Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Safa

• JESS Al Safa location
• Years offered
• JESS Al Safa curriculum
• KHDA rating
• How to apply?
• Fee structure
• JESS Al Safa transportation
• PTA and contact information

After discovering oil in Dubai, there was a massive influx of expats from all over the world seeking job opportunities in the promising emirate. However, only a few established schools were catering to the English-speaking community back then.

In 1975, Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) first opened in an apartment near the Deira Clock Tower with only 17 students. Moreover, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, generously endowed land for a school, JESS opened its first branch in Al Safa.

Located close to residential villas in Jumeirah, the school became a suitable option for families in that community. It grew to become one of the most prominent British primary schools in Dubai.

With time, the community’s trust in the school kept building, and in 2005, JESS opened a second branch in Arabian Ranches. The new addition of Jumeirah English Speaking School, Arabian Ranches, offers primary, secondary and sixth form education.

The Al Safa Branch offers early years and primary stage education to students. Students completing their education from this branch are then transferred to the Arabian Ranches campus.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rated the school’s performance as outstanding. Innovative teaching methods has resulted in this rating for the past nine years. Keep reading the Jumeirah English Speaking School Al Safa review to learn more.

• Location: Al Safa
• School Fee: AED 39,837– AED 49,230
• Curriculum: British
• Co-ed or segregate: Co-education
• KHDA Rating: Outstanding
• Years Offered: FS - Year 6

Families living in Al Safa and the following nearby communities can send their kids to this school for quality education:

• Al Wasl
• Jumeirah
• Umm Suqeim
• Downtown Dubai

The nearest community to the school is Jumeirah. It is a waterfront community that offers an exuberant lifestyle to residents. Also, it is home to one of the most iconic structures, Burj Al Arab. Those interested in living close to the school should check out the below-mentioned options.

• Apartments for rent near Jumeirah English Speaking School
• Apartments for sale near Jumeirah English Speaking School
• Villas for rent near Jumeirah English Speaking School
• Villas for sale near Jumeirah English Speaking School

JESS Jumeirah was the first branch of the Jumeirah English Speaking School and functions as a primary school. The school has been operational for 40 years and has around 700 pupils, as per the latest KHDA reports. The purpose-built school has eight blocks and other areas for admin needs, serving as the computer labs, library, PE and music rooms.

Each group block has four classrooms connected with a central area. The school boasts many facilities that empower students and teachers to give their best.

• Computer Labs
• Library
• Music Room
• Two temperature-controlled swimming pools
• Sports field
• Netball court
• Fully equipped multi-purpose PE studio.

The school also has a music centre with two studios to teach music. Here, students have access to musical instruments and iPads for practice.

Jumeirah English Speaking School is located in Al Safa. The school shares location with other schools, a mosque, a medical centre and a few restaurants.

Jumeirah English Speaking School emphasises improving students’ creative and critical thinking skills. The idea is to prepare students to think out of the box. For this purpose, both staff and students combine their efforts with the core values of JESS, which are:

• Well-Being
• Aspiration
• Community
• Achievement
• Independence
• Integrity

This attention to detail has allowed JESS to bag an outstanding rating, adding to its popularity with parents.

Like any other school, JESS has a fee-paying structure. Yet, corporate and personal debentures allow them to maintain the status as a non-profit entity. This indicates that all of their profit is poured back into the school. Revenues are absorbed for staffing needs, land rent, loan repayment, capital expenditure and future projects.

Another attractive feature of JESS School is its cutting edge technology. The school has heavily invested in digital technology and innovative approaches. As a result, students have developed outstanding results, seconded by KHDA’s in their inspections.

JESS takes pride in knowing that it is an inclusive and tolerant school. It welcomes students from various backgrounds and with special needs. For this purpose, the schools’ learning support department (The Oasis) works closely with students and staff. It identifies students with different needs and then supports them throughout their academic sessions.

A board of governors supervises the school’s conduct, management, and performance. Individuals appointed voluntarily make up this board of governors. They are keen to supply their time, personal and professional skills for the success and growth of JESS.

The JESS Jumeirah only has early years and primary sections.

The early years consists of Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) and Foundation Stage 2, while the primary stage has Key Stage (KS1) and Key Stage (KS2).

The secondary division at Jumeirah English Speaking School is offered only at the Arabian Ranches branch.

FS1 and FS2

JESS Dubai offers British Curriculum Education throughout the three divisions. Children enrolled in the JESS Foundation Stage follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This curriculum focuses primarily on practicality rather than academics. The seven key areas of learning are.

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication and Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Physical development
• Expressive arts and designs
• Understanding the world

KS1 and KS2

The KS1 and KS2 curricula at JESS is based on core and foundation subjects. The core subjects in the primary stage are.

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Arabic
• Islamic Studies (for Muslim pupils)

The foundational subjects offered are.

• History
• Geography
• Design Technology
• Art

Students also participate in outside the classroom activities that support the curriculum.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a government entity that ensures the quality education and development of students in private schools. Each private school is inspected, judged and rated on a scale ranging from ‘Outstanding’ to ‘Very Weak’.

