Ask Louise – School Waitlists
My husband has already moved and I am looking to move the end of July. We have a 14 year old son who needs a place in year 10 for this coming September. I have searched and searched and just keep being told there is a waiting list with little chance of a place becoming available. I have however been told that there is a place for him at Deira. Firstly I can not find reviews. Secondly how far away is the school from Arabian Ranches and thirdly my son wants to remain in England to finish his GCSE as he thinks he will not like the school etc etc.. I am hoping you might have some information on the school.
Deira International School is approximately a 40 minute drive from Arabian Ranches however you will be going against the heaviest of traffic. Deira International School study for IGCSE’s that then lead on to the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school has a very international mix of children and has good facilities. They were also one of the first schools in Dubai to introduce the IBCC qualification giving children an alternative educational pathway post 16.
Schools which are closer to Arabian Ranches and follow the English National Curriculum in particular GCSE’s include JESS, DESC, GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis, Dubai College, GEMS Wellington International and slightly further away but no more than Deira include GEMS Jumeirah College and English College.
Parents in most schools have been asked in the last week their intentions for next year as the parents jobs are constantly changing so it is worth your while to keep phoning these schools to see if there has been any movement – obviously it is very hard for him to change when he starts as each schools follows different examination boards for individual subjects eg edexcel and AQA.
If your son does move out here he will thoroughly enjoy school life and all the activities – there are hundreds of teenagers out here from all over the world having a very good time!