Dubai schools vs UK - experience needed | ExpatWoman.com
 

Dubai schools vs UK - experience needed

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 September 2011 - 23:45

Hi All

It's been a few months since I've been here as I've had a traumatic year and been back in the UK for 3 months. Only been back here a week but not loving it so far which may just be circumstance. However, I am yearning to go back to UK. I have 3 kids all in school here and who have only ever been in school here - we have been here 8 years.

DH is recognising my yearnings and we have been discussing stuff and tonights chat was if we left when the eldest child reached 16 (far too long for me) would we be depriving the younger 2 of the good education #1 had received?? PersonallyI am thinking not but having no experience of UK schools I can't say for sure.

We are very lucky in that all the children are performing and acheiving well above expectations, but in my mind, although the school and cetainly some of the teachers will have had some input - surely the ability is within the children and as long as they are in a secure and safe school with the right values they will continue to do well. Am I being naieve (sp?).

It probably sounds like a stupid enquiry but at the moment for me it's important to know the reasons why we are here- and I'm not sure school is one of them.

Thanks all.

35
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 October 2011 - 15:04
I have had the experience of sending two children to the uk to boarding schools and having two now at secondary schools.I have tried both. There is, in my opinion, no comparison. Whatever school you choose and however much you pay - unless you have particular reasons (specialists schooling, school disruptions etc) - nobody will ever care as much for your individual child as you will as a conscientious parent. As for secondary schooling here my eldest is now in year 13 having done every year here in Dubai and I have very very few negative comments about their schooling. As for being behind ? I doubt it. They are looking at the possibility of an oxbridge education and they went to a non selective school that just had great, caring teachers and in Dubai there is an environment that encourages trying.Not sure that many teen peers have that still in the UK.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 23:08
My DS is is Year 10 at DESC and we arrived when he was in Year 6 at DESS. We have been absolutely delighted with both DESS & DESC and his progress since we arrived over 4 years ago from the UK. I do chat and compare with friends back in the UK and have to say that DS seems to be at a similar if not higher level than his peers in the UK at what would have been his school had we stayed in the UK. He is lucky that he is bright but still works hard and gets all the encouragement and praise that he needs at DESC. They are entering the top group Maths students for early GCSE exam in March 2013 so they do seem to be well on top of things here in Dubai and we are very happy. We all have to take our own experiences and make a decision dependent on our children and just hope we make the right choice for them!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2011 - 23:13
Thank you all again for a wealth of information and experiences! We will be here for a few more years but just needed to check how my younger ones will fair if (and when) we are off. Have today realised my most important priority is secondry school for the eldest. I certainly won't be sending him back to the UK without me coz he's far too young so I'll be on here looking for opinions on schools here I'm sure! We have DESC on our doorstep but I'll be out checking everywhere else just so we can all be sure about his next move. Yes I do wish it was all back in the UK - but that is homesickness as someone mentioned - and life, cars and DEWA bills make it a few years in the future. In the meantime, I will make the best decisions I can for my children - and take all the advice I can get!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 20:44
I see some people commenting time and time again on this forum who are very negative towards dubai and are not really helping people here, who are perhaps homesick or needing general information. If you have left dubai and are happy where you are and everything is so great then I am unsure as to why you feel the need to come on expat woman time and time again saying how bad things are in Dubai!! It is frankly just annoying! Sorry if my different opinion annoys you but hey ho that’s life. As for using the forum, most of the old EWs have left Dubai but still regularly use the forum, it is after all a public forum and there is no rule saying that women outside the UAE can’t use EW. I personally use the forum to keep up to date with what’s going on there as we still have two businesses in Dubai and EW is a good way to keep up to date while we are not there, is that ok or have you got a problem with that too?
374
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 23:43
Thanks Tally-Ho how would I get a look at these entrance exams? I am basing their progress on SAT results and having 3 going through the system I can guage how the ones compare to the elder. QF2011 - I meant the younger ones being denied a good education if they didn't spend so long being schooled here (as my DH thinks would be the case) Equally after the last 3 months in the UK they all seemed to gained gained alot culturally, they now know all about rioting and looting! it has to be said I have no desire to return to the heart of London. Go to Scotland or the country, nowt like it.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 23:13
http://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/_Admissions/2008_11plus_EntranceExamExamplePaper.pdf http://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/_Admissions/2009_11plus_EntranceExamExamplePaper.pdf http://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/_Admissions/11__English_practice_paper.pdf http://www.mtsn.org.uk/fileadmin/content/_Admissions/11__English_Entrance_Exam_10.pdf http://www.habsboys.org.uk/info/examinations/11plus/11plus.php The above papers are for year 6 (children aged 10-11) http://www.habsboys.org.uk/prep/admissions/admissions7+.php This paper is for a child aged 6 I hope this helps. If you want other tests just type in entrance exam papers to google.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 22:47
Thanks Tally-Ho how would I get a look at these entrance exams? I am basing their progress on SAT results and having 3 going through the system I can guage how the ones compare to the elder. QF2011 - I meant the younger ones being denied a good education if they didn't spend so long being schooled here (as my DH thinks would be the case) Equally after the last 3 months in the UK they all seemed to gained gained alot culturally, they now know all about rioting and looting! it has to be said I have no desire to return to the heart of London.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 14:22
Loads of 'us' pulled our kids out and returned to UK private schools, shocking that we had to....but so pleased we did.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 11:59
Thank you girls - you've all given me food for thought and I've had the conversation with my pals here too. My lo's are at DESS and I am wayy happy with them and the results - but equally am thinking my kids have had a lot of input in the results. big boy will go to secondry school next year, but I don't think from what I've read, that if he DOES finish secondry and the other 2 don't that they will have been denied anything. DH has gone to bed tonight on the note that he knows where I want to be!! and I am just still gathering the evidence! I will do the absolute best I can for them(the boys) - but am now thinking I can pull back on the sacrifice! I’ve heard so many people say that their child is doing well academically in Dubai yet when they move back to the UK they are not doing as well as the children in the UK. I would suggest looking at the year 7 entrance exams for UK schools (the entrance test are taken between November and January when a child is in year 6) I did this for my children before I moved back it was a real eye opener to say the least.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 09:53
Thank you girls - you've all given me food for thought and I've had the conversation with my pals here too. My lo's are at DESS and I am wayy happy with them and the results - but equally am thinking my kids have had a lot of input in the results. big boy will go to secondry school next year, but I don't think from what I've read, that if he DOES finish secondry and the other 2 don't that they will have been denied anything. DH has gone to bed tonight on the note that he knows where I want to be!! and I am just still gathering the evidence! I will do the absolute best I can for them(the boys) - but am now thinking I can pull back on the sacrifice! They will be denied their own culture and being able to experience a bit of home in their childhoods.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 07:53
I was actually thinking about this today and I DO know one person with child in boarding school - that person is actually in school management here! ;) Lol! Not much confidence in the secondary education system here I guess.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 23:41
Thank you girls - you've all given me food for thought and I've had the conversation with my pals here too. My lo's are at DESS and I am wayy happy with them and the results - but equally am thinking my kids have had a lot of input in the results. big boy will go to secondry school next year, but I don't think from what I've read, that if he DOES finish secondry and the other 2 don't that they will have been denied anything. DH has gone to bed tonight on the note that he knows where I want to be!! and I am just still gathering the evidence! I will do the absolute best I can for them(the boys) - but am now thinking I can pull back on the sacrifice!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 16:28
Yes, that all makes sense. So it's not about them finishing school a year early and entering University at 17? I wouldn't have thought that would be of any benefit to an individual child given the differences in maturity in late teenagers. Thanks for explaining.
648
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 14:22
My DD is starting some of her GCSEs early (she has just started year 9) in the UK. There are a lot of private schools in the UK that “fast track” their students, Merchant Taylors, Haberdasher Asks and North London Girls all do. Can I why this would be done please tally-ho? Is there a practical reason for it and can you see any disadvantages? I am geniunely curious.... I think it’s a great idea if she can get three exams out of the way early on, enabling her to focus on a wider range of GCSE subjects in year 10. The school is not pushy it just wants the girls to get the very best out of what they offer and have the opportunity to gain as many qualifications as possible. In my experience (of private schools in the UK) the children (in the top sets) are working at least a year ahead of the BC in maths, English, languages and sciences so the knowledge base is already there. Taking GCSEs early will benefit her and make her realise the pressure she will face in year 11 and for A levels. I hope LOL <em>edited by tally-ho on 08/09/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 14:08
Some GCSE's are started here in year 9 but the majority in year 10 with A levels completed at end year 13 so that is really on target rather than a year ahead. Yes some are fast tracked to finish end of year 12 but that I think is exceptional.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 13:22
My DD is starting some of her GCSEs early (she has just started year 9) in the UK. There are a lot of private schools in the UK that “fast track” their students, Merchant Taylors, Haberdasher Asks and North London Girls all do. Can I why this would be done please tally-ho? Is there a practical reason for it and can you see any disadvantages? I am geniunely curious....
648
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 12:04
