JESS and the UAE

JESS truly is an international school, with 2,300 students, following the British curriculum, representing over 70 different nationalities and speaking over 30 different languages. We are also conscious of our roots in Dubai and our home country, and are committed to respecting, promoting and living the values of the UAE, which align strongly with our own core values.

JESS students have surpassed the UAE National Agenda targets in PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS testing repeatedly exceeding expectations. The school engages with GL Cognitive Aptitude Testing (CATs) and GL Progress Testing in English, Mathematics and Science, consistently achieving outstanding outcomes across all three schools.

Moral, Social and Cultural Studies (MSC) is delivered throughout the school curriculum to meet the UAE’s legacy and develop students with a strong moral compass who exhibit the knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour to make sense of the world around them and thrive as successful and responsible global citizens.

The UAE’s vision is to be a fully inclusive city and the JESS Inclusion, Wellbeing and Counselling teams are well provisioned to match every child’s needs from students of determination to our gifted and talented students so no child is left behind.

The UAE National Agenda also focuses on reading and literacy in Arabic, English, Mathematics and Science.  Skills that are looked for are inference, interpretation and integration of information. Our libraries in all schools play an integral part in shaping and encouraging these skills outside of the classrooms with engaging projects and external visitors instilling the fundamental love of reading to all our students.

Innovation has been a core element of the UAE National Agenda and is reflected systemically within JESS. The curriculum is dynamic and whether it be ranging from advances in technology to charitable acts, JESS promotes collaboration, problem solving, design thinking, constructive conflict and entrepreneurial skills to ensure our students are future ready and have the toolkit to make a difference in the world.

Through the bespoke JESS Al Ajyaal (Future Leaders) Programme, our Emirati students are nurtured and supported to prepare them to take on roles in Emirati society and beyond, where they will have the tools to make a difference. Our Governor, Mr Ali Al Sayegh, is responsible for Arabic language teaching and Islamic Education, as well as taking a special interest in Al Ajyaal.