and a new one ready to be written.

Please see below the ADEK-approved calendar dates for the 2025 2026 academic year.

"Play is the highest form of research." – Albert Einstein Step into any vibrant Early Years classroom, and you'll likely hear the joyful hum of children deep in play - building, pretending, exploring, and negotiating their world. To the untrained eye, it may just look like fun and games. But within those moments of giggles and glue sticks lies something truly magical: deep, meaningful learning.  In this article, discover how play supports vital early development, how BIS Abu Dhabi brings the EYFS curriculum to life through play, and why protecting this joyful, purposeful approach to learning is more important than ever.

Lately, I have been reflecting on how important curiosity is - not just for children, but for us as adults too. Through my own learning with coaching through Making Stuff Better and alongside our EYFS and Year 1 team's work with The Curiosity Approach, I have seen how curiosity can transform the way we learn, teach and create spaces for exploration. Are we still curious as adults? When was the last time you asked a question just to learn, not just to know the answer?

A few weeks ago, as part of our IB DP Language programme, Year 12 students in the French Ab Initio and French B classes united to celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Originally a catholic event welcoming the ritual fasting of Lent, Mardi Gras is celebrated in France with festive parades and sumptuous public celebrations. At BIS Abu Dhabi, students came together to not only recognize the festivity but rejoice at the opportunity to share and learn about the international traditions fostered within our community. With the help of Monsieur Depose and Mademoiselle Merchadier, the French DP classes baked tasty treats, including crepes, waffles, brownies, and traditional beignets!

As a teacher at BIS Abu Dhabi, I have the privilege of watching students grow — not just academically, but as young people finding their path in a complex world. One thing I’ve learned time and again is this: success doesn’t come from rare moments of brilliance — it comes from the quiet power of habits. Research tells us that up to 40% of what we do each day is driven by habit, not active decision-making. That means the routines our students form — the way they begin their morning, how they handle a setback, whether they choose to read or scroll — are shaping who they become.