British Elementary through to 6th Form

Who runs the school?

Is this a non-profit school?

What facilities does it offer?

What is the school’s educational philosophy?

Admissions requirements

A completed application form is required along with documents listed on page 4 of the form. There is an application fee of Dhs. 300. This application fee is to cover administration costs and is non-refundable. An entry assessment is not always required and this decision is made by the Headteacher based on the application form and previous school report. The English College is a school for English Speaking pupils. It does not teach English as a second language.

Admission to Foundation Stage

Applications to Foundation 1 and 2 are accepted throughout the year, providing there are available places. Pupils are eligible for admission in F1 if they have reached 3 years old by August of that year in F2 if they have reached 4 years old by August. If an applicant is bi-lingual or their first language is not English then they will be assessed and an offer of a place will depend on the results of the assessment. Foundation pupils must be fully toilet trained before commencing school.

The English College Primary School has a limited number of places for pupils who may require learning support. These places fill very quickly and a pupil will only be admitted if it is ascertained that the College can provide the supportive environment in which he or she can succeed.

Siblings’ applications will be given priority on the waiting lists.

Applications can be submitted to the Primary reception at any time during school opening hours.

Admission to Key Stage 3 and 4

Applications of students from outside Dubai for Years 7, 8, and 9 are accepted throughout the year. Students are eligible for admission if it is believed that the school can meet their particular needs. Year 10 students are only admitted at the beginning of the school year.

Admission decisions are made on the basis of the previous educational record, and, if necessary, a placement assessment, an interview and/or a letter of recommendation from the present school. If a place is offered, the initial placement in the school teaching set is tentative and the school may advise a change of subject set after the child’s abilities have been fully assessed.

Admission to Years 12 and 13 (the Sixth Form)

The Sixth Form offers courses in the GCE A level with AS being undertaken in Year 12 and the full A level in Year 13. GCE courses, by their very nature, are demanding academically and entry to Year 12 has a competitive element to it. Places on courses are limited and it is not always possible to meet all students’ requests due to the popularity of certain subjects.

Year 12 is open to those students who meet the school’s entry requirement of at least five passes in their GCSEs at A* to C; have an aptitude in their chosen subjects (A* to B) and an attitude towards study that will allow them to succeed.

Children transferring from local British curriculum primary schools will follow the normal admission procedure, but there will not necessarily be a placement assessment prior to acceptance. This is as a result of The English College’s close links with the primary schools, a review of prior learning and a consultation with the applicant’s school.

Phase One

Applications received by the end of November will be reviewed during December with the first set of offers being sent out before the end of term one. Those applicants not offered a place in the first round will be transferred to Phase Two. The school will also indicate at that time if the applicant has been placed on its Enhanced Studies waiting list (see later note).

Once an offer is received, a place at the College can be secured by receipt of a non-refundable deposit of Dhs 4,000. This deposit will be deducted from the first term’s fees. It is important to note, however, that this offer will remain open for a maximum of two weeks and be withdrawn once the date has passed.

At this point, the offer can be accepted or declined. If, however, the applicant is applying to schools other than The English College the application can be re-entered into the second phase of admissions. A first offer does not, however, guarantee a second offer being made in Phase Two

All applicants not offered a place in the first round and/or those applications received during December and January will be dealt with in the second phase of the process.

If there are still places available the second set of offers will be made at the same time as Dubai College make their offers. This should remove some of the stress experienced at that time and allow school of first choice to be selected if a place is offered.

The English College offers will remain open for two weeks.

Phase Three

The general waiting list. Applicants will be placed on this list once the school is full.

Enhanced Studies waiting list. Demand for places with Enhanced Studies support may exceed the limited number on offer. Once the places have been allocated, applicants whom the school feels require this type of support will enter the Enhanced Studies waiting list. A place is then only offered if an Enhanced Studies position becomes available.

Note

Siblings’applications will be given priority where possible if sufficient time is given.

Applications can be submitted to the Secondary reception at any time during school opening hours.

Fees