Best School for the Performing Arts and Broader Arts Programmes Nomination 2021:
Dubai English Speaking College (DESC)
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
https://youtu.be/zqjcfrRQLUg
Dubai English Speaking College is part of the oldest British school in Dubai, Dubai English Speaking School (DESS). The secondary school was established in 2005 to meet the needs of parents and children requiring continuing British education up to Year 13. Our long proud history together is traced back through the roots of DESS. The modern spacious facilities are located in Academic City and were officially opened in February 2007 by The Duchess of Cornwall and Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Princess of Jordan, Sheikha of Dubai.
The Performing Arts Faculty’s mission is to foster independent thinking in a creative and challenging environment, by providing a diverse curriculum, extra-curricular provision and preparation for higher education within the arts.
The aim is to instil confidence, self-discipline and the ability to communicate effectively with others, becoming creative and responsible young adults.
“Music and performing arts are integral parts of our curriculum and co-curriculum. We believe that all students should have the opportunity to study music, drama and dance and that children thrive from the exposure to these curriculum areas. In addition, there are many skills that can be learnt that are transferable and compliment other subjects too.
Our investment in this area demonstrates our commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities.
We are proud of our association with the prestigious Arts Ed and the numerous community events we support through performing arts.”
Mr Andrew Gibbs. Principal and Chief Executive Officer. Dubai English Speaking School and College
“DESC’s Performing Arts vision is to be an internationally important creative hub at the heart of a thriving and resilient theatre and performance ecology in the UAE.
There is a commitment to the arts and its importance in providing students with a holistic education.
As a Faculty we feel it is important to offer students the opportunity to perform at the highest level while also remaining inclusive to all, offering students a broad range of opportunities to develop their creative skills. I am extremely proud of the enthusiasm, resilience and talent of our students; this is demonstrated through our Examination Performances, annual Whole School Musical extravaganza and across a variety of extra-curricular workshops.
Our Performing Arts Faculty strive to be inclusive, inspirational and creative in their approach to the Performing Arts.
We are always working to improve, refine and develop the lessons we deliver in order to allow our students to be the best version of themselves moving forward. Over the past 6 years we have expanded our skill set and worked tirelessly to explore within every avenue of Performing Arts, enriching the students’ experiences and increasing participation. I can honestly state that this is the type of environment that any student can flourish within, not just those with a natural flair within the arts.
We believe that the Performing Arts’ disciplines are among the most powerful forces for developing individuals, supporting them to realise a sense of personal growth and achieve excellence throughout their educational career.”
Head of Performing Arts. Dubai English Speaking College.
Fee range
From AED 79,392 (Years 7-11) To AED 85,332 (Years 12-13/Sixth Form).
Prospectus
Performing Arts: here
Art, Design and Photography: here
Music: here
Dance: here
Key features
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Music
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Performing Arts | Art | |
| Specialisms | Cross Key- Stage collaborative activities and to learn more about specialisms such as:
Ensemble performance Solo Performance Choral Singing Chamber Music Every student can access optional extra-curricular activities and the variety of individual tuition available from qualified instrumental and vocal teachers. Through our curriculum and optional instrumental programme, every student has the opportunity to take a internationally recognised graded examinations, such as an ABRSM/ TRINITY. A wide range of performance opportunities both inside and outside the DESSC community, with performances culminating in treading the boards at Dubai Opera and masterclasses with leading world-renowned musicians.
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Dance
Drama Music Music Technology
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GCSE Fine Art EDEXCEL
A Level Fine Art EDEXCEL A Level Photography EDEXCEL GCSE Design Technology AQA
At examination level students predominantly study a Fine Art course that allows for breadth of study. Examination level courses studies include: The structure of the Year 10-13 DESC art course is based on growing personalised pathways. Initial intro structured learning in Year 10. Students are then encouraged to peruse and avenue of strength and interest, in them and in method. Students work in a ‘fine art’ multi-disciplinary manner and develop the following media/processes: Painting and drawing Sculpture and installation– Printing – mono-printing, lino-printing Experimental media Photography and film Constructed textiles Animation and graphics
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| Recent Achievement | Inspiring students to pursue higher education to a variety of Music Degrees: Popular Music, Music and Film, Music Technology and Production as well as Musical Theatre, all of which are in the UK or America.
