Welcome to the Delhi Private 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.

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

Yes, for almost all grades there is a waiting list.

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

1. The school is characterized by equity education with an emphasis on academic and co-scholastic excellence.

2. A happy school where all students are facilitated to be the best version of themselves.

3. A nurturing environment that provides students with a holistic, rigorous and global education for success in an ever changing world.

4. Defined by our Core Values

a. Collaboration

b. Achievement

c. Innovation

d. Integrity

e. Empathy

f. Respect and inclusion

g. Responsibility

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

12 nationalities.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Yes. Almost all our students are native Indians.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

The teacher student ratio is 1:13.

Does your school measure Value Added data? Please provide details of how you measure, and current Value Added benchmark scores.

The results of every subject in each section of a particular grade is analyzed and compared to the other sections. Individual teachers results are taken into account during this analysis.

In addition, the class results of other subjects are analyzed to determine if the result follows the trend of the class performance.

Data analysis also takes into consideration the enhancements, (or otherwise), brought about in the class result due to a teacher’s contribution.

At a micro level, question wise analysis often showcases a particular teacher’s mastery of a specific topic. The teacher is asked to teach low performing sections and buddy struggling teachers.

The data analysis team also analyzes the attainment data of students to monitor their progress through:

1) Triangulation of data

2) Content domain and skill wise analysis

3) Phase - wise vertical and horizontal comparisons of data, for all subjects.

*The Value Added average scores are available on request.

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

External Exams

Exam Targeted Grade Cycle

CAT4 All students of Grade 5, 7, 9 and 11. Every 2 years

ASSET All students of Grade 3 to Grade 9 Every year

TIMSS Selected students of Grade 4 and 8 Every 4 years

PIRLS Selected students of Grade 4 Every 5 years

PISA 15-year-olds Every 3 years

OECD – PBTS 15-year-olds Every year

CBSE All students of grades 10 and 12 Every year

Please provide details of how well your school did in its previous 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?

Highlights: Grade X CBSE Board Examination 2019-20.

Position Percentage

First - 98.8%

Second - 97.8 %

Third - 97.4

117 students (46.25%) achieved an aggregate of 90% and above.

237 students (93.67%) achieved distinctions (above 75%) as compared to 90.8% students last year.

A perfect score of 100% was secured by 40 Students in French (6 students),

Mathematics (10 students), Social Science (5 students), Information Technology (19 students).

Needless to say, all our students achieved first divisions with no compartments, failures, 2nd or 3rd divisions.

Highlights: Grade XII CBSE Board Examination 2019-20.

School Topper in Humanities Stream - 98.2%.

Commerce Topper - 97.8 %

Science Topper - 97.2%.

Scored Percentage of the students Number of students

95 % and above 25. 25 50

90 % and above 64.65 128

80 % and above 96.97 192

75 % and above 100 198

All our students have achieved Distinction with no compartments, failures, 2nd or 3rd divisions.

A perfect score of 100% was secured by 11 Students in Mathematics (1 student), Commercial Art (3 students), Marketing (4 students) and Psychology (3 students).

The results show an increase of 3.7% in the year 2019-20 as compared to the year 2018-19.

The school has produced grade 12 UAE and GULF toppers in various streams through the years.

For more details : http://website.dpsdubai.com/academic-excellence/

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

100% of our students appear for the CBSE Senior Secondary Examination. Our students are placed in well-ranked universities across the world.

Visit the school website to view the trend of Alumni placement.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

The school’s approach to education and teaching is:

• based on inquiry

• focused on conceptual understanding

• developed in local and global contexts

• focused on effective teamwork and collaboration

• differentiated to meet the needs of all learners

• informed by assessment (formative and summative)

The school promotes an environment that welcomes and embraces all types of learners.

• Fosters high but realistic expectations.

• Uses technology to enrich learning and ensures that all learners have the same opportunities

• Encourages innovation and prepares students with the skill-set needed to succeed in the 21st century.

• Provides opportunities for learner-centred, experiential learning and interaction with cognitively rich materials and experiences.

• Liaises and collaborates with parents.

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

• A well-thought collaborative assignment/homework policy and schedule is developed for enhancing independent learning skills of the students.

• This is diligently followed by all teachers to ensure that student’s workload is balanced and manageable.

• Bespoke recommendations based on the students’ needs, grade level and intensity of the subject/grade guides the formulation of schedules.

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

The School ensures that all students take part in physical activity by providing state of the art facilities and training by skilled coaches:

• Olympic Size indoor temperature controlled Swimming Pool.

• Huge Ground for Track & Field events and Cricket, Football etc.

