Dubai British School Emirates Hills vs Sunmarke School

	D Dubai British School Emirates Hills Dubai, United Arab Emirates	S Sunmarke School Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year AED 53,027 - 79,541	Fees / year AED 53,040 - 88,538
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils 1,190	Pupils 1,889
Typical class size	Typical class size 27	Typical class size 24
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location DBSEH is located in The Springs and Meadows area of Dubai's Emirates Hills. The main campus sits at Springs 3, Emirates Hills, and the Islands Campus is on Meadows Drive in Jumeirah Islands. The Islands Campus serves Rising 3 to Year 2, while the Main Campus serves Year 3 to Year 13, providing two distinct learning environments on adjacent sites. The Springs area is a residential community near Springs Town Centre, with the campus situated behind Spinneys.	Location Sunmarke School is located in District 5, Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, behind the Limitless Building on Al Khail Road. The campus sits in a quiet Dubai suburb with good road access to major residential areas. It is convenient for families living near Emirates Hills, Meadows, Springs, Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Park, Dubai Marina and Dubai Sports City. Address: Behind Limitless Building, Al Khail Road, District 5, Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai, UAE.
Stages	Stages DBSEH serves children from Rising 3 (approximately age 3) through Year 13 (age 18). The Islands Campus houses Rising 3 to Year 2, and the Main Campus houses Year 3 to Year 13, reflecting a two-campus model that separates the youngest learners from older students.	Stages Sunmarke offers five levels: Nursery (ages 45 days to 3 years), Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, ages 3-5), Primary (ages 5-11), Secondary (ages 11-16), and Sixth Form (ages 16-18).
School type	School type The school operates as a co-educational British international school, part of the Taaleem group. It offers a two-campus model for different age groups and follows the English National Curriculum with GCSE, BTEC and A-Level pathways.	School type Co-educational day school. The school serves both boys and girls and operates as a day school rather than a boarding institution.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix The school lists 60+ nationalities among its students, with the largest group historically being British. Independent guides have noted that the British cohort is a substantial share of the student body (and that the school is largely international in makeup). Official materials also show a broad linguistic footprint with 170+ spoken languages represented.	Pupil nationality mix Sunmarke has a highly international student body with 90+ nationalities represented; the largest proportion of students comes from the United Kingdom.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Inclusion at DBSEH provides high-quality support for a diverse learner group, including students of determination, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners, and those requiring additional social or emotional support. Support is implemented within an inclusive framework across the school.	Additional learning support The Achievement Centre – Inclusion Department provides inclusive education with a range of additional provisions for students with SEND, including literacy and mathematics interventions, speaking and listening, social skills, motor skills, directed studies, and SEND-focused extra-curricular activities. There is 1:1 Learning Support Assistant support, and a network of external providers for assessments and therapies as needed.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation The school follows the British curriculum, positioning itself as a British international school. This is reflected in its curriculum, inspections and accreditation, including KHDA recognition and British accreditation pathways.	Country affiliation Not affiliated with a specific country. The school offers both the British Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Religious affiliation is non-denominational; DBSEH operates as a secular, inclusive school without a faith-based programme.	Religious affiliation Not specified.
School day structure	School day structure School days vary by year group: Rising 3s to FS2 run roughly 7:40am to 1:30–1:45pm (Fridays 11:45am). Year 1–Year 6 typically start around 7:20–7:40am and finish around 2:15–2:45pm (Fridays 12:00pm). Years 7–13 start about 7:55am and finish around 3:30pm (Fridays 12:00pm).	School day structure Sunmarke follows a full-day schedule: Foundation Stage starts at 7:40 am and ends around 1:30 pm; Primary runs 7:40 am–3:10 pm; Secondary runs 7:40 am–3:10 pm. Fridays are shorter (finishing around 11:45 am). Aftercare is available for Foundation Stage 1 to Year 2 until 5 pm.
