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Dubai English Speaking School Oud Metha

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees AED 43,084 - 53,320
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 1017
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 15
Introduction

Dubai English Speaking School, Oud Metha is a not-for-profit, co-educational British primary school on Oud Metha Road in Dubai that follows the English National Curriculum and serves children aged 3–11 (FS1–Year 6). English is the language of instruction; the school also complies with UAE requirements for Arabic (Arabic A/Arabic B) and Islamic Education for Muslim students, and teaches Modern Foreign Languages in Key Stage 2 — historically French and, from 2025, Spanish on a half-year rotation for Years 3–6. Early years provision uses Continuous Provision and the school operates an Invent, Explore, Inspire (I.E.I.) approach alongside a Developing Character programme (the 6Cs). Swimming is part of the curriculum. Notable facilities on the Oud Metha campus include a six‑lane 25m outdoor pool plus a shallow foundation pool, two grass football/rugby pitches, indoor sports halls, science laboratories, a STEM room, music and dance studios, library, performance hall and a sustainable garden; a broad extra‑curricular programme is also offered.

Oud Metha Rd, Umm Hurair Second, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Dubai English Speaking School Oud Metha has 1,017 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
DESS Oud Metha is located on Oud Metha Road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Oud Metha Primary campus sits in the vibrant Oud Metha community, providing central access for families across Dubai. The area is served by the Oud Metha Metro on the Green Line, with nearby roads and amenities supporting convenient travel.

Stages
DESS Oud Metha operates as a primary school for ages 3-11. DESS College provides secondary and sixth‑form education for students aged 11-18, located in Academic City.

Type
DESS is part of a not-for-profit group of British-curriculum schools. The group follows a British education model and uses UK standards in its delivery. The schools are co-educational (mixed gender).

Pupil Nationality Mix
114 nationalities are represented at DESS Oud Metha. The most common nationality and the local-to-international ratio are not disclosed publicly.

Additional learning support
DESS provides inclusive education through a dedicated Learning Zone, with tailored one-to-one programmes, booster and focus groups, and in-class support, guided by the Wave Model of support. The school follows the Dubai Inclusion Education Policy Framework and has inclusion policies published for primary education.

Country affiliation
Country affiliation: United Kingdom; the curriculum is British UK-based.

Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation: Not specified. Islamic values are integrated as part of personal and social development within the curriculum.

School day structure
The Oud Metha Primary day typically runs from 7:25 am to 3:30 pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday finishing at 12:00 pm. (Schedule published by the school for Oud Metha Primary; some campus pages show similar timings.)

Bus service
Bus service is provided by Maverick with door-to-door routes from Foundation Stage 1 onward. Stops include areas such as The Springs and Wafi; the bus fleet uses safety features like GPS tracking and seat belts. The DESS Oud Metha Bus Coordinator is Ms Wilding (twilding@dess.sch.ae).
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The DESS Oud Metha uniform is a long-standing requirement for all pupils. Uniforms are supplied through an onsite uniform shop and via a partnership with Trutex, with the Trutex Store located at Cityland Mall and online pre-ordering.

Food Options
The DESS Primary Cafe on site provides healthy, balanced meals using fresh ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

House System
DESS Oud Metha operates a four-house system: Jaguar, Leopard, Lynx and Panther. Every pupil and staff member is assigned to one of the Houses (excluding the PE department). Each House has a Captain and Vice-Captain, and House Points are earned for contributions to school life; there are annual house events to foster competition and camaraderie.

Governance and Ownership
DESS Oud Metha is a not-for-profit school governed by a Board of Trustees. The DESS group began as a single primary school in 1963 and has grown into three British-curriculum schools, with reinvestment in facilities.
Fees

Annual tuition at Dubai English Speaking School Oud Metha ranges from AED 43,084 to AED 53,320 for 2026/27.

DESS Oud Metha — Fee schedule (Academic year 2025–26)

Fee currency: All fees are shown in AED.

Tuition fees by year group (full year and termly breakdown)
- Foundation Stage 1 (FS1): Full academic year fee AED 43,084. Termly payments — Term 1: AED 17,234; Term 2: AED 12,925; Term 3: AED 12,925. Due dates: 1 September 2025, 5 January 2026, 6 April 2026.

- Foundation Stage 2 and Years 1–6: Full academic year fee AED 53,320. Termly payments — Term 1: AED 21,328; Term 2: AED 15,996; Term 3: AED 15,996. Due dates: 1 September 2025, 5 January 2026, 6 April 2026.

