Dubai -lots of questions...

[buggybored]

We may be moving to Dubai with two primary school-age children. Off for a reconnaissance trip v soon and have heaps of Qs that I'd be very grateful for thoughts on from you Dubai experts so I can make the most of the trip!

• oldest child will be sitting London senior day school exams whilst in Dubai. If we were in the UK this would involved much tutoring etc - is it possible to find an appropriate tutor to prep for exams in Dubai/are local English curriculum schools geared up for this type of thing?
  
• we'll be doing our look see during Ramadan, any top tips tops to cope?!
  
• what's the best way of exploring different areas (have no idea yet as to whether jumeirah or springs/ranches type set-up will suit us better...). Is it possible to hire a driver for a day - I'm assuming I'm going to last 30 seconds walking anywhere!!
  
• what top tip do you wish you'd been given before moving there...
  

Thanks!

[lavenderhoney]

My top tip would be don't go:)

But that's not helping you. Ramadan is probably the worst time to go, and its very hot right now. Most people who can will have left already. They won't be back til the day before school starts, if they can possibly help it.

Personally I would call schools NOW to see if they have any places, as you'll find you don't choose the school, it chooses you. Its a bun fight for schools out there with great difficulty for places. Unless your dh company or yours has a debenture with the school.

Have a look on expat woman ( very heavily moderated) and dubizzle for housing options. Traffic is a nightmare. Make sure your driver speaks English, and make sure you have a sat nav, as they get lost in seconds, unless you're heading for Dubai mall or the airport.

Take lots of water everywhere you go just in case, but keep it hidden as its Ramadan. Only let the children drink in public, you'll have to hide in the loos. No food or coffee shops will be open during the day.

Make sure your husbands package covers everything as its VERY expensive. Tutors - contact the schools or you might be lucky and find a bored expat teacher mum to help you.

[lavenderhoney]

Oh- and no one walks anywhere! Pollution, no pavements and the heat and dust, humidity.. I hope you like the tv:)

[Johnogroats]

I was in Dubai during Ramadan last year and I wasn't too bad. I sat by the pool and had a coke In the evening. If you want to eat or drink during the day, hotels are service as usual but with curtains drawn. I was told I could drink as usual in the office, although did feel a bit self conscious.

[Jumpingjuly]

Hi I lived in Dubai for 4 years but left 2 years ago so might be out of touch. Best school to look at is prob Repton if you are planning on heading back to the UK to private school. I know they used the Bond books as homework so it would help your DC in preparing for entrance exams and they can prob offer the most support in relation to tutoring etc.
In relation to the rec, Usually the co organises a relocation agent to show you around schools , areas etc. so query this they may be providing one As it is Ramadan work hours will be shorter, traffic will be scary early evening as lots of hungry workers hit the roads and don't forget we work off a Sunday to Thursday working week so you will be able to do nothing on Friday. School places are tight and you tend to get the school place first then work out where to live off the back of this and Dh work. For Repton you would be looking at the Ranches, the Villa, Cedre villas silicon oasis that area

[escape]

Search for FB group ' British Mums Dubai' - much moire active than EW these days - all the above advice is good. You can organise a driver for the day, that's what we did so many moons agaoi, your Husbands office will be able to sort - or look up Careem and Uber. Assist.ae can organise this too.
You won't be walking anywhere!
Schools - yep - it's more a case of them choosing you unfortunately, and if they happen to be a good distance from where you live, then it's a bonus!
Where to live - absolutely personal choice, benefits to everywhere and negatives too. Depends on budget I think, and yes, where you are looking at schools. Call around the likely suspects asap..

Google maps is very good as a sat nag if you have it on your 'phone..

[buggybored]

Many thanks for your replies, very helpful - and yes, I agree the timing is less than ideal (understatement...!). Any views on JAPS or JPS? Or the new Kings school?

[escape]

The new Kings School is just that, so most opinions are withheld until it settles in really - no bad reports though. No bad reports either for JPS and JAPS has been consistently feted for many years..

If you do have a choice, I would advise on going with as ' established' as you can.
The newer schools are more expensive, as you are paying for the build costs, it's no reflection on quality.

[Jumpingjuly]

My DC were at JPS overall we were pleased with the school. Prob my only criticism was the class sizes which were 26/27 when we were there.

[lavenderhoney]

JBS is an international school with mostly Irish or English teachers and follows the british cirriculum. You could give them a call.
I know someone who tutors for exams so if you get stuck I can give you her number. I only remembered just now:)
PM me if you would like her details.

[GinAndToast]

We did a look see at the end of may. We looked at five schools and were offered places at only two (and we didn't even look at JPS or JAPS as no chance of a place in those!)
Tbh, had I only had young junior school children I would not have stood a chance I don't think anyway, at least not for the same school as each other. My year 2 got the last remaining 'sibling place' based on her sister.
We deliberately chose a brand new school (not true about the fees, all fees there are based on what the school is aiming for and then achieves in first inspection, which is very strict!) Anyway, we deliberately chose a new school as 1) it was the best in our opinion of the ones we saw 2) it was the only one out of five schools where the head deigned to talk to us 3) it was further on than the kings schools in terms of construction 4) ALL the children are in the same situation and new at the same time. That reassures and will suit my youngest.
We did not take the children with us by the way.
Don't if you possible can! It would have been hell with them there and we wouldn't have managed to do half as much.
Houses, we looked at about nine and narrowed it to area and my DH will sort out exact one when he goes out before us. He's hopefully starting next week.
Me and the children will stay in the Uk until the last week in August.
Buy the Dubai Residents Guide and Dubai Redtape books. Have passport photos of all of you done and take a load of them. Take copies of children's birth certificates, last school report, preferably a letter from their head, photocopies of their passports.
Yes, we had a driver for the days we were there which was very helpful.
In terms of tutoring, do you mean you'd be coming back to UK for senior school? A London day school? I am sure you'd find a tutor no problem though.
Urm. That's about it. I have been awake for the last few hours stressing about it all though!!!!!

[NoSnowJustSand]

I'd look for schools first and then decide where you will live. Definitely apply for JAPS and DESS as they are very well established schools with lots of positive feedback. You might get lucky with last minute relocations over the summer that free up places in these two schools.