Welcome from the Headteacher

Being Headteacher at Dubai English Speaking College is both exciting and inspiring. On a daily basis I am in awe at the performance of the young people who contribute to making us the College we are

Who does the College belong to?  It is a question I get asked often, particularly on tours; it is also a very relevant question given the context of where we are.

Thank you for browsing our website and if appropriate we would also encourage you to book a tour and see the College ‘live’. Dubai English Speaking College, or DESC as we are known, is a not-for-profit College that follows the English National Curriculum (GCSE, A level and BTEC). Our Trustees support our fully inclusive ethos, which means we do not select students on an academic basis. All this results in our position being rather unique in the educational landscape we operate in and makes us a popular choice when parents are selecting where to send their children.

Our students originate from over sixty different countries and this global element creates an environment of high ambition and confidence, which facilitates in preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.  They are caring, courteous and calm and go about their schooling in a respectful, enthusiastic and mature manner. Leadership skills are nurtured and visible in students throughout the College.

Staff want students to enjoy the process of learning which puts welfare and wellbeing at the core of our provision. Our House system dominates life at DESC and students improve socially and personally through personalised experiences. We ensure all students receive the right information, advice and guidance at key transitional moments in their educational career.

This mindset enables staff and students to be a part of a vibrant learning community where all members are encouraged to follow the College motto: Dare, Excel, Share and Create.

By looking at our Teaching and Learning you will see how staff motivate and inspire students through designing engaging and well-planned experiences. We are committed to enhancing the lives of our students by organising co-curricular activities, home and abroad and through the mediums of sport, performing arts, technology and enterprise. We then use these cross-curricular opportunities and real-life applications to create challenging and invigorating lessons.

As a result of this approach, outcomes are consistent and examination results, particularly in our context of being an inclusive College, put us amongst the best international schools around the world. We place great emphasis on achievement and value the progress students make from their starting points.

Nothing is impossible; by removing barriers and creating resilience we have the very highest expectations of all.

Locally we are committed to contributing to the development of education within the UAE and are compliant with statutory requirements; more so, we believe in the National Agenda that encourages investing in the youth and we support the aim to be a part of the most successful countries in providing world-class education.

So, who does the College belong to? The answer is quite simple and when you visit us, I hope you can see that the answer is an obvious one; DESC belongs to the students.

Chris Vizzard
Headteacher