Welcome to the Swiss International Scientific 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.

If you have to highlight three strengths of your school, what would they be?

One of the only IB Continuum schools in the world (age 3-18). Bilingual options available from age 3 - 18 years. Boarding school for students aged 11+

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

Yes, depending on the grade. Please contact our Admissions team on admissions@sisd.ae

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

Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai

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

Our school is diverse and inclusive. We currently have students coming from over 70 countries. Our student body is primarily composed of a majority of European citizens (Switzerland, Germany, France), along with students from North America, North Africa, the Middle East, CIS, Australia, India, South Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Swiss, French, German, British, Canadian, American, European

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:9

Please describe your approach to teacher recruitment in terms of the balance of staff you seek in terms of nationalities and in terms of years of experience/ qualifications you look for. Please also provide details of how you use teaching assistants.

Only native French or German speakers in the bilingual classes.
UK trained staff

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

The full IB curriculum - Early Years, PYP, MYP and the Diploma and CP Programmes.

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?

All details are on our website. Our students achieve above average IB results in the MYP and the DP programme. Our new IBCP programme launches in Sept 2021 and we will have results for this programme in 2023.

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

100% go to university. Top tier global university destinations. Full details are on our website.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

We have created a school in Dubai that offers an outstanding education focused on both academic excellence and personal growth. We encourage students to take risks, become compassionate lifelong learners and responsible citizens who care for one another and contribute to a strong society through intercultural understanding and respect. At SISD, a distinctive feature of school life is the diverse student body made up of more than 60 different nationalities.

It is our strong belief that the next generation of international citizens will need to be dynamic, flexible and linguistically ambitious. This is why we offer all our students the opportunity to become multilingual with the option of entering one of our bilingual programmes in either French and German, or studying an additional language within the IB PYP and MYP programmes.

Our international programmes reflect a sincere commitment to a Swiss vision of excellence in education to enable our students fully to embrace future opportunities. We have enhanced the Early Years and Primary Years Programme to offer premium and personalised STEAM lessons, a future-focused and integrated approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student enquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

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

Yes, homework varies by year group

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

We have world-class sporting and physical education facilities, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, indoor and outdoor running track and multi-purpose gym and sports halls. We have a large sport and PE teaching team, and also offer sporting camps during the holidays.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Ongoing wellness programme runs throughout the school. School dining facilities offer healthy and well-balanced meals for day and boarding students.

How do you promote healthy eating?

We offer healthy and well-balanced meals for day and boarding students. The School employs the services of Swiss Canonica Catering. Our canteen is stocked with 100% healthy items, with rotating menus that provide students with an array of healthy and delicious options, which are assured to be held to the highest standards of food safety. Our Early Years students receive their meals in the classrooms and are guided and helped by their teachers. From Grade 1 onwards, the students go to the canteen for a warm meal at lunchtime and choose from the varied selection of food that is always on offer. Our team of chefs are dedicated to sourcing the finest ingredients with as much local and organic provenance as is practical. The lunch service is optional.

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

Yes, a school cafe and dining hall is based on the campus .

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

Please visit our website or talk to our Admissions team (admissions@sisd.ae)

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

8.10am - 3pm

Is there a school uniform?

Yes, our students represents our school with the SISD School Uniform.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

Please see the policies on our website (in the Parents section).

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

Ongoing assessment and feedback in accordance with the IB curriculum. Regular reporting and reporting for parents.

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

Termly - varies by age group and grade. Ongoing teacher feedback

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

The other languages taught are French and German.

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

Yes, please visit our website or contact our Admissions team (admissions@sisd.ae)

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

Yes, there are two different dedicated prayer rooms for the the male and female Muslim students.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

We are committed to being an inclusive school and strive to meet the needs of all our students by removing barriers to learning and supporting the extension of gifted and talented students. Due to the specific dynamics of a bilingual school curriculum, we carefully assess each student’s suitability for our programmes at the admissions stage so that they are able to work towards reaching their full potential when they join our school. The intervention and support put in place depends on the needs of the student and may include, push in/ pull out support from the inclusion department, Individual Learning Support Assistant or a combination of ASDAN/mainstream curriculum in Secondary School. ASDAN provides courses for students who find it hard to thrive in the mainstream classroom and seeks to help students develop knowledge and skills for learning, work and life. We have a dedicated programme - please contact our Admissions team (admissions@sisd.ae) for further information.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes , we have a dedicated learning support team at the school.

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?

Please see our website and talk to our Admissions team (admissions@sisd.ae)

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

We have an inclusion team and every child is assessed on their individual needs and requirements. Please contact our Admissions team (admissions@sisd.ae) for more information,

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

Please contact our Admissions team for specific enquiries (admissions@sisd.ae)

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes. we have a very active Parents Council.

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- we encourage involvement and parent support

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

Yes

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

Yes - we provide enrolment information for new students and parents