Dubai private schools good as UK independent?

[iulus21]

Thinking of moving to Dubai with my 4 year old and 10 year old (hubby already there).

One major sticking point that’s stopping me is the standard of education. Doesn’t bother me so much for my 4 year old, who currently in English pre-prep, but my 10 year old is in Year 5 at a prep school and doing very well. She sits 11+ this January and is a smart kid with the potential to do really well.

Are there any senior schools that are on par with leading UK independent schools? I know Dubai College gets good results, but does anyone have insider knowledge? Then there’s Brighton and Repton, but I’ve read that these schools often aren’t on par with their UK counterparts.

Also which school for younger children is classed as excellent?

Thank you

Hi, we lived in Dubai for 9 years but left a few years ago so my school knowledge may be a little out of date. When we were there Kings (the one in umm suqueim) was considered one of the best primary schools. Friends with secondary school children like the Nord Anglia School, I think NLCS is also good? Dubai College is very academic and would probably be best for your eldest if that is your focus. I am now living in London and my children go to a prep school here. I think when I compare my children to my friends in Dubai, what strikes me is that life in the UK is more real and much richer when it comes to extra curricular and trips visits etc. So, for example, when you learn about seasons here you actually see the seasons. There are amazing art and literary workshops run by schools and of course all the historic places you can take your children to in the school holidays. I found this to be the greatest difference when it came to an education- not to mention the racism, issues with the fact it is a dictatorship which despite all the gloss around Dubai, isn’t great. I was a little worried about teenagers growing up there. There are serious repercussions for quite minor teenage mistakes that you have in the UK. Zero tolerance to drugs, drink driving and heaven forbid you have a daughter who gets drunk and ends up with the wrong sort of boys. There is no justice there for that type of thing. That all said, Dubai offers an amazing lifestyle, beautiful beaches, international friends and outlook, and you would be with your husband. If I was you I would go with my little one and maybe think about boarding school for the big one if you are still there when they are in Year 9 so they stay in touch with real life. I’m sure whatever you decide will be wonderful though and best of luck with it all. X

Thanks so much for your feedback.

It’s so hard as we want to be a family unit, but really aware of all the issues that you’ve mentioned, that’s why we’re still in the UK and hubby is in Dubai. With the travel restrictions, it’s difficult for him to come in and out of the UK, which is what we had planned (not sure why Dubai is on red list when France, who has huge case numbers of Covid isn’t?!...but that’s another thread..)

If my kids were younger, I’d definitely move, but if my eldest doesn’t do the 11+ in Jan she’ll miss out on a place here if we change our minds.

I think we might apply for Dubai College from the UK, and get her to sit for the UK schools too, then we’ll have options. We will just have to sit tight for now.

I did live in Abu Dhabi for 6 months, over 10 years ago now, pre kids and I have to admit, I found it very hard. The culture didn’t sit well with me (treatment of women, manual workers etc) and I was just so bored...I never wanted to see another mall or beach again! No museums to visit, no parks, all a bit obvious as you’re in the Middle East...but day in day out...

We would probably only be in Dubai for 2 years, so then you have to factor moving back to the UK and getting a senior school place...not sure how easy that would be?!?

There are museums and parks in the UAE. It's so much better than just malls 😁 We led a very outdoor lifestyle for six months of the year with lots of picnics in parks, eating in the garden, BBQs, camping in the desert. And yes, culture. There's book festivals, arts events, live music, safe music festivals for teens where they can't get alcohol and won't be offered drugs.

And museums:

https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/community/all-47-of-the-uae-museums-1.2007093

Personally on the schooling, I think you'll be fine until year 9 at least. If you want U.K. Uni fees and (more importantly) a loan - they are decided separately - one parent must be resident in the U.K. for three years prior to entry. This is getting tougher and tougher to get around. There are ways to tip the balance for home fees like owning a house you don't rent out and making sure you retain links to the U.K. with regular month long summer trips back as a family - and have the tickets and bank statements to prove it. But you need to have a plan from year 9.

Are the schools on a par? Not really for GCSE and A Levels, but really amazing for early years and prep level. Teachers are mostly young, on their second jobs, incredibly keen and enthusiastic but with no experience of, for example, teaching a GCSE cohort. Teacher turn over is regular, unless it's a spouse of someone else working in the UAE or SLT. Barely any staff will have worked in an independent school in the U.K. so they very much have a state school mentality to everything.

The inspectorate are mostly all retired state and ofsted people so it's from above too. Add to that the fact almost all schools are for-profit schools and the sum result is not going to be as good as a good independent school in the U.K.

That said, children have an amazing time there and mine loved it until the end of year 8.

There are huge advantages to going for a couple of years. Mine were the only children in their "British" international school who weren't bilingual. They were in the minority as white British. They have friends all over the world now. Their eyes were opened.

They also were protected. My 13 year old could wear a bikini on the beach and not get a single catcall or second glance. She went to festivals with a group of friends and they didn't need an adult. People can dismiss expat bubbles; but she didn't grow up too fast.

PS and where else do you dissect a camel heart in your first biology lesson in year 7? 😊😆

PM me if you want specific school advice and I will say where mine went.

