The Best School for Theatre, Dance and The Performing Arts in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024 Revealed. Top Schools Award Winner. Official.
The Winner
The SchoolsCompared.com Top Schools Awards for
The Best School for Theatre, Dance and The Performing Arts in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024
is awarded to:
Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park
Our view of Dubai British School – Jumeirah Park
Web: https://www.dubaibritishschooljp.ae
KHDA: Very Good with Outstanding Features
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/dubai-british-school-jumeirah-park
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/dubai-british-school-jumeirah-park-jumeirah-park/
Dubai British School Jumeirah Park has become the powerhouse school for The Performing Arts in the Emirates, with investment in its students at every stage of the curriculum beyond-outstanding. In our view, for parents seeking a Tier 1 Premium, world-class Performing Arts education for the children Dubai British School Jumeirah Park has earned its place right at the top of the tree.
The curriculum culminates in the BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts qualification, in this case geared to powerfully open up specialist school, university and industry opportunities for every student, with each student equipped in graduation with a passport “written in the stars” and, on results achieved to dates, the qualifications to ensure they are competitive with the best graduating students in Performing Arts, including Dance and Theatre (A Level), anywhere in the world.
Beyond this, Jumeirah British Jumeirah Park offers far and away the most exciting, beautifully conceived, in-depth, stretching – but hugely fun Performing Arts BTEC designed delivery we have seen in the Emirates to date.
Students invest arguably two of the most important years of their lives in a ground-breaking, hugely demanding, richly rewarding thrill-ride of a learning experience that builds not only accomplished artists in their field, but beautifully well-rounded, interesting young men and women that would be a delight to invite to dinner, or count as a good friend.
No school, and the competition is extraordinarily fierce in this sector, betters the offer here which is an absolute credit to its teachers, the school leadership that have invested hearts, soul and financially to deliver the best in the sector, and the whole school for getting behind this stand-out, life filled and afforming, Performing Arts, Dance and Theatre curriculum and its deserving status within an otherwise outstanding-plus and remarkable school.
Facilities, as you would expect, are outstanding.
You can see the investment – from a brand new state of the art Dance Studios, a stunning 550-seater Theatre and a purpose built 6th Form and BTEC hub. The 550 seat theatre has had absolutely no expense spared, as you would expect from a centrifugally important part of the school’s 360 degree focus on the whole child. It incorporates luxury seating, fully lit stage to the nth, phenomenal sound infrastructure and provides the students with the space to rehearse and perform in a genuinely professional theatre environment.
The three, purpose built, fully mirrored dance studios with sprung floors allow students to refine and master their dance technique.
The recording studio gives technical enhancement and support to provide high quality recordings and production.
The fully functioning radio studio allows students to gain experience of broadcasting and, as a facility, enables Dubai British School Jumeirah Park to showcase performances and podcasts to the whole school community.
Seven practice rooms provide individuals and ensembles space to rehearse. A wide range of music facilities support the Performing Arts curriculum, including four purpose-built music teaching rooms and a fully equipped music technology suite.
Bringing all this together the extremely close, professional partnership with Dubai Performing Arts enables Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, powers the BTEC Programme and, in addition to the full school curriculum, enhancements from Dubai Performing Arts allow for students to experience masterclasses, workshops, 1:1 sessions, technical expertise and audition preparation, in addition to entry for the fullest suite of performing arts qualifications outside BTEC from the industry’s most highly regarded external accreditors.
Finally Dubai Performing Arts also provide the opportunity for gifted and talented students to audition for a Scholarship for both Dubai Performing Arts and a part scholarship with Dubai British School for the landmark BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Performing Arts.
Performing Arts Students were awarded 5 Trinity Toppers Awards for gaining the highest Musical Theatre exam results across Dubai and the UAE. Performing Arts Graduates have gained places at the who’s who of best-in-class destinations from ArtsEducational and Urdang, to The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and The Brits School. Students successfully auditioned for the ensemble of the professional musical EVITA and performed alongside Broadway performers at Dubai Opera. DPA held the first Performing Arts School annual show at Dubai Opera back in 2018, paving the way for other schools to follow suit.
All students study Drama in KS2 and KS3 on a weekly basis. Students are recognised not just on their ability to perform, but also on their creative skills, their articulated responses to Drama, their understanding of the subject and their ability to collaborate with, and lead, a group.
The Dubai British School Jumeirah Park elite Dance Squad perform regularly at national and international events. A range of curriculum dance and performance opportunities allow all its students to engage with dance styles from Year 1 onwards, with ALL of its primary students competing in the Primary Dance competition. Flash mobs, coordinated by the dance team, are a regular feature in the Primary curriculum and allow students the opportunity to choreograph and rehearse each routine with their peers. Dance is firmly embedded within the Physical Education curriculum too. KS3, 4 + 5 students have participated in virtual workshops, including with the lead cast of the hit West-End musical, School of Rock.
The Dubai British School Jumeirah Park Specialist Programme for Gifted and Talented students in the Performing Arts exposes them to a host of activities, from progress passports, to conducting workshops, 1:1 interviews with professional musicians, to master classes with West End performers and composition masterclasses with industry composers. The school strives to ensure all its students have as much “real world” experience and exposure as possible, acknowledging the challenges of promoting such a diverse and rich performing arts curriculum in Dubai. Value-added regularly exceeds plus two grades above baseline projected flightpaths in Performing Arts related disciplines.
