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Dubai English Speaking School Academic City

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 55,250 - 63,750
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 4000
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 13
Introduction

Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) — Academic City is a DESS primary school in Academic City, Dubai, offering the English National Curriculum (British curriculum) for children aged 3–11. The school operates Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2), Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) and aligns its early years provision with the UK EYFS. English is the medium of the taught curriculum, and the programme includes UAE-mandated Arabic and Islamic provision (Arabic A/Arabic B placements follow KHDA/MOE guidance); Modern Foreign Languages such as French and Spanish are also offered. Specialist lessons and activities include swimming, physical education, music, dance, computing and library time, and the school promotes outdoor learning, a Continuous Provision approach in the Foundation Stage and an Invent, Explore, Inspire (I.E.I.) model to integrate problem-solving and creative projects. The school describes new, purpose-built facilities intended to support sports, arts and academic learning, and runs community and wellbeing initiatives as part of its curriculum offer.

Al Rowaiyah Second, Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Dubai English Speaking School Academic City has 4,000 pupils, typical class sizes of 13, instruction in English.

Location
Dubai English Speaking School Academic City is located in Academic City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It sits in the Dubai education hub opposite DESS College, as part of the DESS family that also includes DESS Oud Metha. The Academic City campus is listed as Academic City, Dubai, UAE, with the Academic City contact number 00971 (0)4 614 6999.

Stages
Foundation Stage (FS1 ages 3-4 and FS2 ages 4-5). Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2). Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6).

Type
Private, not-for-profit, co-educational day school following the English National Curriculum.

Pupil Nationality Mix
There are 114 nationalities represented at the school. The most common nationality and the local-to-international student ratio are not disclosed.

Additional learning support
The school emphasises inclusion and wellbeing, with an inclusive ethos and wellbeing support; explicit SEN provisions are not detailed on the Academic City pages.

Country affiliation
Country affiliation: None; it follows the English National Curriculum.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: None stated.

School day structure
Start and end times are not published on the DESS Academic City page; exact timings are available from the Admissions Team.

Bus service
Bus service: Not advertised on the school pages; for transport options, contact the Admissions Team at +971 4 360 4866 or admissions@dess.sch.ae.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The Uniform is long-standing and unites the school community, setting the tone for a focused school day. Uniforms are supplied via Trutex, with the Trutex Store at Cityland Mall and an online pre-ordering system for parents.

House System
The school has a House System. Students are assigned to Houses and participate in activities that contribute to a House points tally; House Leaders organise events and celebrate achievements across year groups.

Governance and Ownership
DESS is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a locally based Board of Trustees. The group comprises Oud Metha, Academic City, and DESS College, with reinvestment of surplus funds to maintain high-quality education.
Fees

Annual tuition at Dubai English Speaking School Academic City ranges from AED 55,250 to AED 63,750 for 2026/27.

Overview

Below are the fees and payment terms for Dubai English Speaking School — Academic City (covering the Primary campus at Academic City and the associated DESS College secondary fees shown for Academic City). All amounts are shown in AED and include the term-by-term breakdown and due dates provided by the school.

Application / Acceptance fee

- An Acceptance Fee is payable when you accept an offered place. This fee is non‑refundable and will be deducted from the child's first term fees.
- Acceptance Fee amounts by new-starter category:
- DESS Academic City (FS1 – Year 6): AED 4,000.
- DESS College Year 7 – Year 10: AED 5,000.
- DESS College Year 12 (Sixth Form): AED 7,500.

Tuition fees (full year and termly breakdown)

- DESS Academic City — Foundation Stage 1 (FS1):
- Full academic year: AED 55,250 (this figure is shown including a 15% discount for the current discounted period).
- Termly: Term 1 AED 22,100; Term 2 AED 16,575; Term 3 AED 16,575.

- DESS Academic City — Foundation Stage 2 & Years 1–6:
- Full academic year: AED 63,750 (this figure is shown including a 15% discount for the current discounted period).
- Termly: Term 1 AED 25,500; Term 2 AED 19,125; Term 3 AED 19,125.