Acceptance / application fees
- Acceptance Fee (new students) — DESS Oud Metha (FS1 – Year 6): AED 3,500. This fee is non-refundable and will be deducted from the child's first term fees.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is billed termly with the three term due dates published for the 2025–26 academic year: 1 September 2025 (Term 1), 5 January 2026 (Term 2), and 6 April 2026 (Term 3). Termly amounts are shown above.
- The Acceptance Fee is non-refundable and is credited against the first term tuition invoice. One term's notice must be given by email to admissionsmanager@dess.sch.ae if a student will be leaving the DESS family.
- The published fee schedule does not include charges for external examinations (e.g., GCSE, GCE) or other external examination fees such as music or dance; these charges are invoiced separately.

Sibling discounts
- Discount on tuition for third and subsequent full-fee paying siblings enrolled in DESS Oud Metha, DESS Academic City or DESS College:
- Third child (youngest of three): 5% discount for that child for the year.
- Fourth child: 10% discount for child number 4 and 5% for the 2nd youngest (as explained on the schedule).
- Five or more children: further 10% discount for any child after child number 4 as published.
- Sibling discounts for the whole year are calculated and applied in the Term 2 tuition invoice; Term 1 and Term 3 invoices remain as published.

Boarding
- Boarding is not applicable. DESS Oud Metha operates as a day primary school; no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and fees
- Examination and external assessment fees (e.g., GCSE/GCE, external music/dance exams) are charged separately and will appear as separate invoices.
- Uniforms: an onsite uniform shop operates and uniforms are also supplied in partnership with Trutex (Trutex Store, Cityland Mall) and an online pre-order system. Costs for uniform items are not included in the tuition figures and are charged separately at point of purchase.
- Transport (school bus): a door-to-door bus service is available for Oud Metha pupils; the service is operated with a named provider and coordinated through the school. Transport fees are invoiced separately and are not included in the tuition figures. Specific route and fee details are provided by the school/transport coordinator.
- Trips, optional activities, extra-curricular clubs and other optional services are charged separately and will be invoiced in addition to published tuition where applicable.

Refund information
- The Acceptance Fee for a new student is non-refundable and is deducted from the first term's fees. One term's notice must be provided by email to the admissions team when a pupil will be leaving the DESS family; the published schedule notes this requirement. Other refund or cancellation terms (for example, for tuition already paid mid-term or for additional services) are managed under the school's formal policies and invoicing procedures and separate charges (such as exam fees or transport) are billed and refunded according to their own terms.

Fee payment options and bank details
- Payment methods accepted: credit card payments via the SKIPLY mobile app, bank transfer, or bank cash deposit. Parents register payments using their child's Student ID as shown on invoices.
- Bank account details provided for transfers:
- 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
- When making bank transfers, the school requests a clear reference (child's full name or parent account code) and a receipt sent to remittances@dess.sch.ae.

Notes relevant to billing
- The published tuition schedule excludes external examination charges and other third-party invoices which are charged in addition to the tuition shown. Sibling discounts and promotional discounts for specific campuses (e.g., temporary Academic City discounts published for 2025–27) are applied as described on the fee schedule and appear in the termly invoicing.

(Information above follows the DESS fee schedule and admissions documents published for the 2025–26 academic year.)
Academics

Dubai English Speaking School Oud Metha teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
DESS Oud Metha follows the English National Curriculum for ages 3–11, with FS1–FS2 aligned to the UK EYFS and KS1–KS2 delivering the National Curriculum to prepare pupils for secondary education. The curriculum emphasises holistic development through the Invent, Explore, Inspire (IEI) programme and the '6Cs' of developing character, alongside wellbeing initiatives. DESS College (Academic City) serves ages 11–18 and follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales across KS3 (Year 7–9), KS4 (Year 10–11 GCSEs with a Vocational Pathway from 2026), and KS5 (Year 12–13 AS/A Levels and BTEC qualifications), with GCSE options drawn from a broad suite of courses and examination boards including EdExcel, AQA, OCR and Cambridge International. GCSE structure requires core subjects Maths, English and Science plus three option subjects; from 2026 a Vocational Pathway will be added. KHDA and British Schools Overseas rate DESS Oud Metha as Outstanding (KHDA 2023–2024; BSO 2024), and the Oud Metha campus serves ages 3–11 while Academic City serves ages 11–18.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The House System (Jaguar, Leopard, Lynx and Panther) fosters a sense of belonging and peer support, with House Captains and Vice-Captains coordinating activities and promoting collaboration across year groups. The

