Dubai Heights Academy

Dubai Heights Academy is located in Al Barsha South, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The KHDA inspection record lists the location as Al Barsha 2, confirming its placement in the Al Barsha area. The campus includes a brand-new secondary building, expanding facilities on the same site and reinforcing its urban, well-connected campus. The school is in a residential neighborhood with road access and a dedicated school bus network serving multiple Dubai districts.

The school currently offers education from Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) through Year 12. A Year 13 pathway is planned to open in the 2026-2027 academic year. This expansion accompanies the new secondary facilities added to the campus.

Dubai Heights Academy is a co-educational (mixed-gender) school. It operates as a day school rather than a boarding school, with a bus network and on-site facilities to support daily schooling.

KHDA 2023-2024 data record 336 students with Emirati students numbering 22 and the largest nationality group being the United Kingdom. Emirati students thus account for about 6.5% of the roll, with international students comprising the remaining ~93.5%. The school also indicates that 96 nationalities are represented in its community.

Inclusion and wellbeing are central to the approach. The school identifies barriers to learning and provides tailored interventions, with in-class support and enrichment where needed. English language support is available through external provision, and students may access Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy as part of the learning-support framework.

The school is affiliated with the United Kingdom as a British overseas school and follows the National Curriculum of England. This is reflected in its curricular framework and accreditation.

Dubai Heights Academy has no formal religious affiliation. Islamic Education is included as part of the UAE curriculum, alongside Arabic, Moral Education and other subjects.

School begins around 7:55–8:10am. Foundation Stage finishes at 2:15pm, and other year groups finish at 3:30pm. On Fridays, the day ends at 11:50am, with optional after-school ECAs available on weeknights and Fridays.

Bus services are provided by STS Group. Buses are GPS and CCTV-equipped, with a female attendant on each bus and drivers holding RTAschool-bus licences. FS finishes at 2:15pm and other year groups at 3:30pm; areas covered include Al Barsha 1 and 2, Al Barsha South 1 and 3, Dubai Hills, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Park, JVC, Springs, Sports City and many other Dubai neighbourhoods. The service costs AED 9,000 annually, payable over three terms or via payment plans. For transport queries, contact the admissions team.

Dubai Heights Academy follows the National Curriculum for England, adapted for an international setting, with Arabic language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education and Social Studies, and an AI curriculum developed in collaboration with MIT. The Primary School comprises Key Stage 1 (Year 1–2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 3–6) with core subjects English, Maths and Science, supplemented by Art, Design Technology, Computer Science, Geography, History, PE, Swimming, French, Music, PSHE, Moral/Social/Cultural Studies, and Islamic Studies. It uses a cross-curricular, mastery-focused approach with additional programs such as Read Write Inc., Times Tables Rockstars, and I Read Arabic, and supports BYOD in Key Stage 2. In Secondary, Key Stage 3 (Year 7–9) includes core English, Maths, Science and Arabic, plus Art & Design, Computing, Design & Technology, French, Geography, History, Moral, Social & Cultural Studies, Music/Performing Arts, PE, Swimming, PSHE, Global Perspectives and Islamic Studies. Key Stage 4 (Year 10–11) offers GCSEs and IGCSEs through Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International, along with ASDAN; mandatory subjects include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Science, Arabic, PE, PSHE, Global Perspectives and Islamic Studies. From August 2025, Years 12–13 provide Sixth Form with two pathways: A-Levels and vocational BTEC qualifications, supplemented by careers guidance and industry partnerships.

Dubai Heights Academy places inclusion and wellbeing at the heart of the student experience. The Inclusion and Wellbeing framework identifies barriers to learning and tailors targeted interventions, while providing enrichment when needed. A full-time School Counsellor supports emotional regulation, social skills, coping strategies, and personal development, and leads the school anti-bullying campaign with regular parent workshops. Wellbeing Wednesday creates a weekly focus on wellbeing through activities, challenges, and opportunities to practice strategies such as mindfulness, with Snoezelen sensory room support. The UK My Happy Mind well-being curriculum is implemented for all students from FS to Year 6 to develop resilience, emotional intelligence and wellbeing skills.

Dubai Heights Academy describes itself as inclusive, with wellbeing as the heartbeat and systems to identify barriers to learning and tailor interventions, while also providing enrichment for those who need more challenge. An inclusion register tracks the level of support required for each student, and an inclusion team coordinates targeted interventions and liaises with external agencies as needed. On-site therapies are offered, including Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, and the MbodE program focuses on gross motor skills to support concentration and coordination. ASDAN provides an alternative curriculum pathway aligned to individual interests and life skills. The School Counsellor provides emotional and social support, leads the anti-bullying campaign, and offers workshops for parents; Gifted and Talented provision includes in-class challenges, enrichment ECAs and leadership opportunities.

Dubai Heights Academy enrols students with lower levels of English and conducts a formal English proficiency assessment for new joiners to determine any additional requirements. The academic team then assesses and provides in-class support, differentiation, and targeted interventions as needed. Additional English language support is provided by an external provider. There are staff with responsibility for EAL, including an EAL Teacher, and leadership with experience in leading EAL departments at school level. These provisions indicate a structured approach to EAL across the curriculum.

My Happy Mind curriculum is implemented for all students from FS to Year 6 to develop resilience, emotional intelligence and wellbeing skills. Wellbeing Wednesday is a weekly focus on wellbeing with activities and challenges for students and staff, and includes Snoezelen room usage for mindfulness. The full-time School Counsellor supports emotional regulation, social skills, coping strategies and personal development, and leads anti-bullying campaigns and parent workshops. On-site therapeutic services include Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy to support wellbeing and development. Gifted and Talented provision and enrichment opportunities contribute to students' social and emotional development.

Safeguarding underpins everything Dubai Heights Academy does. It follows Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2025), British Schools Overseas expectations, COBIS guidance, and the requirements of the UAE Ministry of Education to ensure the highest standards of child protection and care. The Principal and the Designated Safeguarding Lead have overall responsibility for safeguarding across the school, supported by a team of Level 3 trained Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads across all phases. Safeguarding is embedded within the curriculum, pastoral systems, assemblies, and enrichment activities, including online safety, anti-bullying, respectful relationships, and children's rights, with active involvement of parents through information sessions and workshops. Concerns about a child's safety can be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or safeguarding team, or via the school reception; no concern is too small.

1. Submit an enquiry and application. The admissions team guides you from your initial enquiry to submitting the application, including year-group placement and next steps. 2. Undergo formal assessment. All applicants are assessed to determine English proficiency and overall readiness. The academic team assesses additional needs such as in-class support and differentiation, with external English language support available if required. 3. Review scholarship options. Scholarships are available for students in Year 3 to Year 12, covering up to 75% of KHDA-approved school fees, with three categories: academic, music and performing arts, and sports. Applicants are evaluated for eligibility according to the relevant category.

Scholarships are offered to students in Year 3 to Year 12. There are three categories: academic, music and performing arts, and sports. Scholarships can cover up to 75% of KHDA-approved school fees. Applicants are evaluated for eligibility based on merit and need.