Victor Meldrew

You won't get an appointment with the Principal (unless you are a Sheikh?) if it is just to discuss a place at the school. You would have to get past the Admissions Office and the Head's PA first - good luck!

If you are A***y or pushy about it, this is more likely to go against you rather than help your cause.

Kix

Don't agree. If you get the appointment - you will obviously need, as a caring parent, to know the school and whether junior will fit in - and that includes the headmaster/mistress.

Also, if you have a personal relationship with the Principal then you have more chance.

It's not rocket science mate.

Victor Meldrew

You are correct, your theory is not rocket science but it also isn't realistic in most of the schools I know of - most of the better schools which are also in demand with waiting lists.

You won't get an appointment to see the Head if it is to ask about a place at the school.

I see your point about wanting to appear as a caring, concerned parent, but there are literally hundreds of other caring concerned parents who would also like that personal meeting with the Head.

Some of the school tours are done by SLT, but you are likely to be in a group of parents. That's about the closest you will get to direct contact with a Senior member of staff.

There may be some schools that give personal meetings with the Head, but I would question why they would do this unless they are short of children or a lower tier school.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

Kix

I've never had a problem getting a 1on1 with a head.

Ever.

Victor Meldrew

That's excellent, well done.

We obviously have different experiences of the British Schools in Dubai, which is why we are both giving different opinions.

Millhouse

who?

mentalist

Some British geezer was on Radio 92.0 FM this morning with that Geordie Bird talking about his new Dubai school search website. Not sure of the name but it may have contained the words "which school dotcom" I think.

LaLaLayla

Ah, "Outstanding". This is partly based on ratings by the parents of children at the school. Those of us who are a bit savvy, know that this feeds into decisions on whether the school can raise the fees, so will be a bit conservative shall we say, in our assessment.

Also, those "Outstanding" schools are more likely to stick rigidly to the rules rather than maintain a more independent stance.

So, im my view, "Outstainding" = dim parents + lack of independent thinking :-)

MrBAH

Thanks got advice! Any suggestions on the best schools to target, taking your experience into consideration?

LaLaLayla

Where do you live/intend to live?

Millhouse

near the school

LaLaLayla

Which school?

LaLaLayla

My recommendation would be to live in either Lakes/Meadows/Springs or Greens (depending on budget), then register your kids at Dubai International Academy, Dubai British School and Regent International School.

MrBAH

Great stuff thanks. As newbies we were considering Meadows to be honest, unless we can find something in Umm Suquiem or Al Barsha. So the schools you mentioned are helpful suggestions. We were considering Wellington or Kings, but the suggestion is that anything GEMS related is a money pit?

Fairydust

Why those 3 schools? They would be down towards bottom of my list