
The new British school coming to Abu Dhabi's Fahid Island has been revealed
That's right – King's College School Wimbledon is officially opening its first regional campus on Fahid Island.
Set to welcome students in September 2028 (pending final approvals), the upcoming K-12 campus will sit on a massive 50,000 square metre site and cater to up to 2,200 students. This isn't just another international school – we're talking one of the UK's top institutions, promising an academic track that paves the way to the world's best universities.
More: Fahid Island will include a 10km fitness track, a beach club and a five-star resort
The news comes hot on the heels of Fahid Island's big reveal – Aldar's latest luxury lifestyle destination, where beaches, blue lagoons, bougie resorts and now, a world-class school are all part of the master plan.
Prices for the island's residential units are already turning heads, with one-bedroom apartments starting from over Dhs3 million. And with a school of this calibre in the works, interest might spike further still.
Aldar Education, the force behind some of the capital's most respected schools, is leading the charge here – and with campuses already flourishing on Yas Island, Saadiyat and Khalifa City, this latest move feels like a natural evolution. According to Aldar, the addition of King's College School Wimbledon will help the group deliver 4,000+ new student places by the 2028-29 academic year.
This project isn't a one-school wonder – future phases of Fahid Island will bring even more educational institutions into the mix. It's shaping up to be the kind of community where families can live, learn and lounge without ever leaving the island.
Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education said: 'Aldar Education's robust network – with schools on Yas Island, Khalifa City and Saadiyat Island – will expand capacity by offering over 4,000 new student places by the 2028-29 academic year, ensuring diverse, accessible and high quality education opportunities throughout Abu Dhabi.'
Living in Abu Dhabi
When is the next public holiday?
Here's when you'll have your next day off
5 unexpected Emirates ID perks you should seriously be using
And yes, they all make our lives a little bit easier
12 brilliant day trips from Abu Dhabi for when you need to escape the city
And some of them are free
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Post
20 hours ago
- Arabian Post
US Tightens Sanctions on Iran Oil Networks and Shadow Fleet
United States authorities have implemented a sweeping array of sanctions targeting companies, vessels and networks that facilitate clandestine oil exports from Iran. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control moved to freeze assets and prohibit transactions by an Iraqi-led smuggling group and its associated Iranian 'shadow fleet.' Simultaneously, the State Department added further designations aimed at restricting Tehran's access to critical oil revenues. The Treasury identified a complex smuggling operation orchestrated by Iraqi–British businessman Salim Ahmed Said, dating back to at least 2020. Said's firms specialise in blending Iranian crude with Iraqi oil before mislabelling shipments to evade sanctions. Vessels under his network, including tankers managed through UAE‑based VS Tankers FZE and VS Oil Terminal, have been instrumental in blending, ship‑to‑ship transfers and forging documentation to funnel oil into Western markets via Iraq or the UAE. The crackdown also zeroed in on vessels involved in covert logistics operations. Tankers flying flags of Panama, Comoros, Cameroon and the Marshall Islands—such as VIZURI, FOTIS, THEMIS, and BIANCA JOYSEL—have collectively shipped tens of millions of barrels of Iranian oil, often suspending their AIS transponders during transfers in international waters. ADVERTISEMENT Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said the sanctions are emblematic of an 'eighth round' of measures targeting Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors under Executive Order 13902. He emphasised that these actions aim to deny Tehran 'the financial resources that fuel its destabilising activities'. Complementing this, the State Department designated six entities and four vessels under Executive Order 13846 for engaging in significant transactions involving Iranian petroleum, further amplifying legal consequences for those assisting Iran's oil trade. The sanctions coincide with U. S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. While President Trump hinted that sanctions relief could follow if Iran adopts a peaceful trajectory, Treasury and State Department actions signal a contrasting posture of escalation and enforcement. Underpinning Tehran's tactics is what experts describe as a 'ghost fleet'—a web of shell companies, AIS manipulation and vessel flag‑hopping. This makes Iran's oil exports largely opaque and more difficult to police. The fleet's activities play a vital role in sustaining Iran's revenue streams, including funding for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps‑Qods Force. In the financial markets, the tightening of oil sanctions resonated swiftly. West Texas Intermediate crude prices edged above US$67 per barrel on Friday, spurred by expectations of tighter exports. However, analysts also pointed to anticipated increased output from OPEC+ in August as likely to mitigate sharp price movements. Strategic observers say the latest round of sanctions is designed to maintain pressure on Tehran, even as broader diplomacy plays out. The U. S. has signalled its willingness to explore a new nuclear agreement, potentially including incentives such as civilian nuclear investment and sanctions relief, if Iran exhibits restraint and begins meaningful nuclear negotiations. Critics argue, however, that while sanctions may narrow Tehran's financial margins, they can deepen its reliance on illicit networks. Tehran's pivot toward China, Russia and regional allies could be reinforced, with the shadow fleet evolving in sophistication despite the just‑announced sanctions. Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht‑Ravanchi has stated that Tehran will not initiate further strikes against the U. S., citing a preference for de‑escalation. He affirmed Iran's decision to respond proportionately to airstrikes but warned more aggressive engagement could provoke additional military, political or economic measures. As diplomatic channels remain open, including planned talks in Oslo on nuclear constraints, sanctions authorities appear committed to preventing revenue flows that could support nuclear expansion or proxy activity. The U. S. approach suggests a concerted strategy of merging military pressure, sanction enforcement and back‑channel diplomacy to reshape Iran's calculus.


