Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
322 - capacity for 1800 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
58 |
| Most common nationality |
British |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
7.5% of our students are Emirati |
Languages
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
No, we don't offer extra classes but we do have in class support for students who have been identified as needing additional assistance. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Currently we offer Arabic and French but we hope that with the growth of the school, we will be able to offer more languages. |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
22 in FS / 24 Primary & Secondary |
| Average number of students per class |
20 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
We recognise that technology is a key element of education and are committed to helping students become lifelong learners who are innovative and confident users of technology. We have integrated the use of technology into our teaching and learning and this has helped us to improve levels of attainment and engagement across all subject areas. Classrooms are equipped with large touchscreen displays which further develop classroom collaboration and interactivity and this year we have transitioned to a Chromebook BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programme for students from Year 3 upwards, further supporting and leveraging our use of online platforms such as Seesaw and Google Workplace for Education. In addition, students in FS1 to Year 2 have the option to bring their own tablet, as well as use school devices. Our school iPads are used for a variety of activities across the curriculum from analysing performances in PE lessons to using language and maths apps, STEAM activities, building e-portfolios to multimedia usage such as making videos utilising green screens. A Unique Collaboration with MIT Dubai Heights Academy has a unique collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), together we are developing and piloting an exciting new project-based curriculum with students from Years 6 to 8 – part of an initial 3 year partnership focusing on a very important STEM topic that is transforming society: artificial intelligence (AI). Each week, students have sessions at school which are carefully designed by MIT specialists and delivered by our MIT correspondent who works full time at our school. This year we have extended the collaboration with MIT to include children in Years 1 and 2 who are receiving the special opportunity to develop their literacy and social-emotional learning through a robot literacy station designed by researchers at MIT’s media lab. The learning station consists of the learning companion robot, Jibo, a tablet with learning activities, and a camera to collect information about the study right here at DHA. Students, together with Jibo, will participate in exploring storybooks that target their language learning and curiosity skills, emotion regulation activities that enhance social-emotional learning, and creative exploration activity that scaffolds their creativity. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes in the case that we have to provide distance learning we use online platforms such as SeeSaw and IreadArabic. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Yes, Islamic students take Islamic studies classes each week. |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
While Islamic students are taking Islamic studies, our non-Islamic students take on a social learning and innovation classes. |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
Nothing as of yet as we will be launching our IGCSE provision in September 2023. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Homework is entirely optional as we believe in a balance between school and home time. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
At times we will encourage our students to revise and for example read at home coming up to assessments and tests or if they have a project. With that we also believe in balance so we like our students to take part in extracurricular activities and further themselves in non academic ways too. Over the summer months we provide work (not compulsory to complete) so students don't fall behind and can refresh their memories before returning for the new academic year. |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes we are a fully inclusive school with an inclusion team and onsite therapists |
| Learning support offered |
Dubai Heights Academy strives to meet the needs of all children in its care by personalising the learning and providing outstanding care and provision for all pupils. Inclusion is at the core of our ethos and our mission is to ensure that all children feel valued and achieve their full potential. We have a dedicated staff that is committed to supporting each child on their own unique pathway to progress. Our specialist Inclusion team comprises of highly qualified staff that continuously research and upskill to provide the best support for our pupils of determination. The Inclusion team works collaboratively with all staff and parents to provide individually-tailored support and interventions to ensure that every child makes progress. Our Inclusion team consists of the Head of Inclusion, Pastoral and Wellbeing; the Deputy Head of Inclusion; 2 Inclusion Teachers and the School Counsellor. We also offer an enrichment programme through our partnership with Sensation Station, giving students access to a Speech and Language Therapist, a MBODE Therapist and an Occupational Therapist. Our state-of-the-art resources and facilities further support inclusive practice throughout the school. Children soothe their senses and benefit from mindful moments in our Snoezelen room, and re-energise in our sensory fun-junction gym. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
In class challenges, enrichment ECAs, leadership roles within school, as well as opportunities to attend external events are part of the provision offered for students to enrich their particular gifts and talents. DHA is part of the Dubai Enrichment League which provides opportunities for our more able, Gifted and Talented students to attend competitions and workshops with students from schools across Dubai. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Our teachers do in person assessments for students from EYFS - Year 2 and we administer CAT4 assessments for students in Years 3 and above. |
| Waiting list |
No |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
None, students can apply at any time. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School day
| School start time |
Students are to arrive each day between 7:55am and 8:10am |
| School finish time |
FS1 - FS2: 14:15 pm (FS1 have an early option finish 1:30 pm)
|
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes, we have a partnership with an agency who run 1 and 2 hour supervised care sessions on site. |
| School bus service available |
Yes, students can travel one or two ways to and from school. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Parents can pre-order specific lunch items each day of the week to suit the dietary needs of their children. |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
We offer an extensive ECA programme to students of all year groups, both free of charge and at an extra cost from Mondays – Fridays. These options change each term, giving the children the chance to engage in a variety of different activities and experiences that support their social, emotional, cognitive and academic development. Some of the available paid activities include Ballet, Football, Tennis, Basketball, Karate, Gymnastics, Multi Sports Club and Robotics and we are privileged to team up with a well-known company who run these, ISM Sports. Some of our school-led and free activities include Arabic Fun, Arabic Calligraphy, Lego Mania, Mindfulness & Yoga, Cool Coders, Debating Club, Drama Club, Youth Theatre, Funky Fingers, Bookaholics, Comic Book Club, Fantastic French, Drawing for Fun, Crafts from Drafts, Sensory Play, Digital Artists, Construction, as well as invitational sports squads. |
| Sports activities included |
Team building games, swimming, racket sports, football, athletics, rugby, basketball, netball, gymnastics, rounders etc. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes, we have squads dedicated to each sport who frequently participate in sports fixtures with other schools. |
Facilities
| Facilities at the school |
Since opening our doors in 2017, we have always strived to provide the very best facilities to enhance the learning experience for all of our students. Our stunning 292,265.3 Sq.Ft. campus consists of 2 buildings which are currently in use, the EYFS building and Primary building. We have plans to be fit out our Secondary building, with completion potentially by September 2023, just in time for when our Year 10s start their IGCSE programme. Our EYFS building facilities consist of: - A temperature regulated indoor EYFS swimming pool
Our Primary / Secondary building facilities consist of: An indoor sports hall
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| Sports facilities at the school |
- Dedicated indoor FS pool
|
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Dubai Heights Academy is a brilliant British Curriculum school located in Al Barsha South, providing educational excellence alongside a quality inclusive education system for students from Foundation Stage up to Year 9. We aim to inspire students to dream more, learn more, do more and become more; through positive energy, vision and unity. We draw and build on strong family ties, Islamic values and deep rooted heritage to build a vibrant well-knit international community of over 58 nationalities. Dubai Heights Academy is focused on developing knowledgeable and innovative students who can undertake the challenges of whatever the future holds, through our unique collaboration with MIT, bringing AI learning directly to our classrooms. Our school is progressive, creative and engaging; offering enriching programmes, using state of the art technology, and where every child feels secure, significant and valued. We look forward to welcoming you to our Dubai Heights Academy community and showing you why Every Child, Every Mind and Everybody matters. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Dubai Heights Academy aims to truly embody the perfect balance of creativity in learning and commitment to academic excellence that suits all children in a harmonious environment. Our teachers look for opportunities to involve students directly in decisions relating to their own learning, encouraging them to see the relevance of what they are doing and take ownership of their own learning. |