words on a screen, (and someone else, sorry got distracted by the shite from whatever her name was)
Please dont worry about the tests and def not about the shiny new websites. Tests for all schools except Dubai College (senior school only) are generally to make sure your kids can do whatever is expected of them by the national curriculum. Honestly dont worry, and shiny websites do not make a school. Generally they are checking for a reasonable standard of English language, otherwise it holds the classes back and the school will get downgraded in the yearly KHDA inspections.
JPS and Wellington International are both owned by GEMS and thats another story, but Ds went to JPS and had a good time and a good education. They also have an excellent and one of the only reputable SFL depts in DXB. Likewise Wellington also have an excellent SFL section.
Places are still hard to come by and you should be contacting the schools asap. We start back on Sunday 3rd and most others schools will. Kings is excellent but not so hot on the sporting side however they are making improvements, JAPS is also a great school. dont bother with looking for a place at either JESS location unless its for more than year 7 as they are way oversubscribed, and a bit English IMHO.
Dubai College is considered to be the best senior school in Dubai. They didnt get an outstanding in their report which surprised everyone, except those in the know who realised the KHDA dont like DC. Very jealous Ds didnt get a place . However they have something like 2000 applications for the 150 places, so I try to tell myself not to take it personally.
Something to be aware of, I dont know the age of your kid/s but generally companies dont pay nursery fees and they are the same cost as schools! ie very expensive. Also you dont really get a choice about if they go to school nursery or not. If you dont then places are much ahrder to come by the higher you go up the school. I am not fully informed on this as DS is way beyond that but its what I hear from friends.
Personally I quite like Dubai, yes it is vulgar but so are many places in the UK and at tleasts its clean. Apart from that we have had some great sport and concerts this last year. Brilliant museums and collections in AD, yes I know its not DXB but it is next door, less time for me than travelling to london from where I lived before. IMHO life is what you make it and sunshine helps.
Regarding Marnie Pearce there is a lot more to that case than was reported. An injunction was served so freedom of press was not allowed, and yes I realise that gives grist to whatever her name was but really does every paper in every country tell the truth? regarding ehr friend with the weed, tough shite, good move in my opinion, the rules are laid out on the table NO DRUGS, typical she thinks her friend should be above the law.