Cranleigh Abu Dhabi School breaks ground on Saadiyat Island

Once complete, the school will be one of the largest campuses in Abu Dhabi, with the capacity to cater to more than 1,600 primary and secondary students.

The Abu Dhabi branch of Cranleigh School is set to open in 2014 and will be located on seven hectares of the Saadiyat Island, making it one of the largest campus in UAE. Courtesy TDIC

ABU DHABI // Construction work has begun on the prestigious Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, the emirate's first boarding school.

Cranleigh has a 148-year history in Surrey, England, and the campus on Saadiyat Island is expected to open next year.

The Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) today announced the ground-breaking at the site.

Once completed, the school is tipped to be one of Abu Dhabi's largest, with places for more than 1,600 primary and secondary pupils between the ages of three and 18.

It will provide the latest IT equipment, including tablet computers for pupils.

"This is a milestone in the island's transformation into a premier destination, while demonstrating TDIC's mandate to support the development of high-level education in Abu Dhabi," said Ali Al Hammadi, deputy managing director of TDIC.

"When it opens, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will provide educational benefits not only for the island's residents and members of Abu Dhabi's community, but the region as well."

The school was designed by Godwin Austen Johnson Architects of the UK, and is next to Manarat Al Saadiyat and the UAE Pavilion in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

"TDIC is currently in the process of selecting the main contractor, which will be the next key milestone in the school's development," said Mr Al Hammadi.

Registrations will be accepted from November.