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Dubai British School Emirates Hills

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 53,027 - 79,541
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1190
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 27
Introduction

Dubai British School Emirates Hills (DBSEH) is a Taaleem-operated British international school in The Springs and Meadows area of Emirates Hills, Dubai, serving boys and girls aged 3 to 18. The school follows the National Curriculum for England across Foundation, Primary and Secondary phases and offers GCSE/IGCSE examinations and a Sixth Form with A‑Level and BTEC pathways (DBS is an approved BTEC centre). Instruction is in English with provision for English as an Additional Language; Arabic is taught as part of the curriculum and Modern Foreign Languages include French and Spanish. DBSEH operates on two nearby campuses — a main campus for Years 3–13 and an ‘Islands' campus for Rising 3–Year 2 — and publishes facilities including a secondary library, an on‑site café and a school gym known as the ‘Fit Pit', alongside specialist learning spaces and staff for STEAM, performing arts and inclusion. The school also highlights an emphasis on Positive Education/Positive Psychology within its whole‑school approach.

Emaar Town Centre, Springs 3 Emirates Hills, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Dubai British School Emirates Hills has 1,190 pupils, typical class sizes of 27, instruction in English.

Location
DBSEH is located in The Springs and Meadows area of Dubai's Emirates Hills. The main campus sits at Springs 3, Emirates Hills, and the Islands Campus is on Meadows Drive in Jumeirah Islands. The Islands Campus serves Rising 3 to Year 2, while the Main Campus serves Year 3 to Year 13, providing two distinct learning environments on adjacent sites. The Springs area is a residential community near Springs Town Centre, with the campus situated behind Spinneys.

Stages
DBSEH serves children from Rising 3 (approximately age 3) through Year 13 (age 18). The Islands Campus houses Rising 3 to Year 2, and the Main Campus houses Year 3 to Year 13, reflecting a two-campus model that separates the youngest learners from older students.

Type
The school operates as a co-educational British international school, part of the Taaleem group. It offers a two-campus model for different age groups and follows the English National Curriculum with GCSE, BTEC and A-Level pathways.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The school lists 60+ nationalities among its students, with the largest group historically being British. Independent guides have noted that the British cohort is a substantial share of the student body (and that the school is largely international in makeup). Official materials also show a broad linguistic footprint with 170+ spoken languages represented.

Additional learning support
Inclusion at DBSEH provides high-quality support for a diverse learner group, including students of determination, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, and those requiring additional social or emotional support. Support is implemented within an inclusive framework across the school.

Country affiliation
The school follows the British curriculum, positioning itself as a British international school. This is reflected in its curriculum, inspections and accreditation, including KHDA recognition and British accreditation pathways.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation is non-denominational; DBSEH operates as a secular, inclusive school without a faith-based programme.

School day structure
School days vary by year group: Rising 3s to FS2 run roughly 7:40am to 1:30–1:45pm (Fridays 11:45am). Year 1–Year 6 typically start around 7:20–7:40am and finish around 2:15–2:45pm (Fridays 12:00pm). Years 7–13 start about 7:55am and finish around 3:30pm (Fridays 12:00pm).

Bus service
DBSEH offers a transportation service; details and routes are arranged by the school and coordinated through Admissions. The Inclusion and Support Services pages reference transportation services in the school's provisions, and the school provides contact details for inquiries.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
DBS Emirates Hills requires a compulsory school uniform. The official uniform is available from Magrudy's, with online ordering and in-store purchases at Circle Mall (open daily 08:00–22:00). Foundation 1 to Year 6 wear a striped shirt with navy pinstripe shorts/trousers/skirt (striped dress optional); Years 7–11 wear a pale blue shirt with navy pinstripe trousers or skirt; the PE kit includes a DBS polo, black shorts, and a house-colour transfer. Kukri supplies the approved swimwear.

Food Options
Foundation and Year 1 to Year 3 students bring packed lunches. From Year 4 upwards, students may choose between packed lunches or using the on-site cafe. The canteen promotes a healthy, balanced diet and prohibits nuts, pork, chocolate products, sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks in packed lunches.

House System
A house colours scheme exists, indicated by house-colours iron-on transfers on the PE kit. The site does not publish the specific house names or the details of house competitions.

Governance and Ownership
Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates as a Taaleem school, i.e., it is part of the Taaleem group of schools. Taaleem is a large education provider in the United Arab Emirates.
Fees

Annual tuition at Dubai British School Emirates Hills ranges from AED 53,027 to AED 79,541 for 2026/27.