We believe the following 7 quotes capture perfectly just how the level of ambition, investment and attainment is at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park:
On genuine inclusion and how Performing Arts makes all the difference in Sport:
“We have a number of students who do not enjoy a “games” heavy curriculum. The introduction of curriculum dance has allowed them to develop their confidence, performance and leadership skills and it has been a pleasure to watch them flourish during lessons and with their peers. Dance lends itself to the development of performance, choreography and evaluation, all skills that our students can use in PE lessons and the classroom. It is amazing to see so many of our less extroverted students come alive when they have the opportunity to dance and perform.”
Michelle Rooney, Director of Sport, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
On the Impacts of Investment in The Performing Arts on Drama
“As a teacher of Drama at DBSJP, I feel extraordinarily lucky to work in a school which celebrates and values Arts education for all students in our care. The facilities here really are world class, giving students a valuable insight into the environment of the professional industry. The broad curriculum on offer provides a thorough Arts education. In Drama this includes theatre history, performance styles and practitioners, alongside cross-curricular links and PSHE. Every lesson develops students’ ability to work creatively, collaborative effectively and perform in front of others with growing confidence and flare.
“The students benefit hugely from our close link with Dubai Performing Arts. This relationship, alongside the experiences and dedication of our Performing Arts teachers, have given our students the opportunity to work closely with industry professionals and access to a multitude of extra-curricular opportunities. This year has been a huge challenge for the Arts globally, and I am proud to work for a school which has committed wholeheartedly to overcoming these challenges to ensure every DBSJP student continues to receive on outstanding Arts education”
Ruth Sanders, Teacher of Drama, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
On Why The Performing Arts is the Centre of the Universe for The Whole Child
“I am passionate about providing the opportunity for each our students to receive a high-quality arts education. For me, it is less about providing them with a career pathway, although many of our students are following this trajectory and doing so brilliantly.
“It is about giving the students the broader, creative experiences that will shape them in their future lives; the skills to tackle the future with confidence; an understanding that rehearsing and refining creates perfection; the ability to understand that not all “performances” in life will go well and how to dig deep when this happens; how to lead; how to support; how to work as a team; how to take risks and overall, develop a greater sense of self.
“The world needs all kinds of minds and it is our job as educators to ensure we provide every opportunity for our students to explore theirs.”
Rebecca Coulter, Principal, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
Award Presentation
Best-School-for-Theatre-Dance-Dubai-British-School-Winner-Certificate
The Top Schools Award for the Best School for Theatre, Dance and The Performing Arts in the United Arab Emirates 2023 – 2024 will be presented to Dubai British School Jumeirah Park at a special Breakfast Celebration at The Emirates Golf Club on the morning of 16th November 2023. At the event the recipient of The Top Schools Awards 2023 – 2024 for Outstanding Contribution to Education will be revealed.
Historic winners of the Outstanding Contribution to Education in the UAE Award include H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, recognised for his era defining leadership of Education in Dubai as a force for good; and the Varkey Family, for their instrumental role in shaping education in the UAE, and ensuring the life chances for generations of children, following the founding of GEMS Education in 1959.
Our Finalists.
Our extraordinary Finalists and those schools which have achieved outstandingly in so many ways for children in the Best School for Theatre, Dance and The Performing Arts category follow. Each of the following schools are recognised for their profound contribution to The Performing Arts, Dance and Theatre in UAE Education:
American School of Dubai
KHDA: Good with Predominant Outstanding Features
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/american-school-dubai-al-barsha/
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/american-school-of-dubai
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
ADEK: Outstanding
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/cranleigh-abu-dhabi
GEMS Wellington Schools Dubai:
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail
Web: https://www.gemswellingtonacademy-alkhail.com/en
KHDA: Very Good with Outstanding Features
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/gems-wellington-academy-al-khail/
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/gems-wellington-academy-al-khail
GEMS Wellington Academy Dubai Silicon Oasis
Web: https://www.gemswellingtonacademy-dso.com/en
KHDA: Very Good with Outstanding Features
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/gems-wellington-academy-silicon-oasis/
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/gems-wellington-academy-dubai-silicon-oasis
GEMS Wellington International School Dubai
Web: https://www.wellingtoninternationalschool.com
KHDA: Outstanding
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/gems-wellington-international-school-al-sufouh/
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/gems-wellington-international-school-dubai
Nord Anglia International School Dubai [NAS Dubai]
Web: https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/nas-dubai
KHDA: Outstanding
Review: https://schoolscompared.com/all-through/nord-anglia-international-school-dubai-al-barsha/
Review: https://whichschooladvisor.com/uae/school-review/nord-anglia-international-school-dubai
A final note.
The Top Schools Awards takes over a year to produce. It engages with parents, students educators and educationalists over countless months, and the work invested in these Awards is the stuff of sleepless nights and deeply felt responsibility. We produce these Awards to celebrate our amazing schools, our magnificent teachers – who are the centre of the universe, our school leaders, whose lives will be judged by their impact on children, and the amazing students that they build a future for. These Awards are only about recognising this – in a world in which our schools and educators have far, far too little recognition. If, on exploring these Awards, you do one single thing, it should be to reach out to each and every one and thank them for all they do, each and every one of our schools, teachers and school leaders. You have absolutely no idea how much that would mean.
© SchoolsCompared.com. A WhichMedia Group publication. 2023 – 2024. All rights reserved.
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