Al Fanar School vs Dubai British School Jumeira

	A Al Fanar School Dubai, United Arab Emirates	D Dubai British School Jumeira Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 65,000 - 78,334	Fees / year AED 43,500 - 69,872
Age range	Age range 1 - 11 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 1,750
Typical class size	Typical class size 15	Typical class size 18
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Situated in Nad Al Sheba, Nad Al Sheba 4, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The school is described as being located in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. The contact address lists Nad Al Sheba 4, Dubai, UAE.	Location Located in Al Wasl, Dubai, Dubai British School - Jumeira sits along the Dubai Canal on a large 22,227 square metre campus. The site is positioned to serve families in the Jumeira/Al Wasl area and is part of Taaleem's Dubai British School network. The campus is designed to integrate with the canal-side community and central Dubai transport routes.
Stages	Stages FS1–Year 6	Stages The school will initially educate students aged 3 to 11 (Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6). It will later expand to include older year groups, ultimately serving up to Year 13.
School type	School type primary school	School type Co-educational (mixed gender).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Publicly available data on pupil nationalities is not published.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusive admissions with personalized support plans for students of determination.	Additional learning support SEN provision is supported by a dedicated team of SEN professionals across Taaleem's Dubai British School network, enabling inclusive education and targeted support as needed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation England (National Curriculum for England)	Country affiliation National Curriculum for England (UK curriculum) is followed.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Islamic	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation is not listed or specified.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day typically starts around 7:15–8:15 and ends around 3:15–3:45, with a shorter Friday day finishing around early afternoon; a mid-day break is included.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details A school bus service is available to support commuting families.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application & enrolment fees - Application fee: AED 500 per application (assessment included). The application fee is refundable if you choose not to proceed after the tour or if the school is unable to offer a place. - Registration (new students): a non‑refundable registration deposit equal to 10% of the annual tuition fee; this amount is deductible from the first term's tuition and must be paid within seven working days of accepting an offer. Re‑registration (returning students): a non‑refundable re‑registration deposit of 5% of the annual tuition fee (or up to AED 500, whichever is higher); this is also deductible from the first term's tuition. Tuition fees by year group (Academic Year 2026–2027) — annual and indicative per‑term split - Nursery (Early Childhood Centre / ECC) – Annual: AED 65,000. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 21,666.67. - FS1 – Annual: AED 67,086. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 22,362.00. - FS2 – Annual: AED 67,086. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 22,362.00. - Year 1 – Annual: AED 68,938. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 22,979.33. - Year 2 – Annual: AED 70,798. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 23,599.33. - Year 3 – Annual: AED 72,668. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 24,222.67. - Year 4 – Annual: AED 74,547. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 24,849.00. - Year 5 – Annual: AED 76,436. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 25,478.67. - Year 6 – Annual: AED 78,334. If split into three equal term instalments, indicative per term: AED 26,111.33. Note on per‑term figures: the school publishes the annual tuition for each year group and issues invoices against the academic year. The per‑term figures above are equal one‑third calculations of the annual tuition provided here and are shown for planning purposes; the school's billing schedule and any official term instalment amounts should be confirmed at enrolment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Academic calendar and term structure follow the standard KHDA three‑term year; invoices are organised around term dates (typically a Term 1 starting in August/September, Term 2 in January and Term 3 in April). Deposits (registration / re‑registration) are deducted from the first term's invoice. Non‑payment may result in withholding of reports and denial of re‑enrolment. - Payment timings: the registration deposit must be paid within seven working days of accepting an offer. The school treats the registration/re‑registration payment as non‑refundable except where KHDA or school policy allows otherwise (for example, in