British Elementary through to Primary
JESS Jumeirah is a school with very high standards and expectations; a school where children and adults are challenged to be the best that they can be! Set on a large, established campus, JESS pupils have space and opportunities to work and play in stimulating learning environments.
A broad and balanced curriculum is on offer here at JESS. Pupils are expected to take increasing responsibility for their learning and are regularly challenged in the setting of targets and planning for future learning. Our children are encouraged to involve themselves in activities outside of the classroom too, and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities. There are extensive opportunities to participate, compete and in many cases to excel in sport, music and the performing arts.
The atmosphere at JESS is happy, child focused and one based on community. Pupils and adults of all ages cooperate and function in a collegiate way, giving our school a unique and friendly feel. Pupils have a tangible pride in their school and are encouraged to take on roles and responsibility within the school. Independence is fostered within the children from an early age as it is a key skill in the development of life long learners.
Celebration and sharing success is central to the ethos here at JESS and I am very proud to witness, on a daily basis, how children aged 3 – 11 years, rise to new challenges and give their very best in all that they do.
There is a strong emphasis on multi-sensory, cross-curricular learning throughout the school, with a clear focus on skills and attitudes in the development of life-long learning. Children entering JESS in Foundation One begin a 2-year programme following the Early Years Foundation Stage, a UK Early Years curriculum based on a practical, hands-on approach.
Children are guided through six areas of learning, namely:
Personal, social and emotional development
Communication, language and literacy
Problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Physical development
Creative development
On entry into Year One children commence Key Stage One of the UK National Curriculum. This is also a 2-year programme leading to Key Stage Two when the children are in Years 3-6.
The National Curriculum subjects are divided into core subjects: language, mathematics and science and foundation subjects: history, geography, art, design technology, music, physical education. In addition, JESS pupils learn Arabic from Year One and French from Year Five. ICT is an integral part of the curriculum on offer at JESS and is used across all subject areas. The Learning Support department within the school responds to the individual needs of particular children, offering support as well as extension for children who require extra input.
Location
JESS Jumeirah is located off Al Wasl Road in the Jumeirah 2 area of Dubai, and is just minutes from Shk Zayed Road.
Who runs the school?
The leadership and management of the school includes Mrs Jacqui Parr – Deputy Head Fnd & KS1, Mr Darren Coulson – Deputy Head KS2, and Mrs Ruth Burke – Head Teacher.
Is this a non-profit school?
Yes
What facilities does the school offer?
The campus comprises of 8 year group blocks as well as specialist areas such as ICT, library and music rooms. Well established planting and an interesting maze of pathways and landscape areas throughout the campus add to the old village atmosphere of the school.
Sports facilities within the school are outstanding. We have 2 new temperature-controlled swimming pools: one for use by our younger children as well as our training pool for squads and older children. The pools are completely shaded and there are seating and changing facilities by the poolside. Our air-conditioned sports hall and PE office are located at the centre of the school ensuring high levels of communication and the high profile of sport within JESS is constantly maintained. Netball courts, a large tiger-turf sports field as well as a multi-purpose PE studio, with a spring wooden floor, complete our sports facility.
Our music centre comprises of two teaching rooms and three practice rooms to support the extensive instrumental programme in operation within the school.
Within each group unit there are 4 well-equipped classrooms and a shared central area. There is a strong commitment to providing quality resources and stimulating learning environments. Play areas within the school offer stimulating and fun places to work and play. Shaded seating, opportunities for physical activity as well as exploration is provided and equipment is available to support physical activity and play during break times.
What is the school’s philosophy?
At JESS children are supported in their development as active learners. They are involved in target setting and evaluation of their own success. Self and peer evaluation skills are developed systematically from an early age to enable children to develop critical thinking skills. Staff are trained in Brain Gym – a system whereby children are given regular breaks to engage in a series of exercises that encourage left and right sides of the brain to function at equally optimum levels.
As children all learn in different ways, teaching planned with learning styles is a key factor; visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners are all catered for within lessons, just as all levels are extended or supported as necessary through a thorough implementation of differentiation across all areas of the curriculum.
