Jumeirah English Speaking School


Jumeirah English Speaking School is a British international school located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Established in 1975, the school operates two campuses: the original campus in Jumeirah, which serves primary students, and a larger campus in Arabian Ranches offering education from Foundation Stage through Year 13. JESS follows the National Curriculum for England and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the senior years. The school has consistently received "Outstanding" ratings from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and is featured among the top 150 private schools worldwide by The Schools Index.
WWW jess.sch.ae

History

Jumeirah campus

JESS was founded in 1975 to meet the growing demand for British education among expatriate families in Dubai. At the time, the only similar school, the Dubai English Speaking School, was at full capacity.
Initially located in an apartment near the Dubai Clock Tower, the school began with just 17 pupils in two classes. In 1977, His Highness Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum allocated land in Jumeirah for a permanent campus. The campus marked its 40th anniversary in 2015.

Arabian Ranches campus

In response to a surge in Dubai's expatriate population during the early 2000s, JESS established a second campus at Arabian Ranches in September 2005. It was the first school in Dubai to be built as part of a planned residential development.
The campus opened with 573 students and initially offered primary education and Years 7 and 8. In 2009, a sixth form centre was added, launching the IB Diploma Programme. By that year, the campus provided a continuous education from KG1 to Year 13.

Campus

Both JESS campuses feature open-air layouts with shaded areas and climate-controlled interiors. Shared facilities include:
The Arabian Ranches site also offers:
  • Purpose-built cafeteria
  • Exhibition and examination hall
  • Music centre
  • Lecture theatre
  • Auditorium
  • Sixth form building with common room, study space, dining area, and lockers

Curriculum

JESS offers a curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England and the International Baccalaureate:Foundation Stage and Primary: National Curriculum for EnglandSecondary : Follows the National Curriculum, culminating in GCSE examinationsSixth Form : Offers three pathways:

Extracurricular activities

General activities

Extracurricular activities vary each term depending on staff availability and student interest. They include:
  • Arts: pottery, drama productions, photography, dance, and school publications
  • Music: choir, instrumental lessons, and music clubs
  • Enrichment: book club, Sudoku, history society, film club
  • Wellness: yoga, cooking, aikido
  • Adventure: skiing and rock climbing

Sports

The school provides a wide range of sports:
  • Team sports: football, rugby, netball, basketball, volleyball, hockey
  • Individual sports: swimming, athletics, badminton, gymnastics, trampolining
  • Specialty: horse riding and golf
JESS teams participate in inter-school competitions both locally and abroad.

Recognition

KHDA inspection reports

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority conducts annual school inspections in Dubai, rating institutions on a scale from "Unsatisfactory" to "Outstanding". JESS has consistently received "Outstanding" ratings since 2010.
School2015–162014–152013–142012–132011–122010–112009–102008–09
JESS JumeirahOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingGoodGood
JESS Arabian RanchesOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstandingGoodGood