Admissions FAQs

How old is the school?

Nord Anglia International School Dubai opened its doors to internationals students in September 2014. Situated in Al Barsha 3 South, NAS Dubai now has over 75 different  nationalities.

Teachers

What qualifications do your teachers have?

All our teachers are highly qualified, motivated and experienced to help ensure that students reach their full potential. All teachers are suitably qualified for the area of the school where they are employed to teach with the minimum university degree and UK teaching qualification PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate of Education). All teachers are required to have teaching experience from both UK schools and abroad. All language teachers have appropriate language qualifications, and many of our teachers have undertaken further study to enhance their teaching skills through the Nord Anglia University that offers Master’s Degree in International Education. We currently have over 80 teachers who in addition to having PGCE are IB trained who teach right across the school. With duel training our teachers bring the best practices from the IB into well-structured I/GCSE curriculum.

How long do teachers stay at your school?

We have a low teacher turnover rate of approximately12% which ensurs continuity and excellence in teaching. Some teachers have been with us since the beginning!

Our teachers are mostly British with a few from other English speaking countries, such as our Basketball Coach who he is from USA. Most of our language teachers are native speakers of the language they teach. All of this adds to our school’s diversity and internationalism.

Curriculum

What curriculum do you teach?

We offer the English National Curriculum (internationally often called the British Curriculum) from Early Years to Year 11, one of the most stable and best recognized curriculums in the world. Our students take the I/GCSE Public Examinations at the end of Year 11. This curriculum prepares the students well for the IB Diploma Programme that we offer in Years 12 and 13. Our students successfully apply to the top universities in the world and their success has made our school known. 

Is IB Diploma Programme right for me/my child?

Choosing between the IBDP, A levels and American High School Diploma can be challenging for some students.

The IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) is a stimulating well-rounded diploma designed for those students who are prepared to work hard and be challenged. This qualification is universally recognized.

The A levels are more suitable for those students who want to peruse a particular and narrow pathway. This qualification is recognized in the UK.

The American High School Diploma allows for students to be more flexible in their academic programme and this qualification is recognized in the North America.  

What foreign languages do you teach?

All our students from Nursery to Year 13 choose a World Language from: French, German, Mandarin Chines and Spanish. In addition to this all our students have Arabic classes to end of Year 9 if they are not an Arab passport holder and our Arab passport holders take Arabic language to end of Year 12. Our IB students can also choose Arabic or their mother tongue as Language A.

In addition to this we understand the importance of language learning and language keeping. Traveling around the world our students acquire world languages and at NAS Dubai we strive to provide quality classes so that students can continue to learn their desired world language and take qualifications. This is either offered by the school or external providers during the After School Activities.  

Classes

What are your class sizes?

Our number of students per class is usually 20. This number of students in the specialist subjects in the Upper Secondary School are much smaller.

Do you have Teaching Assistants?

We have highly qualified teaching assistants: within our Early Years where we have 20 students, one teacher and 2 TAs, and Primary School where we have 20 students, one teacher and one TA. In the Secondary School and IBDP we have Subject Technicians. 

Admissions

Do you take children with limited or no English language?

Our minimum entry requirement is that a student has a good level of English language.

Do you have an admissions assessment?

NAS Dubai fosters inclusive education and maintains high academic standards for all. All students who apply to NAS Dubai sit admissions assessments. Assessment dates are arranged throughout the year.

• Assessments for the Early Years Foundation Stage 1 and 2, and Year 1 are arranged by the

Admissions department and conducted by the Early Years specialists and Primary Leadership Team by means of observation.

• Assessments for the entrance to Primary Years 2 to 5 are arranged by the Admissions

department and conducted by the Primary Leadership Team. Students sit School English and

Mathematics papers.

• Assessments for the entrance to Year 6 and Secondary Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 are

conducted by the Admissions department and reviewed by the Primary and Secondary

Leadership Teams. Students sit CAT4, School English and Mathematics papers.

• IB Diploma Programme prospective students take CAT4, and School English and Mathematics assessments in order to gain a conditional offer which is confirmed following their I/GCSE or equivalent results in the summer prior to the start of the year.

• Overseas admissions for EYFS to Y4 are done on the basis of the current school’s

recommendation.

• Overseas students applying for Years 5 to Y12 complete the CAT4, School English and Mathematics assessments in their current school. Papers are then emailed back to NAS Dubai Admissions for reviewing.

Activities and trips

What sort of school trips do you offer at your school?

We offer a wide variety of educational trips to build cultural awareness, skills such as leadership, communication, academic, and life skills. On some of the trips our students work with local communities where they learn about the world and understand the importance of helping others and improving their lives and learning environment, for example our annual trip to NAE Centre in Tanzania, week long expeditions to Malaysia, Oman, Nepal or Thailand.

Other examples of school trips are: German trip to Austria; university/college trips to UK and USA; the MIT STEAM trips; sports trips such as skiing trip to Verbier in Switxerland, Football trip to UK, Summer Performing Arts with Julliard are also available; and many more.

Our student's safety and wellbeing always come first. Risk assessments are conducted for all trips, and as a parent you will always know who is responsible for your child's care wherever they are. At our school we will have regular and well planned communications with parents, so you will always feel informed. 

What is your Sports Programme like? 

We pride ourselves in fostering the pursuit of excellence in a sport-for-all environment. NAS  Dubai supports boys and girls who compete in many sports from the DASSA (Dubai Affiliated Schools Sports Association) leagues including Football, Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Rounders, Aquathon, Athletics, Basketball and Swimming. The PE department is extremely proud of the fact that we participate in over 500 fixtures over the course of the year from Year 3 to Year 11. An amazing feat which has been accomplished because of our outstanding students, teachers, parents and facilities. This has been recognized by the UAE Sports Teen awards where NAS Dubai was awarded: ‘Best Sport and fittest School’ newcomer.

Do you have a Performing Arts programme?

Yes, we are passionate about all three performing arts and our students experience music, dance and drama as they form an important part of our curriculum from the age of four to iGCSEs when they become subjects of choice. We strongly believe that all three subjects play a curtail role in enabling our students to develop into intelligent, confident and well-rounded global citizens.    

Our Performing Arts programme is an integral part of our curriculum and through our collaboration with Juilliard all our students and teachers have a unique opportunity to benefit from their expertise and resources.

Through our NAS Dubai Music Academy optional programme all students are encouraged to play an instrument.

We have a large number of school performances such as Oliver, Grease, Jungle Book, Under the Sea, Aladdin, to name a few.

Do you have after school activities?

With over 100 co-curricular activities available across all phases of the school, students can choose their own path and explore their interests. Our wide-ranging extra-curricular programme allows your child to discover activities that excite and inspire them. Every year we try to provide new activities to meet the desires and varied interests of our student body, and these are changed and selected each term. In addition to activities provided by the school we have a full range of externally provided activities that can satisfy all interests.