Deira International School vs Safa British School

	D Deira International School Dubai, United Arab Emirates	S Safa British School Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 44,616 - 89,889	Fees / year AED 44,385 - 71,861
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 1,930	Pupils 1,600
Typical class size	Typical class size 9	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Deira International School campus is situated in Dubai Festival City, Al Badia, Dubai Festival City, United Arab Emirates. The postal address is P.O. Box 79043, Al Badia, Dubai Festival City. It is located near Al Badia Golf Resort and Al Badia Residence, about 3 kilometres from Dubai International Airport and a short drive from areas such as Mirdif and Al Warqa, with access via the Business Bay Crossing.	Location Safa British School is located in Al Safa 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The campus is in the Jumeirah area near Safa Park and other residential neighbourhoods. The school moved in 2020 to a purpose-built Al Safa 1 campus to consolidate facilities for Foundation Stage through to the sixth form. The area is well served by roads and is accessible by car with nearby main routes.
Stages	Stages DIS serves students from Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) through Key Stage 4 and into the IB pathways (IBDP or IBCP) in the final years, covering ages roughly 3 to 18.	Stages The school provides an all-through education from Foundation Stage 1 through Year 13, covering early years, primary, secondary and sixth form.
School type	School type DIS is a co-educational day school. It operates within a British-curriculum framework and offers IGCSEs in Year 11 and IB pathways in Years 12–13; the school does not indicate boarding facilities.	School type The school is co-educational (gender of entry is Mixed) and follows an all-through British curriculum from FS1 to Year 13, with a dedicated Sixth Form area on campus.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school reports representation of over 90 nationalities among its students. The exact local-to-international ratio is not published by the school; independent listings note a diverse mix with Arab nationalities appearing prominently in some datasets.	Pupil nationality mix The school represents students from more than 80 nationalities and cultures, with around 1,600 students in the 3–18 age range. The most common nationalities are not published, and no official local-to-international ratio is provided.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support DIS provides personalised learning and SEND support through a dedicated Pastoral and Personalised Learning Support Team, with early identification and targeted intervention. The school also supports learners whose first language is not English and offers Arabic as a First Language, AFL and Islamic Studies as part of its language and curriculum provisions.	Additional learning support Inclusion is central to Safa British School. The Inclusion Team coordinates personalised interventions, curriculum adaptations and environmental adjustments. The Bridge Learning Centre partners with the school to support Students of Determination (e.g., ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome) with on-site ABA therapy, speech and occupational therapy, and integrated specialist input, delivered alongside the British curriculum.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the English National Curriculum and functions as a British international school, with formal affiliations to British-based organisations including British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), COBIS and British Schools Overseas (BSO).	Country affiliation British Schools Overseas status (UK-aligned international school outside the United Kingdom).
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation DIS has no formal religious affiliation. Islamic Studies is offered to Muslim students as part of the curriculum where appropriate.	Religious affiliation No explicit religious affiliation; the admissions policy states the school accepts students regardless of religion.
School day structure	School day structure School day timings are: Foundation Stage 7:50–13:00, Primary 7:50–14:30, and Secondary 7:50–15:30 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; Tuesday 7:50–14:30 for all; Friday 7:50–12:00 for all students.	School day structure School days run on weekdays with Monday–Thursday schedules and ECAs on Fridays. Morning drop-offs begin around 07:15 for most year groups, with end times typically ranging from around 14:30 to 15:30 depending on year group; FS may have earlier dismissal times.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school's transportation is provided by Maverick. Maverick employs certified drivers and bus assistants, with safety protocols and real-time tracking; contact details for routes are provided by the school. In 2024–2025, two-way route charges were listed as AED 4,700–9,300 depending on the route, with Maverick handling registrations and operations.	