The introduction of Lamda examinations, both Musical Theatre and Acting Choir of the Year Competition winners throughout the years Finalist for Which School Advisor Young Musician Winners of Battle of the Bands Dubai Competition Finalists chosen for Dubai Opera Masterclasses with professional musicians Performance opportunities with the Fridge, Arts Educational Schools. Creating exceptional experiences for students to perform at Dubai Opera and within the wider community encompassing mass choirs and working with professional conductors Secure GCSE and A Level Music results
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Highest achieving A Level Drama Student in the World (Edexcel 2017)
Two-time winner of the Cambridge IGCSE Drama Outstanding Learner Award (2016 and 2018) Winners of the 2017 Dubai Opera ChoirFest Competition (2017) and runners up (2018) Dubai School Battle of the Band Winners (2018) Dubai School Dance Championship Runners up (2018)
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The Creative Arts Faculty was established in September 2020 to include Art, Photography and Design Technology – to promote a holistic engagement in arts and design based disciplines. The faculty includes staff from a range of disciplines.
The launch of Photography A-level in 2017 as an expansion of provision. Exhibition opportunities: Expansion of exhibition opportunities in the annual GCSE and A-Level exhibition. Showcasing the work of circa 70 students at examination level and includes nearly 1000 pieces of artwork and art books. Expansion of wider engagement with Creative Arts opportunities through: Annual en plein air Drawing trips to Dubai Creek Photography trips Competitions (where available) Guest speakers from universities EPQ support roles DT House activities and exhibition Set designing and painting opportunities Extra Curricular Clubs: upper-school art clubs, KS3 art clubs, photography clubs Louvre trip Art Dubai trips Tashkeel print workshop Art based lectures for students prepping for the World Scholars Cup
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| Stand out features | Inclusive approach, all students, are given performance opportunities through school musical and extra-curricular activities which are made bespoke to the needs of the individual child.
GCSE and A Level students offered free instrumental lessons and performance practice sessions one to one. Collaborating with Arts Education Schools, SPAA and leading professionals within the industry to give our students the best insight to working in the real world and professional performance. Opportunities for students to perform and promote material within our Recording Studio. Many of these students have now gained a large social media following, with students gaining thousands of views through our Live Lounge sessions. A popular peripatetic programme that includes; voice, piano, strings, woodwind.
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The only school in Dubai to offer Key Stage 5 vocational Rock School London courses that are bespoke to each student. The course includes modules in Acting, Dance, Musical Theatre, Arts Administration and Backstage Managers.
Partnership with ArtsEd during the 2019-2020 academic year. Students were able to work alongside leading West End actors and directors during residential at the college. Students were able to participate in a range of Musical Theatre workshops and performances to a range of audiences. GCSE and A Level students were also able to develop their audition material and participate in intense audition boot camps. The annual Whole School Musical event with over 150 students participating. Students also have the opportunity to perform in the KS3 Showcase, KS5 Celebration, Inter-house Performing Arts Competition, DESC FEST, Battle of the DESC and DESC Fest. We provide opportunities to perform at a vast array of public performances outside of the college, most recently for Market Outside The Box in front of the Burj Khalifa, The Special Olympic Games, the BBC Proms and the Remembrance service at the British Embassy.
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Inter-House photography competition and exhibition allows students to engage with creativity pursuits regardless of age, ability and subjects’ studies. Awards presented.
Celebration of achievements: Awards and prizes to the Artist of the Year, Exhibition of the Year and Photographer of the Year at the annual exhibitions. New faculty awards – ‘Creator of the Month’ and ‘Creator of the Week’ during the online learning period Collaborate approach with subjects at DESC: Overseas art trips to London (bi-annual) and Russia (2013) – in collaboration with Performing Arts and History. Local trips (current as past) collaborated in with Science and Islamic Studies. Fine Art links with our sister school, DESS, through meeting and transition events with Year 4-6 students to encourage an awareness of Fine Art at an early age Investment in the future of our students – support of students with university preparation through personal statements (UCAS), portfolio advice and mock interviews. Visits from arts-based universities to the DESC Art Dept.
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| Facilities/
Infrastructure |
Large and inspiring teaching rooms
Instrumental Practice Rooms Bespoke Recording Studio Mac ICT suite Ensemble rehearsal spaces Auditorium for concert venues
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The Faculty recently underwent a significant renovation which included the refurbishment of three Drama studios, one with a full lighting rig and three Music classrooms, one of which is a fully equipped Mac Suite with adjoining Recording Studio. Music software has also been invested in with the inclusion of Sibelius 7, Garageband and Pro Logic 9. We also have two specialised Dance spaces and six smaller instrumental and performance rehearsal rooms.