Application and Registration Fees

- One-time application fee: AED 525 (non-refundable, non-transferable; includes 5% VAT where applicable).
- Registration (new-student) fee: AED 4,000 (payable to secure a place; credited against the first term tuition for new students).

Tuition fees (per term) and annual totals — academic year shown by term breakdown

- Foundation Stage 1 – Foundation Stage 2 (FS1–FS2)
- Term 1: AED 20,591
- Term 2: AED 15,443
- Term 3: AED 15,443
- Annual total: AED 51,477.

- Year 1 – Year 2
- Term 1: AED 20,591
- Term 2: AED 15,443
- Term 3: AED 15,443
- Annual total: AED 51,477.

- Year 3 – Year 6
- Term 1: AED 23,534
- Term 2: AED 17,651
- Term 3: AED 17,651
- Annual total: AED 58,836.

- Year 7 – Year 11
- Term 1: AED 27,949
- Term 2: AED 20,962
- Term 3: AED 20,962
- Annual total: AED 69,872.

- Year 12 – Year 13
- Term 1: AED 30,887
- Term 2: AED 23,165
- Term 3: AED 23,165
- Annual total: AED 77,217.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school operates a three-term billing cycle. Term fees are invoiced by term and parents must pay term fees by the published due dates before the start of each term; the first term fee must be paid before a student starts the academic year. Typical due-date timing follows an early-August deadline for Term 1 and mid/late dates for Terms 2 and 3 in the school year.
- The new-student registration fee (AED 4,000) is deducted from the first term invoice for new students. Post‑dated cheques are commonly used for later-term payments where accepted.
- The school reserves the right to withhold school reports, final results, and transfer documentation until all outstanding fees are settled. Returned/dishonoured cheques are subject to a penalty charge.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable. Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates as a day school; transport services are offered as an optional paid service.

Other costs and optional fees

- Transport: optional school transport is charged separately; typical annual transport ranges are published in optional-fee summaries and commonly fall within the AED 6,000–10,000 range depending on route and service level.
- Extracurricular activities, canteen, photographs, costumes, local and international educational trips, and overnight camps are charged separately where applicable; ranges for these optional services are published as KHDA-style optional-fee ranges (examples: excursions and international trips can range from a few hundred to several thousand AED, depending on the trip).
- KHDA administrative charges (for transfers, certificate requests and other official paperwork) are payable where applicable (examples: AED 120 for certain standard KHDA documents).
- Uniforms and stationery: uniforms are supplied separately through the school's approved supplier(s) and are an additional cost; specific uniform price lists are not published in the fee schedule. Other consumables, such as some specialist equipment or optional course materials, may also be charged separately.

Refund and withdrawal policy

- The registration/re-registration deposit is generally non-refundable except in clearly defined extenuating circumstances (for example verified relocation). Tuition refunds, when permitted, are calculated according to the published refund/withdrawal rules: tuition paid before the academic year may be refundable minus registration/re-registration deposit; partial-term deductions apply for withdrawals during the term (for example, specific deductions measured in months or full-term amounts depending on the date of withdrawal and length of enrolment). These refund calculations follow Ministry/KHDA and school policy.

Fee payment options and banking details (accepted methods and practical notes)

- Accepted methods include bank transfer (IBAN/SWIFT), credit card payments (Visa and MasterCard accepted), cash, and cheque (company cheques preferred for some payments). Credit card payments can be made via the invoice link or by completing the school's credit‑card authorisation form where provided. Post‑dated cheques are commonly lodged for later-term payments where required. Returned/dishonoured cheques incur a penalty (example: AED 500).

Discounts, concessions and adjustments (summary)

- The school applies standard discounts and concessions in line with its policies (examples include sibling discounts, corporate concessions and employee concessions) and will advise eligible families of applicable reductions during the admissions or invoicing process. Optional scholarships and fee concessions are also offered under published school schemes.