Bus service details Bus transportation is provided by School Transport Services (STS). STS buses are equipped with safety features (GPS, CCTV, child check button, etc.), and parents can track journeys via an app. The published timetable shows Foundation Stage arrivals around 07:25 with afternoon departures around 12:45, Year 1–6 around 07:25–14:30, and Year 7–11 around 07:25–16:10; a separate schedule indicates later pickups for some groups. Bus fees are billed termly and service is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Booking / Reservation and Application Fees - Booking (seat reservation) fee: AED 3,000 per student. This fee is non‑refundable but deductible from the first term tuition. - Application fee (charged when submitting an application): AED 525 (inclusive of VAT). This fee is non‑refundable. - Registration fee: charged and deducted from the first term tuition; the school states the registration fee will not be refunded if the student does not take the offered place (amount not specified on the school fee page). Tuition fees — annual and per‑term breakdown by year group (academic year shown in official KHDA schedule) The following annual tuition figures are those listed for each year group. Per‑term amounts below use a three‑instalment model (Term 1 = 40% of the annual fee; Term 2 = 30%; Term 3 = 30%) in line with the standard KHDA instalment structure; the school issues invoices on a three‑term timetable with specific due dates. Annual fees are listed first, followed by the calculated per‑term amounts (AED). - FS1 - Annual tuition: AED 44,616.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 17,846.40. Term 2 (30%): AED 13,384.80. Term 3 (30%): AED 13,384.80. - FS2 - Annual tuition: AED 44,616.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 17,846.40. Term 2 (30%): AED 13,384.80. Term 3 (30%): AED 13,384.80. - Year 1 - Annual tuition: AED 58,034.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 23,213.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 17,410.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 17,410.20. - Year 2 - Annual tuition: AED 58,034.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 23,213.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 17,410.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 17,410.20. - Year 3 - Annual tuition: AED 58,034.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 23,213.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 17,410.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 17,410.20. - Year 4 - Annual tuition: AED 58,034.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 23,213.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 17,410.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 17,410.20. - Year 5 - Annual tuition: AED 58,034.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 23,213.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 17,410.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 17,410.20. - Year 6 - Annual tuition: AED 63,057.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 25,222.80. Term 2 (30%): AED 18,917.10. Term 3 (30%): AED 18,917.10. - Year 7 - Annual tuition: AED 63,057.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 25,222.80. Term 2 (30%): AED 18,917.10. Term 3 (30%): AED 18,917.10. - Year 8 - Annual tuition: AED 68,094.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 27,237.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 20,428.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 20,428.20. - Year 9 - Annual tuition: AED 68,094.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 27,237.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 20,428.20. Term 3 (30%): AED 20,428.20. - Year 10 - Annual tuition: AED 71,453.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 28,581.20. Term 2 (30%): AED 21,435.90. Term 3 (30%): AED 21,435.90. - Year 11 - Annual tuition: AED 81,501.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 32,600.40. Term 2 (30%): AED 24,450.30. Term 3 (30%): AED 24,450.30. - Year 12 (IB) - Annual tuition: AED 89,889.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 35,955.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 26,966.70. Term 3 (30%): AED 26,966.70. - Year 13 (IB) - Annual tuition: AED 89,889.00. - Term 1 (40%): AED 35,955.60. Term 2 (30%): AED 26,966.70. Term 3 (30%): AED 26,966.70. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard instalment due dates (school invoices and post‑dated cheques are accepted on this schedule): 1st instalment due 25 August 2025; 2nd instalment due 25 December 2025; 3rd instalment due 25 March 2026. The school accepts post‑dated cheques deposited at the start of the academic year or before those dates. - The school accepts the following payment methods: cash at the school cashier; cheque payable to "DEIRA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL"; bank transfer / direct deposit (bank details provided by the school); payment online via the iSAMS parent portal using Visa and MasterCard (AED); and payments via the Zenda app. The school also promotes use of the Blue FAB / Al‑Futtaim credit card program for rewards and payment plans. For bank transfers, parents are asked to send a copy of the transfer slip to accounts@disdubai.ae to help identify deposits. - KHDA policy permits schools to collect annual tuition in three instalments; the school uses a three‑term billing cycle and the KHDA framework specifies the first instalment should not exceed 40% and the second and third instalments should not exceed 30% each. The per‑term figures above apply that instalment split to the annual KHDA‑listed fees. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. No boarding fees are listed for Deira International School and the school operates on a day‑school basis (no boarding provision is published). Other costs and mandatory extras - Uniform: school uniform and team kit are supplied via the designated supplier (Threads). Uniform costs are additional and are not included in tuition; the uniform retail and online purchasing arrangements are provided by the school. - Meals: cafeteria meals are not included in the tuition figures shown. Meal costs are charged separately. - Transportation: school transport fees are charged separately and vary by area. Example 2025–2026 transport fees (sample areas): - Area A (Nad Al Hammar, Dubai Festival City, Al Badia, Dubai Creek Harbour): AED 5,700 (2‑way), AED 3,990 (1‑way). - Area B (Mirdif, Al Warqaa, Al Garhoud, Port Saeed, Ras Al Khor, Al Jaddaf, Al Rashidiya, Umm Ramool): AED 8,800 (2‑way), AED 6,160 (1‑way). - Area C (Deira, Bur Dubai, DHCC, Al Karama, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Nahda, etc.): AED 9,200 (2‑way), AED 6,440 (1‑way). - Area D (Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches, Palm Jumeirah, Meydan South, Nad Al Sheba, Damac Hills, etc.): AED 9,900 (2‑way), AED 6,930 (1‑way). These transport area fees are published as the 2025–2026 transport fee structure. - KHDA administrative fees: certain KHDA attestation and transfer requests carry a standard KHDA charge (example: requests for education continuation certificate, leaving form attestation, inter‑school transfer, attestation of certificates — AED 126 each, inclusive of VAT). These KHDA charges are additional where applicable. Refunds and withdrawal billing - Refunds are handled in accordance with the KHDA School Fees Framework. The school applies the KHDA refund calculation: tuition paid prior to the beginning of the academic year is refundable subject to deduction of registration / re‑registration fees; if a student was enrolled for two weeks or less a month's fees will be deducted; if enrolled between two weeks and one month, two months' fees will be deducted; if enrolled for more than a month, the full term's fees will be deducted. Refunds are issued by bank transfer or cheque. Administrative notes on payment mechanics and options - Online card payments: accepted via the iSAMS parent portal using Visa and MasterCard in AED. - Bank transfers / direct deposits: the school provides bank account details for direct deposit; parents are requested to email a copy of the transfer/deposit slip to accounts@disdubai.ae to facilitate reconciliation. - Zenda app: the school accepts payments via the Zenda app (introduced January 2025) for school fees and, from January 2025, for local and international educational trips and events; Zenda is supported for future plans including online payment plans. KHDA administrative/service charges (examples) - KHDA attestation and related document charges: AED 126 (inclusive of VAT) for various certificate and transfer attestations.	Fee details School fees — Academic year September 2025 to August 2026 Annual tuition (by year group) and equivalent termly amount (school issues term invoices; re-registration is charged in the third-term invoice): - FS1 — Annual AED 45,428. Termly (annual divided across three term invoices): AED 15,143 per term. - FS2 — Annual AED 49,754. Termly: AED 16,585 per term. - Year 1 — Annual AED 49,754. Termly: AED 16,585 per term. - Year 2 — Annual AED 54,081. Termly: AED 18,027 per term. - Year 3 — Annual AED 54,081. Termly: AED 18,027 per term. - Year 4 — Annual AED 58,407. Termly: AED 19,469 per term. - Year 5 — Annual AED 58,407. Termly: AED 19,469 per term. - Year 6 — Annual AED 60,571. Termly: AED 20,190 per term. - Year 7 — Annual AED 62,733. Termly: AED 20,911 per term. - Year 8 — Annual AED 64,897. Termly: AED 21,632 per term. - Year 9 — Annual AED 67,060. Termly: AED 22,353 per term. - Year 10 — Annual AED 70,305. Termly: AED 23,435 per term. - Year 11 — Annual AED 70,305. Termly: AED 23,435 per term. - Year 12 — Annual AED 73,550. Termly: AED 24,517 per term. - Year 13 — Annual AED 73,550. Termly: AED 24,517 per term. Application fee - A one-time application fee of AED 500 is charged for new applications. The application fee is refundable if the school does not offer a place; it is non-refundable if the school offers a place and the family chooses not to accept it. The application (assessment) fee is not deductible from tuition if a place is accepted. Enrolment / re-registration / deposit rules - New-student enrolment (admission) fee: the school may charge an enrolment/admission fee up to a percentage of tuition as a deposit; the fact sheets note enrolment fees may be charged (up to 10% of the tuition fee) and are non-refundable but deductible from the first term fees. Re-enrolment (existing students) re-registration fees are stated as up to 5% of tuition or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable and deductible from first term fees. For existing students, a re-registration fee of AED 2,000 is charged in the third-term invoice and is then offset against the following academic year's Term 1 invoice. Places are secured only once the deposit has been provided to the school. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices are issued on a term basis (school issues term invoices; the re-registration fee appears on the third-term invoice). Annual tuition is shown above; standard practice for the school is to invoice across the three academic terms. - Payment terms: accepted methods include cash, cheque (payable to Safa British School) and bank transfer to the school's AED account (RAK Bank). Bank account details and the remittance email (accountant@safabritishschool.com) are provided for transfers. Credit-card acceptance is not listed among the standard options. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school for FS1 through Year 13. No boarding fees are listed. Other costs and optional charges (typical ranges shown on KHDA fact sheets) - Uniform: AED 800 to AED 1,500. - Stationery: AED 35 to AED 300. - Laptop / digital device: AED 1,000 to AED 4,000. - School ID card replacement: AED 150. - Transport (optional): AED 2,000 to AED 10,000 depending on route and year group. - Extracurricular activities and clubs (optional): ranges given from roughly AED 100 up to AED 45,000 for the broad set of activities and trips; individual items (competitions, costumes, camps, theatre, photography, school magazine, etc.) have smaller specified ranges. - Medical / school clinic contributions (optional range): AED 500 to AED 2,000. - Local field trips, canteen, special activities and consumables: variable individual charges typically ranging from AED 10 up to a few thousand AED depending on activity. Sibling discount - A sibling discount of 15% is applied from the third child onwards towards tuition fees. Additional employee or other discount schemes may apply as noted in the fact sheets. Refund information (tuition and deposits) - Application fee: refundable only if the school does not offer a place; non-refundable if a place is offered and declined. - Deposits, enrolment or re-registration fees follow the KHDA school-fees framework: deposits or admission/re-registration fees are generally non-refundable if the student chooses not to return or not to take up an offered place, except under specified circumstances (for example, family relocation). When a tuition refund applies, the KHDA framework provides the calculation method (deductions based on attendance duration; the fee-per-month value is calculated by dividing the annual tuition by 10). The school references the KHDA fee framework for its refund policy. Summary of payment channels and bank details - Accepted payment methods: cash, cheque (to ‘Safa British School'), bank transfer to the school's AED account at RAK Bank. The RAK Bank account name, account number, SWIFT and IBAN are provided for fee transfers; remittance notifications are requested to the school's accounts email. Note: all figures above are stated for the academic year September 2025 – August 2026 and are presented as published for that year.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements DIS operates as a day school with no boarding facilities on site. The IB World School listing confirms boarding facilities as DAY, indicating there is no boarding available. There are no full, weekly, or flexi-boarding options offered.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform policy: The DIS uniform and team kit are provided by Threads. Uniforms can be browsed in the Threads catalogue or ordered online at threadsme.com, and a DIS retail shop is located at Burjuman Mall (Shop 1001-1003, Level 2). Made-to-measure options are available.	Uniform requirement Uniforms are purple and white. Foundation Stage and Primary uniforms consist of a purple-and-white striped dress or skirt for girls and a purple-and-white striped shirt for boys, with a navy jumper; older pupils wear plain white shirts with a purple inner collar (and logo) and navy trousers, with a navy jumper as needed. The uniform is supplied by Stitches (Al Quoz, UAE) and the sports kit by Surridge Sport (JLT Cluster X).
Food options	Food options Two on-site cafeterias serve primary and secondary students, offering drinks, snacks and hot meals. Breakfast is available in the secondary cafeteria, or students may bring a packed breakfast; packed breakfasts must be nut-free and adhere to the school's healthy eating policy.	Food options The school promotes a healthy balanced diet and has a nut-free policy. FS1–Year 4 can bring packed lunches or have lunch provided by the canteen delivered as a packed snack and lunch; Year 5 onwards can choose packed lunch or use the online top-up catering service. The canteen operates cashless and meals are prepared on-site with options including hot and vegetarian dishes; menus are updated online and allergies highlighted.