approved relocation cases). Boarding fees - Not applicable. The school is a primary school serving ages 3–11 (FS1 to Year 6) and does not offer boarding. Other costs and optional services - Uniforms and required supplies: budget ranges are published for required education supplies and uniforms (example ranges include Uniform: up to around AED 1,000; stationery and books amounts vary by year). Optional and variable costs include: transport, extracurricular activities, school trips, canteen and class photographs. These optional/ancillary service costs are charged in addition to tuition and vary by service and level. Typical ranges published for these items include: Transport AED 6,000–10,000; Extracurricular AED 500–20,000; School trips AED 200–10,000; Canteen AED 8,000–11,000; Class photograph AED 0–300; Special needs support ranges depending on required provision. - Discounts and concessions: available discount schemes include sibling discounts (percentage reductions on additional siblings), Emirati student concession (example: 10%), early payment discount (example: 2.5%), and staff/school management concessions (up to full fee waiver where applicable). One‑off "welcoming" discounts or similar promotional reductions may appear for specific intakes. Specific discount eligibility, values, and application rules are set by the school. Refunds and withdrawals - Application fee: refundable in defined circumstances (for example, if you choose not to proceed after a tour or if no place is offered). Registration and re‑registration deposits are generally non‑refundable, except where the school's published policy or KHDA regulations permit refund (for example, verified relocation outside the UAE before the start of the school year). Tuition fee refunds during the academic year are processed in accordance with KHDA rules and the school's published admissions and refund procedures. Written requests for refunds must be submitted to the Admissions Office and will be reviewed by senior leadership as per policy. Non‑refund conditions and time limits apply (for example, no refunds for registration/re‑registration requests made after the academic year has started). Fee payment methods - Online payment by credit or debit card is accepted for application and initial payments; the registration deposit is payable within the stated timeframe. For other payment methods or a specific payment schedule, contact the admissions/finance office at the school for the options that will be provided at offer and invoicing. Summary points for parents - Annual tuition is published per year group for the 2026–2027 academic year; enrolment requires an application fee (AED 500) and a registration or re‑registration deposit (10% for new students, 5% for returning students), both of which are deducted from the first term invoice under the school's policy. Optional services such as transport, canteen, extracurricular activities and special‑needs support are charged in addition to tuition within published ranges. Refunds and late/non‑payment consequences follow the school's admissions policy and KHDA guidelines.	Fee details Tuition fees (KHDA approved, Academic Year 2025/26) - Rising 3s: Term 1 AED 17,400; Term 2 AED 13,050; Term 3 AED 13,050; Annual AED 43,500. - Foundation Stage (FS1 – FS2): Term 1 AED 20,591; Term 2 AED 15,443; Term 3 AED 15,443; Annual AED 51,477. - Year 1 – Year 2: Term 1 AED 20,591; Term 2 AED 15,443; Term 3 AED 15,443; Annual AED 51,477. - Year 3 – Year 6: Term 1 AED 23,534; Term 2 AED 17,651; Term 3 AED 17,651; Annual AED 58,836. - Year 7 – Year 8: Term 1 AED 27,949; Term 2 AED 20,962; Term 3 AED 20,961; Annual AED 69,872. - Year 9 – Year 11: Annual AED 69,872 (these year groups will be added in future academic years). - Year 12 – Year 13: Annual AED 77,217 (these year groups will be added in future academic years). Application and registration fees - Application fee: one-time, non-refundable, non-transferable AED 525 (includes 5% VAT). Applies to new students only. - Registration fee: AED 4,000 payable by new students to secure a place; this amount is credited against the joining term fees. The registration fee is non-refundable. The deadline for Term 1 fee and registration arrangements is 2nd August (academic year deadlines are specified in the payment terms). KHDA charges and ancillary official tariffs - KHDA administration fee for transfers within Dubai: AED 120 per student (collected on behalf of KHDA). - Other KHDA-specified tariffs (examples): Education Continuation Certificate for visa renewal AED 120; student leaving form AED 120; student transfer within stipulated timeframe AED 120; student transfer after stipulated timeframe AED 520; attestation of student certificate/report card AED 120; ‘To whomsoever it may concern' certificates AED 120; student exam grade amendment AED 120. These fees are payable to the school accounts office when the service is requested. Billing schedule and payment terms - Termly billing: tuition is charged by term. A student may not start the academic year unless the first term fee has been paid in full. - Due dates for Academic Year 2025/26: Term 1 payable by 1 August 2025; Term 2 payable by 