Epsom College Eyes UAE Expansion with Plans for Six to Eight Schools by 2040
Partnership with Abu Dhabi’s NEMA group to open schools in Abu Dhabi in 2028 and Dubai in 2030.
One of England’s most prestigious independent schools is heading to the Middle East — with ambitions that stretch well beyond two campuses.
Epsom College has confirmed a partnership with Abu Dhabi’s NEMA group to open schools in Abu Dhabi in 2028 and Dubai in 2030. Speaking to Emirates Wire, Headmaster Mark Lascelles revealed a wider plan: three schools in the region by 2032, and six to eight by 2040.
“It’s not about transplanting Epsom into the Middle East,” he said. “It’s about working with local partners to adapt what we do to the cultural and situational requirements of the region.”
The move builds on 12 years of experience running a campus in Malaysia. Staff exchange programmes — rotating teachers between the UK, the Middle East, and the Far East — will be central to maintaining a consistent school culture across sites.
NEMA, the owner of Abu Dhabi University and several other institutions, was chosen after Epsom assessed several potential partners. A shared commitment to academic excellence and pastoral care sealed the deal, with input from a governor with deep regional experience.
Once a founding head is appointed, NEMA will lead local market research. Saudi Arabia has been flagged as a potential future market.
Epsom joins Harrow, Rugby, and Gordonstoun in a growing wave of British independents moving into the Gulf. But six to eight schools within 15 years would put it among the most ambitious British education exporters in the region.
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