Around 120,000 people from Gulf states live in London, concentrated in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Bayswater — with a significant community also in Edgware and Barnet.
Families from UAE and Gulf states have two main pathways in London state schools: Islamic faith schools (which provide prayer facilities, halal food, and an Islamic ethos alongside the national curriculum) or high-performing secular Outstanding schools. London has a growing number of Islamic free schools and voluntary aided schools — many of which achieve excellent Ofsted ratings. Westminster and Kensington have the largest Gulf expat concentrations, though Islamic schools are more prevalent in Brent, Ealing, Newham and Tower Hamlets where Muslim communities are more established. Many Gulf families also consider schools with Arabic language provision or supplementary Arabic schools nearby.
Muslim Council of Britain schools directory · Arabic Saturday schools · Islamic Society of Britain community networks