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EWmums

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ewmoda

Honest options please of DESS/DESC

209

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 16:32

I am thoroughly fed up with my DD school and would appreciate some honest opinions of both DESS And DESC . I haven't viewed these schools yet but I would like to know what people think who attend think or indeed if you moved from these schools why ? Much appreciated
<em>edited by PlainJane on 22/05/2013</em>

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209

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 May 2013 - 07:27

Thank you ladies, your comments are helpful . I know everyone has different opinions of what is a good school and I am looking for a smaller , established school as my DD is under performing and lost in the larger school and totally unenthusiastic about going so I think from what has been said here DESS is a better option for her <em>edited by PlainJane on 24/05/2013</em>

flydiver1136092

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EW GURU

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 22:30

Mine doesn't even start school here for a few years.... yet I find the whole system here scary. I love living here, but envy my friends at home that just show up at the local school after their little ones turn 5 and get on with it.

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 22:25

They've decided to move him back to Repton in September to prepare him for the Common Entrance exam in England at 11 but his sister will remain at Dess. I know 4 families whose children were in top sets of their class in R who did not pass the Common Entrance Exam in England at 11. At DESS there isn't the same pressure put on the kids as in R with studying for exams and homework but students still get excellent results and from my experience are happy. My child moved to DESS from another school where they were under a lot of pressure, yet didn't get the same results. I'm sure there isn't a school in the world that pleases every parent. We are very happy at DESS.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 21:30

LOL I meant everyone. Been a long day.... Haha, I am still chuckling...

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 21:29

LOL I meant everyone. Been a long day....

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 21:28

Schools will NEVER satisfy anyone Seems like it sometimes here!

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 21:22

As a teacher , I can honestly say that what pleases one parent will totally displease another. I've had consecutive parents coming to see me up in arms eg - one is angry that kids get too much homework, the other angry that kids don't get enough. One wants their kids pushed, the next doesn't want their child pushed ...the list goes on. Schools will NEVER satisfy anyone but if the kids are generally happy at school, feel safe and are learning, then (in my opinion) the school is doing a good job. There will always be quibbles at any school. My youngest is doing MUCH better at DESS than she was in the UK. Academically she's being challenged but not stressed about it. Sporting opportunities are fab. Yep, I have a few quibbles about certain things but no more than I would have anywhere else. Yep, I don't like all the testing but that isn't DESS fault - it's the way education is going. What I do like is that DESS do not appear to teach to simply do well in SATS. In UK, all that my DD's seemed to do was SATS practice. I never hear my youngest talk about SATS practice here yet her grades are way, way better here. <em>edited by Feefmick on 23/05/2013</em>

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 21:01

I can remember when Jess Jumeirah opened, it was considered the inferior option to Dess and there was much brouhaha! Totally laughable and absurd of course but the subject of schools has always evoked anxiety amongst some parents. In my experience different schools serve the varying expectations of parents and needs of individual children. Last year a friend moved her two children in Yrs 2 and 4 to Dess from Repton. Her daughter is much, much happier at Dess as in the mother's opinion Dess offers a more nurturing environment. Her daughter doesn't have any learning issues but she just responds better in a more gentle learning environment. Her son however has not done well at Dess as he thrived on the academic pressure at Repton. They've decided to move him back to Repton in September to prepare him for the Common Entrance exam in England at 11 but his sister will remain at Dess. Over the years i have met many ex Dess students who went on to Dubai College and then on to the Ivy league or top Uk universtites, many gaining masters etc. I also know parents whose children have moved from DESS straight to the UK into top private schools. I do hope your friends are aware that DESS has been producing well rounded academically strong children for years with proven results and before they move their child again. Moving schools continually is not a great idea.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 18:16

I can remember when Jess Jumeirah opened, it was considered the inferior option to Dess and there was much brouhaha! Totally laughable and absurd of course but the subject of schools has always evoked anxiety amongst some parents. In my experience different schools serve the varying expectations of parents and needs of individual children. Last year a friend moved her two children in Yrs 2 and 4 to Dess from Repton. Her daughter is much, much happier at Dess as in the mother's opinion Dess offers a more nurturing environment. Her daughter doesn't have any learning issues but she just responds better in a more gentle learning environment. Her son however has not done well at Dess as he thrived on the academic pressure at Repton. They've decided to move him back to Repton in September to prepare him for the Common Entrance exam in England at 11 but his sister will remain at Dess.

PowerPuffMom78212

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 13:35

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. Editing to say that the above should read: "as good as a [b'>good[/b'> state school in the UK". edited by Irooni on 23/05/2013 I should hope that you know the difference dear.

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 13:12

No, I didn't! But I have dozens of friends and cousins who have been to public and state schools in the UK. And this is not only my opinion, many, many others feel the same. This is what DESS is like, no one dares mutter a word or the parents will prosecute you. The poster did not ask for positive feedback from parents, who have children at the school! She asked for honest opinions about it and I gave mine. The majority of the children on our compound go to DESS and not everyone is as happy as you are. Just like any other parent who toured many schools, I did the same. And have a right to voice my opinion. Hope that is ok? :) edited by Irooni on 23/05/2013 <em>edited by Irooni on 23/05/2013</em>

AnneCoulter79136

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 13:07

Like I said before, if you have not had children in that school then what would you know? Did you go to a State school?