House system	House system The house system comprises four houses. Students earn points for their house through lessons, house competitions and assemblies, contributing to school spirit.	House system There are four houses: Air (Yellow), Water (Blue), Earth (Green), and Fire (Red). The house system supports community, enterprise, sustainability and sports, with house events, a House Cup and student House Captains leading activities. Points are tracked via ClassPoint for wellbeing elements and ClassCharts for learning gears, with rewards across year groups.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership DIS is owned and operated by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation. The DIS Board provides governance and includes educational experts, parent representatives, business representatives and the Director. The Foundation owns and governs Deira International School and Universal American School.	Governance and ownership The Safa British School is governed by a Board of Directors that advises the principal and oversees policy and finances. The board comprises nine members, including a parent representative and the principal, with Proprietors Louay Khatib and Sameer Merchant, the latter listed as owner. The Safa group also includes Safa Community School and The Bridge Learning Center.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Deira International School delivers a British-inspired curriculum built on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, and is a Cambridge IGCSE centre while offering IB pathways (IBDP, IBCP, and IB Courses) for post-16 study. In Primary (Year 1–6), the curriculum is adapted from England's National Curriculum, designed to be cross-curricular and contextually relevant, with Year 1–2, Year 3–4 and Year 5–6 curriculum booklets; core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and Arabic B. In Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), students study at least seven IGCSE/GCSE subjects, including English Language and English Literature, Mathematics (two pathways) and Science (two pathways), plus Core PE, National Studies (Social Studies and Moral Education), Islamic Education or Integrated Studies, and Arabic A or B, with a range of option subjects such as Spanish, French, Drama, Computer Science, Economics, Business Studies and Art/Design, and opportunities for Triple Science. In Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13), students may pursue the IB Diploma Programme, the IB Career-Related Programme or IB Courses; the IBDP comprises six subject groups across Languages, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts, with three core elements (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS) and a maximum of 45 points. The language of instruction is English, with Arabic (First Language and Foreign Language) and French offered; the school is accredited for Cambridge IGCSE and the IB programmes.	Curriculum details Safa British School is an all-through UK national curriculum school serving pupils from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13, with a progression pathway toward GCSEs, BTEC, ASDAN, and A-Level qualifications. In Key Stage 3, the core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, and Arabic, with Islamic Studies two weekly sessions for Muslim students; Humanities include Geography and History, and languages include French and Spanish. In Key Stage 4, GCSE core subjects include English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science (Double Award), Core PE, Core Arabic, Moral, Social & Cultural Studies, and Islamic Education (Muslims only), with Geography, History, and language options available. Other KS4 offerings include Triple Science, Psychology, Art, Design Technology, Food Technology, Drama, Music, Textiles, Business, and IT as part of GCSE/BTEC/ASDAN pathways. The Primary Curriculum is aligned with UK expectations, focusing on progressive skill development across year groups and involving families and the local community.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Deira International School places social and emotional learning (SEL) at the heart of its wellbeing approach. KHDA's 2024 inspection rated Wellbeing as Outstanding, reflecting strong SEL provision and student welfare. The Wellbeing Team and Wellbeing Counsellors provide individual and group counselling, classroom sessions, and support for exam stress and relationships, as well as mindfulness practices. They work with families and teachers to promote resilience, self‑regulation, and positive social skills across the school. Wellbeing data from BounceTogether (and related tools) informs planning and targeted interventions under the KHDA Wellbeing Framework. Staff in the Wellbeing Team include primary and secondary counsellors such as Megha Jootla and Alistair Dale, who deliver services across phases.	Social & emotional learning Safa British School implements a whole‑school Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) approach with wellbeing embedded in daily life, a DiverCity Curriculum that fosters empathy and resilience, and a Wellbeing & Pastoral Care team led by Tarana Khatri (School Counsellor & Head of Wellbeing).