Bus service details	Bus service details DBSEH offers a transportation service; details and routes are arranged by the school and coordinated through Admissions. The Inclusion and Support Services pages reference transportation services in the school's provisions, and the school provides contact details for inquiries.	Bus service details Sunmarke uses an independent third-party bus operator, My Bus Transport Services LLC, to run the school transport. Buses operate from various parts of Dubai to the school and fees are paid in advance each term. Routes cover numerous areas, and there is a published fee schedule per area.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - One-time application fee: AED 525 (non-refundable, non-transferable; includes 5% VAT where applicable). - Registration (new-student) fee: AED 4,000 (payable to secure a place; credited against the first term tuition for new students). Tuition fees (per term) and annual totals — academic year shown by term breakdown - Foundation Stage 1 – Foundation Stage 2 (FS1–FS2) - Term 1: AED 20,591 - Term 2: AED 15,443 - Term 3: AED 15,443 - Annual total: AED 51,477. - Year 1 – Year 2 - Term 1: AED 20,591 - Term 2: AED 15,443 - Term 3: AED 15,443 - Annual total: AED 51,477. - Year 3 – Year 6 - Term 1: AED 23,534 - Term 2: AED 17,651 - Term 3: AED 17,651 - Annual total: AED 58,836. - Year 7 – Year 11 - Term 1: AED 27,949 - Term 2: AED 20,962 - Term 3: AED 20,962 - Annual total: AED 69,872. - Year 12 – Year 13 - Term 1: AED 30,887 - Term 2: AED 23,165 - Term 3: AED 23,165 - Annual total: AED 77,217. Billing schedule and payment terms - The school operates a three-term billing cycle. Term fees are invoiced by term and parents must pay term fees by the published due dates before the start of each term; the first term fee must be paid before a student starts the academic year. Typical due-date timing follows an early-August deadline for Term 1 and mid/late dates for Terms 2 and 3 in the school year. - The new-student registration fee (AED 4,000) is deducted from the first term invoice for new students. Post‑dated cheques are commonly used for later-term payments where accepted. - The school reserves the right to withhold school reports, final results, and transfer documentation until all outstanding fees are settled. Returned/dishonoured cheques are subject to a penalty charge. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates as a day school; transport services are offered as an optional paid service. Other costs and optional fees - Transport: optional school transport is charged separately; typical annual transport ranges are published in optional-fee summaries and commonly fall within the AED 6,000–10,000 range depending on route and service level. - Extracurricular activities, canteen, photographs, costumes, local and international educational trips, and overnight camps are charged separately where applicable; ranges for these optional services are published as KHDA-style optional-fee ranges (examples: excursions and international trips can range from a few hundred to several thousand AED, depending on the trip). - KHDA administrative charges (for transfers, certificate requests and other official paperwork) are payable where applicable (examples: AED 120 for certain standard KHDA documents). - Uniforms and stationery: uniforms are supplied separately through the school's approved supplier(s) and are an additional cost; specific uniform price lists are not published in the fee schedule. Other consumables, such as some specialist equipment or optional course materials, may also be charged separately. Refund and withdrawal policy - The registration/re-registration deposit is generally non-refundable except in clearly defined extenuating circumstances (for example verified relocation). Tuition refunds, when permitted, are calculated according to the published refund/withdrawal rules: tuition paid before the academic year may be refundable minus registration/re-registration deposit; partial-term deductions apply for withdrawals during the term (for example, specific deductions measured in months or full-term amounts depending on the date of withdrawal and length of enrolment). These refund calculations follow Ministry/KHDA and school policy. Fee payment options and banking details (accepted methods and practical notes) - Accepted methods include bank transfer (IBAN/SWIFT), credit card payments (Visa and MasterCard accepted), cash, and cheque (company cheques preferred for some payments). Credit card payments can be made via the invoice link or by completing the school's credit‑card authorisation form where provided. Post‑dated cheques are commonly lodged for later-term payments where required. Returned/dishonoured cheques incur a penalty (example: AED 500). Discounts, concessions and adjustments (summary) - The school applies standard discounts and concessions in line with its policies (examples include sibling discounts, corporate concessions and employee concessions) and will advise eligible families of applicable reductions during the admissions or invoicing process. Optional scholarships and fee concessions are also offered under published school schemes. Notes on figures and charges - The figures above are stated in United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED) and are presented as the school's published term-by-term amounts and typical optional-fee ranges for the current academic year. The school issues invoices that list due dates, any VAT/charges where applicable, and the accepted payment methods for each invoice.	