The recent KHDA report of JESS shows that the school has been rated ‘Outstanding’ consistently for the past nine years.

The most recent inspection report shows that the school obtained an outstanding rating due to its stimulating learning experience, innovative teaching methods, and advanced digital technologies. Also, a well-maintained and refined ambience that assists teachers in sharing their skills and knowledge helps children develop as well-rounded individuals.

Nevertheless, KHDA recommended the school should make progress in Arabic and Islamic education. Moreover, the school should update the admission policy to its current practice for clarity.

The academic year at JESS starts in August and ends in July.

• The first term starts in the last week of August. The term ends in the second week of December, following a three-week winter break.
• After the winter break, the second term starts in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March. It is followed by a two-week break.
• The third term starts in the second week of April and concludes in the first week of July.

Besides, the school remains closed on many national and religious events. The exact dates of religious events are subjected to moon sightings. For national holidays, the school waits for the government’s announcements. For further information, please visit the JESS academic calendar.

Debenture:

Since the school functions as a non-profit entity, students are required to support their place at JESS through a debenture. Currently, the school offers two different debentures — personal and corporate.

Corporate Debentures

Corporate debentures are extended in appreciation to companies supporting JESS School. The school prioritises children of eligible employees with a place on the waiting list, with a provision to apply to JESS even after the waiting list is closed.

As corporate debentures are subject to specific criteria and conditions, it is advised to have them arranged and available before the child is offered a place in the school. However, upon the allotment of the debenture, it will remain with the student until they leave the school. It should be noted that another child cannot avail of the same debenture during this time.

The school reserves the right to cancel the admission if, at any point, the employee is not eligible for corporate debenture. The school will refund the paid registration fee. Therefore, parents should consult their respective HRs beforehand to confirm their eligibility status.

There are over 170 companies with debentures in the Jumeirah campus. Similarly, around 80 companies hold debentures in the Arabian Ranches branch. Many of these companies have debentures invested in both branches.

Please note that corporate debentures for both Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches branches are refundable and amount to AED 50,000.

Personal Debentures

Personal debentures are for parents outside the eligible companies. Please note that personal debentures do not give applicants priority access on a waiting list. Only after the application is received, the child is placed on the waiting list and offered a place when it is available.

Parents need to purchase a debenture, usually before the start of school, to confirm acceptance. Personal debentures remain with the child and are refunded when the child leaves the school.

Please note that personal debentures for both Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches branches are refundable and amount to AED 20,000.

After going through the debenture policy, parents are recommended to book a school tour and fill in the online application form. Please note that if you are eligible to apply, you’ll receive a confirmation email within five working days, including details of how to complete your application.

If you are applying from outside Dubai, you will have to submit an original transfer certificate attested by relevant authorities. Please get in touch with the school to learn about attestation requirements.

Before initiating the admission process, please ensure that your child meets the following age placement criteria.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for schools beginning in September). Source: KHDA

* This is to cater to students transferring from systems that admit students of a younger age)

New students at JESS have to pay a non-refundable registration fee of AED 100 and entrance fees of AED 500. The following table summarises the Jumeirah English Speaking School fee structure for the current academic year.

Optional services and their fee is mentioned here:

Jumeirah English Speaking School fees can be paid in cash, cheque or by bank transfer.

 Abela and Co provide a wide variety of nutritious and healthy food on campus**.** Students can either get their lunch from the diner or bring their own. The diner is cash-less as parents must set up and top-up their child’s diner card. Students can start using canteen facility from Year 2.

For school transportation, JESS maintains a bus service for its secondary students that operates between JESS Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches while covering communities or areas near these two major locations. The service is provided at the start and the end of the day only.

 You need to fill out an online form to avail the school bus service. For further queries and information, please reach out to JESS bus coordinator Wendy Brownlee at wbrownlee@jess.sch.ae.

JESS school organises holiday camps occasionally through external service providers. If a camp is being organised, parents will be informed regarding this at least two weeks before the activities commence.

JESS has plenty of sports facilities to focus on the health of students. Sports facilities at JESS are divided into outdoor and indoor activities.

There are two swimming pools at JESS. One is a 25m nine-lane shaded and temperature-controlled pool for experienced students. The other swimming pool is for the beginner-level, younger lot and is 10m x 15m large. Lifeguards man both swimming pools at all times. Seating and changing areas are also built alongside the pools. You will also find an outdoor court that functions as a tennis and netball court.

JESS has one of the largest grass-based sports fields in Dubai that serves multiple purposes at one time. The field has a rugby area, two football training areas and a full-size cricket field. Students use this field for different outdoor sports during lunch break.

The school also has air-conditioned indoor sports facilities for its students. A double 1,000 sq.m hall can easily entertain gymnastics, trampoline, volleyball, badminton and basketball matches. Opposite the sports hall, you will find a fully equipped gymnasium with the latest machinery.