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) DIS delivers inclusive education through an Inclusion Support Team that oversees SEND provision. It is a mainstream school, not a specialist SEN institution, but provides structured supports for Students of Determination. There are three levels of support: Level 1 high‑quality inclusive teaching; Level 2 personal support with curriculum modification; Level 3 individualised programmes with 1:1 Learning Support Assistants. Students with SEND are identified early, with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or pupil passport, and progress is tracked and reviewed with parents. The Inclusion Lead (Assistant Head – Whole School Inclusion) and Primary/Secondary SENDCo oversee the process, supported by the Inclusion Team Learning Support staff; external professionals (e.g., speech and language therapists or educational psychologists) may be engaged when required.	Special educational needs (SEN) The Inclusion Team provides personalised interventions within a fully inclusive framework, with early identification of Students of Determination, curriculum adaptations, collaboration with parents and external specialists, and alignment to the Dubai Inclusion Framework.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction at DIS. Arabic is offered as a First Language and as a Foreign Language, and French is offered as well; Spanish is also available as a language option. EAL support is provided as part of the Inclusion framework for pupils whose first language is not English, rather than a stand‑alone EAL department. The school's Inclusion policies indicate support for pupils whose first language is not English and outline use of external professionals when needed to support language development.	English as an additional language EAL is included in Safa British School's inclusion framework, with learners acquiring English as an Additional Language supported within the school's inclusive approach and data tracked under Through School Percentages for EAL/ELL/SEND.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The Mental Health and Wellbeing policy sets universal and targeted approaches to promote mental health and wellbeing for all students, staff, and families. The policy aims to promote positive mental health, raise awareness of issues, and provide targeted support for those in need, coordinating with safeguarding and welfare practices. The Wellbeing Team provides one‑to‑one or small‑group support, runs workshops for wellbeing and safeguarding, and helps families with related guidance; designated safeguarding leads and a School Doctor support the framework. Data from ePulse and BounceTogether informs planning, monitoring, and intervention at different year groups. The policy aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance and is complemented by a Parent's Guide to Mental Wellbeing.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is central to school life, with regular wellbeing checks using the Komodo platform from Year 3 to Sixth Form (and age‑appropriate methods for FS/KS1), a Wellbeing team including a School Counsellor and Head of Wellbeing, and Wellbeing Ambassadors plus wellbeing‑themed events and guest speakers.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Deira International School operates a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (dated August 12, 2025) that follows UAE law and local safeguarding frameworks. It establishes a Designated Safeguarding Lead pair (and deputies) and requires reporting of concerns to safeguarding leads or statutory authorities as needed. The policy provides quick reference contacts for safeguarding and outlines step‑by‑step procedures for concerns or disclosures, including the use of CPOMS and timelines for action. The Designated Safeguarding Leads (e.g., Emma Hannon, Gaynor Dale) are supported by a safeguarding team and senior leaders to promote a safe school environment. The policy emphasises multi‑agency collaboration and ongoing staff training, with annual reviews and public availability of safeguarding information.	Safeguarding Safa British School places safeguarding at the top of its priorities: all staff receive annual safeguarding and child protection training, there are trained Designated Safeguarding Leads to coordinate safeguarding actions, and a clear reporting system for concerns.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Deira International School has state-of-the-art physical and digital facilities. The campus supports a 1:1 mobile devices program for Years 4 to IB2. A dedicated Sixth Form area includes a common room, a study hall and a kitchen-dining area. The site hosts a 700-seat auditorium, a drama studio, primary and secondary libraries, and fully equipped ICT and music departments, alongside expansive science, design technology, computing and art facilities. Shaded outdoor learning areas and well-equipped playgrounds provide spaces for active, informal learning.	Facilities overview Safa British School operates a purpose-built, all-through campus with FS to KS3 housed in four buildings—Endeavour Building, Discovery Building, Challenger Building and the Global Learning Centre. Safa Senior School is located on a dedicated pre-university campus for Years 10–13. Academic facilities include four libraries, eight art rooms, two STEAM labs, fourteen science labs, a dance studio, three drama rooms, seven music rooms, six design technology rooms, five computer science labs and two food technology rooms. Sports and outdoor facilities include two 25-meter swimming pools, two indoor sports halls, four netball courts, two basketball courts, two 4G rugby pitches, a CrossFit outdoor conditioning zone and a seven-a-side football astroturf field. There is an on-site canteen and a parent and visitor experience hub.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Key sports facilities include two temperature-controlled swimming pools and two air-conditioned sports halls, supported by a multi-purpose hall. Netball and basketball courts, a cricket net, and natural grass rugby and football pitches form the outdoor core. Three astroturf football pitches include a full FIFA-approved pitch. These facilities enable a comprehensive physical education and inter-school sport program.	