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Inclusion Policy describes provision for children with Additional Educational Needs (SEND) and defines four broad SEND categories: cognition and learning, communication and interaction, social, emotional and mental health, and physical/sensory needs. It states that DESS aims to meet the needs of all children through personalised learning, with a graduate approach (Assess–Plan–Do–Review) and Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) managed by an Inclusion Learning Zone (LZ) team led by an Inclusion Champion (SENDCo). The policy confirms that English as an Additional Language (EAL) is not considered a SEND, and that EAL status is assessed to determine if any lack of progress is due to language development. DESS follows the Dubai Inclusion Education Policy Framework and KHDA categories for students of determination, with admission not being refused on the basis of SEND; places are offered based on the school's ability to meet the child's learning needs. The school emphasises inclusivity and transitions, with detailed records, outside agency involvement (educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, CAMHS), and tailored support plans. The school is described as inclusive and not presented as a specialist SEN institution, instead aiming to meet diverse needs within its regular settings.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is not classified as a SEND in DESS's Inclusion Policy, and progress is monitored to determine whether difficulties arise from language proficiency rather than a learning disability. The policy specifies that EAL is considered separately when identifying and supporting learners, with monitoring of performance to establish whether language barriers affect progress. The published materials do not specify any dedicated EAL staffing or formal EAL programmes beyond this framework. The Admissions documentation notes that families may provide outside-language supports (e.g., speech and language therapy reports) as part of the application process, indicating awareness of language needs in intake, but no explicit EAL programme details are described in the policy. In short, the public documentation confirms EAL is not treated as a SEND and that language-related progress is evaluated, but it does not publicly detail EAL-specific programmes.

Mental Wellbeing
DESS 360 Care balances academic and pastoral needs with three areas of focus: staff devoted to a nurturing environment, initiatives to reassure parents about their child's wellbeing, and a school culture that empowers students to flourish with support and risk-taking, including collaboration with external agencies. The KHDA inspection data for Dubai English Speaking School Oud Metha shows an Outstanding Wellbeing rating, reflecting strong student wellbeing provisions. The DESS Oud Metha Medical Team (nurses and a doctor) provides health care during school hours, conducting health assessments, vaccinations coordination, and health records management, contributing to overall student wellbeing. DESSCares, the school's wellbeing initiative, emphasizes kindness, empathy and a safe classroom environment, and explicitly notes that it boosts mental well-being and reduces anxiety. The school's six-pillar strategic plan includes wellbeing as a core area, underscoring its priority in the overall educational approach.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are embedded in the school's governance and culture, with safeguarding highlighted by trustees as a key area of focus alongside inclusion. DESSCares outlines a safe classroom environment and a culture of respect and inclusion to prevent negative behaviours and support mental health. The Inclusion Policy notes collaboration with outside agencies (educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, CAMHS) and secure record-keeping for safeguarding-related information. Dubai's Inclusion Education Policy Framework also informs the school's safeguarding and inclusion practices. The school emphasizes safety in health and safety through operational practices (e.g., medical team, safety procedures) and through leadership aiming to protect students in daily school life.
Parent Experience

History
DESS Oud Metha was founded in 1963 in a villa on Dubai Creek. In 1967 the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, granted a plot in Oud Metha for the school, and DESS was formally registered as a legal entity in June 1969. The Oud Metha site became the school's long-standing home, and the group later expanded to operate three British-curriculum schools, including DESS College (opened in 2005). DESS is a not-for-profit organisation that reinvests earnings into facilities and staff, underpinning a growing family of schools serving pupils from ages 3 to 18. The group celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, with the Oud Metha campus remaining central to its history and a new primary campus at Academic City opening in September 2025.