There are two play areas surrounding the building. Children can carry out physical activities in these play areas decorated with resources and other equipment.

JESS’s extra-curricular activities are aligned with the local and international economic, social and technological climate.

Students in the school are encouraged to participate in the after-school clubs actively. These clubs are designed while keeping in mind not only the academic needs and wants of students but also their physical regimes and creative art abilities.

Students can have access to Primary Club after Year 2. This club provides an opportunity to explore music, creative arts and sports. On the other hand, secondary clubs are quite extensive. They offer numerous opportunities during pre-school, lunchtime and post-school and allow students to take part in local and overseas trips.

 The extra-curricular activities are split between traditional clubs, such as swimming, running and drama. In contrast, untraditional clubs are recognised as Tibetan Bowls, indoor bouldering and Warhammer.

Students who have plans to further their career in music and vocals will be pleased to notice that extra-curricular training is given in JESS relating to music is quite vast. Experienced teachers and trainers are familiar with various instruments that you can learn through these clubs.

JESS fully recognises that the world is a showroom of different cultures. Children will benefit most from cross-culture exposure. Keeping this view in mind, the school arranges several local and foreign trips. These trips are not just for an excursion but are linked with the school’s current curriculum.

After-school care is available to primary schools only for children attending FS1 to Year 6. After-school care timings are from 2:50 pm to 4:50 pm.

 JESS firmly believes in caring for children’s mental and physical well-being. For this very purpose, they have designed a Pastoral Care System (PCS) that endeavours to assist children in realising their values and attitudes and recognising others’. The primary focus of PCS are:

• Encouraging high standards of behaviour by realising the individual’s potential
• Enables students to self-evaluate and adjust their performance accordingly
• Producing a cooperative learning environment and nurturing long-term learners
• Developing students’ skills
• Making students independent, resilient and responsible

Under the Pastoral Care System falls Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) which reinforces the UAE’s Moral Education Curriculum. This program especially services growing students on four grounds, namely:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Social Interactions and Relationships
• Personal Attributes and Living in the Wider World
• Moral Education

The school has a clinic in both schools to take care of any minor or major injuries. The layout of the health office is such that minor injuries can be treated easily. However, it cannot support major injuries that require a hospital stay or surgery.

Similarly, there is a separate room for School Medical Examination, equipped with health screening equipment, including aids for vision testing. Also, nurses in the health offices are trained in IT and know how to respond to different injuries.

At the primary level, health facilities are available to record young children’s health. Similarly, both the branches have part-time school doctors and five fully trained Dubai Health Authority registered nurses. Other staff members of the office have undergone First Aid training.

Finally, several spots in the school are equipped with emergency devices.

The primary mode of communication between teachers and parents is through JESS Parents’ Group (JPG). This initiative was taken in 1993 and since then has remained an integral part of the school. All JESS school parents are automatically a part of this group where children, staff, teachers and parents come together for various events organised by volunteers.

Many events occur in a year where parents contribute personally and financially to support the school community. These events are.

• The JESS Festive Fete
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Dad’s Five-a-Side Football
• JESS Disco
• The Summer Ball
• Year 6 Leavers’ Party
• Table Top Sale
• Book and Bake Sales
• Quiz Night.

A part from these events, the collection of second-hand uniforms is a frequent occurrence. In this event, although in good condition, pre-loved uniforms are sold to bargain-loving parents. There is an online parent portal as well.

Parents and guardians also have the facility to join WhatsApp groups for each grade to receive recent updates. To be a member of these groups, you will need to contact the staff members.

Also, parents can email their queries to the concerned department. Contact information for the school is given below.

• Telephone: +971-4-361-9019
• Admission Enquiries: admissions@jess.sch.ae
• JESS Website
• JESS Facebook
• JESS Twitter
• JESS Instagram
• JESS Flicker
• JESS YouTube

Note that the cover image belongs to Jumeirah English Speaking School.

What are the timings of the school?

 7:30 am to 3 pm

Does the school conduct after-school activities?

 Yes, the school offers after-school clubs and activities.  

How many grades/years are there in the school?

FS to Year 6.

Does the school follow a co-education model?

Yes, Jumeirah English Speaking School Al Safa, Dubai has a co-education model.

How many students are currently studying in the school?

JESS, Al Safa has 700 students.

Does JESS Al Safa have any special education programmes or learning plans for students of determination?

Yes, the school has a policy of provision for students of determination and it supports students of determination.

Please describe the academic calendar of the school.

The school year starts in August and ends in July.  

Please mention the range of the tuition fee charged by the school.

AED 39,837– AED 49,230.

How does the school communicate with parents?

Parents portal is used to facilitate smooth communication between parents and the school.

Does the school have a cafeteria or a canteen on campus?

Yes, JESS Dubai has a cafeteria. Students can buy lunch from the cafeteria.

How often does the school arrange field trips?

Students enjoy age-appropriate field trips throughout the year.

How many teachers are currently teaching in the school?

The faculty includes 53 full-time teachers and 37 teaching assistants.