Cranleigh UK opened its doors in 1865 with the purpose of providing the local Surrey community with a first class, all-round education. The UK Prep School celebrated its centenary in 2013 and the Senior School celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi opened its doors in September 2014 with similar aims of supporting the establishing Saadiyat Island community.
From 2011 to 2014, teams from Abu Dhabi and Cranleigh UK worked closely to capture the essence of what Cranleigh is. The aim was to translate it into a community which combines the best of British education with a strong flavour of Abu Dhabi, Emirati culture and the cosmopolitan nature of the city.