Dubai: Reopening date announced for schools attended by Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Maktoum

Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment (RLSE) is proud to announce a strategic initiative which shall collectively comprise the foundations of the school’s revisioning. This vision constitutes an integral part of the exciting plans that the Establishment has for the redevelopment of Rashid School for Boys (RSB) and Latifa School for Girls (LSG).

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Education and Chairman of Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment’s Board of Trustees, explained: "When His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai tasked us with this initiative, he made one-point crystal clear to the Trustees: that RSB and LSG should offer a transformative educational experience, one that transcends the traditional and serves as an incubator for the future leaders of the nation. Our plans and the resources accompanying them are focused on this one goal, and we are confident that we will achieve His Highness’ vision for the schools, through comprehensive development and setting plans that enable students to manage their education by exposure to real challenges, mastering skills and project-based learning, and providing an educational environment that focuses on the student and looks forward to the future.”

One of the new strategy's key components is integrating RSB and LSG under a single umbrella, a joint-leadership structure, and a unified name, Rashid and Latifa School (RLS). RLS will continue to offer single-gender education from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13, with the girls situated on the current LSG site and the boys on the current RSB site.

According to Dr. Al Falasi: “RLS will establish itself as a world-leading school through the formation of a learning environment that celebrates the individual as well as the collective achievements of all its members; RLS will inspire successful learners who, first and foremost, will understand themselves and their place in the world and concurrently will also value their connection to their local and global communities. And for this paradigm to take root, the physical environment, empowered by technology, shall go hand-in-hand with the learning contexts, offering intuitive pathways that drive personal growth and development.”

Commenting on the school’s reopening timelines, Dr. Al Falasi said: “We wish to embrace the aspirations of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in this ‘Year of Sustainability’ by positioning Rashid and Latifa School as a global centre of excellence for sustainability in education. To this end, the school will be an international leader in terms of design, materials, equipment, information technology infrastructure, and use of outdoor spaces for learning and inspiration. Construction of Rashid and Latifa School is expected to break ground in Autumn this year, with the first phase of the school welcoming its new cohort of students from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 4 in September 2024.’’

RLS appoints school’s executive principal

As part of its strategic initiatives moving forward, RLS has also appointed noted international educator Emma Nolan as executive principal of the school. A British national, Emma has worked in education for over 20 years, with extensive experience setting up pioneering bilingual and multi-lingual schools in the UK, China and the UAE. She embarked on a career in education following her UK law degree and PGCE, fast-tracking to an appointment as deputy principal and then to a principal role of a large multicultural school in the UK before her move into international education.

“My fellow trustees and I are excited to welcome Emma as the executive principal of RLS. She brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a deep commitment to preserving the values and heritage that make this venerable institution stand apart from any other school,” commented Dr. Al Falasi.

Emma has previously served as the founding principal of a Nord Anglia bilingual school in China and, most recently, as principal of Al Danah Charter School with Aldar Education in Abu Dhabi, helping to forge the future of Emirati students through this pioneering and impactful project.

"I am delighted to embrace this new challenge and opportunity and be part of such a prestigious project inspired by the ideals of Dubai's visionary leadership." said Emma.

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