Cranleigh School is scheduled to be completed by 2015.

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Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of major tourism, cultural and residential projects in the UAE capital, has announced the ground breaking of the Cranleigh Abu Dhabi school, which is expected to open in 2014 on Saadiyat Island.

NSCC International Limited, a specialised contractor in foundation engineering and marine works from Abu Dhabi, was awarded the contract and will start infrastructure in July, 2013. As part of its first development phase, the company has begun laying 800 piles on site.

Once the Carnleigh Abu Dhabi site building is completed, it will contain 1,818 piles, in addition to a total of 2,129 tonnes of steel reinforcement. The fourth quarter of this year will see the construction of the school’s superstructure, which will be supported by a 320 tonne structural steelwork frame.

“This is a milestone in the island’s transformation into a premier destination while demonstrating TDIC’s mandate to support the development of high level education in Abu Dhabi.” said Ali Al Hammadi, Deputy Managing Director at TDIC.

“When it opens, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will provide educational benefits not only for the island’s residents and members of Abu Dhabi’s community, but the region as well,” he added.

Once launched in 2014, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will become one of the largest school campuses in the emirate with open green spaces, extensive landscaping and an ambient environment stretching over seven hectares of land.

Additionally, it will host co-educational facilities for more than 1,600 students, aged from 3 to 18 years, comprising separate Junior and Senior schools with each housing its own classrooms, faculty offices, administration offices, dining hall and library.

The school – which is part of the full educational spectrum planned to open on Saadiyat – will also introduce a broad academic curriculum with an emphasis on the individual; while a wealth of opportunities will allow students to explore their full range of talents in the arts, sports and culture.

Furthermore, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi will provide state-of-the-art IT facilities, including electronic tablets for its pupils.

The school which was designed by Godwin Austen Johnson Architects, a UK-based award-winning architectural firm, is located next to Manarat Al Saadiyat and the UAE Pavilion in the Saadiyat Cultural District, will also offer flexible boarding opportunities in future phases – a first for Abu Dhabi.

The school and the facilities are all designed to suit Cranleigh’s community and family-oriented atmosphere.

“TDIC is currently in the process of selecting the main contractor, which will be the next key milestone in the school’s development,” said Al Hammadi.