Fee details Application & assessment fees - One‑time application and assessment fee: AED 525. This fee is payable on submission of the application and is non‑refundable. Acceptance / deposit and re‑enrolment fees - Acceptance fee (new students): 10% of the annual tuition fee. This acceptance fee is non‑refundable, must be paid within five days of the offer, and is deducted from the tuition fee for the term of joining. - Re‑enrolment fee (returning students): 5% of the annual tuition fee or AED 500 (whichever is higher). This re‑enrolment fee is non‑refundable and is due at the start of Term 3 of the current academic year (the school lists the start of Term 3 as the re‑enrolment due date). Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term amounts for the 2025–2026 academic year) — amounts in AED - Foundation Stage 1 (age 3–4): Annual AED 53,040. Term 1 AED 21,216; Term 2 AED 15,912; Term 3 AED 15,912. - Foundation Stage 2 (age 4–5): Annual AED 58,164. Term 1 AED 23,266; Term 2 AED 17,449; Term 3 AED 17,449. - Year 1 (age 5–6): Annual AED 65,844. Term 1 AED 26,338; Term 2 AED 19,753; Term 3 AED 19,753. - Year 2 (age 6–7): Annual AED 65,939. Term 1 AED 26,376; Term 2 AED 19,782; Term 3 AED 19,782. - Year 3 (age 7–8): Annual AED 66,824. Term 1 AED 26,730; Term 2 AED 20,047; Term 3 AED 20,047. - Year 4 (age 8–9): Annual AED 66,920. Term 1 AED 26,768; Term 2 AED 20,076; Term 3 AED 20,076. - Year 5 (age 9–10): Annual AED 66,980. Term 1 AED 26,792; Term 2 AED 20,094; Term 3 AED 20,094. - Year 6 (age 10–11): Annual AED 66,982. Term 1 AED 26,793; Term 2 AED 20,095; Term 3 AED 20,095. - Year 7 (age 11–12): Annual AED 82,676. Term 1 AED 33,070; Term 2 AED 24,803; Term 3 AED 24,803. - Year 8 (age 12–13): Annual AED 82,755. Term 1 AED 33,101; Term 2 AED 24,827; Term 3 AED 24,827. - Year 9 (age 13–14): Annual AED 82,876. Term 1 AED 33,150; Term 2 AED 24,863; Term 3 AED 24,863. - Year 10 (age 14–15): Annual AED 86,860. Term 1 AED 34,744; Term 2 AED 26,058; Term 3 AED 26,058. - Year 11 (age 15–16): Annual AED 86,985. Term 1 AED 34,793; Term 2 AED 26,096; Term 3 AED 26,096. - Year 12 (age 16–17): Annual AED 88,411. Term 1 AED 35,365; Term 2 AED 26,523; Term 3 AED 26,523. - Year 13 (age 17–18): Annual AED 88,538. Term 1 AED 35,416; Term 2 AED 26,561; Term 3 AED 26,561. Billing schedule and payment terms - Term due dates: Autumn term due 1 August; Spring term due 15 November; Summer term due 15 February. Re‑enrolment charge is due on the first day of Term 3. - Acceptance fee (10% deposit) must be paid within five days of the offer and is offset against the tuition for the joining term. Several fees are explicitly stated as non‑refundable (application/assessment fee, acceptance fee, re‑enrolment fee). Payment methods and account details - Accepted payment channels: credit card via the school's secure VLE (desktop or mobile app), bank transfer (wire), or in‑person payment at the school accounts office by cash, credit card or cheque (payable to Sunmarke School). Fees for trips and activities are collected online via the VLE when those activities occur. Proof of bank transfers should be emailed to the school as required. - Bank details provided for wire transfers on the school's fee information: Account name Sunmarke School LLC; National Bank of Fujairah PJSC, Jebel Ali branch; Account number 012000921414; IBAN AE220380000012000921414; SWIFT NBFUAEAFDXB. Email proof of payment as instructed by the school. Boarding fees - Sunmarke School operates as a day school; boarding is not listed as a provision. There are no boarding fees applicable. Other costs and separately charged items - Exam fees: GCSE, BTEC, IB and A‑Level examination fees are charged separately (not included in the tuition amounts). - Transport and dining: Optional transportation and dining services are provided by third‑party providers and are charged separately. - After‑school activities and ECAs: Some after‑school activities are provided by third‑party providers and are charged separately; the school runs both free and paid ECAs. Fees for these paid third‑party activities are additional. - Uniform: School uniform and accessories are purchased separately from the Sunmarke Uniform Shop (on campus) or via the school's online uniform store; uniform costs are charged at the point of purchase and are not included in tuition. No fixed uniform price list is published on the main fees page. - Student individual needs support: Additional charges may apply for individual needs support where applicable; this is listed as chargeable separately from tuition. - Educational visits and special events: Costs for visits and events are charged separately when they occur. Sibling discounts and transfer / special transfer fees - Sibling discounts are offered for families with more than one child enrolled for a complete academic year. The published scheme applies reductions to the third‑term tuition of the relevant siblings (details and limits are published by the school). Discounts and special fee structures for transferring students (for example from Regent International School) are separately published by the school. Refund information (applicable items listed by the school) - The school explicitly identifies the following as non‑refundable: the application & assessment fee (AED 525), the acceptance fee (10% deposit), and the re‑enrolment fee (5% or AED 500). Other refunds (for example tuition refunds on withdrawal) are not detailed on the fee summary page; the school's terms and admission documents set the detailed contractual rules that apply to withdrawals, refunds and fee adjustments. Notes on invoices and contacts for fee queries - For questions about fees, invoices, or discounts the school gives admissions and accounts contact details and requests proof of bank transfers be emailed as instructed. The school lists telephone +971 (04) 423 8900 and provides email contacts for admissions and payments. Use the admissions or accounts contacts the school provides for official invoice or payment instructions.