Before we offer a place to a child, we attempt to ensure that the child will be able to access the curriculum. However, we reserve the right to reject an application in the case that the needs of that individual are so great that they cannot be met by our provision. This decision would be made with the very best interests of everyone concerned; with the interests of the child being of paramount importance.
A separate application form is required for each child and must be completed in full. It is essential that all sections of the registration form are completed. A non-refundable payment of AED500 is required to complete the application. Registration fees are accepted in the form of Dirham cheques, made payable to Jebel Ali School or by electronic transfer.
This form must be completed and taken to the school Admissions Office along with the supporting documentation and the AED500 registration fee.
It is a requirement that you inform the school of any social, medical, physical, behavioural or academic circumstance that has, or may have, an effect on your child’s ability to cope independently within the normal classroom situation. Relevant medical or Educational Psychologist’s reports should be forwarded to the school together with your application form.
| 2 x photocopy of your child’s passport |
| 4 x passport photographs |
| 2 x photocopy of your child’s birth certificate |
| Full end of year school report for the last academic year |
| Interim report for the current school year |
| Non–refundable application fee of AED500 (*Payable by cash, cheque or bank transfer) |
| Learning support and medical documentation (if applicable) |
Application forms can be downloaded here.
Further details regarding the application process can be obtained from our registrar registrar@jebelalischool.org
All new children applying to Jebel Ali School will undergo an admissions assessment. This assessment will allow us to understand the general academic level of each child, and allows us to ensure that the child can access the curriculum that is offered. We will also evaluate if there are any areas in which the child will require special support from us and the resources and expertise required to meet these needs.
Children will be called for assessment based on the waiting list priority until all available places have been filled.
Students who are already in the primary phase at Jebel Ali School are not required to undergo an assessment to transition into the secondary phase.
The procedure for applying for overseas students is the same as for those residing in Dubai. The application form should be completed and emailed to registrar@jebelalischool.org
It is understood that all supporting documentation may not be available for overseas applicants; these documents should be submitted to the school as soon as they become available.
Payments of the application fee may be made by electronic transfer.
We are pleased to accept applications at any time throughout the year regardless of where you reside. There are, however, some key dates pertaining to applications for FS1 and Year 7 which parents should be aware of:
| Applications open | On-going basis |
| Assessments begin | Beginning of November of year before child due to start* |
| Places offered | No later than end of February of calendar year in which child is due to start |
* Children who are due to start in September 2018 will be called for assessment starting from November 2017
| Applications open | On-going basis |
| Entrance Assessments | November |
| Places offered | Mid January |
Applications for FS1 and Year 7 and 8 made after the dates stated above will be accepted, however, children may be placed on a waiting list for assessment.
| 1. Children who are eligible for cover by a corporate debenture |
| 2. Children who have siblings already in attendance at Jebel Ali School |
| 3. All other applicants, in date order of application |
At Jebel Ali School we follow the National Curriculum for England and the academic year runs from September to early July; however, children can be admitted during the academic year if a place becomes available subject to KHDA guidelines.
The language of curriculum delivery will be English which will also be taught as per the English Curriculum Programmes of Study at all Key Stages. In order to offer a broad curriculum, further languages will be offered:
Arabic is compulsory for all students in order to ensure compliance with local requirements.
Additional Modern Foreign Languages – currently we teach French in Year 3 and Year 4 and Spanish in Year 5 and Year 6.
Where students have low levels of proficiency in English, Jebel Ali School will, subject the availability of resources, implement support interventions. The learning support department will have a key role in supporting teachers across the school on the needs of EAL learners to ensure all lessons are taught cater for their needs in terms of, e.g. resources, tasks, break down of instructions. Learning support will also provide specialist lessons which are individualised for specific needs.
The timing of an offer will depend on the year group you have applied for and whether the place is to start at the beginning of an academic year or mid-year, as follows:
Foundation One
For children entering Foundation One, an offer of a place will be given by, at the latest, the start of February prior to the September entry (i.e. children starting in September 2018 will be allocated their places at latest by the start of February 2018). If the place has been offered under the ‘sibling’ priority, the older brother or sister must already be attending Jebel Ali School when both the offer of a place is made and when the younger sibling joins in the September.
Year 7 and Year 8
Year 7 and Year 8 external applications may be made at any time. The first assessments for outside applicants will begin by the start of November.
All Year 6 students attending Jebel Ali School will automatically be offered places in Year 7; however, parents must confirm their acceptance of this place within 10 days of place offer being made. This formal offer will be made in mid January; however, information regarding this procedure will be released in early October.
If, during the period between the initial allocations and the start date, any places are not accepted for any reason, then further offers may be made as and when the availability arises.
All other year groups
We request one term’s notice for students leaving Jebel Ali School, therefore the majority of ‘start-of-year’ places are offered during the Summer term (April-June) preceding the start of the academic year. As soon as places become available we will contact the next student on our waiting list and call them for assessment.
During the Academic Year
There are no specific dates during which offers are made during the school year. We request one term’s notice for students leaving Jebel Ali School. As soon as places become available, we will contact the next student on our waiting list for assessment.
Please note, however, that we do not always receive a full term’s notice, therefore, we cannot guarantee the length of the lead time we are able to give to the families that we offer to, or at what point during the year offers will be made.
When offering during the year, we must also follow KHDA regulations and can only offer places that start within the dates listed below:
Transfer within Dubai private schools can be made:
| At any time of the year for children in classes from FS1 to Year 6 |
| Up to 15th December for students from Year 7 to Year 9 |
| Up to 15th November for students in Year 10 or higher |
| Step 1 | A member of our Admissions Team will contact you to confirm that you are interested in a place at Jebel Ali School |
| Step 2 | You will be required to submit (if you have not already done so) a copy of the latest school report |
| Step 3 | The application will then be reviewed by our academic staff and you will be requested to visit Jebel Ali School for your child to attend an assessment. If you are overseas an online assessment can be completed in your current school |
| Step 4 | An offer letter will be emailed to you detailing the next steps and the documentation now required |
| Step 5 | The school place will be complete once all paper work and associated payments have been received |
Please note that all children who attend school in Dubai must be registered with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in accordance with their guidelines and children will not be allowed to start school without the correct documentation.
Further documents required in order complete admission to the school after a place has been offered are:
| Original transfer certificate, completed and fully attested, if applicable, as per UAE Ministry of Education guidelines |
| Most recent and detailed progressive school report, as per UAE Ministry of Education guidelines |
| Completed Medical Declaration form and supporting documents |
| Completed Debenture Application form and associated payment |
| Emirates ID of child and sponsor* |
*You will need to attend the school in person with the child’s Emirates ID and that of the sponsor along with your mobile phone (KHDA will send a verification code to the mobile phone associated with the child’s sponsor in order to complete their electronic registration process).