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 13:03

I stand by what I have said and would compare DESS to a "good state school". And there is nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Repton, is a huge school. Believe me all of its parents are not on EW ;) I have had and still have my share of issues with it, but all in all, so far it has been good for my children. We have been there since it opened, in our 6th academic year now. I cannot comment on the senior school, I am only speaking for up to year 4.

AnneCoulter79136

211

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 12:33

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. What do you mean as "good as a state school? " Irooni doesnt even have kids there so cant really comment. You will find the only people who have something negative to say are the ones who couldnt get their children into the school. Appletiser, just in response to your comment. My DD passed their assessment in Januray 2008 and was offered a place for september 2008, but I decided not to send her their. It was just not the right fit for us. Besides I didn't slag it off, did I? I just said it is as good as a good state school in the UK, which is far more than I can say for a dozen of the schools here. Irooni, I think that you did slag it off. The school you chose for your children has a terrible reputation whereas Dess has an amazing one. You really should have put your children in the school just so that you could tell the difference.

2392

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 11:05

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. What do you mean as "good as a state school? " Irooni doesnt even have kids there so cant really comment. You will find the only people who have something negative to say are the ones who couldnt get their children into the school. Appletiser, just in response to your comment. My DD passed their assessment in Januray 2008 and was offered a place for september 2008, but I decided not to send her there. It was just not the right fit for us. Besides I didn't slag it off, did I? I just said it is as good as a good state school in the UK, which is far more than I can say for a dozen of the schools here. <em>edited by Irooni on 23/05/2013</em>

493

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 10:51

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. " Funny choice of nickname... makes me think of M&S Marble Arch in London which happens to attract a similar clientele, esp during the summer months. Lol. Incidentally, I think it's difficult to compare to state schools in the UK unless you have actually been to one.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 10:46

I am a DESC parent and am very happy with the school especially since the new headmaster took over. We have some great teachers who are enthusiastic about educating our kids and there is some good discipline in the school which I feel is important. The majority of the kids do feed up from DESS but there are still a large amount that come in from other schools, which is what we did. The DESS parents that I know were very happy with the school.

493

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 10:45

I have no direct exp of either DESS or DESC, but have heard a lot of good things. If my kids were to attend a BC school DESS would be top of my list. Main reasons are a) the fact it is 50 years old, b) its non-profit status and c) the high standard of teachers. DESC also seems good but is obviously not as established as its primary counterpart. Incidentally, I know someone who went to an extremely well-known (top 5) school in the UK and had only good things to say about DESS, where her dd goes.

357

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 09:45

You will find the only people who have something negative to say are the ones who couldnt get their children into the school. I don't agree, Appletiser. Plenty of DESS parents (I am one) have issues with the school but are reluctant to talk about it publicly. Not sure why but perhaps out of fear of reprisals from the school or of damaging the school's reputation and therefore the "prestige" of their kids going there.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 23 May 2013 - 09:40

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. What do you mean as "good as a state school? " Irooni doesnt even have kids there so cant really comment. You will find the only people who have something negative to say are the ones who couldnt get their children into the school.

1370

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:39

academic - excellent.

209

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:37

What about academic achievement ? Good or average

2738

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:04

my friend went there in the sixties when it was the only expat school here !! so they don't come any more established.. lol Not just well established, low staff turn over, elected board of governors who run the school and are answerable to the parent body, Non profit making, higher salaries than other schools for staff, smaller class sizes.................

2738

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 22:01

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. What do you mean as "good as a state school? "

1618

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 18:38

We love DESS! From our experience it is a very nurturing school. The kids are pushed without putting stress on them. They receive a lot of attention and lessons are catered to their needs despite there being 24 kids in the class. My child is in year 4 and the SAT levels in their class range from 4c-5a. We know quite a few people who moved their children from the famous R school to DESS and say that they are far happier and wished they had moved their children sooner. All the children I know including mine who moved from other schools in Dubai found they had to work quite hard for the first 6 months to catch up to the other kids in the class despite them being in top sets in their other schools.

926

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EW GURU

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:25

my friend went there in the sixties when it was the only expat school here !! so they don't come any more established.. lol

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:23

Been on waiting list for Y4 at DESS for about a year. DD was 14 th on list, but they have refused to give me an update on where she stands now (not their policy to tell people). That said, I think the may have been a change of registrars so you may find them easier to deal with now. So yes, very popular and apparently very good, not for profit and reasonably priced. Never heard a bad word about it. And it seems not only low staff turnover but also little movement in pupils. Worth trying for though. You never know and if it's really that good then why not ? DESC also seems increasingly popular.

2392

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:22

By the way what is the marble arch ? Pretty sure she means Repton. In my opinion, I think DESS is as good as a state school in the UK. Editing to say that the above should read: "as good as a [b'>good[/b'> state school in the UK". <em>edited by Irooni on 23/05/2013</em>

926

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:20

Our current school has an almost non-existent staff turn-over lol

209

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 May 2013 - 17:14

By the way what is the marble arch ?

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