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements Sunmarke operates as a day school; boarding is not offered. There are no on-site residential facilities or boarding programs. The IBO listing for Sunmarke specifies Boarding facilities: DAY, confirming it is a day school. Families relocating to Dubai should plan housing and commuting accordingly.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement DBS Emirates Hills requires a compulsory school uniform. The official uniform is available from Magrudy's, with online ordering and in-store purchases at Circle Mall (open daily 08:00–22:00). Foundation 1 to Year 6 wear a striped shirt with navy pinstripe shorts/trousers/skirt (striped dress optional); Years 7–11 wear a pale blue shirt with navy pinstripe trousers or skirt; the PE kit includes a DBS polo, black shorts, and a house-colour transfer. Kukri supplies the approved swimwear.	Uniform requirement Sunmarke requires all pupils to wear the prescribed school uniform. The uniform and accessories can be purchased from the Sunmarke Uniform Store on-site or via the Online Uniform Store. Uniform Shop hours are Monday to Thursday 7:30 am to 9:30 am and Friday 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the policy includes rules such as black leather shoes, a black belt for trousers, and neatly ironed clothes. Sixth Form Uniform Policy is available for reference.
Food options	Food options Foundation and Year 1 to Year 3 students bring packed lunches. From Year 4 upwards, students may choose between packed lunches or using the on-site cafe. The canteen promotes a healthy, balanced diet and prohibits nuts, pork, chocolate products, sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks in packed lunches.	Food options Dining & Catering is provided by Mastercook; the school has a bright cafeteria with healthy food options and Grab & Go snacks. Mastercook menus are additive-free and preservative-free, with nut-free options available. EYFS and Primary parents can place lunch orders online to be delivered to classrooms; Secondary students can eat in the canteen and pay by card or mobile payment.
House system	House system A house colours scheme exists, indicated by house-colours iron-on transfers on the PE kit. The site does not publish the specific house names or the details of house competitions.	House system Sunmarke has a house system. All students are members of one of four houses: Lions, Tigers, Leopards and Panthers. House activities include regular competitions and points leading to recognition, with weekly highlights such as a Student of the Week in the secondary and house leadership roles.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates as a Taaleem school, i.e., it is part of the Taaleem group of schools. Taaleem is a large education provider in the United Arab Emirates.	Governance and ownership Sunmarke is owned by Fortes Education. The school is governed by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council (SUNMAC) that includes parents, teachers and senior leaders; the Advisory Council meets several times a year to provide input and oversight. Fortes Education founders and senior leadership are represented within the governance structures, and Fortes Education also operates Regent International School and Jumeirah International Nurseries. KHDA recognises the governance as providing high-quality education.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Dubai British School Emirates Hills delivers the English National Curriculum from Rising 3s through Sixth Form, across two campuses: the Islands Campus for Rising 3s to Year 2 and the main campus for Year 3 to 13. Rising 3s follow UK EYFS Development Matters and Birth to Five Matters in a play-based Early Years programme, with seven areas of learning and English as the language of instruction alongside Arabic exposure, plus a Singing for Learning programme. Foundation Stage extends the EYFS approach and explicitly integrates UAE priorities with the National Curriculum of England. The Secondary Stage (Years 7–11) follows the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with core English, Maths and Science, plus Geography/History, modern languages, and a broad range of Expressive Arts, ICT and Social Sciences; GCSE option blocks for 2024/25 include Business Studies, Geography, History, Arabic, Spanish, Psychology, French, Drama, Art, Music, Media Studies and BTEC, with Triple Science by invitation. Sixth Form offers A-Level and BTEC courses, complemented by Oxford IPQ and university/careers guidance to support higher education placements. The school has KHDA Outstanding status since 2017.	Curriculum details Sunmarke School in Dubai offers both British Curriculum pathways and the International Baccalaureate (IB) track, alongside BTECs. The school runs from Foundation Stage (Nursery–FS2) through Primary (Years 1–6), Secondary (Years 7–11), and Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Primary subjects include English, Mathematics, STEAM, Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Modern Foreign Languages (French/Mandarin), with Art & Design, Computing, Music, and Physical Education, plus a SPACE-X STEAM project focus. Secondary offers GCSE/IGCSE and BTEC Level 2 qualifications, with Arabic A (Edexcel International GCSE First Language) among the options. Six Form options include the IB Diploma Programme, A-Levels, the IB Careers-Related Programme, and BTEC Level 3. The Global Language Programme delivers Hindi from EYFS to Year 6 and Mandarin from EYFS to Year 9, with culture integration and progression toward external qualifications in Mandarin.
