Repton Abu Dhabi appoints founding head as ground breaking begins on Reem Island

With construction now moving apace and the ground breaking underway, Mr Relton is relocating to the UAE with more than 20 years experience in British education, across state, independent, primary and secondary schools, and joins Repton Abu Dhabi from his previous post as 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 Mr Relton, who originally trained as a school inspector in the British education system.

Within his role at Ravenscourt Park, one of the most successful, respected and over-subscribed schools in London, Mr Relton managed an ambitious expansion to the school which enlarged the internal facilities by 150% and increased pupil roll to 400, making it one of the largest preparatory schools in the British capital.

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 square metre site for 520 children from FS1 to Year 2, while the second campus will open in September 2014 for children in Year 3 and over.

The first school to be built on Reem Island, facilities including two multi-purpose halls and a swimming pool will see the delivery of British education synonymous with tradition, expertise and experience.

EKI, a wholly-owned education subsidiary of Evolvence Capital Limited, one of the leading alternative investment firms in the GCC, partnered with Repton School in 2006 and commenced operations of its first campus when it opened Repton Dubai in September 2007 on the 450th anniversary of the British school in Derbyshire, UK.

"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," he added.

The responsibility of Repton is to prepare pupils for adulthood through the highest standard of academic studies and varied activities that comprise life in a school environment. The Abu Dhabi school will welcome families from all nationalities offering the best in British education within the context of an international school community and epitomised by the school's philosophy of 'the best for every child'.

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.