Welcome to the Dubai British School Emirates Hills 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 it does. At Dubai British School we have waiting pools across many of our year groups, these can be extensive and due to this we often decide to close applications for certain year groups. DBS is a small and popular school which sees little turnover. Movement through the waiting pools can be a slow process. DBS currently does have waiting pools in place for all year groups and cannot guarantee availability. For further information please see our admissions page for information on specific year groups please contact: [email protected]

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

DBS is a unique school with a particular and very special ethos. It is part of the Taaleem family of schools.It is our core aspiration that,during their time with us, every individual student makes a positive difference - a difference to their own lives and a difference to the lives of others.

Our students and our outstanding staff team are our two most precious assets. Such is the calibre of our young people, from over 60 different countries, that we believe that there is no limit to what they can achieve. Whilst we have high expectations and are ambitious for our students, we also know that for them to succeed, we need to provide a caring, supportive and challenging environment in which they can grow and flourish.

We celebrate a musical solo as warmly as we celebrate a student gaining an A*,a wonderful painting as happily as a Cambridge University entrance. We stress to all of our young people that what really matters is not gaining qualifications for their own sake but learning - always being open to personal growth, having a mind-set that welcomes and tackles problems, being resilient when times get tough.

We strive to ensure that our young people leave Dubai British School with a set of values and a perspective on life that enables them to succeed in whatever they wish to do.

Dubai British School offers an extraordinary number of opportunities, both within our taught curriculum and beyond. This is a happy school with great spirit and a sense that anything and everything is possible.

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

60

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Yes, British

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:12

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

Dubai British School follows the International British Curriculum in the primary school and the British curriculum for schools at secondary level offering both GCSEs and A Levels and BTECs at Post-16, plus a blended curriculum option fo the two.

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

DBS students go to some of the worlds best universities - Cambridge University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Auckland, University of Toronto, Royal Holloway, McGill, University of Edinburgh. Visit the university acceptances page for more information.

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

Homework is set through the key stages dependent on, age, year group, ability. All year groups are encouraged to practice independent learning.

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

Dubai British School has a busy sports department for both primary and secondary school, on site we have a tennis court, basketball court, swimming pool, sports hall, football pitch, foundation playground and primary playground. To see some of the activities and achievements please visit our Facebook page.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

At DBS we believe schools should play a key role in providing a healthy life style with young people in the community. We follow the healthy schools initiative in our food provision. Our school food provider is in line with this. We also have a doctor and two full-time nurses who work in partnership with staff and parents to create a healthy school environment. We are committed to providing a friendly, safe and efficient environment for all students requiring physical or emotional care.

How do you promote healthy eating?

The school food provider follows the healthy eating initiative, promoted throughout the school.

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

Yes

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

Under 20 AED

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

FS1 and FS2 8:00am to 1:30pm - Sun to Wed; and 8:00am to 1:00pm Thursday

Year 1 to Year 6 8:00am to 2:30pm - Sun to Wed; and 8:00am to 1:15pm Thursday

Year 7 to Year 13 8:00am to 3:15pm - Sun to Wed; and 8:00am to 1:30pm Thursday

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

We regard a close working relationship between school and home as vital to the success and happiness of each student. There are regular reports, parents' evenings and email updates to keep parents informed about student progress, school activities and events.

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

For primary school there is a continuous approach, through parent teacher meetings, newsletters and several reports though the year. For secondary school there are two reports and one formal parents evening,

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

French and Spanish

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

Yes we do.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

The school has a Gifted and Talented program for both primary and secondary school, benefitting many of our brightest students.

DBS offers high quality education to over a thousand students aged 3 to 18.The curriculum is modelled on the National Curriculum for England, significantly enhanced by the International Primary Curriculum, the study of Arabic throughout and a challenging set of GCSE and GCE A Level courses from Year 9 to Year 13. We welcome a wide range of students to study a curriculum which is designed to extend and excite all of them, whatever their interests or ability.

The opportunities that students enjoy outside the classroom are just as important as the main curriculum. Our Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) programme is extensive and varied. We want children to have a go at a wide range of sports, outward bound, service and cultural activities. We like the idea of everyone taking part and of young people honing their skills while broadening their knowledge.

Dubai British School is an accredited member of the Council of International Schools, which means that we meet a series of exacting standards as laid down by one of the leading bodies in the world of International education. We are also regularly inspected by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) .

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes we do.

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?

Dubai British school has a comprehensive support system and is a fully inclusive school.

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

Yes it does. DBS has three dedicated classrooms for extended learning with a wealth of resources and learning support assistants.

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

Yes it does

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes we do. DBS has a thriving and active Parents and Teachers Association who work very closely with the school. Contact the PTA: [email protected] or visit our Facebook page for upcoming events and news.

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 there are. Please contact the PTA for specific activities: [email protected]

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

No there is not

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

Yes