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 —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Dubai British School Emirates Hills places social and emotional wellbeing at the center of its educational approach. The school describes itself as fostering a fully inclusive learning community with wellbeing at its heart, guided by positive education. KHDA's 2023-2024 inspection rated the school's Wellbeing as Outstanding, indicating strong provision for student welfare. The Dubai British Schools Group states that DBS Emirates Hills promotes wellbeing through a positive-education ethos and an inclusive culture. Public materials emphasise that student and staff wellbeing are core to the school's ethos.	Social & emotional learning Sunmarke School implements Positive Education (PosEd) across all phases from EYFS to Year 13 to foster wellbeing, character development, and academic achievement. The PosEd approach is grounded in Positive Psychology and is designed to improve wellbeing, resilience, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose across the school. A Counselling Department provides compassionate care with a School Counsellor available to both students and parents. A Wellbeing Champion represents school leadership in the Parent Association, and Wellness Wednesday events address topics such as strength-based parenting and digital wellbeing. Wellbeing resources are accessible via the VLE, and the Environment & Sustainability Programme includes outdoor wellbeing activities like Forest School and the Zen Garden to support stress reduction and resilience.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Dubai British School Emirates Hills supports inclusive education, as reflected by the Inclusion rating in KHDA DSIB 2023-2024. The school operates as a mainstream British curriculum school rather than a specialist SEN institution, and KHDA documentation does not designate it as a dedicated SEN facility. Dubai British School Emirates Hills' materials emphasise an inclusive ethos, but public disclosures do not specify which Special Educational Needs are supported or the exact scope of dedicated SEN staff. EAL provision is acknowledged as part of the inclusion approach, with English-language support available through designated Student Support staff in some public sources. Details on specific SEN categories (e.g., dyslexia, autism spectrum conditions) are not publicly disclosed.	Special educational needs (SEN) The Achievement Centre – Inclusion Department leads inclusive education for Sunmarke's students from EYFS to Secondary, in close collaboration with parents, teachers and external specialists. The Inclusion Policy defines the main learner groups the school supports as SEND (Students of Determination), ELL, AEN, and Wellbeing concerns, and outlines an inclusive framework. The school provides interventions for literacy and mathematics, speaking and listening, social and motor skills, directed studies, and SEND-specific extra-curricular activities, with Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) supporting learning and participation and the development of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in collaboration with students, teachers and parents. The school maintains a network of external providers (e.g., speech and language therapy, occupational therapy) and offers 1:1 LSA support as needed, with ELL support coordinated within the inclusion framework. The Fortes English Language Programme offers intensive EAL support with cross-curricular immersion focusing on academic English, and ELL learners may access FELP classes or small group/1:1 targeted sessions via the Wellbeing team for social-emotional development. Sunmarke is an inclusive school rather than a specialist SEN institution, guided by the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework and supported by an Inclusion Team and external partnerships.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Dubai British School Emirates Hills provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to students who require additional English language assistance. EAL support is delivered by Student Support staff as needed, as part of the school's inclusion approach. External sources note that EAL provision is integrated with the mainstream curriculum to enable students to access lessons. KHDA DSIB inclusion ratings confirm a focus on inclusive education, which includes language support for learners not fluent in English. Public disclosures do not specify a dedicated EAL department beyond these general support arrangements.	English as an additional language Fortes English Language Programme is Sunmarke's intensive EAL provision, delivered as cross-curricular immersion with a focus on academic English and everyday language learned across subjects such as Art, Drama, PE and Music. English Language Learners can access FELP classes or small group and/or 1:1 targeted sessions, coordinated with the Wellbeing team to support social-emotional development. The Inclusion Department collaborates with parents and staff to plan language support and to track progress for EAL learners. The Fortes English Language Programme is designed to accelerate language acquisition and enable subject-specific English across the curriculum.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is a stated priority at Dubai British School Emirates Hills, aligned with its positive-education ethos and inclusive culture. The school's approach is described as wellbeing-focused and embedded within the school's overall ethos. KHDA's 2023-2024 Wellbeing rating for the school is Outstanding, reflecting strong provision for student welfare across the school. DBS Emirates Hills communicates that wellbeing for students and staff is central to its ethos, including wellbeing-related initiatives and assemblies. These sources collectively support a robust emphasis on student mental wellbeing.	Mental wellbeing Positive Education is the school's framework for mental wellbeing, with a whole-school approach to nurturing wellbeing, resilience, and character. The Counselling Department provides dedicated support, with a School Counsellor available to students and families. A Wellbeing Champion represents leadership in the Parent Association, and Wellness Wednesday events raise awareness on topics such as strength-based parenting and digital wellbeing. Wellbeing resources and support are accessible via the VLE for students in EYFS, Primary and Secondary. Outdoor and nature-based elements of the Environment & Sustainability Programme, including Forest School and Zen Garden, contribute to mental wellbeing by reducing stress and promoting focus and resilience.