Top UK school hires head for Abu Dhabi launch

The founding headmaster of a top UK school, which plans to open in Abu Dhabi later this year, has promised to deliver "something very special indeed".

Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited said in a statement that it has appointed Robert Relton as the founding headmaster at Repton Abu Dhabi, which will open on Reem Island in September.

Relton is relocating to the UAE with more than 20 years experience in British education, and was previously headmaster at Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School in London.

"A new school opening is always an exciting venture, but a school such as Repton, opening within the capital city of Abu Dhabi, combining the best of the British education system with the dynamism of the UAE, promises to be something very special indeed," said Relton.

At Ravenscourt Park, one of the most respected and over-subscribed schools in London, Relton managed an ambitious expansion of the school.

Repton Abu Dhabi, located within Sorouh Real Estate's residential and business community development Shams Abu Dhabi on Reem Island, will be spread across two campuses, the first of which is a 7,000 sq m site for 520 children from FS1 to Year 2.

A second campus will open in September 2014 for children in Year 3 and over.

The first school to be built on Reem Island, facilities will include two multi-purpose halls and a swimming pool.

EKI, a wholly-owned education subsidiary of Evolvence Capital Limited, partnered with Repton School in 2006 to open Repton Dubai in September the following year.

"We are excited that Robert is joining our Repton family here in the UAE with exemplary experience, an excellent track record and an inherent understanding of the British education system," said Khaled Al Muhairy, founder and CEO of Evolvence Capital Limited and chairman of EKI.

"I am confident that under Robert's guidance, Repton Abu Dhabi will become a landmark school in the UAE capital and each pupil will enjoy high educational standards and a broad range of extra-curricular activities in a friendly, family atmosphere."

When completed, Shams Abu Dhabi will house approximately 53,000 residents. It features landmark projects such as the Gate Tower and the Sun & Sky Towers, which is already home to more than 1,000 families.