- DESS College — Years 7–11 (secondary provision associated with Academic City):
- Full academic year: AED 84,326.
- Termly: Term 1 AED 33,730; Term 2 AED 25,298; Term 3 AED 25,298.

- DESS College — Sixth Form:
- Full academic year: AED 90,633.
- Termly: Term 1 AED 36,253; Term 2 AED 27,190; Term 3 AED 27,190.

- Note regarding the temporary discount shown for Academic City primary fees: the schedule shows a 15% discount for the current discounted period and states the Academic City primary fees will revert to higher full-fee levels in future years (explicit future full-fee figures are shown alongside the schedule).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Term due dates shown in the fee schedule:
- Term 1 due date: 1 September 2025.
- Term 2 due date: 5 January 2026.
- Term 3 due date: 6 April 2026.
- The Acceptance Fee is non‑refundable and will be offset against the child's first term invoice. One term's notice in writing (by email to admissionsmanager@dess.sch.ae) is required if your child will be leaving the DESS family.
- Examination and external assessment charges (GCSE, GCE, music, dance and other external exams) are not included in the tuition fees and will be invoiced separately. Information on examination fees is available from the Examinations Officer.

Sibling discount

- A sibling discount is available for the third and subsequent full-fee-paying siblings in the same family across DESS campuses. The schedule of discounts is shown (for example: 5% for the third child; escalating discounts for additional children). The sibling discount for the whole year is calculated and applied in the Term 2 tuition invoice; Term 1 and Term 3 invoices are issued as published.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not listed in the fee schedule. No boarding fees are shown for DESS Academic City or DESS College in the published fee structure. If boarding were provided it would appear separately in the schedule; none is shown.

Other costs and compulsory purchases

- Examination fees (GCSE/GCE and other external exams) are charged separately and will appear as separate invoices.
- Uniform: a school uniform is required and uniform items are supplied through the school's approved suppliers (Trutex / Zaks for Academic City). The fee schedule does not list uniform pricing; uniform items are purchased separately from the approved supplier.
- Additional optional or extra-curricular costs (e.g., trips, clubs, external music/dance exams) are invoiced separately and are not included in the tuition figures shown.

Refund and notice information

- The Acceptance Fee is non‑refundable. It will be deducted from the child's first term invoice. One term's notice (by email to admissionsmanager@dess.sch.ae) is required if a child will be leaving the DESS family; failure to provide the required notice will affect fee liabilities as set out in the school's billing terms.

Fee payment options and banking details

- Accepted payment methods include credit card payments via the SKIPLY mobile app and bank transfer or bank cash deposit. Instructions require that you reference the child's full name or parent account code shown on the invoice and, where possible, the reason for payment.
- Bank transfer details shown (use the exact invoice reference on any transfer and email evidence of the transfer to remittances@dess.sch.ae):
- Account name: Dubai English Speaking Special Branch College.
- Account number: 101-49485189-01. IBAN: AE50 0260 0010 1494 8518 901. Bank: Emirates NBD. Swift: EBILAEAD.

Summary of key points

- Tuition for Academic City primary (FS1, FS2–Year 6) is shown with full-year and term-by-term amounts and includes a temporary discount for the period published; DESS College secondary and sixth form fees are shown separately with term breakdowns. Acceptance fees are payable on acceptance, non‑refundable, and are deducted from the first term invoice. Term payment due dates are listed as specific calendar dates. Examination, uniform, and other optional items are charged separately. Payment may be made by SKIPLY (credit card) or bank transfer/cash deposit to the account specified.
Academics

Dubai English Speaking School Academic City teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
DESS Academic City follows the English National Curriculum with a focus on Mathematics, Literacy, and Science. The Foundation Stage (FS1–FS2) is aligned with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) uses the National Curriculum for England, with learning enriched by UN Global Goals. Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6) continues with the National Curriculum for England and introduces Invent, Explore, Inspire (IEI) experiences from Year 2. The learning journey is designed to be engaging, relevant and challenging, with outdoor learning, problem solving and creative thinking developing confident, compassionate and creative thinkers.