Notes on figures and charges

- The figures above are stated in United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED) and are presented as the school's published term-by-term amounts and typical optional-fee ranges for the current academic year. The school issues invoices that list due dates, any VAT/charges where applicable, and the accepted payment methods for each invoice.
Academics

Dubai British School Emirates Hills teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Dubai British School Emirates Hills delivers the English National Curriculum from Rising 3s through Sixth Form, across two campuses: the Islands Campus for Rising 3s to Year 2 and the main campus for Year 3 to 13. Rising 3s follow UK EYFS Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters in a play-based Early Years programme, with seven areas of learning and English as the language of instruction alongside Arabic exposure, plus a Singing for Learning programme. Foundation Stage extends the EYFS approach and explicitly integrates UAE priorities with the National Curriculum of England. The Secondary Stage (Years 7–11) follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with core English, Maths and Science, plus Geography/History, modern languages, and a broad range of Expressive Arts, ICT and Social Sciences; GCSE option blocks for 2024/25 include Business Studies, Geography, History, Arabic, Spanish, Psychology, French, Drama, Art, Music, Media Studies and BTEC, with Triple Science by invitation. Sixth Form offers A-Level and BTEC courses, complemented by Oxford IPQ and university/careers guidance to support higher education placements. The school has KHDA Outstanding status since 2017.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Dubai British School Emirates Hills places social and emotional wellbeing at the center of its educational approach. The school describes itself as fostering a fully inclusive learning community with wellbeing at its heart, guided by positive education. KHDA's 2023-2024 inspection rated the school's Wellbeing as Outstanding, indicating strong provision for student welfare. The Dubai British Schools Group states that DBS Emirates Hills promotes wellbeing through a positive-education ethos and an inclusive culture. Public materials emphasise that student and staff wellbeing are core to the school's ethos.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Dubai British School Emirates Hills supports inclusive education, as reflected by the Inclusion rating in KHDA DSIB 2023-2024. The school operates as a mainstream British curriculum school rather than a specialist SEN institution, and KHDA documentation does not designate it as a dedicated SEN facility. Dubai British School Emirates Hills' materials emphasise an inclusive ethos, but public disclosures do not specify which Special Educational Needs are supported or the exact scope of dedicated SEN staff. EAL provision is acknowledged as part of the inclusion approach, with English-language support available through designated Student Support staff in some public sources. Details on specific SEN categories (e.g., dyslexia, autism spectrum conditions) are not publicly disclosed.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Dubai British School Emirates Hills provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to students who require additional English language assistance. EAL support is delivered by Student Support staff as needed, as part of the school's inclusion approach. External sources note that EAL provision is integrated with the mainstream curriculum to enable students to access lessons. KHDA DSIB inclusion ratings confirm a focus on inclusive education, which includes language support for learners not fluent in English. Public disclosures do not specify a dedicated EAL department beyond these general support arrangements.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is a stated priority at Dubai British School Emirates Hills, aligned with its positive-education ethos and inclusive culture. The school's approach is described as wellbeing-focused and embedded within the school's overall ethos. KHDA's 2023-2024 Wellbeing rating for the school is Outstanding, reflecting strong provision for student welfare across the school. DBS Emirates Hills communicates that wellbeing for students and staff is central to its ethos, including wellbeing-related initiatives and assemblies. These sources collectively support a robust emphasis on student mental wellbeing.

Safeguarding
Dubai British School Emirates Hills is described as safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students in public recruitment materials, with staff safeguarding checks highlighted. Recruitment information indicates that an ICPC or equivalent enhanced police check is a prerequisite for all appointments. KHDA DSIB wellbeing and inclusion indicators imply attention to safeguarding as part of the student support framework, though detailed safeguarding policies are not publicly itemized in the available summaries. The school places safeguarding at the core of its staff vetting and welfare commitments as part of its broader safeguarding culture.
Parent Experience

History
Dubai British School Emirates Hills opened in 2005 as part of the Taaleem Dubai British Schools group. It serves students aged 3 to 18 and sits in the Springs and Meadows area of Emirates Hills. The campus has grown to educate over a thousand students and operates within Taaleem's Dubai British Schools network. The school emphasizes wellbeing and inclusive learning as core aspects of its approach.

