Parent Information

The DESS Community would like to welcome you and your family to our school. This area is dedicated to our parents and here you will find everything you need in preparation for your child’s first day at DESS. Below are some important reminders and links to areas that we hope you will find useful.

 

Absence Reporting

For sickness and medical reporting, please report this via the DESSC Parent App as follows: please select > Information tab > scroll down to Useful Websites & Absence Reporting > Report My Child Absent (DESS).  Please complete the details and submit the form. 

If the absence is not sickness/medical related or your child will be late to school, please email [email protected] before 8:00am, confirming your child’s details and the reason for absence. When calling the school, please leave a message, providing your child’s name, class and details of absence. 

Tel: 04 3371457 – select option 1

Bus Requests

If you have not yet requested a place on the school bus, this should be done as soon as possible. For more information, please view our Bus Services page. If you have any changes to your location please ensure you notify the Bus Coordinator on [email protected]  Please be aware that bus applications are subject to availability.

DESS FAQs

Please view our DESS FAQs for more information about DESS.

Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs)

We currently offer in excess of 100 ECAs per week, which run before school, during the lunch break and after school. ECAs range from Samba Drumming to Philosophy along with a wealth of Sporting ECAs to support every child’s enjoyment, happiness, health and wellbeing. At the start of each term, the ECA timetable is published on the DESSC Parent Portal/App. If you have any queries relating to our ECA programme, please email [email protected].

Parent-School Contract

The KHDA requires that a parent contract be signed by all parents. Our Arabic Secretary, Mr Kabalan will be able to assist you with this. Please bring your ID card, your children’s ID cards and your mobile phone with you, which you will need to access the verification code that is generated when the contracts are signed.

Payment Options

Fees can be paid by credit card on the SKIPLY mobile app or via Bank Transfer/Bank cash deposit.  Please visit our Fees section of the website for more information.

In order to register, your child's Student ID is required (found on any invoice document). If you are a new starter, please wait until you receive your first tuition invoice. If cannot find the Student ID, please call our Accounts department to assist you.

For further information on the SKIPLY app, please view our Guide to SKIPLY.

School Hours

Please note that our finishing times differ for certain year groups. For further information, please contact us directly.

Gates open at 7:25am and registration is at 7:45am every morning for Years 1-6.

Monday to Thursday – 7:45am* to 2:30pm (FS1 finishes at 12:30pm with an optional supervision club provision until 2:15pm)

Friday – 7:45am* to 12:00pm

*FS1 and FS2 registration is at 8:00am

 

Transfer Certificates/Notice

Please ensure that you request a Transfer Certificate/Letter from your current school if you are arriving from outside Dubai. Students transferring from Dubai schools should give notice to the current school that your child will be transferring to DESS.

Sample Leaving Certificate

Updating Your Contact Details

Please ensure that we have the correct contact details for you at all times. If your email address, phone number or location address changes at any time, please inform the school so we can keep your information correct. Please email your updated contact details to [email protected].

Updating Your Documents

All the documents to be submitted as part of the application must be up to date. If any documents have been renewed since your initial application, please ensure that copies of these are submitted to the Registrar as soon as possible at [email protected].  We must be in receipt of any renewed documents by the first day of term. Students in the UAE should also submit copies of their UAE ID and visa.

Uniform Information

Uniform is available to purchase from the DESS uniform shop, which is conveniently located at the school. For more information, please view our Uniform page.

Who to Contact?

Reception

Mrs Shakeela Khan and Mrs Melanie Duncan are our Receptionists and will be able to assist you with your queries.

Email: [email protected]

Admissions

Mrs Aisling Hubert is our Admissions Manager and is responsible for all matters in connection with pupil admissions. 

Email: [email protected]

Headteacher’s P.A.

Mrs Dawn Neville is our Headteacher’s P.A. and will be able to assist you with all enquiries not stated below or to contact the Headteacher.

Email: [email protected]

Senior Leadership Support & Data Manager

Mrs Jess Burns is our SLT support and provides administrative support to the senior leadership team. She is the first point of contact for Mr Tony Clarkson, Mrs Ruth Gibson, Mrs Liz Miller, Mrs Victoria Atkinson and Mr Sam Bowen.

Email: [email protected]

Parent Portal/iParent App

Mrs Smitha Philip will be able to assist you with any issues regarding the DESSC Parent Portal and App.

Email:  [email protected]

Parent Relations and Extra-curricular Activities Co-ordinator

Mrs Chelhsea Cuddihy is our Parent Relations and Extra Curricular Activities Co-ordinator. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s well-being, Mrs Cuddihy will also be able to direct your enquiry to the appropriate place. She will also be able to assist you with any queries relating to the ECA provision.

Email: [email protected]

KHDA Liaison and Arabic Secretary

Mr Shadi Kabalan is our KHDA Liaison and Arabic Secretary and will be able to assist you with any queries regarding parent/school contracts.

Email: [email protected]

Bus Coordinator

Mrs Tracey Savage is our bus coordinator and will assist you with any issues relating to the school bus service.

Email: [email protected]

Senior Accountant

Mrs Chitra Ayampara is our Senior Accountant.

Email:  [email protected]

Marketing

Mrs Sophie McLean is our Marketing and Communication Manager and will be able to assist you with all Marketing related queries.

Email: [email protected]

Nurses 

We have a part-time Doctor and two full-time Nurses who are available during the school day from Monday – Thursday 7:25am to 3:05pm and Friday 7:25am to 12:00pm. You are welcome to contact our Nurses to discuss any health concerns regarding your child.

Email:  [email protected]