Only just the other day my friend and I are were reminiscing about the good old days when the kids were younger.
The highlight of the primary school year was the annual schools swimming gala where all the Dubai schools competed against each other at one neutral venue – the much loved Dubai Country Club. The original schools were Dubai English Speaking School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Jebel Ali Primary School, Horizon, American School of Dubai and because there was one spare lane BSAK from Abu Dhabi were invited along too!
With so many schools now open in Dubai this kind of tournament would be impossible today. Unfortunately for some age groups even with the increased number of schools, demand still outstrips supply. Year on year this is being addressed and just this week I have added a couple more schools due to open in September 2015 (Hartland International School & Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park) to our growing Directory of Schools in Dubai.
If you are moving to Dubai and are finding it difficult to find school places here are some tips:
- Don’t be afraid to try some of the new schools. Many are in great locations bringing with them some very highly qualified senior management and experience from opening schools in other countries
- Don’t be set on one schools. Place your child’s name on a few lists – yes this does cost money but keeping your choice narrow may mean no place come September.
- In the end you may have to accept your second choice but it is always worth keeping your child’s name on the list of your first choice and if a place comes up for the next academic year then you can move them.
