Moving to Abu Dhabi- school/living advice

[BePeachHelper]

Hello, we are considering a move to Abu Dhabi in time for the next school year. We have 3 school children who will be going into years 3,7,9. We are looking at Cranleigh. Does anyone have children there? Or any other recommendations? They are at a UK private school so staying in the British system is important as well as sport such as rugby. Also looking at recommendations as to where to live. We have two Labradors who will be coming with us so it needs to be as dog friendly as possible. Any advice on how to help the dogs cope with the summer heat also appreciated! I have found various indoor exercise places. Thank
you!

Do you mean the 2025-6 school year? If so, you will need to cast your net more widely as top schools will already have waitlists in place for at least some year groups. Cranleigh is an excellent school, but often oversubscribed. Other premium schools are Nord Anglia, Repton, BISAD, BSAK, Brighton. Choose where to live once you find a school that can accept all of your children.

Dogs cope with the heat, just minimise their time outdoors, walk in the dark only, and figure out a toileting arrangement they can use at home during the day. Dogs must be on a lead unless in a designated dog park, and there are very few of those. My dog is so used to being on a lead he wouldn't know how to be free outside!

I would think long and hard before relocating Labradors to the UAE. You will find it hard for them to get the exercise they need, particularly in summer. You see large dogs here but not typically the high energy breeds. For example there are loads of Goldies but I can't think of the last time I saw a Labrador. I've never (thankfully!) seen a Border Collie or a Springer Spaniel. I appreciate that Labradors aren't quite that level, but equally they will not have a good life here unless you are coming from a very urban location and they have limited exercise at the moment. Yes there are indoor exercise places and in the winter you can drive them to somewhere in the desert (still not legal to be off leash but you can go somewhere remote enough that no one is going to object) but it's really not the best place for a high energy breed.

It depends on which school your children are in in the UK but be aware that you are unlikely to match top UK private school education in the UAE. That doesn't mean the schools are bad, but that there are very few schools in the world that meet top UK private schools. I echo @BePeachHelper 's advice to look at other schools as well.

Most of the British schools will have rugby teams, but the rugby is primarily a club sport in the UAE. The two main Abu Dhabi teams are the Harlequins and Small Blacks. If your oldest is very strong you might find it worthwhile them training with one of the top Dubai clubs, but I would check the standard at Harlequins and Small Blacks first.

Also make sure you've researched the position on home v international status for university.