Dubai English Speaking School (DESS)

Dubai English Speaking School focuses on several distinguishing factors, most importantly its curricula, assessments, culture, and facilities.

• The school is a vibrant, successful, and inclusive community of students, teachers, parents, and alumni.
• It provides the joy of learning in an environment where students feel a sense of belonging, are listened to, safe, and appropriately challenged, where their small quirks make them special.
• The school embraces students' talents, and helps them nurture and develop them.
• The school has a fully qualified staff of experienced and competent teachers and educational supervisors.
• The school's distinction is the motivation to continue striving for excellence both inside and outside the classrooms.
• The school culture values hard work, honest and free expression, and discovery.
• The school welcomes students, staff, and parents from diverse backgrounds, varied opinions, different abilities, and wide experiences.

Dubai English Speaking School has set conditions and requirements for securing a place in the school.

• The registration application must be submitted during the specific period announced on the school's official website.
• Application is done through the electronic registration forms on the school's website.
• Compliance with the age requirements for each class and stage is mandatory.

Required Documents

When applying to DESS schools, please ensure you have electronic copies of the following documents for each child, ready for upload in PDF format within the application(s):

• Birth Certificate (in English).
• Passport copy.
• Recent passport-style photograph.
• Latest end-of-year academic report.
• Latest semester/mid-year academic report.
• CAT 4 test results from the last twelve months (if applicable).
• Please note that CAT 4 results are required only for primary school applications, if available.
• If your child has not taken the CAT 4 test within the last twelve months, they may be required to attend an assessment session (for local applicants).
• Emirates ID card (if applicable).
• UAE Visa (if applicable).
• Reports from external bodies (Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychologist, etc., if applicable).
• If you are applying from outside the country, a reference from a faculty member at your current school may be required.

Dubai English Speaking School has specified several methods for fee payment.

• Fees can be paid via credit card on the SKIPLY mobile application or by bank transfer/cash deposit at the bank.
• For registration, your child's student number (found on any invoice) is required.
• If you are a new student, please wait until you receive your first tuition fee invoice.
• Should you have difficulty finding the student number, please contact the finance department for assistance.

Dubai English Speaking School adopts the British Curriculum programs for students across all educational stages.

• Following the English National Curriculum, with a strong focus on core subjects: Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science.
• As one of the leading schools in Dubai teaching in English, we are committed to providing a rigorous and inspiring learning experience, ensuring every child receives a comprehensive and meaningful education.
• Based on this principle, our curriculum is highly engaging, with lessons that are not only stimulating but also highly relevant to our students.
• In the Early Years, our curriculum is based on continuous learning, particularly in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. This approach allows children to explore and learn at their own pace, fostering independence and creativity.
• Upon transitioning to Year 2, our students experience a blend of continuous learning and the "Innovation, Exploration, and Inspiration" (IEI) curriculum, which facilitates their transition to Key Stage 2.
• The IEI curriculum is at the heart of our approach to preparing students for the future. It combines traditional subject-based learning with practical and experiential opportunities that encourage children to experiment, face challenges, and develop a strong sense of self.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1 (for Year 1 and Year 2), a comprehensive, warm, and bright learning and development journey based on the English National Curriculum has been established.

• We use contemporary and cultural concepts linked to the "UN Global Goals" to enrich and engage our children in various ways, giving the curriculum a vibrant, shining power.
• All our children in Key Stage 1 achieve rapid progress, including our valued Special Educational Needs students.
• We make the journey meaningful through the "Continuous Provision" program (Year 1) and the "Innovation, Exploration, and Inspiration" (IEI) program (Year 2 onwards).

Key Stage 2

Key Stage 2 at DESS Primary School includes students in Years 3 to 6 (ages 7 to 11), whom we gently guide through a curriculum and activity program designed to prepare them for the transition to secondary school and ignite a passion for learning that we hope will last a lifetime.

• Our Key Stage 2 curriculum builds upon the foundations laid in Key Stage 1, with learning tailored to each child's growth pace and starting point. The educational journey is collaborative, with parents encouraged to participate.
• Our core curriculum is complemented by a range of co-curricular options and activities in sports, performing arts, languages, and academics.
• The Key Stage 2 curriculum is based on the principles of inclusivity, tolerance, respect, and kindness.