Admissions requirements
At Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) the academic year runs from September to June; however children can be admitted during the academic year if a place becomes available subject to KHDA guidelines.*
- Fluency in English
All children admitted into Jumeirah English Speaking School must be fluent in English and able to access all areas of the curriculum through the medium of English. For further details, read this document.
Language entry requirements for JESS
Admissions are also subject to criteria which will vary according to the child’s age group, as follows:
- Foundation, Primary and Secondary
Reports from previous schools / nurseries will be assessed by the academic teaching staff and if deemed necessary, may be followed by an assessment or interview.
The school operates tours of both JESS branches throughout the year. These tours are pre-arranged and give parents and children the opportunity to visit the school premises and see the children in their classroom environment whilst viewing the facilities available at each branch. The tours are conducted by a member of the Senior Management Team who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
If you are eligible to apply to JESS and would like to arrange a visit, please contact the receptionist at the relevant branch of JESS.
Can I apply?
If the year group to which you are applying is open to admissions, the school will accept registrations at any time throughout the year regardless of where you reside. If you have access to a corporate debenture or if the application is for a younger sibling of a current JESS pupil(s) registering for Foundation 1, you are able to apply to the waiting list even if it is closed.
Please check Availability & Waiting Lists for the current status of the school’s waiting lists.
If you are unsure of your debenture status or need help with any other aspect of your application, you can complete the school’s online enquiry form on the following link, Expression of Interest.
How do I apply?
A separate registration form is required for each child and must be completed in full and personal information must correspond with the child’s passport. It is essential that all sections of the registration form are completed and the parental statement must also be signed.
There are two branches of JESS, one in Jumeirah and the other at Arabian Ranches. Registration forms are branch- specific. Therefore please complete the appropriate form for the branch of JESS that you wish your child to attend. Parents who wish their children to be registered at both Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches must complete separate registration forms and pay a non-refundable Dhs300 for each one. Registration fees are accepted in the form of Dirham cheques, made payable to JESS, or cash. Unfortunately we cannot accept credit card payments.
What information is needed?
It is a requirement that you inform the school of any social, medical, physical, behavioural or academic circumstance that has, or may have, an effect on your child’s ability to cope independently within the normal classroom situation. Relevant medical or educational psychologist’s reports should be forwarded to the school together with your registration form. Any offer made by JESS is subject to the school being able to meet the individual needs of any child. JESS reserves the right to contact the previous school for further educational information. If it is discovered that important educational / behavioural / physical / medical information has been withheld at registration, dismissal from the school may result.
The supporting documents that are required when a registration is submitted are:
- Photocopy of your child’s passport (in which the residence visa is, or will be, stamped)
- Photocopy of your child’s birth certificate
- Full end-of-year school report for the last academic year, if currently attending a school or nursery. This must include comments on academic and social progress as well as behaviour
- An interim report for the current academic year, if available (Primary & Secondary applications only)
- Letter of Recommendation (applicable to Secondary applications only)
- Student & parental statements (Sixth Form Only)
A check-list of all documents required can also be found on the back page of each registration form. All completed forms, documentation and registration fees can be submitted to either JESS school – Jumeirah or Arabian Ranches.
Applications will not be processed until all of the above information is received. If any of this information proves to be incorrect at a later date JESS reserves the right to cancel the application.
Fees
Fee Structure 2011/12
| Registration and Acceptance Fees | ||
| REGISTRATION (non refundable) | DHS.300 | One payment |
| ENTRANCE FEE (non refundable) | DHS.500 | One payment |
| School Fees | ||
| Term | Annually | |
| FOUNDATION 1 | DHS. 9,597 | DHS. 28,791 |
| PRIMARY (FND 2 – Year 6) | DHS.12,029 | DHS. 36,087 |
| SECONDARY (Years 7 – 11) | DHS. 20,648 | DHS. 61,944 |
| SIXTH FORM (Years 12 – 13) | DHS. 23,582 | DHS. 70,746 |
| Personal Debentures | ||
| Jumeirah Debentures | ||
| PERSONAL (per child) | DHS.20,000 | Effective 1 Oct 2011 |
| Arabian Ranches Debentures | ||
| PERSONAL (per child) | DHS.20,000 | |
KHDA rating
Outstanding (as of 2011)