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
2nd Heritage Conf. continues discussions on Western travel literature
Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature In the session titled 'Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature', moderated by Dr Mani Bounama, Dr Mohammed Al Mansouri spoke about the profound transformations in the Trucial States due to the entry of foreign oil companies in the mid-20th century, and the resulting documentation. Majid Shubar highlighted the role of European travellers and researchers in exploring the Arab world across centuries. Aisha Al Hussan reviewed aspects of Emirati cultural heritage as depicted in Western writings, while Dr Hamad bin Seray added that British officials recorded everything they witnessed during their administration of the region. Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers In the session 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers', Dr Said Al Masri stressed that many European records were based on orientalist assumptions. Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Seddiqi, speaking via Zoom, presented a paper on 'The Social and Cultural Image in the Eyes of Western Travellers' focusing on both Eastern and Maghrebian examples. He noted the importance of employing imagery when addressing events in Islamic history among Muslim communities. Dr Younis Al Numani pointed out that the geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman attracted travellers who documented its way of life, while Dr Khalid Al Qasimi explained that travellers often lacked methodological accuracy. He emphasised that the methodology of travellers differed from that of historians, as they did not always strive for factual accuracy, and their accounts were often shaped by personal beliefs or unreliable sources. Dr Saif Al Badwawi discussed the British survey of the Arab coast, and Dr Ali Afifi examined Western perspectives on food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. In a second session under the same title, 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers 2', moderated by Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, Omani researcher Imad Al Bahrani reviewed social aspects of Omani society as recorded in the 1956 travel report by a British consul. Dr George Gregory from Romania shed light on how Arabs and their regions were described in the works of Romanian traveller Panait Istrati. Dr Ali Afifi presented a paper titled 'The Western Travellers' View of Food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from the 15th to the Mid-20th Century', while Egyptian researcher Dr Sadiq Jawhar examined representations of Cairo in Western travel literature. Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other In the session 'Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other', moderated by Mohammed Al Balushi, Dr Maria Boubia presented 'The Arab in the Mirror of Medieval Western Europe'. Dr Massoud Idris from Macedonia, speaking via Zoom, discussed 'Arab Heritage in the Eyes of Balkan Peoples'. Dr Mahmoudou Amin from Mauritania explored 'Food and Medicinal Traditions in Mauritania: A Reading of the Texts of French Travellers and Explorers.' Dr Shakir Nouri from Iraq reviewed the portrayal of Antarah ibn Shaddad Al Absi in the Imagination of Alphonse de Lamartine, while Dr Ali Abdullatif Hamida from Libya, speaking via Zoom, examined the concept of Bedouin life in the writings of Western travellers and anthropologists who visited Tripoli/Libya during the colonial era. Specialised Sessions Enrich Cultural Understanding All sessions were distinguished by a high level of presentation and analysis, exceeding expectations in the depth of input and richness of discussion. This reflects the conference's standing as a leading intellectual platform that enhances cultural dialogue between East and West, while opening new avenues for the study of folk heritage through travel literature and Western writings.


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
2nd Heritage Conf. explores economy in Western travel writings
The session included contributions from His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Institute, Dr Hamdan Al Derai, Dr Laila Meziane from Morocco, and Dr Ghanem Al Humaidi from Qatar. The session was moderated by Aisha Al Hussan. During the session, the speakers affirmed that the writings of Western travellers serve as an important reference for studying the history of Gulf societies, offering detailed accounts of economic and social conditions, despite being marred by colonial and cultural biases. They pointed out that a critical reading of these texts helps to deconstruct the stereotypical images that prevailed about the region and contributes to restoring a more balanced narrative of the local past. Al Musallam's Reading of Cursetjee's Vision of the Gulf His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam presented a paper titled 'Cursetjee's Journey to the Gulf', in which he reviewed the book 'The Land of the Date', documenting the author's journey from Bombay to Basra in 1916–1917, during the First World War and the growing British presence in the Gulf. He explained that the book offers a detailed description of ports, inhabitants, customs, and myths, yet reflects a biased colonial viewpoint, necessitating its analysis within a broader political and cultural context. Meziane: Moroccan Maritime Heritage Dr Laila Meziane, presenting her paper via Zoom, addressed 'European Representations of Moroccan Maritime Heritage', focusing on how the Moroccan coast was portrayed in European sources between the 16th and 20th centuries, while highlighting modern digital methodologies used to document this heritage. Qatar in Western Travel Writings For his part, Dr Ghanem Al Humaidi discussed 'Qatar Through the Eyes of Travellers', exploring key aspects of social and cultural life in Qatar as portrayed by travellers, merchants, and missionaries. He touched on themes such as pearl diving, hospitality, and tribal society. The Gulf Coast and Postcolonial Transformations Dr Hamdan Al Derai shed light on 'The Economic and Livelihood Patterns in the South-Eastern Arabian Peninsula', referring to the transformations in the role of Arabs as trade intermediaries following the dominance of the British East India Company. Heritage Conference: A Platform for Cultural Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange This session forms part of a series of academic and cultural events held during the Second Heritage Conference, with the participation of a select group of researchers and experts from various countries. The aim is to discuss the image of Arab folk heritage through the lens of others and to highlight Western representations of this heritage in travel and orientalist literature. The conference continues over two days, featuring special exhibitions, book signings, and knowledge-based encounters that contribute to fostering cultural dialogue and the exchange of expertise between heritage enthusiasts from both East and West.