Secondary Phase

The way we follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales in designing and delivering the study pathway for our students aged 11 to 18 plays a significant role in achieving our consistent "Outstanding" rating by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) and British Schools Overseas (BSO).

Key Stage 3 Subjects (Years 7 to 9)

• Arabic.
• Art and Design.
• Design and Technology.
• Drama.
• English Language.
• Food and Nutrition.
• French.
• Geography.
• History.
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
• Islamic Education (for Muslim students only).
• Mathematics.
• Moral Education.
• Music.

• Physical Education (PE).
• Science.
• Social Studies.
• Spanish.
• Preparation for the Outside World (P.F.O.W.).

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, students select the subjects they will study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) exams.

DESS students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9) follow a comprehensive and balanced curriculum designed to keep their options open and develop the essential skills needed to prepare them for GCSE study.

The GCSE subjects offered in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) are designed to enable all our students to tailor a suitable study program according to their individual abilities, interests, and future goals.

In line with statutory requirements in the UK, every student at DESS will study the core subjects: Mathematics, English, and Science up to GCSE level.

In addition, they choose 3 optional subjects from 19 courses. New for 2026 is the launch of our vocational pathway, which includes 5 new courses to choose from.

We believe in giving our students freedom of choice without the restrictions of "subject groups," allowing for a personalized curriculum design for each student.

DESS students select their GCSE subjects for Year 10 in January of Year 9.

A-Level Subjects (Advanced Level)

• Arabic.
• Art.
• Art Photography.
• Biology.
• Business Studies.
• Chemistry.
• Computer Science.
• Design Technology: Product Design.
• Economics.
• English Language.
• English Literature.
• French.
• Further Mathematics.
• Geography.
• History.
• Information Technology.
• Law.
• Mathematics.
• Media Studies.
• Physical Education (PE).
• Physics.
• Politics.
• Psychology.
• Spanish.

Key Stage 5

Students sit for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced Level (A Level) exams and BTEC qualifications.

Key Stage 6

Our specially designed academic programs, based on the National Curricula for England and Wales, include a blend of A-levels, BTEC qualifications, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

This allows students to design a personalized learning pathway that aligns with their future goals, supported by our experienced specialists every step of the way.

Learning Pathways in the Secondary Phase

• Academic Pathway: Ideal for students inclined towards traditional academic study, featuring 24 GCE A Level qualifications, where students typically choose three subjects.
• Vocational Pathway: Suitable for students seeking practical and real-world application through 8 different BTEC/RSL qualifications. Options include a Subsidiary Diploma (one choice) or a Diploma (two choices).

Mixed Pathway: A combination of A-Level and BTEC qualifications, allowing students to customize their study program to best suit their future goals.

Yes, Dubai English Speaking School is co-educational.

You can view the complete details of the tuition fees through the Dubai English Speaking School page on the mdares.ai platform.

• Dubai English Speaking School has received the Top School Award (implied).
• It has received the Best Primary School Award.
• The school won the Best School in the UAE Award.
• It received the KHDA rating from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, which is the official body concerned with monitoring the quality and development of private education in Dubai (Outstanding rating).

• DESS events to celebrate the UAE National Day.
• UAE Union Day ceremony.
• Student graduation ceremony.
• Honoring ceremony for the school's top students.
• Sports events and activities such as swimming, football, and basketball matches.
• Morning walk events for students and parents.
• Odd Socks Day activity for kindergarten students.
• UAE Flag Day celebration.
• Fun Day events.

Dubai English Speaking School adopts the British Curriculum.

Dubai English Speaking School is located in Oud Metha Road, Dubai, UAE.

Yes, Dubai English Speaking School provides transportation services.

• Equipped classrooms.
• Canteen (or tuck shop).
• Computer labs.
• Science labs.
• Designated play area.
• Outdoor cafeteria for parents.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) program room.
• Garden.
• Swimming pool.
• Library.
• Two basketball courts.
• Two football pitches.
• Media center.

Dubai English Speaking School ensures student security and safety by guiding students to adhere to security and safety rules.

• Paying attention to raising students' awareness about the importance of academic discipline and applying all its rules.
• Ensuring the security of all school entrances, exits, and facilities.