Higher Education Progression
Students complete Year 6 at DESS Primary Academic City and progress to DESS College for secondary and sixth form. DESS College offers secondary and sixth-form education for students aged 11-18 at its Academic City campus. The primary schools are designed to feed into DESS College at the end of Year 6 to ensure a seamless progression within the DESS community.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school follows the English National Curriculum with a clear emphasis on developing mathematical, literacy, and scientific understanding through engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity and resilience.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The curriculum is designed to be inclusive across key stages, with support for a range of learner needs within a single-campus environment.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Not specified on this page.

Mental Wellbeing
The wellbeing framework is integrated into the curriculum, with activities and approaches described to develop emotional and social skills as part of the learning journey.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection policies are in place as part of the school's governance and safeguarding practices.
Parent Experience

History
Dubai English Speaking Schools originated from a small Primary School founded in 1963. It is a not-for-profit organisation that has grown into three British-curriculum schools serving children aged 3 to 18. DESS Oud Metha was established in 1963 and is the oldest British school in Dubai. DESS College was founded in 2005, and DESS Academic City opened in September 2025 as the third Dubai English Speaking Schools campus.

Community
The House System unites students of all ages to work together and participate in school-wide events, with house leaders organizing activities and tracking points. DESS 360 Care balances academic achievement with pastoral support and involves parents, with external agencies providing guidance. Inclusion sits at the core of the approach, with the Learning Zone delivering tailored support and curriculum modifications to ensure accessibility. The library is a hub of learning and creativity, offering space for reading, research, and collaborative activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Our new school facilities are integral to the learning experience. The investment brings state-of-the-art equipment and thoughtfully designed spaces that inspire participation and achievement.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school offers a range of all-year-group extracurricular activities that encourage students to step away from classroom commitments and develop resilience, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows the English National Curriculum, with emphasis on Mathematics, Literacy, and Science. The Foundation Stage includes FS1 (ages 3-4) and FS2 (ages 4-5) in a play-based environment aligned with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2) follows the National Curriculum for England and integrates UN Global Goals to enrich learning. Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6, ages 7-11) guides students through a syllabus and activities designed to prepare for secondary school and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Arts & Creative
The leadership recognises talents in sports, music, and arts as integral to the education offering. The school supports student development in creative and artistic pursuits as part of a broad, well-rounded program.

Social & Hobbies
A broad range of all-year-group extracurricular activities encourages students to engage beyond the classroom, fostering resilience, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.

Community & Service
DESS Academic City runs community and charitable initiatives under DESS Cares, including charity and community activities, sustainability programs, and wellbeing initiatives. Charity and Community efforts raise awareness and support for local and international causes. Sustainability initiatives involve Environmental Leaders and groups such as Earth Club, in partnership with Eco-Schools UAE. Wellbeing initiatives focus on social, emotional, and physical wellness for students and staff.

Leadership & Professional
The Senior Leadership Team oversees curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school culture, supporting continuous improvement. The Headteacher is Neil Brinicombe.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing is prioritised across the school, with a Wellbeing Team providing social, emotional, and wellness education. The school emphasises health and aims to support the personal, social, moral, and emotional development of students, staff, and families.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction and follows the English National Curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit an online application using the appropriate form: Foundation Stage Application Form, Year 1 to 6 Application Form, Year 7 to 10 Application Form, or Sixth Form Application Form. Year 7 2025 is no longer accepting applications due to full capacity and a substantial waiting list; Year 6 2025 is likewise closed for the same reason; Year 7 2026 applications closed on Friday 5 December 2025. The DESS Admissions Office is located at DESS College, Academic City, Security Gate 2, Parent Services Reception.

Waitlist
2. Prepare soft copies of required documents for each child in PDF format: Birth Certificate (in English); Passport Copy; Recent Passport Style Photograph; Most recent End of Year Academic Report; Most recent Term/Mid-Year Academic Report; A CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months (if available). CAT 4 results are only required for Primary School applications, if available. If your child has not completed a CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months, they may be required to attend a Taster Session (for local applicants). Emirates Identity Card (if available); UAE Visa (if available); Reports from outside agencies (Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychologist, etc., if applicable); If you are applying from overseas, a reference request may be required from a member of staff from your current school.
School Events
The school has not added events
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