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Jumeirah English Speaking School Jumeirah

JESS Jumeirah is a highly sought-after, not-for-profit primary school in the heart of Jumeirah delivering a co-ed British curriculum, feeding to their secondary school in Arabian Ranches

  • Jumeirah English Speaking School Jumeirah
    28 8 B Street
    Al Safa 1
    Dubai
    UAE
  • T +971 4 361 9019
  • E [email protected]
  • W www.jess.sch.ae
  • School Ages: 3-11
  • School Gender: Co-ed
  • Total School Numbers: 755
  • Teaching Language(s):
    • English
  • SEN: Mainstream with SEN support
  • Boarding: Not available
  • Uniform: Yes
  • School Year: August – June with three terms
  • School Hours: FS1: Monday-Thursday 7.40am-12pm, Friday 7.40am-11.40am; FS2: Monday-Thursday 7.40am-2.15pm, Friday 7.40am-11.40am; Years 1-2: Monday-Thursday 7.40am-2.30pm, Friday 7.40am-11.50am; Years 3-6: Monday-Thursday 7.40am-2.40pm. Friday 7.40am-12pm
  • Annual Fee Range: AED 48,330 - AED 59,724
  • Fee Information: Application fee: AED 500 (non-refundable) Entrance fee (non-refundable): AED 500 Debenture (personal): AED 20,000
  • Religion: Non-denominational
  • Memberships: Member: British Schools in the Middle East (BSME). Member of IAPS, inspected by BSO, accredited member of COBIS.
  • State/Independent: Non-profit
  • Linked schools: Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches

Curricula:

  • National Curriculum for England
  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Accreditations/Inspections:

  • BSO (British Schools Overseas inspection programme)
  • Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS)
  • Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) of KHDA

No school can pay to be in
The Good Schools Guide International. Period.

What The Good Schools Guide International says

Headmaster

Since 2022, Mr Luke Rees BSc PGCE NPQH. Joined JESS Jumeirah as a teacher when he relocated to Dubai in 2011, moving to assistant head and then deputy head, before taking up the headship role. Was brought up in Wales and attended Aberdare Boys’ Grammar school in the valleys, where he studied the sciences and music and was head boy - starting his leadership journey young!

Father was an underground miner who reinvented himself as a physics teacher. Although Mr Rees had an inkling that he would follow in his father's footsteps and work in education, he initially chose to do a biology degree at Swansea University. ‘I felt like I was unproven in science,’ he says when asked why biology, ‘I was Welsh composer of the year, in all the shows, and playing for the district in rugby.’ He then achieved his PGCE (Uni of Wales), joined Alltwen primary school, where he set up a wellbeing centre for the school (teaching music and PE concomitantly) then moved to Colham Manor primary in London, where he stayed for four years before looking abroad for a new challenge.

A friendly and chatty head that is very hands-on. Staff respect him. Students are totally at ease around him; ‘He often has a line of children waiting to talk to him,’ parents remark. They love his sense of humour, typically Welsh and presented without inhibition, for example, wearing a blow-up turkey outfit on a dress-up day! Parents value that he is approachable and, because he has moved up through the school, he knows every child (and their family) personally and appreciates the school’s deep heritage.

Over the years, he has fully immersed himself in daily school life, coaching rugby, leading the jazz band, and playing the piano for the chamber choir, the latter of which is still penned into his busy timetable. On our tour, some of the younger students told us that he was in year two, reading them a story and that he had joined their classroom earlier that week to listen to their poetry recitals. His operational leadership approach is complemented by director, Shane O’Brien, who carries the strategic baton across the three JESS schools. An all-around great fit for this homely primary school.

Married to a teacher, with two girls. Having grown up playing the piano, saxophone and guitar, music is still a favourite pastime, as is keeping active, with a half marathon on the cards soon (joined by some staff members). Travel is also a passion; ‘I try not to go to the same place twice,’ he says, stealing our own mantra. We wholeheartedly agree!

Entrance

Waitlist closed across all year groups unless a corporate debenture holder or Emirati national. Sibling priority in foundation one; individual applications only two years in advance of foundation one enrolment. Non-selective. Play-based assessment at foundation one stage. Parents who are offered a chance place mid year tend to accept it.

