Schools in Dubai

[terdubai]

Originally Posted by vantage

thanks, i know it's late, but that is the nature of this offer, i'm afraid.

Do kids have to enrol in September?
IF there are places, is it possible to slot in whenever?
I can't afford to miss the slot and leave the family behind for a year.

Our school took mid year kids as long as there were openings. You should figure out what schools you want to look at and contact them all, get on the schedule if they need testing, and ask if it makes a difference if it is Sept vs Nov or whenever you are coming.

We "reserved" our spots in December and then moved in February. Good luck, it's a stressful situation with schools and openings.

[vantage]

Originally Posted by terdubai

Our school took mid year kids as long as there were openings. You should figure out what schools you want to look at and contact them all, get on the schedule if they need testing, and ask if it makes a difference if it is Sept vs Nov or whenever you are coming.

We "reserved" our spots in December and then moved in February. Good luck, it's a stressful situation with schools and openings.

thanks for that. So much to think about!
It is lashing with rain here in Scotland, and snowed 10 days ago.
i could do without a May like this!!

[terdubai]

Originally Posted by vantage

thanks for that. So much to think about!
It is lashing with rain here in Scotland, and snowed 10 days ago.
i could do without a May like this!!

I WISH. It's been about 110F and blistering hot. Can't wait till school is out and we can go somewhere cooler

[vantage]

Is it allowed to register a child before you have a work contract, on the expectation that it is forthcoming?
All I read is how oversubscribed the good schools are, especially primary age

[lxinuk]

I think it's acceptable. We registered as soon as it was a possibility to ensure we got a place. If you don't go you reject the place. You'd lose the registration fee obviously! Mid year entries are easier I think. It is my understanding that you can not transfer between schools in Dubai mid year - so if a place comes free it can only be given to a child entering the system. We had planned to home school for as long as it took to get the place we wanted.

[vantage]

Originally Posted by lxinuk

I think it's acceptable. We registered as soon as it was a possibility to ensure we got a place. If you don't go you reject the place. You'd lose the registration fee obviously! Mid year entries are easier I think. It is my understanding that you can not transfer between schools in Dubai mid year - so if a place comes free it can only be given to a child entering the system. We had planned to home school for as long as it took to get the place we wanted.

Are there rules about home schooling?
Is the churn such that places do come up frequently?
Thanks for your help

[lxinuk]

Originally Posted by vantage

Are there rules about home schooling?
Is the churn such that places do come up frequently?
Thanks for your help

When I did a little research I found no rules on home school - there is a thread on here about home schooling - try a search on it. Those currently teaching at home will know far more than me - you wouldn't be doing it for long and at 7 she/he would not miss so much for it to harm her:him even if there was little structure.

Don't stress about it - my exp. from travelling is that it always comes right if you are patient, know what you want, and are flexible xx

[vantage]

Thanks.
Have travelled a lot, but this is the first time with family, and this is probably the only piece of the jigsaw that phases me, really. It's all come out of the blue, and is quite exciting, really!

[lxinuk]

Originally Posted by vantage

Thanks.
Have travelled a lot, but this is the first time with family, and this is probably the only piece of the jigsaw that phases me, really. It's all come out of the blue, and is quite exciting, really!

Happy to help - I've got 3 lil uns and we are going out in July. Just completed the enrolment and got places so understand the stresses. Which sch you looking at?

[vantage]

JESS Arabian Ranches at the moment, but i've only really had 3 or 4 days to start getting to grips with things. It's all quite sudden!
Keen to get into a good school that is also in a good family location - bit of green, lots of safe paths etc.