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding Dubai British School Emirates Hills is described as safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students in public recruitment materials, with staff safeguarding checks highlighted. Recruitment information indicates that an ICPC or equivalent enhanced police check is a prerequisite for all appointments. KHDA DSIB wellbeing and inclusion indicators imply attention to safeguarding as part of the student support framework, though detailed safeguarding policies are not publicly itemized in the available summaries. The school places safeguarding at the core of its staff vetting and welfare commitments as part of its broader safeguarding culture.	Safeguarding The Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy commits to promoting children's rights and protecting them from harm, aligning with Wadeema's Law and Keeping Children Safe in Education, with mandatory reporting for residents. The policy emphasizes prevention through a positive school climate and pastoral support, and requires staff training and a secure reporting system (CPOMS) for safeguarding concerns, overseen by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Roles and responsibilities for safeguarding include a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputies, with annual reporting to the Board and robust recruitment checks and training for staff. Parents can obtain a copy of the policy via the VLE or request one, and the policy is also available on the Sunmarke site. Appendices and procedures, including safeguarding team posters and references to external guidelines, support ongoing safeguarding practice.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Dubai British School Emirates Hills operates on two modern campuses in Emirates Hills: the main campus for Years 3–13 and the Islands Campus in Meadows Drive for Rising 3 to Year 2. The campuses offer a range of learning spaces including a Fit Pit gym, Secondary and Primary Libraries, a Café, a Foundation Outdoor Learning Play Area, AstroTurf, a Sports Hall, a Swimming Pool, an Auditorium, a Music Room, an Art Room, a Science Lab, a STEAM Garden, and additional teaching spaces. The facilities are designed to support science, arts, and physical education across the Foundation Stage to Sixth Form. The Islands Campus provides spaces tailored to younger learners, while the main campus serves the older year groups.	Facilities overview The school is located in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Dubai, behind the Limitless Building on Al Khail Road. It has one of the largest and most innovatively designed campuses in the region, with spaces for study, reflection, interaction, and recreation.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The sports facilities include a multi‑purpose Sports Hall for gymnastics and ball games, an AstroTurf area, and an outdoor, fully shaded, temperature‑controlled swimming pool used for lessons and competitions. The Fit Pit provides a gym space for Secondary and Sixth Form, equipped for PE and BTEC activities and used during Sports Weeks.	Sports facilities Facilities for sport include a FIFA 18-sized football pitch and a 200-metre athletics running track. There are two swimming pools and courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball and netball, plus two expansive multipurpose halls for indoor sport and activities.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Academic spaces include a newly refurbished Science Lab, a STEAM Garden for cross‑curricular projects, an Art Room for visual arts, a Music Room for instrument practice, and Primary and Secondary Libraries to support reading and research. A Foyer serves as a central space for gatherings and events. These facilities support the full range of the British curriculum from Foundation Stage through Sixth Form.	Academic facilities Academic facilities include nine science labs and five design technology labs. The school also has three libraries with media centres, two expansive multipurpose halls, three fine arts labs, a dedicated drama studio, and a 600-seat auditorium, along with TV and radio production studios.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Music and performing arts are supported on campus with a Music Room for instrument study and regular performances. Live Music Thursdays in the Foyer showcase student and staff musical talent. The STEAM Garden and Art Room provide creative spaces that complement curricular learning, and the sports facilities support a broad PE and sports programme.	Extra curricular facilities Sunmarke offers over 160 extracurricular activities, including clubs for sports, performing arts, drama and theatre, journalism, music, maths, science, robotics, debate and public speaking. ECAs are included at no extra cost and are organised across categories such as STEAM & Design Thinking, Environment & Sustainability, University & Career Readiness, Positive Education, Global Language Academy, and more, with examples including coding and robotics clubs, language sessions, choir, theatre, and debate.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Dubai British School Emirates Hills opened in 2005 as part of the Taaleem Dubai British Schools group. It serves students aged 3 to 18 and sits in the Springs and Meadows area of Emirates Hills. The campus has grown to educate over a thousand students and operates within Taaleem's Dubai British Schools network. The school emphasizes wellbeing and inclusive learning as core aspects of its approach.	History Sunmarke School was established in 2016 by the Fortes Education Group as a flagship private school in Dubai. It opened in September 2016 in Jumeirah Village Triangle, delivering the English National Curriculum from Nursery through Year 13. The school is owned by Fortes Education Group, a long-established education provider with more than four decades of experience. Sunmarke offers both the IB pathway and British A-level/BTEC routes, reflecting a dual-curriculum approach. KHDA/DSIB inspection results show progression since inception, with 2016-17 rated Good and 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2023-24 rated Very Good.