• Tennis Court

• Basketball & Badminton Courts

DPS Dubai’s structured sports education program encourages student engagement for their holistic development:

• Annual Sports day, Inter-house and Inter-school competitions are held in most available games.

• Yoga and PE classes for every grade are a part of the timetable to promote their physical wellbeing.

• Stretch and breathe sessions are conducted before/during the lessons.

• Mindful exercises are conducted in the beginning of every third and sixth period.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Healthy living is a fundamental part of our school life and we have a well-defined Happiness and well-being program to support students.

Almost all groups of students have a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the factors affecting their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Healthy living is systematically built into and promoted in all aspects of school life:

• Regular well-being sessions are conducted by the school counsellors to ensure students are not stressed which helps in promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• The school doctors monitors the health and wellbeing of students and advise the parents and students accordingly.

• Parents are encouraged and oriented by the school clinic to observe healthy lifestyle at home if any student is at the risk of obesity.

• Children undergo rigorous training by trained professionals during P.E. to ensure they stay healthy.

• Students are also empowered through awareness campaigns and life skill sessions e.g. Anti –bullying, Drug Addiction etc.

How do you promote healthy eating?

At DPS Dubai wellbeing of all our students is of great essence and part of the school culture. The school promotes good nutritional habits by:

• Food pyramid and BMI charts are displayed in all the classrooms.

• Canteen is closely monitored by a committee and student council to ensure wholesome and healthy snacks for all.

• The canteen committee consults with the school’s canteen suppliers to discuss the menu and ensure consistency with the school’s policy on healthy choices in accordance with DHA, to raise the quality of services provided in the canteen, thereby setting better standards of food hygiene.

• Regular health check-ups by the school doctors are conducted to monitor and track obesity.

• Students are also educated about healthy eating habits through awareness campaigns.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students? How does it promote a balanced diet?

Yes, the school has two cafeterias.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

Approximately AED 8- 10 for a wholesome meal.

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

The school’s starting time- 7:45 a.m.

Finishing time – 1:45 p.m.

*We offer a range of exciting sporting, creative, cultural and aesthetic activities after the regular school hours.

**Need based classes are held for Grades X and XII for remediation/enrichment/transaction of curriculum before/after regular school hours.

Is there a school uniform?

At DPS Dubai, the school uniform is a very important part of school life, as we believe that it gives our students a sense of pride and belonging to the DPS community.

The details of the school uniform code are provided in the school almanac.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

The School has a very effective Discipline policy which is reviewed and updated from time to time. It is available on the school website and in the school Almanac.

DPS Dubai has zero tolerance for any form of bullying.

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

Students and parents are provided with a clear and concise picture of a student’s achievement and progress at a point in time.

Feed back to parents:

• The school engages in various activities that are focused on communicating information about student learning to students and the parents.

• These include:

• Student school reports (end-of-semester, cycle-based)

• Student portfolios (hard copy, digital)

• Parent Teacher Meetings

• Anecdotal records of students

• REAP – (Monthly) Report of Early Action for Progress.

• Triangulation of data (internal assessments, external test scores and CAT4 scores)

• ACT- Academic Tracker Report

• Parents are sent frequent communication regarding the progress of their child by teachers through CLP. WhatsApp messages, personal phone calls etc.

• Class teachers, Class Representatives and phase leaders keep close contact with parents regarding their child’s progress.

Feed back to Students:

• Online quiz, near pod matching pair, time to climb activities are conducted which provides immediate feedback to the students.

• During the lesson the teacher continues to question them in order to check out if they have understood the concepts or not and clears their misconceptions there itself.

• Self /Peer appraisals also gives student instant feedback of their progress.

• REAP – Report of Early Action for Progress are shared with students.

• Collaborative boards and activities encourage students to work together supporting and complementing each other’s needs.

• Graded assignment through Microsoft Teams assesses students' work. Immediate feedback is provided through online polls with the help of Nearpod/Forms.

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

• PTMs are planned thrice a year where strengths and weaknesses of their child is discussed

• On basis of term exam analysis, meetings with parents of students whose performance is not found up to the mark are organized and detailed discussion with the action plan is discussed with the parents.

• Monthly reports in form of REAP are sent to parents which makes it easy for parents to monitor their Childs progress.

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

French and Hindi.

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

At DPS Dubai, the entire student cohort comprises of non-native English speakers.

We provide a responsive environment with specific pedagogical benefits for our learners which supports improved teaching and learning in English for all.

Language acquisition is linked to the curriculum:

• Emphasis is laid upon speaking, listening and vocabulary in

Kindergarten.

• Focus is on everyday language and using pictures and graphics to

cue new vocabulary.

• Use of concept preview/review strategy to build a backward planning curriculum design.