1 December 2025; Term 3 payable by 1 March 2026. - The registration fee (AED 4,000) reserves the seat until full tuition payment is made and is deductible against the first term tuition fees. - The school reserves the right to withhold school reports, final results, and transfer certificates until all fees are settled in line with Ministry of Education regulations. Payment options and procedures - Accepted payment methods: cash, credit card (MasterCard and Visa only), bank transfer, or cheque. - Credit card payments: MasterCard and Visa accepted; card payments are made using the payment link contained in the invoice. - Bank transfers: account details available from the school accountant (Mr Keith Villodres). All bank charges are the responsibility of the remitter; include student name and grade on transfer and confirm with the school. Contact: +971 4 612 1444 ext 2. - Cheque policy: company cheques preferred. Personal cheques for Term 1 are not accepted if presented within five working days of the academic year start; when paid by personal cheque the school requires payment at least three working days prior to the invoice due date. A returned/dishonoured cheque fee of AED 500 applies. Post-dated cheques for Term 2 may be lodged in advance. Boarding - Boarding facilities are not offered; school transport is available via an external RTA-approved provider (Arab Falcon). Transport arrangements, bookings and billing are handled directly by the transport provider. Other costs and typical additional charges - Uniforms: the school's uniform is supplied through the chosen provider Magrudy's. Specific uniform prices are set by the supplier. - Catering: the school's catering provider is Leela's Lunches; meal purchasing and pricing are arranged through that provider. - Transport: bus services are provided by Arab Falcon; parents deal directly with Arab Falcon for reservations and will be billed by the transport provider. Transport payment dates (example schedule) are: first payment due by 1 September for the September–January term and second payment due by 1 February for the February–June term (transport billing handled by the provider). - External examination fees: there may be additional charges for external examinations in secondary school; the school will notify families in advance of such charges. - Returned cheques: AED 500 charge for any returned or dishonoured cheque. Tuition refund and withdrawal policy (summary) - Registration/re-registration deposit is not refundable except in extenuating circumstances (examples: family/student relocation to another country/emirate or similar). Such cases may be submitted to KHDA for review. - Refund calculations (as applied by the school): - Tuition fees paid prior to the beginning of the academic year are refundable, minus the registration/re-registration fees. - If the student was enrolled for two weeks or less, one month's fees will be deducted. - If the student was enrolled for more than two weeks but less than one month, two months' fees will be deducted. - If the student was enrolled for more than one month, the full term's fees will be deducted. - Refunds are calculated from the start of the term and the date of the official written withdrawal request, not from the date of absence. Book fees are refundable if the student leaves prior to the beginning of the academic year. Registration or re-registration deposits may be refundable if a school quality rating drops and families choose to move, consistent with KHDA rules. Contact for accounts and clarification - School accounts e-mail: accounts@dubaibritishschooljumeira.ae; Finance contact telephone: +971 4 612 1444 Ext 2 (school accountant contact for bank details and payment confirmation). Notes - Exam, extracurricular, transport, uniform and catering providers may charge separately and set their own prices; these additional optional or third-party charges are billed or arranged outside the term tuition described above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Grounded in the National Curriculum for England (NCfE) and aligned with KHDA and UAE Ministry of Education requirements, the programme runs from FS1 to Year 6. Early Years (FS1–Year 1) are play-rich and inquiry-led, with the Head–Heart–Hands model nurturing thinking through language and exploration, emotional wellbeing through caring relationships and rhythm, and creativity through movement, making, and purposeful play. The Primary (Years 2–6) curriculum blends NCfE with a relational, culturally rooted pedagogy, and learning is structured into 3–5 week inquiry blocks that connect subjects through real-world contexts. Assessment is human, holistic, and forward-thinking, using observation, dialogue and rich documentation aligned with EYFS and NCfE. The curriculum emphasizes learning beyond exams, with real-world inquiry, collaborative projects, and a focus on wellbeing and ethical action. It is inclusive and adaptable for diverse learners, including students of determination, EAL, and gifted and talented learners.	