British Schools in Dubai
#32
Re: British Schools in Dubai
But as OP has expressed interest in Wellington and Kings I can't see that those schools will be acceptable. Personally I would find school first and house second. Main problem is going to be FS1 place. Maybe might be best to keep youngest in a good FS1 nursery and try for FS2 place at jebel Ali or Dess - but I have a feeling places for sept 2014 have already been allocated for these (both these schools do not have FS1). If you can get eldest in you might get sibling priority for youngest - just my thoughts though
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 1,291
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Yeah, I think you're right, Fairydust. I was just looking for the option which had the most chance of success. Then again, if you are tenacious enough, I guess you could get a place anywhere... eventually.
#34
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Out of interest, Why?
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
#35
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Out of interest, Why?
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
JESS (Jumeirah) have not fired all of it's PE teachers. JESS Ranches did not renew their PE teachers contracts, apart from 1. 2 of the Ranches staff were leaving anyway. 1 of the staff moving to Ranches is an ex JESS PE teacher.
JESS is not the Holy Grail, it is just given this mantle by parents.
#36
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Out of interest, Why?
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
Last edited by Fairydust; Apr 14th 2013 at 5:10 pm.
#37
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 99
Re: British Schools in Dubai
And one final question if I may.... Irrespective of the extortionate fees, is Repton a good school? And how far out is it from the likes of Meadows, etc (commute time) and/or Arabian Ranches..? Thanks!
#38
Re: British Schools in Dubai
We've all heard horror stories about most of the schools, I can only speak from my own experience and say DESS & DESC were great for ours
#39
Re: British Schools in Dubai
I've heard Repton is good in the early primary years not so great (or it wasn't) for secondary. Ranches to Repton probably 25 minutes not sure from Meadows. Closest to Repton would be The Villa or DSO.
Last edited by Fairydust; Apr 17th 2013 at 3:14 am.
#41
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Out of interest, Why?
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
I mean, all schools in Dubai are much of a muchness. A school is only as good as its teachers and they are all on three year contracts. As such, they work hard for the first year, coast the second and give up the in the third. Most have already resigned by April (so they don't lose their EOS benefits) and so you can pretty much write that last two terms off if you have a leaving 3rd year teacher.
Oh course there is Jess - the holy grail of schools that just fired all its PE staff for under-performance. So next year, that department will be run by unknown and FOB teachers.
They have to state whether they are a yes/no/maybe before the contracts get issued, cue rumours between all the teachers that a maybe means you won't get renewed...obviously to find a new job means giving your current employer as reference and they will immediately get notified you've applied elsewhere = no contract renewed. Nightmare.
Teachers at most schools are mainly on 2 year initial contracts followed by 1 year renewable. The average stay for a teacher is between 5 and 7 years.
JESS (Jumeirah) have not fired all of it's PE teachers. JESS Ranches did not renew their PE teachers contracts, apart from 1. 2 of the Ranches staff were leaving anyway. 1 of the staff moving to Ranches is an ex JESS PE teacher.
JESS is not the Holy Grail, it is just given this mantle by parents.
JESS (Jumeirah) have not fired all of it's PE teachers. JESS Ranches did not renew their PE teachers contracts, apart from 1. 2 of the Ranches staff were leaving anyway. 1 of the staff moving to Ranches is an ex JESS PE teacher.
JESS is not the Holy Grail, it is just given this mantle by parents.
#42
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Just to resurrect this thread as now we are in this boat.
Home will more than likely be Ghetto Ranches as MH referred to it. Went looking today and those in budget (180k) are tiny however that asides; Mrs T has only managed to get registered with the new GEMS on Al Khail road and after looking today its still 90% construction site. As their fees are 60K a year for a FS2 (reduced to 52K for one year only due to construction activities) this is not an ideal school as budget is 40k a year and I would like to get closer to it.
My colleague got his kids into Repton by paying a debenture but they are not taking anymore.
I am just trying to figure out when to approach some of the other schools mentioned as being good/crap in the previous postings. If people have places reserved at multiple schools and then only take their preferred option then when do these places actually become available ? Is there a cut off time before the term commences by which parents must have paid up and confirmed. I don't want to keep throwing out registration fees to each and every possibility but equally don't want to miss out on a place Junior Tock. Its time he went to school.
Home will more than likely be Ghetto Ranches as MH referred to it. Went looking today and those in budget (180k) are tiny however that asides; Mrs T has only managed to get registered with the new GEMS on Al Khail road and after looking today its still 90% construction site. As their fees are 60K a year for a FS2 (reduced to 52K for one year only due to construction activities) this is not an ideal school as budget is 40k a year and I would like to get closer to it.
My colleague got his kids into Repton by paying a debenture but they are not taking anymore.
I am just trying to figure out when to approach some of the other schools mentioned as being good/crap in the previous postings. If people have places reserved at multiple schools and then only take their preferred option then when do these places actually become available ? Is there a cut off time before the term commences by which parents must have paid up and confirmed. I don't want to keep throwing out registration fees to each and every possibility but equally don't want to miss out on a place Junior Tock. Its time he went to school.
#43
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 99
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Just to resurrect this thread as now we are in this boat.
Home will more than likely be Ghetto Ranches as MH referred to it. Went looking today and those in budget (180k) are tiny however that asides; Mrs T has only managed to get registered with the new GEMS on Al Khail road and after looking today its still 90% construction site. As their fees are 60K a year for a FS2 (reduced to 52K for one year only due to construction activities) this is not an ideal school as budget is 40k a year and I would like to get closer to it.
My colleague got his kids into Repton by paying a debenture but they are not taking anymore.
I am just trying to figure out when to approach some of the other schools mentioned as being good/crap in the previous postings. If people have places reserved at multiple schools and then only take their preferred option then when do these places actually become available ? Is there a cut off time before the term commences by which parents must have paid up and confirmed. I don't want to keep throwing out registration fees to each and every possibility but equally don't want to miss out on a place Junior Tock. Its time he went to school.
Home will more than likely be Ghetto Ranches as MH referred to it. Went looking today and those in budget (180k) are tiny however that asides; Mrs T has only managed to get registered with the new GEMS on Al Khail road and after looking today its still 90% construction site. As their fees are 60K a year for a FS2 (reduced to 52K for one year only due to construction activities) this is not an ideal school as budget is 40k a year and I would like to get closer to it.
My colleague got his kids into Repton by paying a debenture but they are not taking anymore.
I am just trying to figure out when to approach some of the other schools mentioned as being good/crap in the previous postings. If people have places reserved at multiple schools and then only take their preferred option then when do these places actually become available ? Is there a cut off time before the term commences by which parents must have paid up and confirmed. I don't want to keep throwing out registration fees to each and every possibility but equally don't want to miss out on a place Junior Tock. Its time he went to school.
#45
Re: British Schools in Dubai
Tock - A lot of kids at the Retches go to the school at Suicide Oasis. We send ours to DBS - the communte is quick but it can take 30 mins to leave the Retches at the moment due to the traffic at the exit gate.