Hi there!
We're moving to Dubai, my hubby is there already. My son sat his 11+ here and also the online one for Dubai college! Feel free to DM if you're still moving there!

@iulus21 hey so what did you decide ?
I am also considering moving to Dubai with my 3 year old son and currently live in London. We are Indians and are abroad because of hubby's work.

Really worried about my sons education.
Please advice.
I have shortlisted:
American school of Dubai and
Dubai British school, emirates hills.

Need suggestions ! Thanks

I would use Wolsey Hall.

@GreyBow @Reenzp
Hey please help decide Dubai school.
We are in London with my 3 year old who will start reception in 2024. very confused between London and Dubai especially because of schools. Can't afford to take wrong decision because once he starts in primary we don't want to move until year 6 at least. We are Indians and ok with both cities.
Eventually we would be back in India but next ten years also matter a lot when it comes to schooling.

What do you think of
American school of Dubai
Dubai British school emirates hills

Any other amazing school you can suggest

@GreyBow @Reenzp
I would like to DESS
As well to the list .

@butternut3 hi, unfortunately I can't help you too much as we moved straight to secondary school so I don't have any experience in primary schools. DESS is quite a popular school aswell as kings, Nordic and Jess from what I hear. It also heavily dep on what curriculum you want your child to follow, I would say join the mums uae Facebook group and ask on there for more info and feedback. Good luck with everything and make sure you apply early, many schools have waiting lists I've heard👍🏼

I did 3 months at a school over there...relatives of ruling family and friends will be lazy and do nothing yet awarded high grades....this will trigger resentment...i only helped out a colleague for short time....couldnt have done any longer over there...found it dull and bland....Oman is a different story...i spent a happy year there as an English assistant as didnt want the work load of a teacher.

@butternut3 take a look at Dubai College. It’s where I went (many many years ago!) but often ranks top of International Independent school rankings with a very high percentage of its six form going on to Oxbridge/Ivy Leagues. It is selective entry. Though it’s been decades since I attended, from the blurb I’m sent by Alumni I doubt much has changed in the very International mix of students attending - my closest friends were British/Pakistani/Icelandic/German & Indian. All our teachers were Brits (mainly Oxbridge grads) and it’s a British curriculum. I joined aged 13 but many had done their Primary years at DESS or JESS (if they still exist!).

When I lived there (the 80’s) it was a pretty dull place to be a teenager if you weren’t sporty but Dubai has changed massively since then.

@Whohashiddenthebiscuits hey thanks for your response. Dubai college is indeed a superb school. It's a secondary school. If we decide to stay in Dubai for so long I'd def sending my kid there.

Yeah after a bit of more search I am considering Jess and DESS as well. In fact tops my list with the other two which I mentioned. Husband and I have decided : our move to Dubai totally depends on the school admission. If we get through Jess, DESS, Dubai British school emirates hills or American school of Dubai we move. Else we stay back in London and wait for his name to move up the list.

Hope these schools have good sports facilities!!

We are originally from India but because of work we have been moving around.

Also Jess has two branches now. Wondering which one is better .just in case you know please post. Thanks so much

Hi, mine are only little and in FS2 and Year 2 but I would check out RGS - the newly opened Dubai branch of one of the top schools in the UK. The fees are eye watering but it’s meant to be excellent.

Also sorry if I’ve missed it but JESS is insanely hard to get into with a waiting list as long as your arm.

Hi - I’m sorry I’ve no idea which of the two Jess’s is better! I think there was only one in my day (I’m 52 just to give some perspective here!).

Hey thanks you everyone for your replies ..
appreciate ❤️

Hey guys any idea about the Swiss international
Scientific school in Dubai ?

There is a huge difference - Dubai is great for extra curriculum, amazing sports facilities, mixing with children from all over the globe, safety in schools. Unfortunately many of my friends have confirmed that although many big school brands come to Dubai the teaching quality cannot be match. This is due to a number of factors but many (not all) are very young and really just there to experience living in a different country and won’t be there beyond a couple of years. This also includes the heads of schools who don’t seem to stick there for a while. Also a top private school teacher there is not on the same level as the Dubai school which you have to pay for. Especially if you are looking at 7+\8+\11+ etc as this is not a thing like prep and independent schools especially in the UK. Many of our friends moved back and noticed a gap in their child knowledge. It is not the end of the world but your child might need a tutor on your return if you are interested in them going to certain schools or achieving certain levels in their exams.

It’s in a terrible part of town middle of no where. It’s selling point was the bi lingual part but I don’t think that’s a good idea as your child is trying to learn a language while trying to learn new education topics. Double hard work. I had a friend who went but after a year even though the school were helpful the journey and the fact they could see the difference in their daughter struggling to manage both they changed

It’s in a terrible part of town middle of no where. It’s selling point was the bi lingual part but I don’t think that’s a good idea as your child is trying to learn a language while trying to learn new education topics. Double hard work. I had a friend who went but after a year even though the school were helpful the journey and the fact they could see the difference in their daughter struggling to manage both they changed

@CatherineNichols thanks a ton. 🙏🏻 will keep theee points in mind .