Community
Dubai British School Emirates Hills describes its community as warm and inclusive, with wellbeing at the heart of its ethos. Arts and culture are supported through partnerships with the Centre for Musical Arts and Dubai Performing Arts, bringing in in‑school instrumental lessons and visiting performances. The school's parent community is active through the Dubai British School PTA, which runs events such as Car Boot Sale & Family Fun Day and Winter Wonderland, as well as regular coffee mornings. The school participates in sustainability initiatives as a member of The Alliance for Sustainable Schools, led by a student Eco Committee.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Dubai British School Emirates Hills has a Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) that coordinates with school leadership to support students' learning and community life. The PTA organizes events and fundraising activities throughout the year, including Car Boot Sale & Family Fun Day and Winter Wonderland, which involve parental volunteering and community engagement. Notable PTA events include the DBS PTA Car Boot Sale and Family Fun Day. Community gatherings such as coffee mornings provide forums for parent involvement and discussion, and bookings/volunteer sign‑ups are directed to PTA channels (for example, pta@dubaibritishschool.ae). The PTA activities are designed to foster collaboration between families and educators to enhance the learning environment.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates on two modern campuses in Emirates Hills: the main campus for Years 3–13 and the Islands Campus in Meadows Drive for Rising 3 to Year 2. The campuses offer a range of learning spaces including a Fit Pit gym, Secondary and Primary Libraries, a Café, a Foundation Outdoor Learning Play Area, AstroTurf, a Sports Hall, a Swimming Pool, an Auditorium, a Music Room, an Art Room, a Science Lab, a STEAM Garden, and additional teaching spaces. The facilities are designed to support science, arts, and physical education across the Foundation Stage to Sixth Form. The Islands Campus provides spaces tailored to younger learners, while the main campus serves the older year groups.

Sports Facilities
The sports facilities include a multi‑purpose Sports Hall for gymnastics and ball games, an AstroTurf area, and an outdoor, fully shaded, temperature‑controlled swimming pool used for lessons and competitions. The Fit Pit provides a gym space for Secondary and Sixth Form, equipped for PE and BTEC activities and used during Sports Weeks.

Academic Facilities
Academic spaces include a newly refurbished Science Lab, a STEAM Garden for cross‑curricular projects, an Art Room for visual arts, a Music Room for instrument practice, and Primary and Secondary Libraries to support reading and research. A Foyer serves as a central space for gatherings and events. These facilities support the full range of the British curriculum from Foundation Stage through Sixth Form.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Music and performing arts are supported on campus with a Music Room for instrument study and regular performances. Live Music Thursdays in the Foyer showcase student and staff musical talent. The STEAM Garden and Art Room provide creative spaces that complement curricular learning, and the sports facilities support a broad PE and sports programme.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The ECA Programme identifies, develops, and refines students' interests, skills, and talents in sports, the performing and expressive arts, and critical thinking. Primary students select activities via a platform, while secondary students choose for themselves.

Arts & Creative
Specialist music teaching supports instrumental and musicianship, with primary performances and showcases throughout the year. Instrumental skills include voice, tuned percussion, recorder, ukulele and keyboard; performance-based ECAs include Cheerleading, Musical Theatre, Choir, Music and Movement, and Rock Band; the secondary production brings Year 7–13 together for shows such as West Side Story, High School Musical, or Grease.

Social & Hobbies
The ECA Programme includes sports-based and arts-based activities led by PE and specialist staff, with squads formed for competition and performance across the year. Primary students select ECAs via a parental platform, while secondary students choose for themselves.

Community & Service
Community at DBSEH is strengthened by regular events for staff, parents, and students, including the Festival of Light, International Day, and an annual iftar. The PTA organizes fundraising and community activities such as Pinktober, the annual Car-Boot Sale, Secret Santa, and the Spring Fair.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered to secondary students to develop leadership, resilience, and teamwork through skill-building and expeditions. The ECA Programme also provides leadership opportunities through sport and performing arts groups.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport at DBSEH is exciting, fun and engaging, promoting physical and mental wellbeing with inclusive competition across year groups. The school also runs international trips, including a Ski Trip from Year 5 and overseas visits for secondary students.
Languages

Language Provision
The language of instruction is English, with additional exposure to Arabic. The school aims to encourage children to enjoy and appreciate a variety of languages from an early age.
Admissions

Admissions
Applications are accepted for year groups that are open or have a waiting pool, and offers depend on vacancies. Upload documents: two recent school reports, the child's passport and Emirates ID, copies of both parents' passports and Emirates IDs, birth certificate, a photo, and pay a 525 AED application fee. For overseas families, residency visas are not required at application but must be submitted by the KHDA deadline; a Transfer Certificate is required for transfer. All children are assessed prior to entry; if offered, there is a 10 working days to accept and pay a non-refundable deposit; waitlisted applicants may be contacted if a place becomes available.

Waitlist
Waiting Pool is an unranked group of students assessed and ready to be offered a place when a seat becomes available; places are offered to siblings and staff first per admissions policy. Waiting List definitions: Closed means waiting lists are kept open until the cap is reached; Open means we are accepting applications into the waiting list; Open, Waitlist Only means all year group places have been offered and spaces may still become available, with applicants invited for assessment if spaces arise.
School Events
The school has not added events
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