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House System

The sense of self-belief and belonging that radiates from our House ‘families’ plays a major role in reassuring students that they belong and have the support of their peers. It also removes any ‘small fish - big pond’ fears that can sometimes be felt - particularly by children who join from smaller primary school environments.

One of the main benefits of being part of either Jaguar, Leopard, Lynx or Panther House is the opportunity it provides students of all ages to work together and contribute to a kind and connected environment.

Excluding the PE team, every pupil and staff member is assigned to one of four Houses and each house has a House Captain and Vice-Captain.

Throughout the academic year, students are encouraged to engage in a range of activities and events, contributing to their House's points tally. House points are the lifeblood of this spirited competition and can be earned for positive contributions to the school, outstanding work, sporting success, and consistent levels of effort. Both individual achievements and group participation are celebrated, reinforcing the value of effort and collaboration across different phases and year groups.

Our 120 dedicated house leaders are the champions of this cause. They not only tally points with great enthusiasm but also embody the spirit of their Houses across all aspects of school life. These leaders play a crucial role in organising school-wide events and brainstorming new initiatives, ensuring the House System remains a dynamic and integral part of DESS Primary Oud Metha.

 

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DESS 360 Care

To balance academic and pastoral needs and make sure we develop well-rounded, confident individuals, our commitment has three areas of focuses:

  • Staff who are dedicated to ensuring we provide a nurturing environment that fosters both academic and emotional growth
  • Initiatives to help parents be confident in our commitment to their children's education and wellbeing, knowing the school places equal importance on academic achievement and emotional health
  • Children who are empowered to flourish and explore in their learning, supported by a school environment that encourages risk-taking and provides unswerving support.

External agencies play a vital role in offering guidance and support, collaborating closely with the school to nurture confident and well-adjusted young people.

 

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Inclusion

We strive to nurture independent, confident, and resilient learners who respond to challenges and aspire to reach their full potential.

To achieve that, we make sure inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do. We are passionate about improving education for all and providing children with the best start in life. We aim to develop self-worth, mutual respect, and enjoyment in the process of learning, and we make sure the quality of a DESS Primary education is guaranteed by targeting barriers and addressing needs.

Our Learning Zone team comprises highly skilled professionals who implement a several inclusive initiatives such as tailored one-to-one programmes, booster and focus groups, and in-class support – all based on both external specialist insights and our own assessments.

Curriculum modification is crucial to our approach, ensuring lessons are accessible to all learners. Through dynamic planning and Quality First Teaching, we adapt our teaching to meet the diverse needs of our students and personalise their educational journey.

 

Here are some examples of how we embrace inclusion at every step.

Our admissions process begins with understanding each child's unique needs. We work closely with families to arrange visits to other educational environments where required, facilitate time at DESS Primary Oud Metha outside regular hours, and consult with specialists involved with the child. Our priority is to ensure families feel confident that DESS Primary is the right fit for them.

We welcome students with all sorts of learning needs and assess each application individually without basing any decisions solely on medical diagnoses. Instead, admission is based on our ability to meet the child's learning needs and ensure his, her or their potential can be fully realised.

We assess each application individually to make sure the transition to DESS Primary is likely to be as smooth as possible. This includes organising transition days and conducting initial assessments for early need identification. New students are paired with buddies to help them settle in comfortably.

Once needs are identified, we tailor our support to suit each child. Our Learning Support department: the Learning Zone, collaborates with teachers to meet these needs using the Wave Model of support. Most students benefit from Wave 1 support, but for those requiring Wave 2 or 3, we work with parents to develop a customised approach.

For students moving to DESS College or relocating internationally, we facilitate the transition by sharing detailed support records, specialist reports, and recommendations with the next school.

DESS follows the Dubai Inclusion Education Policy Framework.

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The Library at DESS Oud Metha

A Hub of Learning and Creativity

Our library was never going to be just a room of books. We set out to create a sanctuary for readers and researchers collaborative learning can flourish.

Whether it's diving into the pages of a novel during break time, researching a novel, or taking part in one of the many activities that are hosted within its walls, the DESS Oud Metha library ‘belongs’ to everyone. It's a place where the hustle and bustle of school life give way to the tranquillity needed for focused study and the joy of reading for pleasure.

 

With its large interactive screens, suite of  computers and iPads, and more than 14,000 fiction, non-fiction, and reference titles - including audio and eBooks - the library is continually evolving. Resources are regularly updated to make sure students have access to the latest information and literature. 

Our amazing Head Librarian, Tracy Ammoury won one of only 3 awards for private schools in the whole of the UAE, from Emirates International Festival of Literature. As well as providing a welcoming space for all students, the library team is pivotal in nurturing our community of avid readers and learners.