• Acquisition of academic English and achievement in content

classes.

Do you offer a dedicated prayer room/s for students? For which faiths?

Yes we have two rooms dedicated for prayers for the Muslim students.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

We endeavor to provide enrichment or extension activities to promote their skills and talents still further.

Teachers routinely try to stretch and challenge the most able in every lesson rather than have dedicated lessons for the most able. Where possible, and appropriate, setting by ability in certain subjects aids the provision of subject matter at a pace appropriate to the teaching group: e.g. Enrichment Program, Ability Section, Proficiency in International Examination, Bulb Question (Creative, Critical and Application based questions).

Challenge and stretch opportunities also exist across the school in extra-curricular activities and there are many opportunities for students to compete nationally and internationally.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

The school has an Inclusion Support Team which consists of-

• School principal (team leader)

• Governor

• Leader of provision for students of determination

• Inclusion champion

• Support teachers

• Learning support assistants.

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?

The school’s vision and mission statement clearly states the inclusive ethos of the school and effectively manifests itself at all levels by the members of the school.

Support is provided using a three-tiered system based on the needs of individual needs.

1. High quality differentiated teaching in the classroom. It is expected that the large majority of students of determination will be sufficiently supported through this level of support.

2. Additional, specific and time-limited intervention that is provided to students who are falling behind age expected levels of performance. It is expected that a minority of students of determination will require access to level 2 support services. Some students accessing level 2 support service may require enhanced support through an individual education plan.

3. Individualized and specialized provision, which is different from

that provided to most other students of determination. This

may include full time support by a learning support assistant. It is

expected that only few students will require access to level 3 support service.

4. Designated and qualified staff as Learning Support Assistant are attached to students for providing supplementary teaching to students of determination.(based on the recommended ratio of 1:125)

5. Intensified professional role of the Support teacher (Mentor-Mentee) to assist classroom teachers in providing effective instruction to students. (Based on the recommended ratio of 1:200).

6. Remediation Program providing a range of appropriate intervention provision to support development of basic skills of students with special educational needs is in place.

7. Designated areas for reading, hands on activities like sand and water play etc. have further systematized the Resource room, leading to deep learning.

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

A ten member team with continual training in best practices currently deployed to meet the needs of all students.

Recruitment of qualified staff for effective intervention includes specialists for: -

• Multi – disciplinary special needs.

• Counselling for emotional behaviour (Primary and Secondary).

• Identification, assessment and remediation for students with learning difficulties like Dyslexia, Dysgraphia.

• Applied behaviour therapy and remediation to improve social skills, communication skills and learning skills.

• Sensory Integration disorders.

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

The school has access to a panel of specialists like educational psychologists, speech therapist, sensory integration therapist and behavior therapists.

The school collaborates and partners with other service providers to ensure students of determination and their families receive the best provision of program and services.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

DPS Dubai recognizes that Parental engagement is indispensable for the smooth functioning of the school.

The school has a committee of parent representatives across the school to support and audit: Technology in classrooms, Innovative research based learning, Canteens, Student engagement and wellbeing, General Hygiene and Estate.

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

The school has four pillars for parental engagement - CHAA

C – Citizenship

H – Happiness factor

A – Academic support

A – Advisory

The following opportunities are provided by DPS Dubai for parents to engage in their child’s learning:

• Parents are invited to present their views on different current issues through Parents’ Mantra during the Radio Shows, the Annual Day and on other occasions.

• They are also called occasionally to give presentations and speeches on different subjects related to the students.

• Parents are an integral part of the Operational Team of the school.

• Information regarding their wards’ performance is communicated with the parents through the CLP.

• PTM is organized every term, during which the teachers and the parents exchange their views and suggestions on the performance and conduct of the students.

• Also, the parents can contact the teachers, counsellors and the SLT whenever required, through mail, phone calls, WhatsApp and the Almanac.

• The parents also have an easy access to communicate with the Principal directly through the CLP.

• Parents are invited to be a part of the glorious moments of their child eg. the Scholar Badge Ceremony, the Investiture Ceremony and the Graduation Day.

• The PACT in the Portfolio is filled by the students and signed by the parents so that they are aware of the achievements and target set by the child.

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

a) Parents are an integral part of the Operational Committee of the school. Specific responsibilities are given to selected parents to audit and advise the school.

b) Parents’ opinions are regularly solicited and suitable action is taken wherever required.

c) Parents are valued participants and make a significant contribution to the school’s provision for students with SEND.

d) They are involved in the development and review of the personalized programs for their children.

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

• An orientation session is conducted for new parents by respective Phase Heads to apprise them of the school’s processes and policies.

• A parent Representative from each class is selected to buddy new parents to liaise with the school.