Jumeirah English Speaking School

Also known as: JESS Jumeirah

Jumeirah English Speaking School is a private British curriculum school in Al Safa, Dubai, for boys and girls from FS1 to Year 6. KHDA rated the school Outstanding in its 2023–24 inspection. Tuition for 2026–27 is AED 54,131 to AED 65,098 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 54,131 – 65,098a year, FS1 to Year 6, 2026–27Fees by year group at every school
whole
Which year group?See its fee and the cost to the end of school
students
755 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 54,131 – 65,098a year, FS1 to Year 6, 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
jess.sch.ae+971 4 394 5515Headteacherjumeirah@jess.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, FS1
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
FS1–Year 6
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English
Founded
1976
Principal
Timothy Luke Rees
  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

Excellent standards of student achievement have been maintained in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science in both Foundation Stage and the Primary phase. Equally high standards are evident in music, art, ICT, Social, moral and cultural studies and physical education. Students demonstrate learning skills at a very high level allowing them to function as independent learners.

Personal and social development

Throughout the school, students exhibit a strong sense of belonging, displaying proactivity, confidence, and a personal sense of responsibility. In lessons, they demonstrate strong attitudes towards learning and their behaviour is exemplary. Students display remarkable respect and appreciation for their own and other cultures. They possess a very strong work ethic and lead learning in school events and entrepreneurial activities.

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teachers at the school display exceptional subject knowledge and robust pedagogy, leading to creative and imaginative lessons with very high expectations. In the Foundation Stage, lessons are well-structured, with planning that integrates various learning areas. The school frequently reviews its internal assessment procedures, ensuring that assessment data in the primary phase is accurate, reliable, and closely aligned with curriculum expectations.

Wellbeing

School leaders project a strong commitment to improve the promotion of well-being and allow staff, students, and parents to help shape its practice. The student executive group are a part of a student-centred approach which allows student voice to be heard and respected, for example, in the creation of calm playground zones. Staff express very high levels of satisfaction reporting excellent support for their well-being and resulting in the very high staff retention.

Inclusion

The school’s highly inclusive ethos is apparent in all aspects of its provision including adaptations made to the premises, its investment in specialist staff and its admission procedures. The well qualified leader and the ‘Oasis’ department ensure highly effective systems underpin provision for students of determination (SD Students). Excellent communication and empathetic responses to concerns help parents to feel at the very centre of support fortheir children.

Leadership and management

The headteacher leads his senior leadership team, by example, in demonstrating professional expertise, blended with resilience, to sustain a high performing school, committed to inclusivity. Experienced and highly competent governing board members ensure that the school has an informed understanding of how well it performs. The school is very well managed and ensures an atmosphere of calm and purposeful cohesion.

  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

Overall

  • Approximately one quarter of parents responded to their survey.

Safety and care

  • All think their children are safe in school.

Progress and learning

  • Almost all think teachers have helped their children develop skills to learn effectively.

Teaching

  • Most parents think that their children have a close relationship with a teacher at the school.

Enjoyment

  • Almost all are very happy with the quality of education.

  1. Back to text, source A

Fees 2026–27

Jumeirah English Speaking School – Al Safa tuition for 2026–27 is AED 54,131 (FS1) to AED 65,098 (FS2 to Year 6) across eight 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 Jumeirah English Speaking School – Al Safa
Compare with

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

Annual tuition by year group, Jumeirah English Speaking School – Al Safa, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
FS1AED 54,131AED 54,131
FS2AED 65,098AED 65,098
Primary
Year 1AED 65,098AED 65,098
Year 2AED 65,098AED 65,098
Year 3AED 65,098AED 65,098
Year 4AED 65,098AED 65,098
Year 5AED 65,098AED 65,098
Year 6AED 65,098AED 65,098

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 8 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 8 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.

Jumeirah English Speaking School – Al Safa fees 2026–27 by year group Also the 2025–26 figures, fees since 2011–12 and other charges.

Other campuses of Jumeirah English Speaking School: Arabian Ranches

What a year costs, FS1, 2026–27

Showing FS1. Choose another year group above to see its costs.

Tuition
AED 54,131
KHDA's total for the year
AED 54,131

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

Uniform
AED 900 to AED 1,200
School ID Card ReplacementOnly when needed; not paid every year
AED 30 to AED 150

A year, before optional servicesAED 55,031 to AED 55,331

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 100 to AED 250
  • AED 4 to AED 25
  • AED 550 to AED 8,500
  • AED 100 to AED 700
  • AED 60 to AED 250

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
up to 100%

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 11 reports and Good in 1 report.

  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.

AreaFoundation StagePrimary
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

Jumeirah English Speaking School 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 Jumeirah English Speaking School
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. 2012–13OutstandingSame as 2011–12Full Inspection Report 2012–13 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  14. 2011–12OutstandingSame as 2010–11Full Inspection Report 2011–12 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  15. 2010–11OutstandingUp from GoodFull Inspection Report 2010–11 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  16. 2009–10GoodDown from OutstandingFull Inspection Report 2009–10 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  17. 2008–09OutstandingFirst 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

8 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 3 development points, 1 recurring across the last 5 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Leadership and self-evaluation

Note 1

1 strength

  • Strength

    Highly effective senior leadership and governance

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 3

English

1 strength

  • Strength

    Excellent students’ outcomes in English, mathematics and science, and strong learning skills

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 4

Inclusion of students of determination

1 strength

  • Strength

    The firm commitment to inclusion

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

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    Students’ excellent personal and social skills

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

  • Development required

    Develop procedures for evaluating the impact of wellbeing strategies.

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

Other

1 strength

  • Strength

    The stimulating and cohesive learning environment

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

Islamic Education

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 5 reportsNote 2

    Raise students’ achievement in Islamic Education and Arabic.

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

Staffing, facilities and resources

1 development point

  • Development required

    Ensure that performance appraisal targets are linked to students’ learning outcomes and supported by focused professional training.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 10

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.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 5 reports, 2015–16 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Timothy Luke Rees Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 4 Jan 2022, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2011–⁠12
2 changes of principal
Ruth Mary Burke, 2011–12 to 2014–15 → Asa Firth, 2015–16 to 2018–19 → Timothy Luke Rees, 2022–23 to 2023–24
  1. Back to text, source A

Subjects

Academic outcomes, Jumeirah English Speaking School

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

SubjectFoundation StagePrimary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptable
EnglishOutstandingOutstanding
MathematicsOutstandingOutstanding
ScienceOutstandingOutstanding

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, Jumeirah English Speaking School

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2015–162017–182018–192022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryGoodGoodGoodAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressPrimaryGoodGoodGoodGoodGood

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
International and Benchmark AchievementOutstandingVery good
Leadership: International and Emirati AchievementVery goodNot in this report
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyVery goodGood
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterVery goodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • With an average score of 643, the school exceeded its target in the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) by 22 points, placing it in the advanced international benchmark.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the schools’ progress towards achieving the UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2018–19: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve its UAE National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2017–18: Overall, the school's provision for achieving National Agenda targets — is above expectations
  • 2015–16: progress towards meeting National Agenda targets — was above expectations
  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.

Individual sports

  • Yoga & fitness · Yoga classes

Dance

  • Ballet · Lunchtime and afterschool
  • Modern & jazz dance · Contemporary · Lunchtime and afterschool
  • Dance (other) · creative dance clubs · Lunchtime and afterschool

Theatre

  • Drama · Drama clubs · London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations in Acting
  • Musicals · Musical Theatre · Musical Show

Music

  • Choir & singing · Choir · Chamber Choir
  • Orchestra & bands · jazz bands · wind bands
  • Instrument lessons · individual and group lessons on all orchestral instruments, voice, classical and electric guitar, drums and piano

Art & design

  • Art · Origami club · Salt Dough classes
    ·
  • Photography & film · movie making

Science & technology

  • Robotics
  • Coding

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · public speaking · debate current affairs
  • Chess · Chess club

Award programmes

  • Duke of Edinburgh / IAYP · Duke of Edinburgh · Duke of Edinburgh International Award

Facilities

  • Playing field
  • Swimming pool
  • Music rooms

Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports

  • Basketball

Also mentioned: Making A Difference (MaD) Award, Board Games club, Card Sharks, mindful colouring, Flourish club, newspaper clubs, Shakespeare clubs, charity fundraising events

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.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · as a first language

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • Effective identification and assessment procedures, supported by specialists, mean that barriers to learning are swiftly identified. p. 20
  • The school’s highly inclusive ethos is apparent in all aspects of its provision, including adaptations to the premises, investment in specialist staff and admission procedures. p. 20

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 jess.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.

Admissions

School bus and transport

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.

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, Jumeirah English Speaking School

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25755Not availableNot available
2023–2475051Not available
2022–23753526%
2021–22726Not availableNot available
2020–21747Not availableNot available
2019–20690Not availableNot available
2018–196885321%
2017–1870050Not available
2016–17697Not availableNot available
2015–167005114%
2014–156985416%
2013–14698Not availableNot available
2012–13691Not availableNot available
2011–12701Not availableNot available
2010–11704Not availableNot available

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

Location

Address
Al Safa First
Phone and email
+971 4 394 5515Headteacherjumeirah@jess.sch.ae
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. Al Ittihad Private School – Jumeirah

    0.2 km · Good 2023–24 · American

  2. Safa British School

    0.3 km · Very good 2023–24 · British

  3. GEMS Jumeira Primary School

    0.6 km · Outstanding 2023–24 · British

  4. Jumeirah College

    0.8 km · Outstanding 2023–24 · British

  5. Lycée Français Jean Mermoz

    1.0 km · Very good 2023–24 · French

All 6 schools in Al SafaAll 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 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2021–22 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2020–21 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2017–18 (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

Is something on this page wrong? Tell us what it should say; we reply within 5 working days. Corrections made so far

hello@dubaischoolatlas.com

Are you from Jumeirah English Speaking School? Correct your listing: write from the school's own address and attach the KHDA document or page that shows the right value.