Best School for the Performing Arts and Broader Arts Programmes Nomination 2021:
Dubai English Speaking School
Web site: here.
Our review: here.
Contact information: here
Email: [email protected] | Mrs. Aisling Hubert
Phone: Mrs. Aisling Hubert, Admissions Manager | +971 (0)4 360 4866 ext 203
Our rating: 
Background
DESS was the very first British Curriculum school to open in Dubai to educate the children of the expat population. From its humble origins in 1963, the school now boasts modern facilities and classrooms of the highest standards
Performing Arts at DESS brings together Drama, Music and Dance (one of the few schools to offer this as a subject). There is a commitment to the arts and its importance in providing students with a holistic education. The DESS leadership feel it is important to offer students the opportunity to perform while also remaining inclusive to all, offering students a broad range of opportunities to develop their performance skills within the performing arts.
All of the children at DESS are taught an instrument in the classroom. The Foundation Stage children learn all about rhythms through drums and shakers, children in Key Stage 1 lean the xylophone and children in Key Stage 2 learn a different instrument every year. Year 3 learns the recorder, year 4 learns the ukulele, and Year 5 learns the tin-whistle and Year 6 learn the guitar. These instruments for the basis of learning in the classroom and at the end of the academic year the children perform for an audience.
DESS is one of only a few primary schools in Dubai to offer dance lessons within the curriculum to children. They have dance specialist and all children at DESS receive regular dance lessons.
DESPA (Dubai English Speaking Performing Arts Academy) was the first Performing Arts Academy to be established by a UAE-based school.
“It is vital that all children have the chance to acquire skills in Art, Music and Dance. For some of our pupils this is their chance to shine! I am hugely proud of our wonderful Art and Performing Arts teams and their achievements. By the time they leave DESS, every child will have had the opportunity to learn 4 instruments and become a DESS artist!”
Catherine Dando. Head teacher. Dubai English Speaking School.
“The Performing Arts are a crucial part of life at DESS. We strive to be an all-inclusive department and give every child the opportunity to learn an instrument, sing in a choir and perform on stage.
Our teachers are passionate about Music, Dance and Drama and the highlight of their day is to see smiling children in their classroom, pushing themselves to learn a new note or dance move.
As teachers we are constantly striving to better ourselves by up skilling so that we can pass this new knowledge on to the children in a fun and exciting way. Our lessons are interactive, child-led and differentiated, ensuring that each child reaches their full potential.”
Niamh Mead. Head of Performing Arts. Dubai English Speaking School.
Fee range
AED 37,334 for Foundation Stage 1 and FS2-Year 6 AED 46,204.
Prospectus
Performing Arts at DESS
Key Features
| Music
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Performing Arts | Art | |
| Specialisms | Ensemble performance
Solo Performance Choral Singing Band Performance Access to the wide range of optional extra-curricular activities. A variety of individual tuition available from our highly qualified instrumental and vocal teachers. Every student has the opportunity to take a internationally recognised graded examinations, such as an ABRSM/ TRINITY. Participation in a range of performance opportunities in and out of the DESSC community. Dubai Opera and masterclasses with leading world-renowned musicians. |
Dance
Music Drama Music Technology
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Fine art
Mark making and tone Painting techniques Colour theory Ceramics (Clay techniques) 3D/Sculpture Textiles
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| Recent Achievements | Lamda examinations, both Musical Theatre and Acting
Full Key Stage 2 instrumental program: every child learns a different instrument every year. Training Band: children are provided with an instrument and tuition free of charge to learn a wind or brass instrument. Individual instrumental program: pupils access private lessons within school from in-house instrumental teachers. Performance opportunities with The Fridge and participation in large-scale events.
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Participation in the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony in Abu Dhabi
Winners of Street Dance Jr DXB Winners of Most Technical Performance at Desert Dance Consistently high results in ABRSM and Trinity exams
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COVID-19 has not prevented the children from blossoming in Art. It has also provided a space for the children to come together as a community, in whole school projects.
During 2019-2020, upper KS2 children were invited to enter DESC’s annual photography competition. This will now be a regular event for Year 5 and 6 pupils. A second ECA has been provided to meet the high demand. The clubs have enjoyed creating individual pieces and worked collaboratively on large-scale pieces displayed in the school. The IQ180 project for Year 6 children has provided the artists with the freedom to explore their preferred style of art. Artist in Residence event – Parent art demonstrations.
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| Stand out features | All students have performance opportunities through the school musical and other extra-curricular activities catering to bespoke needs of each child.
Use of the Recording Studio at the senior school. A peripatetic program that includes; voice, piano, strings, woodwind. Regular performance opportunities from in classroom the school gate to the stage in our auditorium.
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DESPA (Dubai English Speaking Performing Arts Academy) was the first Performing Arts Academy to be established by a UAE-based school
One of very few schools have a dedicated Dance teacher offering dance lessons to children throughout the school as part of the curriculum. The annual school musicals. Students take on the role of performers and are our Backstage Crew, Front of House, Technical Crew and Set Designers. Pupils have the opportunity to perform in the Interhouse Performing Arts Competition at DESSC, DESS Has Talent, Tuesday Tunes, International Day and National day performances. We provide opportunities to perform at public performances outside of the school including Market Outside The Box in front of the Burj Khalifa, The Special Olympic Games and festive performances at Wafi.
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‘Every DESS child is an artist’, ‘no right or wrong in Art’ builds on the confidence of children for high self-belief.
A spacious Art studio, well-resourced It is a space where they can confidently explore, create and achieve away from the more traditional classroom setting. Young artists use and develop their creative thinking skills to visually and creatively solve the challenges. Child-initiated murals have transformed outdoor learning areas. Our Specialist Art teacher liaises closely with the Art Team at DESC to ensure progression and a smooth transition between KS2 and KS3.
