Mark Ford
Principal
Welcome to The English College, one of the very few British curriculum heritage schools in Dubai for FS 1 to Year 13
We are a non-selective UK curriculum school in Dubai which embraces being inclusive and diverse, with our students originating from over 70 countries - this is reflected in the values and culture of the whole school community so that learners feel welcome, accepted, safe and valued whatever their background.
We are very proud of our strong heritage, traditions and values and are constantly looking forward, seeking to innovate and improve at every age and stage for every one of our pupils. High-quality teaching and learning and the very best pastoral care and extra-curricular provision lie at the very heart of our school.
We aren’t just another British curriculum school in Dubai – we are more than a school, we are a community, an experience and a way of life that nurtures excellence in every respect. Our community is culturally rich and diverse, welcoming students from a phenomenal range of backgrounds and over 60 nationalities. As a school we recognise and celebrate this, helping each individual to ‘be the me I choose to be’. Our students are many things but most of all they are themselves. It is this which prepares them for the unknown and an exciting life in the world beyond school.
On behalf of the entire EC community, I look forward to welcoming you and showing you our school in action.
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 38 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
Number of students
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1068
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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79
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Most common nationality
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British
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Ratio of local students to international students
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2.6% local : 97.4% international
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Native English speaking teachers
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Yes. The majority of our teachers are from the UK or UK trained and highly qualified teaching staff.
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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No
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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Arabic, French, Spanish
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Max. number of students per class
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24
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Average number of students per class
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22
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes
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Use of technology in the classroom
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From Year 3 and throughout the Secondary school, all students are expected to have their own device that is used to enhance learning. The Google suite is used across the school, centred around the Google Classroom application so that all lesson materials are stored in one place for each class. Students collaborate with each other and with their teacher using the Google applications to deepen and enhance learning. There are also several online quizzing platforms that are used daily by teachers to assess students’ knowledge and intervene where necessary. There are also other platforms that are used by specific faculties, such as Sparx maths which is used to set and monitor independent learning in maths and Kamkalima which is used to stretch and extend native Arabic learners. Specialist computer lessons in primary and secondary support the development of IT skills for all students. In FS and Key Stage 1, students have access to iPads and interactive whiteboards and a designated STEAM area is utilised for the use of robots and drones.
Raspberry Pi– Small in size the Raspberry Pi is a very powerful tool which we have integrated into our teaching. The devices help to instill computational thinking and skills such as decomposition, pattern recognition, logical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.
3D printing– Students have been forward thinking with regard to how the 3D printer can support school initiatives. In the past they have been used to develop tools to support teaching of Computing and also props within school productions.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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Yes, we offer hybrid classes with some students physically in class and others joining virtually.
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External examinations or assessments available
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GCE AS, A Level and GCSE Certificates
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Results in these examinations
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Detailed results can be viewed here: https://englishcollegedubai.com/exam-results/
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Yes
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Approximate hours of homework given
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The type and nature of homework set by teachers will vary widely and it will not necessarily always involve written work. The tasks set should give your child a range of opportunities to enrich learning independently.
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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Way over 90%
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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We have a limited number of places for students with specific learning difficulties. These places fill very quickly and a student will only be admitted if it is ascertained that we can provide the supportive environment in which he/she can succeed.
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Learning support offered
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We have an experienced Inclusion Team, details can be viewed here: https://englishcollegedubai.com/inclusion/
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Student access to education psychologist
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We do have links with an external center who have an Educational psychologist .
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Entry evaluation for students
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Yes in the form of placement assessment and/or interview.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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We use CAT 4 tests from Year 2 onwards and for FS 1 to Year 1 we conduct Teacher Assessments.
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Waiting list
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Yes, certain year levels are very high in demand. There is an availability tab on our website, which is regularly updated.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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There is no deadline as such, we are accepting students throughout the year.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes, however, this depends on the year group
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School start time
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7:45 am
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School finish time
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Monday to Thursday: 1pm FS 1 & 2 | 3:10 pm Years 1 to 6 | 3:30 pm Years 7 to 13
Friday: 12noon for all year groups
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Supervised care before/after school
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Yes, our after-school 'Star Club' is available for a small fee.
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School bus service available
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Yes
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School provided lunches
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We have teamed up with SwissCanonica and students can purchase fresh, healthy, high quality and affordable food options in our school cafeteria.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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A range of non-vegetarian, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options is available.
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Uniform required
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Yes
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Facilities at the school
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Secondary: 8 Chemistry/ Physics/ Science/Bio Labs, Prep Rooms, Graphics Studio, Art Studio, Music Class Room, Individual Music Practice Rooms, Group Music Practice Room, Black Box Theatre, Drama Studio Theatre, Large Library, Media Studies Room, Learning Commons, Dining Hall with Outdoor Terrace, Sixth Form Study Rooms, Sixth Form Common Room, Primary Library, Primary Playgrounds, large Classrooms with plenty of Daylight.
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Sports facilities at the school
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The new PE/Sports Complex features: modern Fitness Studio, Changing Rooms separately for Female and Male, Modern, full equipped Clinic for Nurse and part-time Doctor, Activity/PE Classroom, Large PE/Sports Hall, Netball Courts, Full-size Sports Field with natural Grass and Cricket Pitch. Our Primary School features in addition a Sports Hall and Swimming Pool.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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The aim of The English College, Dubai is to offer the best elements of the British education system supplemented by modern international educational practice, based upon our students achieving high academic standards, making sound judgements and having clearly defined moral values. We hope to provide a firm foundation for our students to succeed in an ever-changing multicultural world and develop into successful learners, confident individuals and good citizens.
We aim to give each child the best level of education possible, not just in academic training, but also in terms of character formation, developing your child's whole personality and awakening new interests, so that when our students leave school, we can expect them to become effective, happy and responsible members of society.
We are also one of the few true heritage schools in Dubai, having opened our doors in 1992.
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Our Campus
Our ultra-convenient location, our modern campus and the wide range of high quality facilities we have access to, make The English College a highly sought after school – not just in Jumeirah, but by families across Dubai.
We are a school with a rich heritage; the secondary school was founded in 1992. We continue to invest and improve both the secondary and primary school sites, ensuring our learners enjoy a positive and engaging learning environment.
Learning
Following the British curriculum, all classes and lessons are taught and supported by our highly qualified and experienced teaching team. Our team regularly receive comprehensive professional development that contributes to our DSIB-rated “Very Good” Teaching and Learning. We have already embarked on the journey to make the transition from being rated among the very good British schools in Dubai to being among the outstanding British schools in Dubai.
Great emphasis is placed on developing the whole child in a stimulating, caring environment. Excellent and strong relationships exist between staff, student and parents – something we are very proud of.
After School
We support the philosophy that education is not limited to the classroom environment. Consequently, a varied and exciting range of extra-curricular activities are available to all students, supported by well qualified staff and excellent facilities. Activities are scheduled for before school, lunchtime and after school, with new activities appearing on a regular basis. The programme goes hand-in-hand with our sports and PE provision, often giving students the extra training or impetus they need to make the squad and represent the school. Our intention is to help your child grow as an individual and develop a range of interests, but also to become responsible and committed with skills that will be of value after school life.
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