Community
DESS Oud Metha operates a four-house system (Jaguar, Leopard, Lynx, Panther); every pupil and staff member is assigned to a House, with House Captains and Vice-Captains leading activities and a house points system that rewards effort and collaboration. DESS 360 Care supports both academic and emotional development, with initiatives designed to involve parents and to collaborate with external agencies as needed. The school library serves as a learning hub with more than 14,000 titles, a Student Librarian program, and recognition for the librarian from the Emirates International Festival of Literature. A Maverick bus service provides door-to-door transport with safety features and extensive route coverage across Dubai.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school maintains an active parent involvement framework through organized volunteer and fundraising activities led by the parent community. A long-running highlight is the annual Christmas Fayre, which includes choir performances, a Festive School Disco, Santa's Grotto, camel rides, face painting, and a range of parent-run stalls; all proceeds fund improvements to school facilities. The Friends of DESS (FDESS) and other parent volunteers help organise the Fayre and related activities. DESSCares is a school initiative that mobilises parents and staff to support charitable relief appeals, reflecting a broader culture of community involvement. DESS also emphasises parent engagement through information sessions and regular communications as part of its commitment to involving families in education and wellbeing.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
DESS Oud Metha has extensive facilities to support learning and wellbeing. The campus includes 2x primary football/rugby pitches (real grass), an outdoor 25-meter swimming pool and a Foundation Stage pool. Indoor facilities comprise 2x netball/basketball courts, indoor sports halls, a music studio, a library, a dance studio, a Zen garden, breakout areas and a hall for productions and events. Onsite amenities include a uniform shop, quiet study rooms, science labs, a central playground, a Parent Cafe, a STEM room and a sustainable garden.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities at DESS Oud Metha include two primary football/rugby pitches on real grass. There are two netball/basketball courts and indoor sports halls. An outdoor swimming pool of 25 meters and a Foundation Stage pool (0.8 meters) support swimming education. The facilities enable a range of physical education activities across year groups.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include science labs, a library, a STEM room, a music studio and a dance studio. Quiet study rooms support independent and group work. The Foundation Stage comprises FS1 (ages 3-4) and FS2 (ages 4-5) aligned with the UK EYFS. Key Stage 1 uses the National Curriculum for England for Years 1 and 2, with current and cultural concepts linked to the UN Global Goals. Key Stage 2 covers Years 3-6 (ages 7-11) with a focus on Mathematics, Literacy and Science.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular Activities at DESS Oud Metha include a broad range of all-year-group activities across cross-curricular provision, sports and Performing Arts. The program provides opportunities for local, residential and overseas trips. DESS Cares initiatives promote charity, sustainability and wellbeing through events and fundraising, including partnerships with United World Schools (UWS) and Dubai Cares. Eco-Schools Green Flag Award status and the Urban Farm initiative reflect the school's sustainability focus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The DESS Oud Metha Primary follows the English National Curriculum with a strong emphasis on Mathematics, Literacy, and Science.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction and follows the English National Curriculum. The Foundation Stage is aligned with the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. In the early years, learning is based on Continuous Provision, and in Year 2 there is a blend of Continuous Provision and the Invent, Explore, Inspire (IEI) curriculum. The school develops character through the '6Cs' and aims to deliver a well-rounded, meaningful education.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. DESS operates three campuses: DESS Oud Metha Primary (ages 3-11), DESS Primary Academic City (ages 3-11), and DESS College (ages 11-18). The Oud Metha and Academic City primary campuses follow the English National Curriculum and are English-speaking schools. The campuses are located on Oud Metha Road, Dubai, and in Academic City, Dubai.

2. Application forms are available for Foundation Stage, Year 1 to 6, and Year 7 to 10. For 2025 admissions, Year 7 and Year 6 applications are no longer being accepted due to full capacity and a substantial waiting list. Year 7 2026 applications closed on December 5, 2025. The Admissions Office is located at DESS College, Academic City, Security Gate 2, Parent Services Reception.

3. Supporting documents required: Birth Certificate (in English); Passport Copy; Recent passport-style photograph; Most recent End of Year and Term/Mid-Year reports; A CAT 4 assessment within the last 12 months (if available). CAT 4 results are only required for Primary School applications if available; if not completed within 12 months, local applicants may be required to attend a Taster Session. Emirates Identity Card (if available); UAE Visa (if available); Reports from external agencies (if applicable); If applying from overseas, a reference request may be required from the current school.

4. Book a Tour: Register for a tour to experience the learning environment; a Virtual Tour is also available. The Admissions Office is located at DESS College, Academic City.

5. The Admissions Team will guide you through the process.

Waitlist
Year 7 2025 - we are no longer accepting applications for Year 7 due to full capacity and a substantial waiting list. Year 6 2025 - we are no longer accepting applications for Year 6 due to full capacity and a substantial waiting list. Year 7 2026 - applications closed on December 5, 2025.
School Events
The school has not added events
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