Exit

Automatic entry into JESS secondary school in Arabian Ranches without assessment. Children enjoy multiple transition days in year six (seven visits in total) when they try out a language lesson, enjoy an introduction to design and technology and engage in a PE lesson, for example. In the second term they are invited to watch the yearly school production. A large proportion of students continue into secondary, with only the top competitor schools stealing a few away.

Teaching and learning

As one of the longest-established British schools in Dubai, JESS Jumeirah is highly sought after by parents, but even more so by teachers. Quality of teachers is therefore exceptionally high and turnover low; staff are here to stay and are fully committed to the school's vision. Why do they stay? ‘Because I feel like I belong,’ is the repeated response from a devoted teaching body.

Early Years Foundation Stage is taught holistically, with children exploring areas of the curriculum and fostering their curiosity. We saw classes learning outside, engaged in water play, and others with building bricks in hand, collaborating on the design of their new tower. Foundation two sees the start of phonics and handwriting. From year one, specialist teachers are introduced for Arabic, library, music, computing and physical education. ‘My favourite subject is computing,’ says a year six student. ‘Recently we have been doing film reviews with our own microphones and learning how to edit the videos.’

Class sizes of 22 children in foundation stage, and 24 in years one to six. Children assessed with CAT4 and GL tests (at year end) but do not feel pressured. Homework set weekly with some compulsory work and a range of optional extension tasks, mostly online. This is being reviewed, we are told by head, in line with a movement to limit screen time for children. Parents are happy to hear this, as it is their only bugbear alongside the lack of modern foreign language provision.

One weekly communication (at the end of the week) with a lot of information to digest - parents suggest having a cup of tea, pen and diary at the ready! Interim report in January, end of year report with grades in June and termly parent-teacher meetings face-to-face are scheduled.

Learning support and SEN

Since the main entry point to the school is foundation stage one, there are children with a range of learning abilities eg dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism and ADHD. School caters well with a dedicated ‘Oasis’ team and a comprehensive provision on offer. Parents say class teachers are proactive in flagging possible special education needs from their observations and are excellent at ensuring children are well catered for in class, in a discreet way. Children are given inconspicuous circles on their desks with a traffic light method for when they need help, and fidget toys or wobble chairs for listening time in lessons if necessary. There is both in-class and pull-out support depending on the child’s needs, and update meetings are scheduled regularly. Homework is challenge-based so those struggling can choose the easiest challenge, however if the teacher deems this a stretch, alternative homework is offered individually. Teachers are very transparent about their own struggles and diagnosis and this shared vulnerability means that children feel accepted and comfortable to be themselves, we are told.

School has a fitted-out dedicated OT and therapy room used by in-house occupational therapist. The woodland garden has also been redesigned with an outdoor SEN approach in mind – think soft floors, monkey bars, swings and beams.

Early morning intervention groups offered for those needing a boost in eg reading comprehension, grammar and maths. There are also programmes offered to children like social explorer, clicker8 (for touch typing) and fine motor skill groups. Gifted and talented children stretched by a dedicated (part-time, three days a week) member of staff and are further extended by access to competitions both internal and external.

The arts and extracurricular

Specialist music lessons right from the get go, with children singing and using percussion in foundation stage, to the introduction of the recorder in year two and a given instrument to try out in year three; we saw groups of children practising the flute, trombone and violin. The ukulele is introduced in year four, to the whole year group, with little ones showcasing their talents in their class assemblies. Paid instrumental lessons popular, and children of all ages perform in the multiple music concerts throughout the year, as well as in the joyful busking sessions which take place early morning in cool weather months.

Dance has been reintroduced to the timetable. Not only do students enjoy lessons in class, they are also invited to ECA classes, both selected (technique group) and non-selected (a free morning ECA). There is also a boys' street dance club. JESS Fest concert is a highlight in the calendar and includes performances from the dance groups, soloists and group bands. All kids are trialled for selected music and sports teams in their usual lessons, with videos sent in for dance auditions.

Extracurricular offering is broad with something for everyone. Teacher-run classes are free and these are allocated fairly through an automated selection programme on a termly basis. Coding and Minecraft always highly sought after, but children also rave about the loom band club, JESS newspaper and the comic book club. All start from year three only, much to the disappointment of parents with younger kids who can only enrol for the paid clubs from year two. That said, the external providers for these are 'worth every penny', with surfing, sailing, robotics, chess, fabulous arts and rollerblading all reportedly brilliant.

