Welcome to the Cambridge International School Dubai official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

What qualities and characteristics would you say define your school?

Warmth, welcoming, helping out parents even if they do not have a place in our school. High quality of support in specific subjects.

How many nationalities are represented in your school?

Currently we have students representing 65 nationalities in CIS.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Majority of students here are Asian.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

18students per teacher, 1:18

Does your school have a waiting list?

Yes

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

Cambridge International School has a supportive and friendly learning environment. We provide opportunities for students to develop their full potential through a rich academic programme combined with a variety of extra-curricular activities.

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

Physical Education is a compulsory part of all students' timetable and we offer a variety of games like swimming, gymnastics, hockey, basketball, cricket, badminton, football, athletics, rounders, volleyball, handball, netball.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

We do so through assemblies, talks, invite people to address to students (through school counselor). During PSHE classes, these topics are spoken too.
Canteen to provide healthy food. PE dept to reinforce on sports.

How do you promote healthy eating?

This is spoken in class and to parents through coffee mornings. And for specific students, action is taken by the counselor with the help of the school doctor. dietitian's help is sought for those who are to light or heavy. Pamphlets are shared with parents in this regards too.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students?

The school provides a small cafeteria in which students can buy food, however there are no eat-in facilities. There is also a parent/teacher café in the Reception area of school selling both cold and hot food.

If yes, does it serve hot food?

Yes, the canteen sells both heated and cold food to students.

What would be the amount spent by a student for their lunchtime meal?

10-20AED

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

The students are expected to be seated in the class before 7.45am. FS1 & FS2 finish at 12.10pm. Yr1 to Yr13 finish at 2.30pm. Students staying back for ASAs (After School Activities) finish at 4.10pm.

Is there a school uniform?

Yes, all year groups have school uniform. Regular and PE uniform.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

We have a behavior policy in place. We use the SIMS Behavior to log any poor behavior and action taken. As counselor we believe in restorative relationship and not punitive. In extreme cases, suspension and exclusion is in practice.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

Three Parent-Teacher Consultation Days during the academic year, as well as three reports which focus on attainment and progress. There are also a number of other events running across the school which invite parents to discuss their child's studies. Teachers respond to any parent queries within 24 hours and are always available to parents for appointments after school.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

We have 3 reports and 3 parent teachers meeting each academic year. This is at the end of each term.

What is your medium of instruction?

English for all subjects except Arabic and French.

Is Arabic taught as both a first language and second language in your school?

Yes.

Which other languages are taught?

CIS offers French as an additional language.

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

Yes. The Cambridge English program is used to do so.

Is Islamic Education/Studies for the Arab Muslim students delivered in Arabic for them?

Yes

Do you have a dedicated prayer room/s for the Muslim students?

Yes, for both girls and boys.

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

Year 2 SATs
Year 3 to Year 6 - GL Progress Tests in the core subjects
CAT4 - currently in Year 5 (2016-17)
PIRLS and e-PIRLS (Yr. 5 2015-16)

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

Homework is set once a week in the Primary School, this is optional completion. However, any homework that is handed in is marked by the class teacher. This is for core subjects and is mainly administered online.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes, we have a well established Achievement Center since 2000. she is very proactive an dsupport many new schools to set up their SEN dept. Our SENDCo is also part of the Dubai SENCO Network team who support many schools in Dubai through CPDs and practical ideas.

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

We are able to offer proper support for these students. We have many students who are on Wave 2 and Wave 3. We employ external help of LEarning SUpport Assistant to support these students, They are trained by the SENDCO.

Please provide comprehensive details of how well your school did in external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

All details are available on our school website. Parents can click on the below link and access details
https://www.gemscis-dubai.com/about-us/awards-success/

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

Yes we do, specially with autism, Downs and learning difficulties. Also we have started a Autism Support group for parents who have children on the spectrum.

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

We use outside agents to do so.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes, we have a dedicated parents group named CIPA. They work hand in hand with the school.

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

Yes, in the Primary School parents are invited to school to help and assist in events such as Educational Trips, Topic Days, Book Week, Science Week and Maths Week.

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Many coffee mornings are run through the Achievement Center and the Counselors throughout the year. When there is an interesting event for parents, it is shared with them.