Founder's Message
Nadia Zaal
Founder & CEO
"The world is rapidly changing. We can only guess what challenges today's children will meet as they grow up. I want children who are resilient, dynamic, confident, and meet life's challenges with courage. I don’t believe our mainstream system is equipping children for the future. It’s time for a change in the way children are taught. That is why Al Fanar by Zaya exists.”
A visionary leader of Emirati descent, a successful entrepreneur, and a devoted mother of four, Nadia Zaal founded Al Fanar School with a mission to redefine education. Inspired by her own personal journey of education and entrepreneurship, Nadia has dedicated herself to preparing the next generation for a resilient and adaptable future.
Where Wonder Leads, and Purpose Anchors
At Al Fanar, learning begins with curiosity and grows through connection. We are a British curriculum primary school (FS1–Year 6) with a difference - blending academic rigour with a holistic, research-based approach grounded in neuroscience, child development, and cultural identity.
Children here are not passive learners. They are capable, thoughtful, and creative - nurtured to explore deeply, act ethically, and lead with compassion. In a rapidly changing world, we prepare them not just for the future - but to shape it with integrity and imagination.
Whole-Child Education, Alive with Meaning
Our unique curriculum honours the full development of every child - intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Through our Head, Heart, Hands model, children are empowered to:
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Think critically and solve problems with depth and clarity
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Connect emotionally and collaborate with empathy
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Express themselves through creativity, movement, and making
This is education that is rigorous, relational, and joyful - where every child feels seen, known, and inspired.
Learning That Grows from Place and Belongs to the Future
Situated in Nad Al Sheba, Al Fanar School reflects the land, languages, and layered cultures of the UAE. Our school life is woven with Emirati heritage, the rhythms of the desert seasons, and the beauty of Arabic language and Islamic traditions - offering children a deep sense of belonging and cultural pride.
At the same time, our globally-aligned curriculum and child-led inquiry approach ensure children are world-ready - confident, open-minded, and connected to a larger purpose.