The Student Librarian programme allows students to take an active role in the library's operations by helping to maintain the library's order and getting involved in evenst that transform the library into a vibrant hub of activity. 

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Bus Service

If your child needs to rely on school transport, you should know that our school bus provider is Maverick; a private, independent, specialist provider which has been operating in the UAE since 2009. Their drivers and support staff are all experienced and very familiar with school and parent expectations.

They strictly follow RTA & KHDA rules and regulations, and their fleet makes 1,000,000 stops a year, from as far away from DESS Primary Oud Metha as The Springs, and as close to us as Wafi.

The door-to-door bus service is available from Foundation Stage 1 upwards. Please look at our Foundation Stage bus video to see how this service could meet your needs. Please note that all buses leave DESS Primary between 2.30-2.45pm and so if you want your Foundation Stage 1 child to use the bus service, SuperClub sign up is also necessary.

Just like DESS Primary, Maverick’s number one priority is the safety of the students, and we work tirelessly with them to guarantee peace of mind.

All their vehicles are meticulously maintained in line with the manufacturer’s requirements and are kept clean inside and out.

All their vehicles are meticulously maintained in line with the manufacturer’s requirements and are kept clean inside and out.

Safety features include:

  • Individual 3-point seat belts
  • Voice reminder system to alert staff whenever a child leaves a bus
  • Bell System
  • GPS tracking on all routes
  • Tablet based attendance system
  • CCTV Cameras and DVR
  • A ‘no child left behind’ patrol system
  • Digital display of students on board

Our dedicated DESS Primary Oud Metha Bus Coordinator is Ms Wilding, who will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns that you may have during your school decision-making process. Please feel free to email her at dessbuscoordinator@dessc.sch.ae

 

The DESS Primary Oud Metha Medical Team

Our dedicated nurses are Susan McLean and Lorna Brown. Together with our Dr Françoise Jacolino-Belonje, the team is available during school hours to ensure the health and safety of our students. Their services include:

  • Providing first aid and emergency care
  • Administering vaccines according to the DHA immunisation schedule
  • Conducting health assessments including height, weight, and BMI measurements
  • Collaborating with parents and staff on health-related concerns
  • Coordinating school medical examination
  • Promoting health and maintaining school health records

 

Medication Policy

Students are not allowed to carry medication with them during school. If your child requires medication during school hours, you will be asked to provide it to the nurses with clear instructions for safe storage and administration in the clinic. The nurses can administer basic medications with parental consent.

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Immunisations

The nurses will ask for your child’s up-to-date immunisation records and confirmation that they meet Dubai’s vaccination guidelines.

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School Medicals

We conduct School Medical Examinations for new students and those in FS1, Year 1, and Year 5, as required by Dubai School Health Services. These are free of charge and are performed at school by our doctor, with a nurse present. Alternatively, you can organise for your family doctor to conduct the examination, using a form provided by the nurses.

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Infection Control

It’s important that we closely follow the DHA and school infection control regulations. Students with a fever or symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea should stay at home until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours. Please inform the school of any diagnoses that may impact the health of others.

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Swimming Programme

Swimming is a compulsory curriculum activity and a letter from a doctor is required to excuse a student for medical reasons. Otherwise, the medical team will assess the student's fitness to swim. Spare swim kits are available if needed, and the pool is temperature-controlled for safety.

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Student Advisor

DESS Primary offers a Student Advisor to support the social and emotional wellbeing of students, working alongside teachers and medical staff.

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Life at DESS

Technology

We recognise the reach and broad spectrum of research opportunities that technology offers, and its power to enhance both teaching and learning. We make sure we offer a full range of digital engagement options with excellent Wi-Fi coverage across all buildings.

From Years 2 to 6, the BYOD initiative is integral, supported by a suite of recommended apps for consistency across devices and lessons.

Whether students using their own BYOD tools or school-provided hardware, a variety of digital applications are available to record and present research findings in multiple formats, including documents, videos, animations, presentations, and sound files. Students are also encouraged to use bilingual search engines.

Our Digital Leaders programme offers Key Stage 2 students a chance to train to develop and share their expertise. These leaders support the school community by:

  • Assisting in the use of iPads and computers for learning.
  • Sharing technology skills and knowledge.
  • Helping peers and teachers with coding applications and technology use in classrooms.
  • Providing online safety education.
  • Offering technical support.
  • Participating in training sessions to stay ahead of technological advancements.

This initiative not only enhances our digital learning environment but also cultivates leadership and confidence among students.