Sports facilities Two indoor sports halls, four netball courts, and two basketball courts support a wide range of PE and team sports. The campus includes two 25-meter swimming pools, two 4G rugby pitches, a CrossFit outdoor conditioning zone and a seven-a-side football astroturf field to accommodate both training and competition. Outdoor spaces and specialized facilities are complemented by multiple indoor spaces designed for performance and physical education.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Physical and technological facilities are state of the art. Academic facilities include fully equipped ICT and music departments, primary and secondary libraries, and expansive specialist spaces for science, design technology, computing and art. The drama studio and a 700-seat auditorium support arts education. The Sixth Form area includes a common room, a study hall and a kitchen-dining area for Sixth Form students. There are dedicated outdoor and large indoor learning areas for Early Years.	Academic facilities Academic facilities include four libraries, fourteen science labs, two STEAM labs, eight art rooms, three drama rooms, seven music rooms, six design technology rooms, five computer science labs and two food technology rooms. The FS to KS3 campus is housed in four purpose-built buildings (Endeavour, Discovery, Challenger and the Global Learning Centre) providing age-appropriate spaces, while Safa Senior School provides a dedicated pre-university environment with a multipurpose exam hall.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is offered at DIS for Year 10 Bronze and IB1 Silver. The Award framework includes four sections—Service, Physical, Skills and The Adventurous Journey. The Adventurous Journey is conducted locally in the Hatta Mountains, Fujairah or further afield. Students register interest, log activities in an Online Record Book, and receive 1:1 and group support from a trained Award Leader; there is a one-time registration fee.	Extra curricular facilities Star Club provides after-school activities with 60+ ECAs spanning sports, arts and academics. Examples include arts and crafts, puzzles and board games, indoor and outdoor play, storytelling, dress-up, construction, team games, singing and dancing, reading and homework support, and movie days. ECAs are delivered through a structured after-school program to support broader development across age groups.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Deira International School was established in 2005. It is owned and operated by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation as a not-for-profit British curriculum school in Dubai Festival City. The school has grown to more than 2,000 students representing more than 90 nationalities. KHDA inspections and the British Schools Overseas (BSO) have rated DIS Outstanding. In 2025, the school celebrated twenty years since its founding with strong GCSE and IB results.	History Safa British School was founded in 2004 and began operating in September 2004. In 2020 the school moved to a brand new campus in Dubai as part of a major expansion. The school marks twenty years in education in 2025. The governance is provided by a Board of Directors with proprietors including Mr. Louay Khatib and Mr. Sameer Merchant. The Board includes representation from parents and staff, and meetings are held each term.
Community	Community DIS describes itself as a multi-cultural learning community with more than 2,000 students representing around 90 nationalities. International Day events highlight cultural diversity, with 81 nationalities celebrated in 2023 and 88 nationalities in 2024, accompanied by student performances and cultural stalls. The school emphasizes a strong partnership with parents and maintains regular communication through learning platforms. Performing arts productions and sports events are a vibrant part of campus life, including the Jungle Book primary production in 2025.	Community Safa British School uses a four house system (Fire, Air, Earth, Water) to foster belonging and leadership, with staff House Leaders guiding activities and student House Captains leading teams. House events occur across the year linked to the strands of Community, Enterprise, Sustainability and Sports, with the House Cup awarded at the end of the year and Sports Day a highlight. The House system involves primary and secondary pupils and staff in leadership roles and cross year collaboration. The school also celebrates cultural and global events such as International Day and UAE National Day as part of its calendar.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school has a Parent-Teacher Association known as DISPA (Deira International School Parents Association). DISPA organizes events and speaker sessions, including the DISPA Business Breakfast with parent speakers and Zurich sponsorship. DISPA runs family-focused activities such as reading events, including the DIS Dads Reading session. International Day, World Book Day and other culture-focused events involve DISPA as a key contributor. The association provides channels for parent feedback and engagement through regular school communications, and partners with the school on mentoring, career talks, and community programs.	Parent teacher association The Safa British School governance includes a Board of Directors with a mandate to advise and support school leadership; the board represents parents, staff and the local community. The board is composed of nine members including the Principal, with roles spanning strategic oversight and financial stewardship. There is a parent representative on the board; Isabelle Fee is listed as a parent member. Parent engagement is supported through formal channels and programs such as Mingle Monday and a You Said, We Did feedback loop, used to gather parent input and inform school decisions. ISAMS is the official channel for newsletters, calendars and parent communications. The calendar highlights cultural and global events such as International Day and UAE National Day, which involve families as part of Safa's community.