Three UAE schools bag pride of place among 10 finalists for World's Best School Prizes

Three schools from the UAE are among the Top 10 finalists for the prestigious World's Best School Prizes 2025. This is the first time that three schools from the country have reached the final stage.

- Nandini Sircar

Dubai British School Jumeirah Park (DBSJP), Arbor School, and Applied Technology Schools — Umm Al Quwain Campus (ATS-UAQ) have each earned recognition across key categories — community collaboration, environmental action and innovation respectively — marking the first time three UAE schools have reached the final 10 in the same year.

In an interview with Khaleej Times, Rebecca Coulter, principal, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park (DBSJP), explained that DBSJP stands out for its strong belief in education as a shared journey, built on deep partnerships between students, staff, families and the wider community.

Coulter highlighted that their academic success, inclusive practices and wellbeing initiatives all stem from a collaborative ethos.

She said: "Our nationally celebrated inclusion programme is a direct reflection of our collaborative ethos. As the first school in the UAE to achieve both the Inclusion Quality Mark and Centre of Excellence status, we ensure all voices are heard. From working closely with parents of determination to co-creating support strategies with specialist teams, we make inclusion a shared responsibility and a daily reality."

"Our co-curricular and enrichment offer is deliberately inclusive and outward facing. With over 90 clubs and a calendar filled with cultural celebrations, community iftars, sustainability drives, and service initiatives, our school is a place where people connect across backgrounds and generations," Coulter added.