Repton Identity and Heritage

Repton School in Derbyshire, UK was founded in 1557, the year before Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne. The founder of the school, Sir John Port was a Member of Parliament and knighted by King Edward VI. John Port was an enlightened and generous benefactor who provided for the formation of Repton School, by a considerate legacy. Little did he know that his generosity would provide a world class education for generations of pupils, and lead to the formation of a ‘family’ of international schools, including Repton Dubai founded in 2007. The Chairman and founder of Repton Dubai, Mr Khaled Al Mheiri, wanted to found a world class school in his home country, UAE, based on the Repton UK model, and he is following in the proud footsteps of Sir John Port.

Repton Dubai cherishes its close links to Repton UK and has embraced many of the same values and identity. These include the Repton Arch giving the school the same distinctive entrance, and the adoption of the House system throughout the school, with pupils and staff passionately supporting membership of their particular house community. The inter-house rivalry and competition is one of the most marked and special aspects of Repton Dubai.

Rising out of the sands of Nad Al Sheba, the turrets and towers of the stunning campus remind the visitor of JK Rowling’s Hogwarts, where, like Harry Potter, each pupil is fiercely proud of belonging to their House.

Finally, and almost uniquely in the Gulf, Repton Dubai builds on the tradition and heritage of Repton UK with two boarding houses, one for the boys and one for the girls, at the heart of the school. This boarding community, provides pastoral care and ‘ a home from home’ that is unrivaled in the GCC.


Repton Heritage Exhibition

The Repton Family of Schools in the UAE celebrated Repton School Dubai’s 15th anniversary with the launch of an exclusive Repton Heritage Exhibition at the Nad Al Sheba campus on 9th February, 2022. Showcasing the enriched heritage and foundations of Repton dating back to its inception in 1557 in the United Kingdom, the bespoke heritage exhibition displays a dedicated wall to world-renowned children’s author and Old Reptonian, Roald Dahl. This includes a first edition copy of the ‘Magic Finger’, a signed first edition of ‘The Twits’, and an uncorrected proof copy of ‘Going Solo’.

The interactive experience also showcases special artefacts and memorabilia such as the original framed rubbing taken from the school’s founder, Sir John Port and an original Graffiti Sanitorium Board featuring carvings made by students to pass the time in the sick bay, dating back to the 1890’s. Reptonians and history enthusiasts have the opportunity to reminisce and learn about the enriched Repton historical culture; from hand drawn family-tree charts linking Sir John Port with HRH Queen Elizabeth II, to priceless Repton ledgers and the original Priory Seal explaining the inception of Repton UK.

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