Sport

Competitive, especially for key stage two students; they want to win. Teams compete fiercely in the DASSA league and are proudly one of the top schools across most sports. That said, there is a ‘sports for all’ aim, with development squads and staff dedicated to ensuring as many students are possible can represent the school. Parents say there is ‘ambiguity around how the kids are selected’ and there is ‘focused attention’ on the top sporting children, which makes the others feel ‘slightly neglected.’ Head firm that ‘sports for all’ alongside an elite pathway can be achieved. PE staff includes general PE teachers but is now supplemented with specific netball and rugby coaches who are said to be superb additions.

Facilities are good, with a double field, 25m swimming pool (with training pool) and covered netball/basketball courts. Renovations will include a much bigger indoor sports hall, which will be greeted with delight. Historically in the hotter months, school has had to transport some students off site to external providers (paid for by parents) to negate space restrictions.

Ethos and heritage

Founded in 1975, the school’s rich heritage has without doubt formed its distinguished reputation. The land was gifted by the ruler of Dubai, his highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. While renovations are planned, the campus (in the heart of Jumeirah) maintains a welcoming environment for young children. The bungalow-style buildings are cherished by all, with parents saying single-story classrooms with entry from the outside ensure it isn’t overwhelming for their children and enables that precious open-door policy between parents and class teacher. The school has certainly polished up its look, with the JESS signature blue and white paint palette used across the buildings, the introduction of beautiful, landscaped gardens and newly featured outdoor relaxation areas. But it’s the simple things that matter here, with children voicing that their favourite pastime is playing four square at breaktime, and, for the little ones, riding bikes on the track.

The new library (rebuilt after flooding) is brimming with books for all different age groups and little tables, soft ground-level seating and a wonderful wooden tree in the middle of the room with a trunk resembling the opened pages of a book. Children have one library lesson per week but can also visit at breaktime or early morning before registration.

Multi-use main hall (a dedicated canteen being built) is set up with food from an external caterer at lunchtime. Meal bundles include a hot dish with sides and a dessert, or children can purchase individual items from the kiosk including a variety of healthy snacks.

House system now fully in line with sister school JESS Arabian Ranches and house spirit is energetic. Falco, Tahr, Oryx and Panthera fight it out each week for the top house, and every half term an overall winner is announced. House points are awarded in class for good work, exemplary behaviour and for adhering to the JESS values, as well as in house sporting events (the tug-of-war was merciless), singing and dancing. Students continue in their respective houses if they join the secondary school.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

It's clear that every decision at the school is made with children in mind. Classrooms are inviting, not too crowded and with minimal decorations to avoid sensory overload. The wellbeing lead ensures children use an app to record how they feel each day, and students have access to two permanent school counsellors (either sporadically or on a 12-week block rotation). All year groups have a 'zen den' fitted in their central area where they can chill out or talk to a teacher if necessary.

Discipline is restorative, and there don’t seem to be problems with bullying. Any issues are dealt with swiftly. Respect and manners important both in and out of school, and full uniform expected.

Classroom and community

A real community school where everyone knows everyone including the support staff and even the traffic wardens. Parent council formation seen as a positive step with (driven) elected members keen to make a difference. Parent engagement sessions are well attended and cover all topics from the use of devices to handwriting policy change.

JESS Parent Group (JPG) resolutely supported by the school and in partnership with the JESS Arabian Ranches group. They organise all types of events: year group discos, movie under the stars, annual festive fete, quiz nights and uniform swap days. The favourites however are the annual JESS ball which unites all three schools and international day, which brings the whole campus community together.

Many leadership positions available but parents say it doesn’t always feel fair. Head and deputy boys and girls and the pupil exec team go through a standard process but other positions, which include house, library, digital and sports captains, aren’t as streamlined.

Money matters

As a not-for-profit school, fees have historically been affordable. Necessary increases for school improvements, however, haven’t been met with too much disarray. It’s clear the hike doesn’t supersede competitor schools’ fees and certainly don’t outweigh the benefits of this small, nurturing primary. School is governed by a board of directors. Few extra costs; the after-school club for foundation stage (which starts after the first half of term one) is a notable one, and residential trips (which no one skips!).

The last word

A distinguished, not-for-profit gem in the heart of Jumeirah, offering a nurturing primary education with strong core values and a community spirit that keeps on giving. Students move on to secondary having enjoyed a rounded start to their school life, and always come back to visit, saying 'it feels like home'.


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