Community	Community Dubai British School Emirates Hills describes its community as warm and inclusive, with wellbeing at the heart of its ethos. Arts and culture are supported through partnerships with the Centre for Musical Arts and Dubai Performing Arts, bringing in in‑school instrumental lessons and visiting performances. The school's parent community is active through the Dubai British School PTA, which runs events such as Car Boot Sale & Family Fun Day and Winter Wonderland, as well as regular coffee mornings. The school participates in sustainability initiatives as a member of The Alliance for Sustainable Schools, led by a student Eco Committee.	Community Sunmarke maintains a multicultural community with students from around 96 nationalities and over 2,000 pupils. Signature programmes include STEAM & Design Thinking, Positive Education, and languages such as Hindi and Mandarin. Community events include TEDx Sunmarke and World Culture Day, and Wellness Wednesdays are a regular parent-focused component. Residential trips and partnerships with Camps International and Ecoventure ME broaden the student experience.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Dubai British School Emirates Hills has a Parent‑Teacher Association (PTA) that coordinates with school leadership to support students' learning and community life. The PTA organizes events and fundraising activities throughout the year, including Car Boot Sale & Family Fun Day and Winter Wonderland, which involve parental volunteering and community engagement. Notable PTA events include the DBS PTA Car Boot Sale and Family Fun Day. Community gatherings such as coffee mornings provide forums for parent involvement and discussion, and bookings/volunteer sign‑ups are directed to PTA channels (for example, pta@dubaibritishschool.ae). The PTA activities are designed to foster collaboration between families and educators to enhance the learning environment.	Parent teacher association The Parents Association – Friends of Sunmarke School (FOSS) plays a central role in school life and coordinates a range of community events throughout the year, such as Movie Night, World Culture Day, Cup Cake Sales, Mother's Day, and Dance-A-Thon. Parents participate in assemblies, Parents' Evenings, reading clubs, and the popular monthly Wellness Wednesdays sessions. FOSS also provides vital support to new families moving to Dubai and joining the school. In addition to events, FOSS volunteers help with activities and fundraising efforts that support school projects and student opportunities. The association works closely with school leadership to promote parent involvement and community cohesion.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The ECA Programme identifies, develops, and refines students' interests, skills, and talents in sports, the performing and expressive arts, and critical thinking. Primary students select activities via a platform, while secondary students choose for themselves.	Academic & intellectual Sunmarke offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), A-Levels, and BTECs, with GCSE also represented. The STEAM & Design Thinking programme and SPACE-X centre integrate hands-on projects across science, design technology, engineering, the arts, maths, and humanities. The University & Career Readiness Programme provides personalised guidance, internships, global engagement, and career counselling. Positive Education underpins academic and personal development; in 2024-25 the IBDP average score was more than 6 points above the world average, with GCSE and A-Level/BTEC results at 100% pass.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Specialist music teaching supports instrumental and musicianship, with primary performances and showcases throughout the year. Instrumental skills include voice, tuned percussion, recorder, ukulele and keyboard; performance-based ECAs include Cheerleading, Musical Theatre, Choir, Music and Movement, and Rock Band; the secondary production brings Year 7–13 together for shows such as West Side Story, High School Musical, or Grease.	Arts & creative The school offers a Communications, Media & the Performing Arts Programme that combines drama, media, and film with industry workshops for pupils from EYFS to Year 13. Art & Design and Music are core foundation subjects in the Primary Curriculum. The school emphasises creative and performing arts across the curriculum.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Global Language Academy immerses students in Hindi and Mandarin, with Hindi offered from EYFS to Year 6 and Mandarin from EYFS to Year 9. Culture is integrated through activities such as calligraphy, traditional dance, tai chi, cooking, and music, with celebrations for Diwali, Holi, and Chinese New Year. In Primary, Modern Foreign Languages include French and Mandarin.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The ECA Programme includes sports-based and arts-based activities led by PE and specialist staff, with squads formed for competition and performance across the year. Primary students select ECAs via a parental platform, while secondary students choose for themselves.	Social & hobbies Extracurricular activities include Sunmarke Free Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) and Sunmarke Paid Extracurricular Activities. The Pro Sports Academy offers 100+ squads and participation in global competitions. The programme also includes coding and other enrichment activities to complement academic studies.
