Caroline Mather, Head of Pre-Prep, underscores the school’s commitment to valuing each child as a unique individual
PARTNER CONTENT: With the opening of its new state-of-the-art Pre-Prep campus in January 2024, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi remains steadfast in its vision of nurturing curiosity and exploration within a supportive and engaging environment.
Families are drawn to Cranleigh Abu Dhabi for its strong community spirit and nurturing environment that encourages children to explore and be curious about the world around them.
Caroline Mather, Head of Pre-Prep, underscores the school’s commitment to valuing each child as a unique individual.
The collaborative design process for the new Pre-Prep campus involved educators, parents, and students, ensuring that the learning spaces and outdoor areas were tailored to support diverse development and learning styles, reflecting the school’s holistic approach to education.
Team Yalla recently took a tour of the school to learn more.
Why do families choose Cranleigh Abu Dhabi?
Families choose Cranleigh Abu Dhabi because of its strong community spirit and nurturing environment. The school provides a setting where children can be curious and can explore the world around them, feeling valued as unique individuals. This holistic approach is central to the school’s vision and values.
How were educators, parents, and children involved in the collaborative design process for the new Pre-Prep campus?
The design process was highly collaborative, involving educators, parents, and children. Children participated in dedicated workshops to share their ideas for the indoor and outdoor spaces, which were incorporated into the design to ensure the environment supports their development and learning styles. Consequently, architects, expert Aldar Properties project managers, parents, the team of educators and the school students came together to design an exceptional campus.
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What are the innovative design elements of the new Pre-Prep campus?
The campus features innovative design elements such as fluid learning spaces, indoor-outdoor connectivity, and adventure play areas. Classrooms can open up into both the shared indoor learning spaces and the outdoor areas which include features such as built-in trampolines, reading dens, and adventure play zones to develop gross motor skills and confidence.
How does the design of the new Pre-Prep campus incorporate elements inspired by the UAE environment?
The design incorporates elements inspired by the UAE environment, including natural tones, circular architecture, and references to local landscapes such as sand dunes and beaches. These elements create a calming, natural feel and include features such as soft, circular shades and dappled light to evoke the local environment.
What facilities are available at the new Pre-Prep campus?
The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool, a multipurpose hall, a bespoke library with English and Arabic provisions, a Music room, dedicated Arabic teaching rooms, a sensory room and Art, DT and Technology hubs. These facilities enhance the educational experience for our youngest learners.
How does Cranleigh Abu Dhabi assure parents and stakeholders that the school’s core values, staff, and operational efficiency remain unchanged with the new campus?
Built on people and connections, our strong values have not changed with a new campus. All existing Pre-Prep staff relocated to the new campus, ensuring continuity and familiarity for the children. Along with classroom teachers, specialist staff including the Arabic and Islamic teams, Swimming, PE and dedicated Music teachers also moved across with the Pre-Prep team.
How does the new Pre-Prep campus integrate seamlessly with the existing campus?
Strategically situated near the main campus, the new Pre-Prep campus continues to foster a sense of continuity and community within the Cranleigh family. The proximity to the other campus ensures operational and academic centralisation. The Pre-Prep family remains closely integrated through whole school events, communication, and the shared Cranleigh values and skills.
WORD FROM THE PRINCIPAL TRACY CROWDER-CLOE
Amid the excitement of a new campus, we stand firm in our dedication to preserving our core values, maintaining operational excellence, and nurturing a sense of continuity within the Cranleigh family.
At Cranleigh, our commitment to excellence and community remains steadfast. While we may have a split campus, our values, our exceptional staff, and our operational efficiency remain the same.
Our focus continues to be on providing an exceptional education that prepares our students for success in an ever-changing world.
One of the key priorities during the transition to the new campus was ensuring seamless integration with the existing Prep and Senior campuses.
We recognise the importance of continuity and unity within the Cranleigh family and our new campus has been meticulously designed to complement our existing facilities, fostering a sense of cohesion and community across all levels of education.
This is strengthened not only by physical aspects but by the values that are intertwined in all that we do from the beginning of a child’s journey with us to when they leave.
In Abu Dhabi, Cranleigh’s values serve as the guiding force, anchoring the community. The values of respect, kindness, courage, integrity, and responsibility are not just words but lived principles that shape every interaction and decision.
From shared facilities to collaborative initiatives, the integration of the new campus with its counterpart ensures that the Cranleigh experience remains consistent and cohesive.
Our new campus represents more than just a physical space; it embodies our collective vision for the future.
Together, we will continue to uphold Cranleigh’s rich traditions while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead
For more information, visit cranleigh.ae
