Sheikah73 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Sheikah73

6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2013 - 12:57
I was in the same situation a few months ago...new to Dubai and needed to find a school for my kids. They had been on the waiting list at 2 different schools for about 3 months but no spaces became available (we registered with these schools before we left the UK). When we got here and having no luck with the 2 schools, I contacted Regent and they had spaces...but then I heard about Safa Private School. Even though Regent is closer to me, I just loved the feel of Safa...both my children have settled in really well and they are expanding. Next September they are opening a new campus...Safa British Academy...which will accommodate primary & secondary. Good luck with the move and your search for a school...at least you'll have a 'warm' Christmas :-)
6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 13:55
Oh and the other thing....it's worth asking the school that has got a place for your older child if they have any spaces for siblings in FS2. When my son went for his assessment I asked about places in FS1 and they told me that as my youngest is a sibling they have a place for him as they keep a couple of spaces available in FS1 & 2 for siblings especially for people in our condition who have just recently moved here.
6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 13:50
I called Regent before I called Safa and they also told me they had a place for my son to start year 2 straight away. As it was close to where we live, in my haste I bombed down there and paid the registration fee. What I saw of the school (the reception area and the accounts dept) was ok but I didn't get a good vibe from the 3 members of staff that I saw. Stupidly it wasn't until I got home that I did more research on the school and let's just say I decided against sending him there. Another AED500 down the pan :-) Safa is a bit of a drive for me and we leave the house at 7 to get him there in time but we're slowly getting used to the early starts!! I know what you're going through...I was getting myself so stressed out. Thankfully the stress of school hunting is over for me...I now have the daily stress of facing Sheikh Zayed road 4 times a day to do the school run....now that is an experience. Good luck with the move.
6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 11:34
I agree with Thunderbird...Safa is a good school. They are also quite quick at responding to emails if you prefer to communicate this way if you are in the uk. I put a long message on Thunderbirds thread re Safa...this may give you some idea about the school. Good luck..
6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 May 2013 - 11:27
I put my son on the waiting list for 2 schools for Year 2 5 months ago whilst I was still in the uk. I had hoped that by the time I came here in March that he would have a place in one of them. It wasn't to be. At first I didn't panic as it was the Easter holidays but when they came to an end and he still wasn't at a school panic set in.....but then I got recommended Safa from a friend as she had heard good things about them. I contacted them and thankfully they had a place for him...like your husband, when I turned up at the school to hand in the application form my heart sunk. It's not a pretty building. I handed in the form with the registration fee then waited a few more days (in despair) for the tour on the Tuesday morning. The inside was not what I was expecting. I really really liked it. They have only been in the new premises since September last year and they have done so much to it and its still growing...they are opening year 7 in September and over time their plan is to have a secondary school on a new campus. What I liked about the school as well is that the assessment fee is included in the registration fee (AED500). Unlike other schools where you pay extra for the assessment exam. Safa does not do an exam, your child goes to school for the day and they asses him that way. Something I much preferred as they can really see what your child is like as a person not by how good he does in a 50 minute exam. After 6 weeks of not being in school, my son started at Safa yesterday....it was tough as he got so used to be at home so there have been a lot of tears. The added bonus is that now he is at the school, my 3 year old son has a place in FS1 to start in September as he's a sibling....seriously Safa is a lovely school....good luck and sorry this message is so long winded :-)
6
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2013 - 10:24
And so the hunt continues trying to find a school with spaces for my 6 year old DS. He's on the waiting list for DBS & Kings but there is no hope of him getting in this term and I'm concerned that he's missing a lot of schooling. I hear Safa has spaces available but before I rush off and pay the admission fee any feedback would be greatly appreciated.