Relocating to Dubai - most academic primary schools

[Londonmamma22]

Hello,
we are considering relocating to Dubai. Two DDs are currently in a selective academic primary school in London (Reception and Year 2) - the sort of school that feeds to SPSG and Godolphin.
My understanding is that Dubai primaries are less academic and generally “behind” London top schools but which would be the ones that are most academic - eg the feeders to Dubai College..?
Huge thanks!

It will be a case of where you are likely to get them in. My DC were educated in Dubai and all of the British and International schools are way ahead of UK schools. The top schools like Repton and Jess have long waiting lists requiring significant wasta to get a place straight from the plane.

Mine were also educated in Dubai
When I was there there isn't a feeder for Dubai College it is entrance exams set with the best selected. I found the schools good but not public school level mainly because they attract what i called party teachers . Young only a few years post qualification teachers looking for a change and a bit of fun for a few years before returning to UK (and why not) so there was a continual rotation of teachers. I think things may be changing now as Dubai seems less of a hardship posting and visa changes make it easier to stay so hopefully attracting more experienced teachers who stay longer so my information may be out of date and my children did very well there so overall no complaints on quality of teaching (although I insisted they return for sixth form) but something to consider

The schools are not as academic for two key reasons:
There are no selective schools
The schools here are not preparing students for the 11+

I think if your benchmark is a top, academically selective private school in the UK you will never find that in the UAE and have to accept that you need to compensate at home (eg you will need an 11+ tutor if you are planning for your children to sit these exams)

I love UAE life and there are many positives that we as a family have decided outweigh life in the U.K., but ‘parity’ of education is a really big concern for me. So far my children are happy and thriving, but they are small and I really put the effort in at home.

There are plenty of good schools here, but the absolute best of them academically equates to an outstanding U.K. state school because principally it is creaming off the best students that creates the type of school you are comparing to. Some schools are better than others at ‘stretching’ able children and providing differentiated work, so I’d advise you to ask around on Facebook groups and target those.

Thank you everyone - it’s great to hear that no one seems to have any regrets about relocating

I am looking at Kings Dubai and NLCS - any comments on those..? Seems more doable to get town places than JESS for example

Thank you

I would advise against NLCS. I have many friends with kids there who aren’t happy. I’ve heard RGS and Brighton College are good

Try contacting Heather Harries based in the UAE. They provide consultations for school places for people relocating to Dubai and have a wealth of knowledge: https://relocate.heatherharries.com/

Sorry to hijack this thread as we are also contemplating a future move to Dubai and NLCS Dubai would be a future school we would consider - can you elaborate why they are unhappy? Thanks

I have several friends with children at nlcs. They have said that class sizes have increased significantly, teacher turnover is high and feedback is not taken on board by SLT. To an extent this is probably at all schools in dubai given they are experiencing a huge surge of new families and teachers are often there for a few years only. But friends with children at RGS, Brighton College, Jess and Dubak College don’t seem to have as many complaints.

RGS
Harrow opening next year
Reston

Typo - meant Repton

Thank you everyone - this is so helpful.

What is the reputation of Kings Dubai..? For 4-11. I heard a lot of kids go to Dubai College and UK schools after it…

Hello, I have kids at KSD in those year groups. I have also just toured NLCS. Academically speaking, NLCS is definitely ahead. I’m starting to think though that good pastoral care is hard in Dubai due to the sheer size of schools.
Feel free to DM me if you want to know anything specific on KSD.

That’s really interesting. Friends at NLCS say that academically they are working a year behind schools in the uk

we looked at reviews on the good schools guide when we were considering a move abroad
https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/international

@insomniac1 that might still be true. I think Dubai schools are operating at a good state school level but not at a prep level. One reason could be that there is no 11+/13+ exit to work towards.

Hi, we left Dubai in July after living there for for three years. My DS spent years 3-5 at King’s Dubai and he is now back at his London prep, sitting his 11+ exams.

My DD was at Dubai College for years 7-9, having passed the exam prepped by the same London prep but no additional tutoring. Lots of her friends at DC had come from King’s Dubai (usually with additional tutoring).

We had chosen King’s Dubai for our son because we had heard great things about it. It was fantastic but didn’t prep my DS for superselective London independents because in year 5 they don’t teach content to the end of year 6. We filled in the curriculum and exam technique gaps with focussed tutoring before we returned to London.

Friends with bright DCs at King’s have also used Atom and tutors to prep for DC. Feel free to DM me with any questions.

Can you let me know what sort of tutoring did you do and at what age did you begin tutoring? did you go for an tutor? any recommendations would be welcome. My daughter is in Year 3 in Kings

@Puravida23 is absolutely correct about teacher turnover being high because of an endless succession of young teachers in Dubai for a year or two to party post-qualification, and because of poor working environments and low job satisfaction. Nearly 50% of teachers stay in a role for three years or less, and are replaced by similarly newly-qualified and inexperienced teachers. The OECD stats say that only one in eight Dubai teachers is over 50. It's not a great educational milieu.

Hi, sorry for the slow reply, I’ve been off-grid for a week.
We started atom in the May of year 4, had an English tutor once a week during term time from June of year 4, focussing on 11+ exam technique.
Plus a maths tutor once a week during term time from January of year 5. They focussed on exam technique as well as any gaps between what DS was covering in class at Kings’ vs what could be included in the 11+ maths exams. Both tutors were online (one in Saudi and one in the UK) but excellent.

Hi there, hopefully someone will shed some light given it's a 2025 thread. I am in the same position as the original poster here - top academic independent schools in the UK (NLCS UK) and moving to Dubai. What are the top 3 academic secondary schools please? We have clearly missed Dubai college admissions (I didn't know we will be relocating otherwise I would have sat my child for it online) and they don't have a waiting list. What are the secondary academic school options please as closely equivalent to the NLCS UK?
I am keeping an open mind as I have 2 other children in year 2 so I can see how it would be beneficial for all 3 to be in the same school but by the same token I don't want my eldest to drop academically just so all 3 are in the same school.
I can't thank you enough for feedback as clearly many of you have been in the same situation.

Dubai college is the most academic and selective hands down. In Dubai in year admissions are a lot more common so keep talking to them. Second best is Jumeirah College that is catching up with quickly.

Feel free to DM me - I have found a great educational consultant who might be able to get you in the school you want

fYI Jumeirah college has a very good primary school attached to it

Thank you so much! I will DM now. 👏