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| Facilities/
Infrastructure |
Large and inspiring teaching room
Instrumental Practice Rooms Access to a bespoke Recording Studio at DESSC Mac ICT suite Ensemble rehearsal spaces Auditorium for concerts and shows
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The facilities underwent a significant renovation which included the refurbishment of two music room, three practice rooms, a specialized dance space and major renovations to our main auditorium.
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Art is taught by a specialist art teacher
A dedicated Art studio and each year group also has their own stock of a wide range of resources.
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| Scholarship | |||
| Capital Investment | Training Band program providing free instruments and tuition
Suite of Ipads dedicated for Music use Renovation of Music rooms and creation of new practice rooms
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Training Band program providing free instruments and tuition
Suite of Ipads dedicated for Music use Renovation of Music rooms and creation of new practice rooms Refurbishment of Dance Studio and main auditorium
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External Examination Partnerships:
DESS works in co-ordination with DESC who are an examination centre for ABRSM, Trinity and Lamda examinations.
What the Students say about Music
“Music at DESS is really fun because every year, we get to learn a new instrument. I love how we can sign up for ECAs to completely master an instrument.”
Lyn Majed. Student. Dubai English Speaking School.
“The Art, Music and Performing Arts department is outstanding at DESS. It has provided me so many wonderful opportunities to express my passion for Performing Arts and creativity. I have been involved in Choir- fest, Street dance and Desert dance competitions as well as taking part in all of the school activities and productions. Not only having fun during art lessons, we have been involved with collaborative murals around the school. During music lessons we have learnt guitar, ukulele and recorder. Tuesday tunes is so much fun as we sing and play instruments in front of the school gate in the mornings to brighten everyone’s
Zialla Simon. Student. Dubai English Speaking School.
What The Parents Say About Music
“As with the other departments, the Music Department in DESS is outstanding. We are blessed to have 3 children at DESS, who all love their music classes and each day we will have a rendition of the song that one has learnt, and it will be sung several times 😊The enthusiasm and talent our teachers inspires and encourages the children, whether it be through singing, listening, theory or playing. The children have had the opportunity to learn to play a wide variety of instruments and to study various composers from a young age. They have been actively involved in the school choir and our eldest had the honour of performing at the Special Olympics in 2019. A truly memorable experience. We are so thankful to them all for all their hard work and dedication.”
Orla Carbery. Parent. Dubai English Speaking School.
What the Students say about Performing Arts
“At DESS, I have achieved being in the dance squad, the choir and performing the piano at various events. What is exciting at DESS is that we have a play every 2 years where everyone gets to perform whether it’s a dancer, a soloist or a cast member.”
Lyn Majed. Student. Dubai English Speaking School.
What the parents say about Performing Arts
“The Performing Arts Department at DESS has provided our children with the opportunity to engage in really fun classes, through a holistic approach, engaging their emotions, minds and body through movement and self expression. Our eldest daughter (Year 6), in particular has thoroughly enjoyed Dance Squad, with the opportunity to perform in competitions and shows. Through this, she has developed her confidence through self-expression and communication.”
Orla Carbery. Parent. Dubai English Speaking School.
“The music and performing arts departments at DESS are very nurturing of talent and produce remarkable work. They allow each child from FS1 through Year 6 to have weekly exposure to music and dance through various mediums such as scheduled lessons, school choir, Elite choir, DESPA or after school activities.
DESS’s music department provides a variety of programs which allow the children to learn the key elements of music through listening, composing, performing many different genres and cultures while having fun.
Children also have the opportunity to take individual instrumental and performing arts lessons.
Every year, children have the opportunity to learn and perform with a new musical instrument of their choice, broadening their knowledge of instruments. The staff are very knowledgeable and have positive energy which brings out the best in each child.
The performing arts department brings together the 3 areas of music, dance and drama.
Children are able to showcase their musical and acting talents through the many productions and Christmas concerts that DESS arranges for the students. Through our 7 year journey at DESS, watching my children go through FS1-Year 6, the level of excitement and positive energy that can be felt sitting in the auditorium watching my children perform has brought tears to my eyes at many moments over the years.
Dr. Zara Arezu Akhavan. Parent. Dubai English Speaking School.
What the Students say about Art
“I love art at DESS because we get to study about different artists that use different styles. I love how in art, we get to improve our creativity and our focus level. “
Lyn Majed. Student. Dubai English Speaking School.
What the Parents say about Art
“The Art teachers at DESS have inspired our children to be incredibly creative. By studying different genres/artists, they have been given opportunities to explore their own ideas and styles, using a wide range of materials and design techniques. Their enthusiasm and support has been monumental.”
Orla Carbery. Parent. Dubai English Speaking School.
“The arts department at DESS allows the children to explore and nurture their creative side while allowing them the opportunity to express themselves. Each child has their own sketchbook and there are multiple opportunities during the year where their work is showcased and children take great pride in sharing their work. During the multiple events that take place in DESS such as Christmas, International National and Flag Day children from FS1 through Year 6 are invited to participate in many art activities related to those events and their work is later exhibited all over the school. DESS is an all inclusive school which provides support for all children. Through positive reinforcement and support, they bring out the best in every single child, allowing them to reach their maximum potential. I couldn’t be prouder that my children have been and continue to be a part of this amazing school.”
Dr. Zara Arezu Akhavan. Parent. Dubai English Speaking School.
Student Slipstream Graduating Institutions and achievements
Cambridge University
Music Technology and Production Degree in America
Professional Dance and Musical Theatre degree at Urdang
BA degree at Laine Theatre Arts
BIMM (Popular music)
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