Australian International School Dubai, Al Barsha – The Review
Australian International School Dubai – SchoolsCompared.com exclusive first looks
The Australian International School Dubai is a new Australian curriculum school currently under construction in a site off Hessa Street in Al Barsha close to Nord Anglia International School, reviewed here and bordering the Arjan area of Dubai. The Australian International School should offer relatively easy access to parents based around the eastern edge of Jumeirah Village Triangle, the up and coming Danube Resortz and Miracle Garden areas of Dubai.
Given the proposed location, significant work is required on the road network in this area, however, and as a result it is too early to be confident on ease of access. We would expect this to be addressed as the school is completed in time for its proposed opening in August 2019.
Australian International School will follow closely the approach adopted by its well respected founding sister school, the Australian International School Sharjah, reviewed here. This was both the first Australian school to be established in the Middle East and the first example of the State Government of Queensland entering into a partnership to provide the Queensland curriculum ‘off shore.’ Like its sister, the Australian International School Dubai will offer a K12 curriculum
At the school’s launch, announced by Dr. Omar Jaffar, pictured below and the co-founder of both schools, it was announced that the new school will seek to offer the best of its sister school in Sharjah, including its full K12 Queensland based curriculum, but with the backing of an AED150 million campus; four-storey based landmark school architectural design; and facility provision to pitch the school to compete with the very best schools in the UAE.
The Australian International School Dubai will be developed across an 8 and half acre campus, and the school will offer around 85 classrooms; a 600 seat landmark auditorium; central library; a full spectrum of dedicated Art and Music rooms; separate Science labs by specialism; ICT labs; separate multi-purpose hall, MUGA court; SEND learning centres; and a competition football pitch. The school will open in phased launch to its eventual capacity of 2000 students – relatively small by the standards of many new schools in Dubai.
The Australian International School Dubai, like its sister, will offer dedicated centres of education for children at each phase of Early Learning, Junior, Middle and Senior School phases.
Bottom line? The SchoolsCompared.com verdict of the Australian International School Dubai 2018
As above, we recommend that parents look at our overall very positive review of the founding school in Sharjah, here. Here we look at some of the differences between the UK and Australian approaches, for example, and what makes an Australian school education stand out.
On the basis of feedback from parents, teachers and students from its founding school, we have every reason to believe that the Australian International School Dubai will offer a very high standard of education for children – and one very much built around happiness and the the whole child.
We have approached the school for further information and shall update our ‘First looks’ in the coming months.
The Australian International School Dubai is certainly one to watch.
© SchoolsCompared.com 2018
First inspection due 2022
NA - new school under construction
NA - new school under construction
Private, for profit
Forthcoming 2018
TBC.
Notes:
(1) Current Sharjah fees below:
ELC: 36,700
PREP: 36,700
YEAR 1: 36,700
YEAR 2: 39,750
YEAR 3: 39,750
YEAR 4: 41,800
YEAR 5: 41,800
YEAR 6: 48,950
YEAR 7: 48,950
YEAR 8: 52,000
YEAR 9: 52,000
YEAR 10: 60,150
YEAR 11: 60,150
YEAR 12: 66,300
YEAR 13: NA
Australian High School Diploma (Queensland)
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Education Queensland (Queensland Department of Education and Training)
International Baccalaureate Organisation
Yes
Notes:
(1) All students must sit an academic assessment
(2) SEND: fully inclusive
(3) Nationality: fully inclusive
No
Capacity 2000
1:15 (based on Sharjah standards TBC)
Australian
Notes:
(1) All teachers must hold degree level certification and QTS or equivalent with at least 2 year of experience post qualification. Australian curriculum experience is a pre-requisite of employment at the school. Previous international experience is welcomed.
New school under construction
Projected opening 2019-20
Hessa Street, Al Barsha, Dubai
International - expected around 60 nationalities
Mixed, co-educational
Yes
Al Sharif Investment Group LLC, CEO: Dr. Omar Jaffar, FCA/Othman Sharif
Government of Queensland, Australia
+971 (0)6 559 9967 (Sharjah switchboard)
Australian (Queensland) curriculum school
Proven history through its respected and well-established founding sohool in Sharjah
Backing of Queensland government
Proven expertise in Arabic languages for all students - a traditional challenged for all non Arabic schools in the UAE
Inevitable teething challenges likely of any new school
No confirmation of provision of the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme - which we believe should be provided as a matter of course by all IB schools
I need to apply my CV as Islamic coordinator and Teacher for Arab and Non-Arab
Could you send the email-dress?
Regards,
Sherin
[email protected]
Hi Sherin,
The opening of the school has been postponed with no new date confirmed as yet. However, the set up of the school is being dealt with through the original Sharjah branch – we would suggest you contact them.
Please could you update this comparison for the AIS as it’s fully operational now and it deserves a fully updated review. Thank you so much.
Thank you Sarah for reaching out to us. It is on our list! All best wishes, the SchoolsCompared.com Team