As technology evolves rapidly, DESS Primary remains committed to integrating a wide range of technological tools to transform learning experiences and make sure our students and staff are future ready. The Digital Leaders play a crucial role in this ongoing journey, constantly exploring new ways to support and advance technology use within our school.

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The 6Cs

We are fully committed to nurturing the whole child and so pride ourselves on providing students with invaluable learning skills that are crucial in building both their character and resilience.

Our DESS Primary 6Cs Manifesto is our promise to our children and ensures that learning skills encompass: Critical Thinking, Compassion, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Curiosity.

 

DESS-6Cs-Logos-CRITICAL-THINKINGPut simply, critical thinking is the ability to analyse information presented to form a judgement about a topic. In today’s information-saturated world, we believe our DESS Primary children need to develop this skill to survive and thrive. By engaging in critical thinking tasks, our children gain a deeper understanding of the world around them including how they perceive themselves in that world. They learn to analyse, compare, contrast, make inferences, and generate higher-order thinking skills. They also become confident decision makers and learn to determine what they value and believe. At DESS Primary, we endeavour to teach children how to think, not what to think, cultivating an ethos of being open-minded, curious and interested.

DESS-6Cs-Logos-COMPASSIONThrough engaging with the skill of compassion, our DESS Primary children learn how to be kind to themselves and others, and to be patient and to persevere through times of need. Compassion encourages kindness, patience, acceptance and tolerance, important values for navigating successful relationships with others both in the present context and beyond. By encouraging compassionate behaviours at DESS Primary, children make decisions that  take them forward in their personal journey, pursuing their daily endeavours with kindness, patience and purpose.

DESS-6Cs-Logos-CREATIVITYWe value creativity as the ability to think differently: to see a problem or issue from a new angle. Being creative is not only attributed to artists and musicians, but to using our imaginations to innovate and create something new. Creative thinking is paramount in conquering our brain’s natural tendency to use information we already know, as well as being integral to problem-solving, innovation and entrepreneurship. At DESS Primary, our emphasis is on child-led, enquiry-based learning which provides the opportunity for creative thinking to thrive, and for unconventional thinking to be embraced.

DESS-6Cs-Logos-COMMUNICATIONBy having strong communication skills, we firmly believe that our DESS Primary children will be able to navigate their learning journeys, as well as their personal and eventual professional lives with ease and success. Through honed communication skills all interactions and the needs of those around them will be understood more accurately and quickly, leading to harmonious relationships. At DESS Primary, we encourage respect, great listening, conciseness, appropriate body language, confidence and open-mindedness, to allow our children to thrive as excellent communicators.

DESS-6Cs-Logos-COLLABORATIONWe promote collaboration to allow our children to work harmoniously together towards a common purpose. Through child-led, continuous provision and project-based learning, our children have an awareness of the importance of working together as one entity with a shared goal. By identifying and drawing on each other’s strengths, each individual child has the opportunity to thrive in their area of interest and showcase their talents. Relying on openness and knowledge sharing, our DESS Primary children can further demonstrate cooperation, compromise, individual and collective responsibility, time-management and conflict resolution; transferable skills that are so vital for later on in life.

DESS-6Cs-Logos-CURIOSITYCuriosity is quickly emerging as a critical trait and, as a result, our DESS Primary children are continuously encouraged to delve into the unknown, by asking questions about the world around them, through deeper exploration and learning. Intrinsically linked to critical thinking, our DESS Primary children eagerly demonstrate that they are driven in their desire to seek answers and improve, by finding novel ways to interpret new information and explore new experiences. Showing a true curiosity for others, our children further build on their compassion and empathy skills, through asking questions and seeking a greater understanding of those around them. Through a sense of wonder, enquiry and discovering new approaches, our children will further develop their adaptability and resilience, as well as a greater sense of engagement and satisfaction in their achievements.

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Life at DESS

School Uniform

Our school uniform has helped to define us for six decades. It is a cornerstone of our school ethos, it fosters a sense of community, readiness, and pride among our students, it unites us, and it sets the tone for a focused and productive school day.

That is why we place so much importance on making sure our parents have access to high-quality uniforms and that they are available when needed. By managing our own uniform shop and collaborating with a handful of trusted partners, we can ensure a seamless and satisfactory experience for our parents and students.

Through our partnership with Trutex, we have two dedicated uniform shops, one at DESS Primary Oud Metha and the other at DESS College. Both shops offer convenient opening hours, easy access, and an online pre-ordering system to simplify the purchasing process. Trutex’s trained staff are on hand to help with sizing or any other queries you might have.

The DESS Uniform shop can be contacted on +971 50 865 5104.