Prospectus

Jebel Ali Primary School has recently celebrated 31 years of serving the English-speaking community in Dubai, and takes pride in its village school ethos. The Constitution of the School sets out our role as a provider of primary education, in accordance with the best British practice, to English-speaking children in the Emirate of Dubai so as to enable them to continue normal subsequent education in the United Kingdom or Dubai. The Board of Governors is the sole governing body of the School and normally meets twice a term. There are Human Resources, Finance and Premises Sub-Committees to enable the Board to execute its functions in an efficient and professional manner. With the exception of the Head Teacher, all members of the Board of Governors serve in a voluntary capacity. The School is a non-profit making organisation entirely dependent on school fees and fund-raising as its only sources of income.

The School expanded in September 1997 by splitting into two sites approximately one kilometre apart - a Key Stage One Department at the new Jebel Ali Al Muntazah Villas Complex, and a Key Stage Two Department at the original school site in Jebel Ali Village. Both Departments have access to swimming pools, climbing frames and grassed areas. The Key Stage Two site has a new pool and sports hall.

General Information

Admission arrangements:	Top of Page

Admissions arrangements are in accordance with Ministry of Education regulations. Children are generally four years old prior to the start of school in the Reception Year. Older children are admitted up to the age of 11 years. Admission to the Reception class is in September only, except when a pupil is transferring from another school. All admissions are subject to a place being available and the School being able to cater for the child's needs. Assessments are usually required prior to a place being offered. A child's place at the School is at all times subject to the discretion of the Board of Governors. Any reports or samples of work from previous schools will be required at the time of applying. The fees are determined by the Board of Governors, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Education, and are liable to revision.

Contact with Parents	Top of Page

Parents' consultations are held in the Autumn and Spring Terms. If there are causes for concern, a parent can make another appointment after an agreed time lapse to see if the situation has improved. If you have any concerns regarding your child's education, please do not hesitate to contact the class teacher or Year Leader. Each Key Stage also has a Co-ordinator who will be happy to speak to parents regarding any concerns.

A meeting for parents of Reception-age children first starting school is held in the Summer Term. This gives them an opportunity to meet their child's teacher and to hear about the school's approaches to teaching and learning. We also hold Parents' Curriculum Evenings at the start of the academic year, when senior members of the teaching staff make short presentations detailing some of the specific curricular and pastoral elements specific to each year group. In addition to these procedures, all parents receive an Annual Report in June, and may wish to arrange an appointment with the class teacher at this time to discuss their child's progress.

Some parents who have time to spare come to school to help with work needing close supervision, e.g. cooking, sewing or artwork, or to help with reading groups. These parents are usually responsible to a particular class teacher. Some parents help with groups when we take children on visits outside school, or with transport for team games. All parents can help by taking an interest in what their children are doing by overseeing their child's homework, talking to the teachers, coming along to plays, concerts, exhibitions, sports days etc. to give support. The children and staff do appreciate your support, and if you feel like visiting us to see the school in operation, please do not hesitate to make an appointment.

Absence from School and Health Matters	Top of Page

If a child is ill during term time, parents are asked to either write to the school, or telephone the office, explaining the reason for absence. If the illness is a very short one, the note should be addressed to the class teacher who will record your child's absence in the register. Children should not be sent to school if they are unwell. If it is necessary for a child to leave school before the end of the day, parents should send a note to the class teacher stating the time at which your child will be collected. No child will be allowed to leave the site unless collected by his/her parents or another authorised adult.

Children occasionally become ill, upset or injured. Should this happen, the children may, and do, turn to the School Nurses for attention. If children are hurt or become ill in school, we always try to get in touch with parents. It is useful if we can contact a neighbour or another responsible adult in case parents are unavailable in an emergency. Please keep us up do date with changes in work or emergency arrangements. Each Key Stage has a School Nurse who deals with day-to-day medical matters at the School. Our Nurses co-ordinate visits from the School Health Service and any medicals and immunisations that the children may require. If it is essential that medicine be administered to a child during the school day, the medicine must be handed to the nurse. Normal first-aid facilities are available at points within the school.

The Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.)	Top of Page

The school benefits greatly from the work of our P.T.A. The Association is run by a committee, which is elected annually at the A.G.M. in the Autumn Term. All parents of children at the school are automatically members of the P.T.A. There are three main areas in which the P.T.A. helps the school:
1) by fostering liaison between the school and its community
2) by encouraging attendance at educational meetings and social occasions
3) by raising funds to be used for the benefit of the children.

Transport	Top of Page

Pupils come from a wide area, and the School currently operates two air-conditioned buses. Places on the buses are subject to availability, and interested parents should contact the School Administrator for the routes and fees. Our present routes and timings are:

Homework and School Visits	Top of Page

Children of all ages take work home, including reading books, library and written consolidating work. Homework is seen as a means of "adding value" to the work undertaken during school hours. It is also influential in extending and supporting the curriculum throughout the primary years.

As part of our planned work, visits are arranged for the children to places of interest. The local museums, maritime facilities and heritage buildings provide a great stimulus for the children's learning. Residential trips also take place during Year 5 and Year 6. These currently include a field trip to Khor Fakkan on the East Coast of the United Arab Emirates, for Year 6 and an overnight visit to the “North Star Camp” for Year 5.

Voluntary After-School Activities for Key Stage Two	Top of Page

The emphasis is on participation, and our activities programme may vary from time to time according to the interests of the staff. We do not profess to necessarily be experts at the chosen activity. The school also organises activities through outside agencies and this invariably involves a payment on the part of parents. Our aim is to provide a broad range of opportunities for the children to enjoy. Activities have included:

Art and Craft
Board Games
Computer
Cooking
Country Dancing
Cricket
Drama
Golf
Gymnastics
Hockey
Magazine
Musical Groups
Netball
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing
Soccer
Squash
Swimming

Many children have the opportunity to represent the School in inter-school sports tournaments, e.g. soccer, rugby, rounders, netball, athletics and swimming.

Behaviour Policy	Top of Page

Our behaviour policy is based on an expectation of good behaviour and relationships within a secure, caring environment. All staff will emphasise the ways in which we can foster a positive atmosphere, stressing the need for mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of every member of our school community. Children are required to act at all times with consideration for other people. The Staff all display a high degree of caring for the children and the children in turn are expected to care for each other and for the school. We aim to foster within each child self-discipline, with regard to work and relationship with peers. However, children do need to understand the acceptable parameters of behaviour early on, and to show respect for each other and members of staff.

The Staff ensure that children are aware of the accepted standards of behaviour through a system of rewarding good behaviour. Where a child's conduct gives continued cause for concern, our policy is to inform parents and to find a solution by working together.

Our school code of conduct helps us to achieve high standards of behaviour;

Jebel Ali Code of Conduct  

• Gentle
• Kind and Helpful
• Hard working
• Someone who looks after property
• Someone who listens to others
• Honest

Jebel Ali Primary School does not tolerate bullying or harassment. Bullying is considered to be a continuous pattern of behaviour by one person towards another which is designed to hurt, injure, embarrass, upset or discomfort that person.

Liaison with local Playgroups and Nurseries	Top of Page

Teaching staff visit Nurseries as part of our admissions process and children have the opportunity to meet the Reception Class teacher in the term prior to their entry. We are confident that all children will settle quickly into our well established classes.

Year 2/3 Transition	Top of Page

To prepare children for the move between Key Stage sites, we provide many opportunities for children to visit the Key Stage Two site during the summer term. Year 2 children can sample swimming, P.E, Computer and Art lessons as well as getting to know the KS2 site in advance of their arrival.

Secondary Transfer	Top of Page

Great importance is placed on assisting parents with Secondary transfer. Meetings are held while children are still in Year 5 and continue through the first term of Year 6 to ensure parents know the types of schools available and entry procedures.

Full details are available regarding open days for the majority of Secondary Schools in Dubai.

Parents with concerns about Secondary Transfer are urged to attend the advertised meetings and to be aware that Mrs. Chapman will fully support all families to ensure a suitable Year 7 place is found for every child. Over the past 2 years, places have been secured for every every Year 6 child by March. Many children are offered more than one place. If parents are interested on UK schools for Year 7, Mrs. Chapman will be happy to see them.