Horizon English School Dubai

• Location: Dubai, UAE
• Year of foundation: 1989
• Language of instruction: English
• Type: mixed.

Horizon English School (HES) is a private primary school offering a national British programme to children between 3 and 11 years old.  The institution has existed for more than 30 years, is invariably in the ratings of the best schools and has a KHDA rating - "Outstanding Educational Institution".

The head and director of Horizon English School has more than 15 years of experience. Since 2011, Mr. Ian Wallace has been developing his international career in Dubai, taking care of the institution's students for the past five years.

In 2021, the school was acquired by the international educational group Cognita. This organization manages about 85 schools in 11 countries, which makes it truly savvy in international and language education.

The program is ideal for young schoolchildren - the study is organized in a game and interactive format, and the schedule necessarily contains creative and sports courses. In HES, pupils receive a versatile education, harmoniously developing their talents.

About 1000 children from different parts of the world study here - more than 70 nationalities learn, communicate, play and develop together. The largest national group among students are representatives of the UK. There are also many indigenous people from the United Kingdom among the teaching staff, and the total number of teachers is about 100 highly qualified specialists.

HES adheres to a healthy lifestyle, which consists in proper nutrition, physical activity and fresh air. A large number of classes are held on the street, regardless of the age of the students and the subject taught.

From the third grade, students begin to use information technology. Children can bring their gadgets to school or get an iPad at the institution, which can be used both at recess and at home.

• The school supports about 50 students with disabilities
• 75% of students enjoy attending school immensely, which is well above the UAE average of 57%
• 85% of parents are satisfied with their children's academic performance
• 99% of parents say they would recommend HES to their friends and their children.

On normal school days, the school does not provide places to stay, but it always takes care of housing for pupils during excursions and trips.

IN HES there is a dining room and a cafeteria where children can buy dishes from vegetables, fruits, dairy products and pastries. The institution promotes healthy eating, so it provides students with a balanced diet. All buildings of the school are equipped with dispensers with drinking water. On campus, products containing nuts, sesame seeds and other strong allergens are prohibited in order to avoid allergic reactions.

Several times a semester, the school organizes group trips-excursions to the local attractions of Dubai. Children will be able to visit large entertainment areas: the oceanarium, the zoo, the Children's City, the Green Planet and much more. Students in grades 3-6 once a year go on a trip to Sharjah or Cancer, the theme of which is the development of leadership, self-care and independence skills in the wilderness and nature.

HES holds an annual international ski trip in January. Students in grades 4-6 have the opportunity to travel to Switzerland to learn how to ski and snowboard, see the beauty of the snowy slopes and learn the customs of another country.

Students who are part of the school's leading choir can explore the entire Gulf region by participating in competitions.

A number of free classes are held on campus in different areas: writing, art, reading, oratory, music and much more. HES sports sections include team games, a running club, swimming, athletics and gymnastics, dance and ballet.

• 1st place in the list of the best primary schools in Dubai based on parent reviews
• No14 in the ranking of premium schools
• #15 of the best British schools in Dubai
• #4 in dubai's list of the best primary schools
• Member of the British Schools Middle East network
• The ratio of teachers to children is 1:14
• In classes from 19 to 26 people
• Support for children with special educational needs, disabilities (SEND).

In recent years, the campus of the institution has changed beyond recognition. Thanks to the patronage of Cognita, the school's IT infrastructure was updated, almost all buildings were repaired. Now on the territory there is a large football field with several surfaces, courts for netball and tennis. All buildings have a new air conditioning and heating system, fire-fighting installations.

The campus is located on a spacious plot of land in Al Safa near Safa Park. On the territory built and equipped:

• STEAM Creative Zone for Inventors
• Playgrounds
• Pool
• Several fitness rooms with different areas for stretching, athletics, wrestling and other sports
• Lecture halls with multimedia equipment
• Dining room
• Library, reading and games rooms
• Car parking in an area closed from children.

The institution provides about a dozen school buses for all students: they run through most of Dubai and deliver students under the supervision of staff. Parents have the opportunity to track the whereabouts of their child using a special application with bus trajectories.

Teachers of the school can take care of younger students even after the end of classes - in HES there are two clubs of extended content:

• A club where primary school children spend time with older brothers and sisters on creative courses and activities,
• The Late Club is created for the children of parents whose work does not allow them to pick up a child until 16:00. Staff take care of students from 15:00 to 16:00 from Sunday to Wednesday, from 13:00 to 14:00 - on Thursdays.

There are several semesters in the academic year:

• Winter: August 30-December 9
• Spring: January 3-March 25
• Summer: April 11-July 5.

Holidays are held from the beginning of July to the end of August, long weekends - on the days of state, national holidays.

Additional costs can be added to the basic fees more than $ 2750:

• School uniform
• Medical care – $327 per semester
• Accommodation, meals off-campus
• Books, consumables as needed
• Additional classes that are not included in the list of free ones.

For admission to HES, you should fill out an online questionnaire on the official website of the institution or in the mobile application of the school. The required documents should be attached to the questionnaire.

Each prospective student will be evaluated at a Zoom interview.

Before arriving on campus, the staff advises to visit the study area with a familiarization tour.

Many HES graduates enroll in seventh grades at Dubai's leading colleges: DC, DESC and The English College in Dubai.

The school has no requirements for language skills for future students. All applicants undergo a mandatory interview before the commission decides on his enrollment.

General requirements for applicants:

• Personal documents of one of the parents
• Child's documents: birth certificate, visa or residence permit, medical card
• Translation certificate from the previous school
• Scorecards or certificates.

HES is a member of the Invite a Friend program, which aims to encourage parents who recommend school to their friends. The program provides a discount of 5 to 10% on tuition fees for the child of parents, on whose recommendation the children of their friends will enter the institution.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision