Dubai English Speaking College

Also known as: DESC

Dubai English Speaking College is a private British curriculum school in Academic City, Dubai, for boys and girls from Year 7 to Year 13. KHDA rated the school Outstanding in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 84,325 to AED 90,633 a year, depending on the year group.

Sources: KHDA inspection report 2023–24, p. 6; KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

rating
OutstandingKHDA 2023–24, p. 6What Outstanding means
fee
AED 84,325 – 90,633a year, Year 7 to Year 13, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
whole
Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
students
1,863 students2024–25, KHDA school directory

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Fees at this school, 2026–27

AED 84,325 – 90,633a year, Year 7 to Year 13, 2026–27

Year group

Not sure? Work it out from a birth date

Not included: transport, uniform, books, trips, sibling discounts.

See all fees

KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.

Overview

Admissions

Places
KHDA does not publish how many places are free at a school or its waiting list. Ask the school directly, and early.
Age on entry
Counted on 31 December of the year of entry, for a child registering in a UAE school for the first time from 2026–27 (31 August before that).Source UAE Ministry of Education, 17 December 2025
Apply
dessc.sch.ae+971 4 360 4866desc_headteacher@dessc.sch.aeTelephone and e-mail as KHDA's school directory lists them, checked 18 September 2026. What its own website says about admissions → How admission works across Dubai →
Fees on entry
«New Students — Application Fees : AED 500 (Assessment fees included)»«New Students — Enrolment Fees : Up to 10% of the tuition fees non refundable & deductible from the 1st term fees»Source KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27, Year 7
Inspections
This school's latest full inspection report is 2023–24. KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not. Ratings and reports →Source KHDA, 3 June 2026

The school

Curriculum
British
Year groups
Year 7–Year 13
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
2005
External examinations
IGCSE/GCSE/A Levels Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Principal
Matthew John Cotgrove
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Overall, students' attainment is outstanding in English, mathematics and science in both phases. In the secondary phase, there is a slight reduction in students’ progress in English and mathematics and in mathematics at Post 16. Students' attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic are good across both phases.

Personal and social development

The college is a nurturing environment where students feel safe and happy. They are polite, courteous and well-mannered. Staff have very high expectations for student behaviour and attitudes to learning, which students consistently meet. Staff put students’ well-being at the centre of the college. They use a range of assessment procedures to monitor students’ personal development. High quality interventions provide students with bespoke academic and careers guidance.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Highly challenging teaching means students of all abilities are stretched academically, and they respond very enthusiastically. Teachers use creative approaches to inspire students and create many opportunities for students to work purposefully in groups. Consequently, their motivation is high, and they engage fully in learning tasks, participating collaboratively in a wide range of stimulating activities. Assessment information is used effectively in the provision of lessons based securely on the learning needs of all groups of students.

Wellbeing

A very positive environment permeates all aspects of college life. Staff and students have wonderful relationships, and this leads to a harmonious, vibrant school environment. Staff feel part of a team. They take part in ongoing professional development that develops their knowledge of how to support student well-being. Students receive bespoke academic and emotional support. There are very effective systems for parents, staff and students to let leaders know about their well-being.

Inclusion

Senior leaders provide a dynamic learning environment where students of determination excel. All staff who work with students of determination are committed to their well-being, as a result, student outcomes are very high. Teachers possess detailed knowledge of their students and expertly adapt how and what they teach. Specific support such as coaching and mentoring interventions help students to overcome curriculum and emotional barriers to learning.

Leadership and management

Leading by example with sensitive and calm authority, the highly effective and experienced principal communicates a clear expectation that all students can be successful at the college. This has contributed to the creation of a school where students receive an excellent education. Leaders prioritise professional development for staff. Consequently, staff are highly competent in their roles. The Trustees provide a very good balance of support and challenge to school leaders. Parents are highly supportive of the college.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

What parents told KHDA (survey, 2018–19)

The 2023–24 inspection report has no parents’ survey section; this is how the 2018–19 report, the newest with one and 7 years old, sums up parents’ answers, in the inspectors’ words.

2018–19 inspection Source A: Full Inspection Report 2018–19

  • Almost all parents who responded to the survey are satisfied with the quality of education in the school and feel that their children are safe there.
  • There is a general feeling that students respect and help one another and that bullying is not an issue.
  • They think that leaders listen to and act upon their views, but a large majority is of the opinion that they are never or only rarely involved in activities.

  1. Back to text, source A

Fees 2026–27

Dubai English Speaking College tuition for 2026–27 is AED 84,325 (Year 7 to Year 11) to AED 90,633 (Year 12 and Year 13) across seven year groups, as published in the school's KHDA Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27.Note 1Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Dubai English Speaking College
Compare with

Tuition is unchanged from 2025–26 in every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, Dubai English Speaking College, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Secondary
Year 7AED 84,325AED 84,325
Year 8AED 84,325AED 84,325
Year 9AED 84,325AED 84,325
Year 10AED 84,325AED 84,325
Year 11AED 84,325AED 84,325
Post-16
Year 12AED 90,633AED 90,633
Year 13AED 90,633AED 90,633

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 7 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 7 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

Dubai English Speaking College fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2011–12 and other charges.

What a year costs, Year 7, 2026–27

Showing Year 7. Choose another year group above to see its costs.

Tuition
AED 84,325
KHDA's total for the year
AED 84,325

Required, but not in KHDA's total: uniform, books and the like, bought from the school or elsewhere

Uniform
AED 565 to AED 900

A year, before optional servicesAED 84,890 to AED 85,225

Optional services: tick what your child will use

KHDA prints most of these as a range the school may charge up to; the total keeps the whole range.

  • AED 7,100 to AED 7,999

Joining and re-enrolling

Re-enrollment fees · Existing Students
Up to 5% of the tuition fees or AED 500 (whichever is higher), non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees
Application Fees · New Students
AED 500 (Assessment fees included)
Enrolment Fees · New Students
Up to 10% of the tuition fees, non-refundable and deductible from the 1st term fees

Other discounts the school states

School Employees
100%
Sibling 3
5%
Sibling 4
10%

The sheet's sibling discounts start at «Sibling 3», as it names them.

The school requested not to increase the tuition fees for the academic year 2026–⁠27. Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

Ranges are shown as KHDA prints them, never as a single middle figure.

Inspection

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 12 earlier reports, see all years

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Outstanding

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

KHDA ratings

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA’s visits resume in 2026–27. A full inspection brings a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Outstanding

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Outstanding in 8 reports and Good in 4 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Not available

    2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Outstanding

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Outstanding in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Outstanding

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Outstanding in 1 report.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Wellbeing, 2022–23 report: Very high

«The quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes is at a very high level:» p. 9

In 2021-22 and 2022-23 KHDA judged wellbeing on its own scale — Very high, High, Moderate, Low — not the six inspection words, so it is shown in its own words and not compared with them.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaSecondaryPost-16
TeachingTeaching for effective learningOutstandingOutstanding
AssessmentOutstandingOutstanding
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationOutstandingOutstanding
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationOutstandingOutstanding
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionOutstandingOutstanding

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

What the KHDA scale means

KHDA rates schools on six levels. Good is the level KHDA expects of every school; Acceptable is the minimum level it requires.

OutstandingThis school
«Quality of performance substantially exceeds the expectation of the UAE»23 schools in Dubai hold it now
Very good
«Quality of performance exceeds the expectation of the UAE»47 schools in Dubai hold it now
Good
«Quality of performance meets the expectation of the UAE»«This is the expected level for every school in the UAE»85 schools in Dubai hold it now
Acceptable
«Quality of performance meets the minimum level of quality required in the UAE»«This is the minimum level for every school in the UAE»52 schools in Dubai hold it now
Weak
«Quality of performance is below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now
Very weak
«Quality of performance is significantly below the expectation of the UAE»No school in Dubai holds it now

Dubai English Speaking College was rated Outstanding in 2023–24, one of 23 schools at this level.

Reports before 2015–16 used four levels, not these six. 21 of Dubai's 228 open schools hold no six-level rating yet. Counted the way Market Statistics counts ratings, for the schools open today.

Source UAE School Inspection Framework 2015–16, p. 19 (KHDA)

History

12 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2008–09 to 2023–24.

History of Dubai English Speaking College
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24OutstandingSame as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23OutstandingSame as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2019–20 to 2021–22No inspection.
  6. 2018–19OutstandingSame as 2017–18Full Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  7. 2017–18OutstandingSame as 2016–17Full Inspection Report 2017–18 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  8. 2016–17OutstandingSame as 2015–16Report not online
  9. 2015–16OutstandingSame as 2014–15Full Inspection Report 2015–16 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  10. Six-level scale starts in 2015–16. Earlier reports used four levels.
  11. 2014–15OutstandingSame as 2013–14Full Inspection Report 2014–15 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  12. 2013–14OutstandingSame as 2012–13Full Inspection Report 2013–14 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  13. 2012–13OutstandingUp from GoodFull Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2011–12GoodSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2010–11GoodSame as 2009–10Full Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2009–10GoodSame as 2008–09Full Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2008–09GoodFirst reportFull Inspection Report 2008–09 (opens in a new tab) PDF

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Findings

7 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 2 development points.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Leadership and self-evaluation

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    Exemplary leadership, focused on ensuring that students’ wellbeing and achievements are at the centre of this inclusive college

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

Personal development and wellbeing

2 strengths

  • Strength

    The caring ethos and commitment of the staff, enabling students to achieve excellent standards in English, mathematics and science

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

  • Strength

    Students' personal development, their strong social responsibility, deep understanding of Islamic values and commitment to a sustainable environment

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

Islamic Education

1 strength

  • Strength

    The impressive improvements in the provision and outcomes in Islamic Education and Arabic

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Teaching

1 strength

  • Strength

    Teachers’ very high expectations of what students can achieve, their expert subject knowledge and, excellent grasp of effective teaching methods

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

Attainment and progress

1 development point

  • Development required

    Closely monitor students’ outcomes and take the required actions to restore students’ progress in English and mathematics to outstanding rates.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Reading and literacy

1 development point

  • Development required

    Promote further improvements in students reading literacy skills and apply them across the college over a planned period of time.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12

Findings from 1 of 9 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Christopher Paul Vizzard Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 9 Jan 2014, as the report prints it. The current principal is under Location.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
3 changes of principal
Andrew Gibbs, 2011–12 to 2013–14 → Chris Vizzard (Head Teacher), 2014–15 to 2018–19 → Christopher Paul Vizzard, 2022–23 to 2023–24 → Matthew John Cotgrove, in KHDA's directory on 2026-09-18
  1. Back to text, source A

Subjects

Academic outcomes, Dubai English Speaking College

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectSecondaryPost-16
Islamic EducationGoodGood
ArabicGoodGood
EnglishOutstandingOutstanding
MathematicsOutstandingOutstanding
ScienceOutstandingVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, Dubai English Speaking College

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162017–182018–192022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education attainmentPost-16GoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGood
Islamic Education progressPost-16GoodGoodGoodGoodGood

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
B. International and Benchmark AchievementVery goodGood
C. Leadership: International and Emirati Outstanding AchievementOutstandingNot in this report
D. Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyVery goodVery good
Overall school’s achievement of the standards in the National Agenda ParameterVery goodNot in this report

A. Registration Requirements Met Fully

  • On average across English, mathematics and science students sustained very good results on benchmark assessments from 2022 to 2023.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2017–18: Attainment of students in science — is above expectations
  • 2015–16: no verdict read

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:

  • British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).
  • Vocational only. A BTEC Level 3 Diploma counts as a technical certificate, not the general secondary certificate.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

Calendar 2026–27: term dates and holidays

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Fridays: every private school in Dubai finishes by 11:30, since 9 January 2026.Source The National, 19 Dec 2025 (opens in a new tab)

During Ramadan, whose dates follow the moon, KHDA caps the school day at five hours; each school confirms its own times.Source Gulf News (opens in a new tab)

How these dates compare with other Dubai schools: holidays 2026–27, break by break

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Activities

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Cricket
  • Rugby

Water sports

  • Swimming

Individual sports

  • Athletics

Dance

  • Dance (other) · Dance

Theatre

  • Drama · Acting
  • Musicals · Musical Theatre

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · debating

Facilities

  • Playing field
  • Swimming pool
  • Music rooms
  • Art studio
  • Theatre or auditorium

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Chess
  • Choir & singing
  • Horse riding
  • Duke of Edinburgh / IAYP

Also mentioned: charity trips to other countries, school council, student management committee, global ambassadors, charity work in Nepal

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-23

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 23 September 2026

    Checked 23 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Courses after 16

  • Explicit curriculum pathways at Post-16

External examinations

  • IGCSE
  • GCSE
  • A Levels

Facilities

  • Sports fields
  • Swimming pool
  • Science laboratories

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Specific support such as coaching and mentoring help students to overcome curricular and emotional barriers to learning. p. 22
  • The school provides ‘Marhaba’ workshops to support parents’ understanding of the learning needs of students of determination. p. 22

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on dess.sch.ae, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. Bus routes and bus fees can change each year, so confirm with the school. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Exam results

Admissions

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Students

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Students, 2024–⁠25
1,863 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
Students of determination
208 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Largest nationality group
British Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Dubai English Speaking College

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–251,863Not availableNot available
2023–241,852170Not available
2022–231,85617010%
2021–221,832Not availableNot available
2020–211,737Not availableNot available
2019–201,725Not availableNot available
2018–191,66415710%
2017–181,505143Not available
2016–171,360Not availableNot available
2015–161,25311427%
2014–151,1309618%
2013–14952Not availableNot available
2012–13830Not availableNot available
2011–12732Not availableNot available
2010–11616Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.

Location

Address
Academic City
Phone and email
+971 4 360 4866desc_headteacher@dessc.sch.aePrincipal: Matthew John Cotgrove
As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

Around the school

Schools nearby

Within 10 km, by straight-line distance, not a route.

  1. Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou – Academic City

    0.3 km · Very good 2023–24 · French

  2. German International School Dubai

    0.4 km · Very good 2023–24 · Other, German

  3. Dubai English Speaking School – Academic City

    0.5 km · No rating yet · British

  4. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Islamic Institute

    1.1 km · Good 2023–24 · MOE

  5. GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis

    1.8 km · Very good 2023–24 · British, IB

All 5 schools in Academic CityAll British curriculum schools in Dubai

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 18 September 2026.

Sources

Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.

Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English

Not online: the 2016–17 report. The timeline takes that year’s rating from KHDA’s open data.

Parent Reports · PDF, English

A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.

Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English

KHDA school directory · web page, English

KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2016–17 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2015–16 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2014–15 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2013–14 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2012–13 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2011–12 (opens in a new tab)

School website · web page, English

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