G U I D A N C E F R O M O U R E X P E R I E N C E I N E S TA B L I S H I N G A S C H O O L I N D U B A I

THE REPTON STORY

WHO AM I?

Mark AtkinsHead of Academics and EducationEvolvence Knowledge Investments

Formerly: Founding Head of Junior School, Deputy Headmaster, Acting Headmaster.

Now: Overseeing all aspects of education in EKI Schools with responsibility for the establishment of new schools in the GCC: Repton Abu Dhabi, Repton Doha, Foremarke Dubai.

IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!

Establishing a school in Dubai (or anywhere in the GCC) is far from straightforward.

The process varies greatly from country to country and even inside one country it can be different depending on the authority you are dealing with.

When we brought Repton to Dubai we were naïve and we made mistakes.

COMPLIANCE

Every school school needs a competent and experienced ‘Sabreen’

A compliance officer who is familiar with the rules and regulations both local and Federal is vital.

CURRICULUM

• There are rules and regulations pertaining to the curriculum that must be followed and these should be checked thoroughly by your ‘Sabreen’.

• Arabic and Islamic Studies are very important core subjects in any school in Dubai and there are strict regulations as to how much and when these are taught. Further, Arabic for first language Arabic speakers is taught separately from Arabic for non-Arabic speakers.

ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS

Essential

Land Where is it?Rental Terms?Utilities connected? (extra cost here)Surrounding road networkParking requirements on the site (RTA/TECOM) regulations

Delivery Agent – project manager to represent your interestsLocal knowledge Experience in EducationProven track record

Point of contact coordinator appointed by and working for the school

PRIVATE NOT INDEPENDENT

All private schools are regulated by their local regulatory authority. Schools do not function as independent schools in the UK.

CurriculumAdmissions and transfersFeesCalendarExaminations and Assessment

INSPECTION

Dubai Schools Inspectorate (DSIB) inspect all Dubai Schools annually.

Results and Inspection reports are published.

Schools are graded Unsatisfactory through to Outstanding. The ability to increase school fees may be linked to the grade received in the inspection report.

PARENT AND MEDIA INTEREST

The press never tires of running stories about schools and love to find a bad news story. School fees are under constant scrutiny.

Schools in the UAE feature abnormally large in the lives of parents. Coffee shop and dinner party talk inevitably centres on schools.

Chat rooms buzz all over the GCC with ex-pat parents attacking and defending schools. Every single decision will be dissected and scrutinized.

COMPETITION

Some in Dubai, backed by KHDA, are trying to promote a spirit of cooperation between schools and break down historic barriers of competition.

Heads may become isolated and find a lack of local support from colleagues inhibiting.

Sharing of resources for example, to buy in quality Inset is rare and many schools remain inward looking rather than sharing best practice for the good of the children.

MORE INFORMATION

• Handout with useful sites and links:

• www.khda.gov.ae • Publications:• Opening a School in Dubai – Academic Plan Guide• DSIB Handbook

• www.adec.ac.ae • Publications: • Irtiqa’a framework for private schools (inspection)• Downloads: • Design manual – minimum requirements for private schools

• matkins@evolvence.com