Community & service	Community & service Community at DBSEH is strengthened by regular events for staff, parents, and students, including the Festival of Light, International Day, and an annual iftar. The PTA organizes fundraising and community activities such as Pinktober, the annual Car-Boot Sale, Secret Santa, and the Spring Fair.	Community & service Values in Action is a foundation subject in the Primary Curriculum. Positive Education supports well-being and character development across the school. The CIVITAS initiative and student leadership opportunities are part of the school community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered to secondary students to develop leadership, resilience, and teamwork through skill-building and expeditions. The ECA Programme also provides leadership opportunities through sport and performing arts groups.	Leadership & professional The University & Career Readiness Programme provides personalised guidance, internships, global engagement, and career counselling. Student leadership opportunities are available through the Student Council and Ambassadors. The Fortes Education network supports governance and leadership development across its schools.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sport at DBSEH is exciting, fun and engaging, promoting physical and mental wellbeing with inclusive competition across year groups. The school also runs international trips, including a Ski Trip from Year 5 and overseas visits for secondary students.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Sunmarke emphasizes wellbeing through Positive Education and Values in Action. Primary curriculum includes Forest School and outdoor learning. Physical Education includes swimming as part of the core programme. The Pro Sports Academy supports fitness and competitive sporting opportunities with 100+ squads.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The language of instruction is English, with additional exposure to Arabic. The school aims to encourage children to enjoy and appreciate a variety of languages from an early age.	Language provision Hindi and Mandarin are taught through the Global Language Programme, with immersion-based learning to develop communication, cultural awareness, empathy, and global readiness.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Hindi and Mandarin are taught through the Global Language Programme with immersion-based learning.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Applications are accepted for year groups that are open or have a waiting pool, and offers depend on vacancies. Upload documents: two recent school reports, the child's passport and Emirates ID, copies of both parents' passports and Emirates IDs, birth certificate, a photo, and pay a 525 AED application fee. For overseas families, residency visas are not required at application but must be submitted by the KHDA deadline; a Transfer Certificate is required for transfer. All children are assessed prior to entry; if offered, there is a 10 working days to accept and pay a non-refundable deposit; waitlisted applicants may be contacted if a place becomes available.	Admissions 1. Submit an online application through the Apply Online portal. The Apply Online option is available on the Sunmarke homepage. The online portal serves as the entry point to the admissions process. After submission, families begin their engagement with Sunmarke's admissions. 2. Schedule a visit through the Schedule a Visit option. Schedule a Visit is available in the Admissions section. A campus visit provides an opportunity to view facilities and to ask questions in person. This visit complements the online application. 3. Review Tuition Fees and Scholarships. Sunmarke publishes Tuition Fees for families, and Scholarships are available. Details about eligibility and the application process are provided by the school. Consider scholarship options as part of the admissions planning. 4. Re-enrol Online. Current families can re-enrol online using the Re-enrol Online option in Admissions. Re-enrolment supports continued attendance and keeps records up to date. The Re-enrol Online page provides the steps for re-enrolment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Scholarships are available at Sunmarke. Details about eligibility, categories, and the application process are provided by the school.
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting Pool is an unranked group of students assessed and ready to be offered a place when a seat becomes available; places are offered to siblings and staff first per admissions policy. Waiting List definitions: Closed means waiting lists are kept open until the cap is reached; Open means we are accepting applications into the waiting list; Open, Waitlist Only means all year group places have been offered and spaces may still become available, with applicants invited for assessment if spaces arise.	Waitlist —
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