If schools either Dubai or Uk were a year ahead of the curriculum the kids would finish a year early and go to university at a younger age. I have only known that happen here in one or two exceptional cases and I don't think it is common in UK either. Is it not just that they are saying that their results eg SATS are higher than the UK average. (just from looking at the various graphs on the JAPS webpage), though I think SATS are actually on their way out now. My DD is starting some of her GCSEs early (she has just started year 9) in the UK. There are a lot of private schools in the UK that “fast track” their students, Merchant Taylors, Haberdasher Asks and North London Girls all do.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 11:08
If schools either Dubai or Uk were a year ahead of the curriculum the kids would finish a year early and go to university at a younger age. I have only known that happen here in one or two exceptional cases and I don't think it is common in UK either. Is it not just that they are saying that their results eg SATS are higher than the UK average. (just from looking at the various graphs on the JAPS webpage), though I think SATS are actually on their way out now.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 21:13
One thing I struggle to get my head around is the fact that many British curriculum schools here pride themselves on being 1 year ahead of schools in the UK, and yet when people return there they claim that their kids are behind. How is that possible?? err, they lie?
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 21:03
I guess it depends what school they return to in the UK. It definitely isn't that way in our experience. Eta... You posted before I'd finished TH.... But in our experience completely agree with you. <em>edited by emlsnre on 07/09/2011</em>
648
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 20:59
One thing I struggle to get my head around is the fact that many British curriculum schools here pride themselves on being 1 year ahead of schools in the UK, and yet when people return there they claim that their kids are behind. How is that possible?? My DD did year 7 in Dubai and year 7 again in the UK as she had been moved up a year in Dubai when we first moved there. I can categorically confirm that the standards in her UK school were way above her Dubai school. Dubai schools ARE NOT a year ahead of the UK.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 20:50
One thing I struggle to get my head around is the fact that many British curriculum schools here pride themselves on being 1 year ahead of schools in the UK, and yet when people return there they claim that their kids are behind. How is that possible??
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 20:14
My children were educated in Dubai, they both did extremely well and are now at Uni. The better secondary schools here have waiting lists so they must be doing something right. Its just a case of quality of school/teachers whether in the UK or here Why must they be doing something right? Could it not be that theses schools are ' the best of a bad lot'? Sorry but a waiting list does not in anyway indicated how good a school is, more likely to be demand, outnumbering available places, especially when you consider how many locals are now placing their children in expat schools. Ditto...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 16:56
My children were educated in Dubai, they both did extremely well and are now at Uni. The better secondary schools here have waiting lists so they must be doing something right. Its just a case of quality of school/teachers whether in the UK or here Why must they be doing something right? Could it not be that theses schools are ' the best of a bad lot'? Sorry but a waiting list does not in anyway indicated how good a school is, more likely to be demand, outnumbering available places, especially when you consider how many locals are now placing their children in expat schools.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 08:55
My children were educated in Dubai, they both did extremely well and are now at Uni. The better secondary schools here have waiting lists so they must be doing something right. Its just a case of quality of school/teachers whether in the UK or here
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 06 September 2011 - 08:00
Ah, the "most" and the "many" again...........:D
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 21:27
SM, just because you don’t know many people that have their child in boarding doesn’t mean that there is not. Most people I know with children in boarding work, therefore don’t have time to post on EW, go to the gym or mix in lady of leisure circles. Haha...you think you know it all about me, don't you? Mix in lady of leisure circles? In my dreams! :-P I wasn’t saying it about you, I was commenting on what most EW do.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 21:22
OR maybe it is the other way about? Those who DON'T work have time for their children here and don't need to send them to boarding school ...OUCH!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 21:20
SM, just because you don’t know many people that have their child in boarding doesn’t mean that there is not. Most people I know with children in boarding work, therefore don’t have time to post on EW, go to the gym or mix in lady of leisure circles. Haha...you think you know it all about me, don't you? Mix in lady of leisure circles? In my dreams! :-P
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EW GURU
Latest post on 05 September 2011 - 18:14
I think most parents that have gone through the DESS and DC route have been happy with the standard of education in Dubai (especially in the old days) Its not the same now schools are more of a business they don’t care about the individual child, all they care about is the money. SM, just because you don’t know many people that have their child in boarding doesn’t mean that there is not. Most people I know with children in boarding work, therefore don’t have time to post on EW, go to the gym or mix in lady of leisure circles.
 
 

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