New Foremarke School In Dubai Sets Benchmark For Preparatory Education In GCC

Groundbreaking ceremony sees start of construction to bring best of British learning to UAE children

A new Dubai school based on one of the most respected preparatory junior education platforms in the UK will open in September 2013, providing unrivalled standards of excellence in British teaching for children aged three to 11.

Foremarke School Dubai in Al Barsha South will be the first overseas venture for a UK junior school and is the result of a partnership between Foremarke Hall (Repton Preparatory School) and Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited (EKI), the wholly-owned education subsidiary of Evolvence Capital Limited, one of the leading alternative investment firms in the GCC.

Located within the DuBiotech Science Park development in Dubai and covering a 25,978 square metre site (279,629 square feet), the new school is being built by international construction firm, Brookfield Multiplex and will accommodate 1,280 children at full capacity.

At a press conference and ground breaking ceremony today (Tuesday) it was announced that the co-educational junior school will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for England and Wales which will be adapted for Dubai as necessary.

Initial intake of pupils will be for Early Years and Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2), while Years 3 to 5 will be accepted from September 2014. Year 6 will follow in 2015.

“The launch of Foremarke School in Dubai will offer UAE parents an ideal education option for their children to be taught within the National Curriculum, which helps to ease the potential transition for children if and when a family returns to the UK,” said Khaled Al Muhairy, CEO of Evolvence Capital Limited and Chairman of EKI.

“Having visited Foremarke Hall in Derbyshire, I have seen first-hand the results they produce. The school comprises a fine collection of well rounded, confident young people who have respect and courtesy for peers and authority alike. This is what we will work hard towards achieving in Dubai and I look forward to seeing the results.

“This venture allows EKI to expand its offering of schools within Dubai and, in partnership with Foremarke Hall, to deliver a school of class and excellence. It also builds on the proven track record of success that EKI has enjoyed with its Dovecote Nurseries and Repton brands.”

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) said: “We welcome new schools which give a greater number of students access to high quality early years and primary education. As one of the most popular curricula in Dubai, the National Curriculum of England and Wales is one which Dubai parents trust to prepare their children to be proactive members of society, ready to contribute to the future of Dubai.

“Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited has an established record or providing world-class schooling, enriching Dubai’s education offering. We look forward to a continued relationship to further improve quality of education in Dubai.”

Commenting on the project, Richard Merriman, Headmaster of Foremarke Hall, UK said: “We are absolutely delighted to give our name and expertise in delivering the very best education and our support to this prestigious venture, which will provide families in Dubai with outstanding opportunities for their children from their early years.

Newly appointed Headmaster Julian Pederick said that the importance of academic achievements will be equally weighted with successes in sport, art, music and drama. “Foremarke is a ‘get stuck in’ type of school where children are encouraged to take risks and embrace challenges both in and out of the classroom. Only in doing so can we and they identify and nurture their unique talents.

“Above all else, we want Foremarke pupils in Dubai to look back at their junior school years with the pride of knowing that they gave their best and had great fun in doing so.”

Alan Humphrey, Commercial Director of Brookfield Multiplex added, “We’re delighted to be awarded the contract to deliver the Foremarke Foundation and Junior Schools and look forward to working closely with EKI as the project is brought to life.”

In keeping with the ethos of its UK partner school Foremarke Hall (Repton Preparatory School) the Dubai campus will lay a strong foundation for the successful transition to one of a wide network of quality senior schools both locally and overseas.
 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 15, 2013

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