Curriculum details Dubai British School Jumeira (DBS Jumeira) is part of the Dubai British Schools group (Taaleem) and opened in September 2024 to offer a British curriculum from EYFS through Year 13. The curriculum is grounded in the National Curriculum for England, with English as the language of instruction. It provides the Early Years Foundation Stage and Primary through Year 6, followed by secondary through Year 13. Examinations offered include UK IGCSEs in Year 11 and A-Levels in Years 12-13. The DBS group describes its campuses as offering GCSEs and A-Levels as part of their UK curriculum pathways.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented The curriculum includes gifted and talented learners within its inclusive education approach. Learning is adapted to meet diverse profiles, including those who are gifted and talented.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Enquiry: Your journey begins by getting in touch with the admissions team. You may contact by phone, email, or in person. An enquiry number is issued for reference. 2. Application: To move forward, families pay an AED 500 non-refundable application fee and fill an application form. The fee is refundable if you choose not to proceed after the tour or if we are unable to offer a place, and it can be transferred to the next academic year if needed. 3. Tour: School tours allow you to experience Al Fanar in action, understand the approach, and ask questions. Tours are an important step in moving forward with your admission. 4. Stay & Play: When spaces become available, children are invited to a Stay & Play session, a relaxed play-based experience with no formal tests. 5. Offer: If a place becomes available, an official offer is issued. To secure the place, a deposit is required within a set timeframe. At this stage, transition planning begins. 6. Admissions Update: Admissions for 2025–2026 are full. Admissions for 2026–2027 are also full, with limited availability only in Years 5 and 6. We are not able to accept inquiries at this time. 7. Registration and Re-Registration: New Students pay a non-refundable registration fee of 10% of the annual fees to confirm their place, deducted from the first term's tuition fees, and due within 7 working days. Returning Students pay a non-refundable re-registration fee of 5% of the annual fees to secure their place for the following academic year, deducted from the first term's fees. Failure to pay may result in the forfeiture of the place. 8. Withdrawals: Relocations and withdrawals; the application and registration/re-registration fee are non-refundable if families relocate or choose not to return. Refunds of deposits may be possible before the new academic year begins, subject to policy. KHDA guidelines apply for tuition refunds during the academic year. 9. Outstanding Fees: Non-payment of fees may lead to withholding of academic reports and denial of re-enrollment.	Admissions Step 1. Submit your application online through the Online Admissions Portal and check Admissions Availability to ensure the year group you are applying for is open. Prepare and upload all required documentation as part of the online application. Step 2. Pay the AED 525 application fee; the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment can be made by bank transfer using the bank details provided by the admissions team. Step 3. Book an assessment with the Admissions Team. FS1 & FS2 use a Stay and Play assessment; Years 1 & 2 use a 1-on-1 assessment; Years 3 to 12 use a CAT4 assessment plus a written English assessment; overseas applicants may have alternative steps arranged. Additional assessments may be requested if learning support is considered beneficial. Step 4. The Academic Team reviews the assessment; if a place is offered, you receive an offer letter and an invoice for the joining term's non-refundable registration fee. Parents have five working days to return acceptance paperwork and pay the registration fee. If a place is not available, applicants may be placed on the waiting list. Step 5. KHDA registration is required for joining. A Transfer Certificate from the current school is required, and KHDA guidelines may require Emirates IDs and related attestations; the school coordinates transfer certificates through the admissions process.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting lists are capped at 20 students per grade level, with periodic-status updates provided to parents. Class sizes are capped at 15 students to ensure personalised learning. Priority for Waitlist Placement is: 1) Siblings of current students; 2) Children of staff members; 3) Emirati students. Parents must confirm their intention to remain on the waitlist within 7 days.	Waitlist The admissions definitions include Closed, Open, Waiting List and Limited Spaces. Closed means waiting lists are not open; Open means a waiting list exists but place availability is not guaranteed; Waiting List means applications are on the pool and offers may follow if spaces become available; Limited Spaces means a small number of seats are available and initial offers may be placed on a waiting list. For 2025/2026, year-group availability and waiting lists are shown to indicate current capacity and potential wait times.
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