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school serves students aged 3 to 18 and provides the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with Cambridge IGCSE offered in Year 11 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or Career-Related Programme (IBCP) in Years 12–13.	Academic & intellectual The school follows the UK national curriculum and operates as an all-through school with Foundation (EYFS), Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form. The school serves students aged 3 to 18. The principal teaching staff are UK trained, highly qualified and experienced.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language The language of instruction is English. Arabic as a First Language, Arabic as a Foreign Language, and French are offered.	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school provides visits, trips, competitions, clubs and other extra-curricular activities to enrich learning.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Wellbeing and inclusion are rated Outstanding by KHDA, and the school holds an Outstanding rating from the British Schools Overseas (BSO). The campus offers 60+ extracurricular activities from sports to arts to academics.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. Arabic is taught as a first or additional language from Year 1 to Year 9. French is introduced in Year 4 and Spanish from Year 8. Arabic is offered as an IGCSE alongside French or Spanish, and in the IB programme students may study French, Spanish or Arabic at various levels.	Language provision The school follows the National Curriculum of England. French and Spanish are taught as languages in Key Stage 3. Arabic (First Language) and Arabic (Second Language) are offered in Key Stage 4. The Inclusion Team provides support for learners acquiring English as an additional language.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Not specified on the provided page.	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations BSO Outstanding; KHDA Outstanding; DIS is a member of British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). The school is managed by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Step 1 – Entry requirements and placement. Foundation Stage places are offered on application, and children attend a short play-based assessment. For Year 1 to Year 10, admission is confirmed after a review of the child's most recent school report. A CAT4 assessment is required from Year 4 to Year 10, while Year 1 to Year 3 use paper-based assessments. External IB Diploma Programme applicants are guided by recommended criteria and all applications are considered. Entry age guidelines apply to each class from Foundation Stage through IB.	Admissions 1. Enquire and book a tour. The Registrar is available to answer admissions inquiries. Enquiries can be made online or by calling 04 388 4300. A school tour can be booked through the admissions area. 2. Enrol Online. Complete the online application form to begin the admissions process. Enrol Online is available for submitting the application. 3. Submit required documents. Provide a copy of the child's passport plus UAE entry visa or residency, copies of Emirates IDs for the child and both parents, two recent passport photos, and copies of the last two school reports for entry to Year 1 and above. A transfer certificate is required for students transferring from another school and, where applicable, documentation of any special educational needs or IEPs. The application fee is AED 500 and is refundable if Safa British School does not offer a place. 4. Assessments and interviews. Assessments basel ine students before entry: FS1–Year 1 use Stay & Play observations; Years 2–6 involve basic mathematics, reading and writing or a computerised assessment; Secondary baselining typically lasts about 90 minutes and may include an interview with the Inclusion and Pastoral Heads. Parents may be invited to discuss their child's needs as part of the process. 5. Offers, deposits and transfers. If offered a place, the school may consider scholarship opportunities; decisions for scholarships are made by the school's governing body and an acceptance must be returned within ten days. A deposit is required to secure a place. For transfer, UAE law requires a transfer certificate from the previous school; original certificates may need to be attested (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UAE Embassy) for overseas transfers. Placement and any transfer requirements are coordinated with the Registrar.
Scholarships	Scholarships Scholarships are offered by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation at Deira International School in three categories: Emirati students (academic excellence) up to 100%; Talent and Sports up to 50%; and IBDP Academic Excellence up to 50%. IBDP scholarships are valid for two years; Emirati scholarships are valid for the duration of enrolment subject to performance and conduct; Sports and Talent scholarships require an annual portfolio and representation where applicable. Scholarship applications for the 2025–2026 academic year have now closed. Emirati scholarships may require a CAT4 test arranged through Admissions.	Scholarships Academic Scholarships are offered with three entry points (Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, and Key Stage 5). Each entry point provides up to five scholarships and can grant up to 50% off the KHDA-advertised fees. Applications are open to internal and external candidates and require submission of recent reports, CAT4/Progress tests, and a scholarship assessment. Conditions include that applicants must also gain a place at Safa British School through the normal admissions route, and offers are subject to the school's governing body decisions. The scholarship process also covers both Academic Excellence and Sporting Excellence, with timelines and terms published in the scholarship section. Applications for Sporting Excellence require evidence of national-level performance where applicable, and the offer must be accepted in writing within ten days.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waitlist. Most Primary Year Groups operate on a waitlist; Foundation Stage has limited availability.	Waitlist —
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