JESS students “kept their nerve, held their ground”. Jumeirah English Speaking School Dubai Director jubilant as International Baccalaureate and BTEC students “beyond excel”

JESS Dubai has announced its results – and it is very likely now that these will prove to be the best achieved this year by any school in the Emirates, and place JESS Dubai firmly, again, on the world stage in 2023.

Speaking with SchoolsCompared, a jubilant, visibly proud, and moved Shane O’Brien, Director of JESS Dubai, today issued a strident and extraordinarily powerful celebration of his student’s achievements in both BTEC and the IB – this in a year that the IB has harshly pulled back grades to pre-pandemic levels worldwide and all graduating students have had to endure journeys inconceivable before Covid:

I am so impressed (again) with our students and our staff. Whilst the world has seen a downward trend in IB results, with a re-set of grades back to pre-pandemic levels witnessed by an almost two-point move downwards in the global average, JESS students have kept their nerve and held their ground.

JESS results do not echo the level of this drop.

Results were in line with internal predictions and our mixed ability cohort showed exceptional value added in their final outcomes.

Our school continues to become increasingly inclusive so the fact that our students consistently achieve at such a level is quite remarkable. The JESS environment simply breeds success beyond what is expected through a careful balance of care, nurture and aspiration.

Our BTEC outcomes are once again through the roof. The BTEC educational experience is so enriching, and our extraordinary and inspirational BTEC students are achieving places on tertiary courses people simply did not think possible through this route.

I feel very privileged to be leading a school of such caring, and committed, students, staff and parents.

Shane O’Brien, Director, Jumeirah English Speaking School Dubai –  Arabian Ranches. July 2023.

Mr O’Brien’s delight was echoed by Kosta Lenkanides, Head of Sixth Form, JESS Dubai. Speaking with SchoolsCompared, Mr Lenkanides exclaimed:

“Woooohoooo! Suffice to say, I am immensely proud of our students’ performance in this May 2023 exam session.

Once again, JESS students continue to produce an incredible set of results achieving an average of 37 points, significantly outperforming the global average of 30. With global averages settling back into to their pre-COVID level, JESS students have managed to buck this trend and maintain a high point average.

It’s not simply about raw performance either as the school continues to develop students beyond baseline measures managing to add +1.2 points of value added (as measured against the baseline CAT4s).

The continued and sustained historic performance of the school is a real testament to the hard work of our teachers, support staff and leaders who help see a large cohort of students through each year to stellar results and first choice placements at university and beyond.

It is my 11^th year at JESS and I continue to feel that this school is a truly special place. As with each year, seeing the big smiles on our student’s faces on results night – and the sea of hugs among friends and family, is all the acknowledgment we need to keep us going with the confident knowledge what we are doing works – and works well. Go be fabulous JESS Cohort of 2023.”

Rebecca Headley, BTEC Coordinator, JESS Dubai, continued:

“A huge congratulations to all our incredible BTEC students who have achieved a remarkable set of results once again.

This year we had 14 students take on the demanding BTEC Extended Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design, Business or Sport with 11 of them achieving the full D*D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction*) with the remaining three not far behind with a combination of Distinction* and Distinction grades.

Aside from stellar academic performance these students have also secured some incredible first choice degree courses at universities including

• Long Island University (USA),
• Loughborough University,
• University of Bath,
• University of Bristol; and,
• Exeter University.

They are joined by some of their IBDP peers (and former JESS BTEC graduates) in these universities where we have no doubt they will continue to go from strength to strength.

We avidly look forward to hearing from them in the years to come as we expect great things.

As the JESS BTEC coordinator, I am immensely proud of each and every student for their dedication, perseverance, and outstanding achievements. These inspiring results showcase the value of the BTEC programme which continues to add value to our students’ lives and enables them to truly showcase their skills and abilities though its fit-for-purpose curriculum structuring.

All the best JESS BTEC Cohort of 2023.”

Delighted and Awesome JESS Dubai students and adoring families

IB Results – The Headlines

• Cohort Size: 98
• JESS Average: 37 points
• Pass Rate: 100%
• 30+ points: 97%
• 35+ points: 75%
• 40+ points: 29%
• Core Average: 2.04
• Highest Points Achieved: 45
• Overall Subject Average: 5.8

BTEC Results – The Headlines:

• Cohort Size: 14
• JESS Average: D*D*D (Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction)

University Destinations

The university destinations of JESS Dubai students this year include:

Jumeirah English Speaking School – The Video 2023

A very big congratulations to all at JESS Dubai from SchoolsCompared – the passion you show in all you do for students is so creditable and inspiring. And your graduating students of 2023… just…”Wow!”

Further Information

Learn more from Rebecca Headley about the amazing BTEC programme at JESS Dubai.

Read our review of JESS Dubai here

Visit the official web site of JUmeirah English Speaking School – Arabian Ranches, here.

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