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Superb multi-disciplinary art spaces that allows for a range of media and fine art practices
Design Technology workshop set up for the launch of GCSE DT in 2017 DESC has shown investment in the expansion of provision/resources to include photography A Level in 2017 Specialist Photography studio set up in Sept 2019 Investment in an annual art exhibition and opening night Training investment and staff development – Gulf Photo Plus partnership for staff training as well as a range of external courses. Please note that DESC Creative Arts also recruited an NQT in 2019. Expansion of leadership opportunities in the faculty with Head of Photography appointed in 2020.
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| Scholarship | One student Year 13 has secured a full 100% scholarship in the USA to study Art from Sept 2020 | ||
| Capital Investment | State-of-the-art recording studio and Mac Suite
Arts Educational Schools Free instrumental lessons for GCSE/ A Level
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State of the art Recording Studio and Mac Suite
Partnership with ArtsEd
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Expansion of curriculum, infrastructure, facilities and leadership roles within the faculty are yet to be decided as the faculty was set up in Sept 2019
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External Examination Partnerships:
Trinity
ABRSM
Rock and Pop and Rock School Music Examinations
LAMDA Acting and Musical Theatre Examinations
IGCSE Cambridge Drama
AQA A Level Drama
AQA GCSE Dance
Edexcel GCSE Music
Edexcel A Level Music
Edexcel A Level Music Technology
RSL Creative and Performing Arts
RSL Music Practitioners
What the Students say about Music and Dance
“The Arts have developed and grown throughout my years at DESC, breaking new fronts within Music at school. With auditions approaching in December the Performing Arts Faculty have done an incredible job of preparing me for the intensity of the auditions and the industry as a whole.
From the outstanding school productions and excellent LAMDA results, the Performing Arts team always motivate students to achieve their best.”
Oliver Ferro
What The Parents Say About Music and Dance
The Faculty nurtures every student both in formal curriculum lessons and all extra-curricular sessions.
The calibre of their teaching is very high – the performances for GCSE and A Levels are described as breath taking by all parents who watch.
The addition of the very strong instrumental team this year, the ambitious Billy Elliot performance last year (I do not believe any school –anywhere, has put on the staging with 3 Billys), the inclusion of Dance as an ECA and as a competitive team, the opportunities to perform at Euro Disney, attend workshops at the Opera House and sing with the BBC Proms are just some examples that the team embrace the concept of continuous improvement – never sitting on their laurels and striving to provide as many students as possible with an opportunity to develop their skills and passion.”
Parent. Dubai English Speaking College.
What the Students say about Performing Arts
“A dream where anything is possible and the Performing Arts Faculty at DESC are basically the same thing.”
Beau Lonergan
“The Performing Arts Faculty is my second home; I share a community filled with passion, creativity and talent where I never feel afraid to be myself.”
Tara Quborsi
What the parents say about Performing Arts
“I do believe that the Performing Arts Department at DESC is extraordinary, truly exceptional and offers world-class provision of music, drama and dance to the students at DESC. As a parent, I feel immensely privileged to be asked to tell you why. I am (naturally!) very proud of my son who is involved in Senior Choir, Chamber Choir, DESC Dance Company and the Annual Musical. He also chose to include Music and Drama within his GCSE choices.
When not performing, for, and within the school, he is given multiple opportunities to work with the audio-visual and technical elements of performances/assemblies and he supports the school as a Senior Performing Arts Leader.”
Parent. Dubai English Speaking College.
“As a parent of a Year 7 student new to the school this year, I am absolutely delighted with the variety of opportunities available across the Performing Arts. Already this term my daughter has started learning a new instrument through the Instrumental service, is a member of the cast for Wizard of Oz and is taking part in the Desert Dance competition as a part of the DESC Dance Company. The dedication and support of the Performing Arts Faculty is second to none!”
Parent. Dubai English Speaking College.
What the Parents say about Art
“Every single teacher in the faculty has made a difference to my son. Without their support, guidance, dedication to teaching, role modelling, imagination, passion (for Art and their students), and most importantly their belief in him – he would not be the individual he is today seriously considering a profession within the Arts.”
Parent. Dubai English Speaking College.
Student Slipstream Graduating Institutions
NYU Tisch School of Art, whose alumni boast Alec Baldwin and Lady Gaga
Laine Theatre Arts
Urdang Academy
Goldsmith’s University of London
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge University of British Columbia
Vancouver Institute of the Arts, Barcelona
University of Leeds PPA Academy
Guildford Royal Holloway Arts University
Bournemouth Berklee College of Music, Tampa
Flame University, Pune, India
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