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UK’s Gordonstoun to open Abu Dhabi campus in 2026

By Pramod Kumar
Fahad Al Blooshi, David White, Mounir Haidar JIIC/Space
Fahad Al Blooshi, chairman of Spaces, David White, chair of Gordonstoun International, and Mounir Haidar: managing director of JIIC, right: exclusive deal signed
  • King Charles III is former pupil of Scottish school
  • JIIC wins exclusive rights to name

The UK boarding school Gordonstoun, which boasts King Charles III as one of its former pupils, will open its first regional campus in Abu Dhabi’s Jubail Island master development in September 2026.

Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) and Spaces Investment & Real Estate Development (Spaces) have signed an agreement with Gordonstoun, obtaining the exclusive regional rights to license the “Gordonstoun School” name, trademarks, curriculum and know-how in the development of the school. 

Jubail Island’s Gordonstoun school will be “aligned” with the student experience offered by the institution in Scotland.

Gordonstoun, a co-educational school for boarding and day students in Elgin, Moray, Scotland, is one of the top independent schools catering to students aged four to 18. The school follows the English GCSE and A Level curriculum.

David White, the chair of Gordonstoun International, said: “This agreement is a big step towards making a Gordonstoun education more widely available to students in the region.”

White said income from the international operations was essential to fund the school’s bursary programme for pupils from underprivileged backgrounds.

Jubail Island covers more than 3,000 hectares. It will house a collection of six residential village estates between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. 

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