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Australian International School Dubai, Al Barsha – The Review
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Australian International School Dubai, Al Barsha – The Review

by Jon WestleyOctober 16, 2018

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.

Map showing the location of the new Australian International School in Al Barsha 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.

Satellite image showing the location of the site for building the new Australain International School in Al Barsha Dubai

 

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

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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.

Photo from the launcvh of the Australian International School in Al Barsha Dubai

Photograph of the founder , Dr. Omar Jaffar, at the launch of the new Australian International School in Dubai to be based in Al Barsha

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 

Australian International School Dubai and Sharjah school uniform

 

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

Details to consider
2017/18 Overall ADEC / KHDA Rating

First inspection due 2022

2016/17 Overall ADEC / KHDA Rating

NA - new school under construction

2015/16 Overall KHDA / ADEC Rating

NA - new school under construction

Type of school

Private, for profit

Full WSA Review

Forthcoming 2018

Average Cost Per Year

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

Curriculum

Australian High School Diploma (Queensland)
International Baccalaureate Diploma

External Exam Boards

Education Queensland (Queensland Department of Education and Training)
International Baccalaureate Organisation

Selective

Yes
Notes:
(1) All students must sit an academic assessment
(2) SEND: fully inclusive
(3) Nationality: fully inclusive

Waiting list

No

Number of Students

Capacity 2000

Teacher to Student Ratio

1:15 (based on Sharjah standards TBC)

Largest nationality teachers

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.

Year opened

New school under construction
Projected opening 2019-20

Location

Hessa Street, Al Barsha, Dubai

Student composition

International - expected around 60 nationalities

Gender

Mixed, co-educational

School canteen

Yes

Owner

Al Sharif Investment Group LLC, CEO: Dr. Omar Jaffar, FCA/Othman Sharif
Government of Queensland, Australia

Admissions Telephone

+971 (0)6 559 9967 (Sharjah switchboard)

Web Address
Strengths

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

Weaknesses

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

Is this school on your shortlist?
Top of shortlist
31%
In my Top 5
23%
Shortlisted
15%
A possibility
27%
Pass
0%
No way
4%
About The Author
Jon Westley
Jon Westley is the Editor of SchoolsCompared.com and WhichSchoolAdvisor.com UK. You can email him at jonathanwestley [at] schoolscompared.com
4 Comments
  • Sherin Helmy
    February 26, 2019 at 10:17 am

    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]

    • February 26, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      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.

  • Sarah
    June 26, 2024 at 1:42 pm

    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.

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