Abu Dhabi - MENA Herald: Bloom Education, a Bloom Holding subsidiary that delivers the highest standards of education in the UAE, today announced that Brighton College Al Ain now holds the highest ranking of any school in the United Arab Emirates - following a recent four-day inspection of the British-style premium school. The College has been judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category by an Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) inspection team and, in doing so, has become the first school to ever achieve a ‘perfect score’ in the city of Al Ain.
The highly coveted rating also makes Brighton College Al Ain one of only three schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to be judged ‘Outstanding’ across all required areas. Admissions staff at the College are currently responding to a surge in applications for places following the publication of the report.
Henning Fries, CEO, Bloom Education, said: “Bloom Education has teamed up with best in class education partners and are very proud of Brighton College Al Ain for achieving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) after the Council concluded the Abu Dhabi school inspections programme - also known as the Irqita'a initiative. The process consists of a list of criteria that evaluate quality of facilities, teaching standards, resources, development, support programmes as well as the academic progress of students and school leadership effectiveness.”
Fries added: “At Bloom Education, we are positive that Brighton College will continue to make significant strides in the UAE education system through expanding our network of world-class schools across the UAE, especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We are committed to maintaining this success to ensure a superlative quality of education for years to come.”
The inspection report acknowledges the ‘exceptionally high quality of challenge and support’ that is provided to Brighton College Al Ain pupils, noting that ‘teaching is highly effective and significantly impacts on students’ rates of progress and attainment levels’. The report also recognises the ‘extremely high quality of professional leadership’ and exceptional academic outcomes resulting from ‘comprehensive, systematic and rigorous self-evaluation processes, and extensive data analysis.
Furthermore, the inspectors commended the students of Brighton College Al Ain for being ‘extremely courteous and respectful’ in their interactions with all adults, for their ‘maturity and a very responsible attitude to learning as they share ideas’, and for their ability to ‘collaborate and communicate extremely well’ with one another.
The care, guidance and support provided to pupils is considered another key area of strength at Brighton College Al Ain, resulting in ‘many nationalities that mix harmoniously together and demonstrate excellent understanding and appreciation of their own and other world cultures’. The report also applauded the school’s house system that ‘provides a family feel’ and facilitates staff-student relationships (that) are outstanding’.
Jonathan McArthur, Headmaster of Brighton College Al Ain, said: “We are delighted with the outcome. This was an intense and robust review process and we are pleased that the inspectors validated as outstanding the day-to-day top quality practices at the school from our wonderful staff and pupils.”
Brighton College Al Ain is the sister school of its British counterpart, Brighton College, which regularly achieves the highest examination grades of any co-educational school in the United Kingdom. In the last five years, Brighton College has won a host of accolades including the Sunday Times ‘Independent School of the Year 2011-12’ and ‘UK Independent School of the Year 2013-14 at the Independent School Awards,’ whilst Richard Cairns, the Headmaster, has been named Tatler’s Headmaster of the Year 2012-13. Additionally, Brighton College UK achieved “excellent” in every category in the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in 2015.
Speaking on the inspection report, Cairns said: ‘It is gratifying to note that the inspection team has recognised the impact that Brighton College Al Ain is having on the education system in the United Arab Emirates. The institution has not only raised the bar in terms of the quality of British-style education on offer but has also quickly established itself as one of the finest schools in the country.”
Founded in 1845, Brighton College is one of the leading co-educational schools in England today. Academic results consistently place Brighton among the top 10 schools for boys and girls in England. The College is renowned for the provision for art, music, dance and drama as well as its sporting prowess. Every year, more and more of Brighton’s pupils secure places at the world’s most esteemed universities, particularly Oxford and Cambridge. In 2016, a record 39 pupils won Oxbridge offers.
The College’s former pupils number amongst Britain’s foremost business, professional and political leaders. They have represented their country in numerous sports, performed on stage and screen and are busy shaping the future for generations to come.
Bloom Education has teamed up with best in class education partners, to establish and operate schools and nurseries of the highest international standards. It offers students the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential in a positive, enjoyable, stimulating and safe environment that is conducive to their intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. Bloom Education is equally committed to instilling in children an appreciation of the local cultural heritage and values of other cultures.
