Tru Blu
Posts 1599

UKmum
Posts 135

Star in Umm al shief is full but how about trying Star Mirdiff? I've heard it is easier to get in there. Also the new American Collegiate school in Umm Sequim and Braedeten prep or whatever it is called I believe also has spaces. Good luck

australiajudy
Posts 292

I agree - we knew that we would have some hope with a January start as it was mid-year. but we just had to wait until a spot came out.

You might find that the first week of school sees some places come available. A friend at the same school as us had to get kids into Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6 and sweated it to the last minute. They eventually got all 3 in by the end of the second week of term!

Cornish Pixie
Posts 5499

australiajudy
Posts 292

fmcoutts at gmail dot com

Fiona is an education consultant. She will work with you to find a place in a school that will work for your child.

You pay her a fixed amount and then she does her work and helps you find a school. She will be realistic with you about the prospects of different schools, but essentially she has a network of contacts that you or I just don't have.

We were in a pickle as all the schools just said 'full'. we ended up at a school on the 'Outstanding' list if that helps.

ASHT
Posts 151

We are going to drive to Dubai today (we are in Abu Dhabi currently) and just turn up at schools and ask them in person. Perhaps seeing us face to face may help our quest!

Safa seems to be our best bet. But will also try Regent, GEMS & Mirdiff. Our company will pay for school fees but they are capped.

australiajudy who is Fiona Coutts? do you have her contact details please. Thanks.

I appreciate all your advice ladies, thank you. I'll let you know how i get on! We want to get a school before we look at where to live.

Sam

Zannie
Posts 5052

My DD has just got a place at Safa School too. They are expanding, but places are going quickly.

Star closed their Year 1 list last year and have already closed their waiting list for 2013-2014. They have a one day enrolment day, which was the 8th May. The best bet with most schools, it to call around them early September as movement in waiting lists will change.

Schools like JESS, Jebel Ali will be very oversubscribed and almost nil chance of getting a place for this year I'm afraid. My DD has been on waiting list for JAPS for two years, still no chance.

A lot depends on your budget. Is your employer paying school fees? Ours doesn't, so although some schools said they had places, their fees we far higher than most. Raffles maybe an option, also Greenfield the Green Community. Regent School in the Greens maybe a good one to try too.

ladyloo
Posts 109

Also try Wellington at Silicon Oasis

klflopster
Posts 365

Royal Dubai School in Mirdif ?

etait81
Posts 25

GWPS is expanding - it's worth a try.

australiajudy
Posts 292

I would contact Fiona Coutts ASAP!
She is fantastic and helped us find a school for our YEar 1 when we arrived in January earlier this year. I think I would have had a nervous breakdown without her.

kittycat71
Posts 1772

We were also looking for Year 1 places and have luckily found a place at Safa. But in the rounds of school tours, the following said they are full for this September: Horizon, Star International in Um al Sheif, Emirates International in Um Sequiem, English College.
Have you looked at the school page on this site? In the top paragraph in red print is Dubai schools list & fees which has a pretty good list of the schools but not all of them. A few friends have their kids at Raffles South campus and are happy with the school. Their web site says they are open for admissions. Repton could also have places since its so expensive. Try schools in Mirdiff, Silicon Oasis and Green Community. It never hurts to call all of them, you never know if a place will pop up since a lot of people register at 5 different schools and also people leave permanently after summer. Good luck, it's very stressful!

boumboum
Posts 55

I have been told to register at least 1 year in advance for FS1. If you don't have a place in a school you like you might apply directly for FS2 and keep your child in the nursery for 1 more year. I heard lot of people do that.

dramaqn
Posts 1273

ASHT
Posts 151

thank you so much, I hadn't heard of this school so will definitely take a look.

Redlesley
Posts 7173

Safa is relocating to a larger building so capacity will grow from 300 students at the moment to about 1000. They're growing slowly so not sure if there will be spaces but worth having a look.

twilight
Posts 618

Have you tried Safa, I think theyre opening a new school. Sue62 will know.

ASHT
Posts 151

I hope someone can help.

We are soon to be moving to Dubai and looking for school spaces for our two sons, Year 1 and Year 2 for this September 2012 and nowhere seems to be accepting applications for Year 1, even for the waiting list.

Does anyone know of any school with spaces for Year 1 AND Year 2? I would appreciate any help and advice. We preferably would like a British curriculum school.

We have called a few schools and they all say no, but would it make a difference if we went in person to the school. Maybe seeing us face to face they might have a change of heart??

Thank you in advance.
Sam