Deira International School

Here you can see the modern, purpose-built campus of Deira International School (DIS) in Dubai Festival City—reflecting its spacious layout, clean design, and welcoming environment.

Deira International School: A Snapshot

Background & Community

• Established in 2005, DIS is a not-for-profit British curriculum school run by the Al-Futtaim Education Foundation, situated in Dubai Festival City, conveniently close to Dubai International Airport and major residential areas.

• It serves a diverse community with over 80–90 nationalities among its roughly 1,700–2,000 students.

Accreditation & Academic Framework

• Rated Outstanding by both KHDA (DSIB) and British Schools Overseas (BSO).

• Offers a blend of qualifications:

  • National Curriculum for England

  • Cambridge IGCSE in Year 11

  • IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related Certificate (IBCP) in Years 12 and 13

• The curriculum is intentionally holistic and future-focused, instilling learner attributes like global awareness, innovation, and well-being.

Facilities & Campus Highlights

• Spanning approximately 80,000 m², it features:

  • Two indoor gymnasiums and two temperature-controlled swimming pools

  • Multiple astroturf pitches, a full-sized football field, cricket nets, rugby and natural grass fields, basketball, netball, and tennis courts

  • Specialist academic spaces: art rooms, music studios, science and design & technology labs, media center, libraries, six-form areas, drama studio, and a 700-seat auditorium

Teaching, Ethos & Community

• Emphasizes values—Respect, Excellence, Collaboration, Integrity—and a motto: "Forever learning, forever achieving".

• Highly experienced educators, predominantly from the UK, supported by specialized faculty for Arabic and Islamic studies.

• Strong emphasis on well-being and safety, which have been specifically highlighted in inspection reports.

Extracurriculars & Co-Curricular Life

• Offers a rich after-school activity program including sports (e.g., football, rugby, swimming), performing arts, music, clubs, MUN, and extensive trips—such as visits to Japan, Austria, London, and Kenya.

• Also provides the Duke of Edinburgh Award and well-regarded pastoral care initiatives recognized by international awards.

Admissions & Class Size

• Class sizes are kept moderate:

  • Foundation Stage: max 20 students

  • Key Stages 1–4: max 22–26

  • IB classes: max 18 students

• Transportation, scholarships (including up to 100% for Emirati students), and after-school care options are available.

Performance & Reputation

• Academically, DIS achieves excellent results—with IGCSE and IB exam outcomes consistently above world averages and regular university placements globally.

• Ranked in parent-driven surveys as among the top premium British and IB schools in Dubai.

• On Reddit, parental feedback is mixed but often positive:

  “It’s a good school… Teachers are actually working hard and taking care of children.”Reddit
  However, some caution raised about community dynamics:
  “Avoid Deira International School like the plague… I know colleagues there that told me it’s a terrible school.”Reddit

Summary Table

Bottom Line

Deira International School offers a world-class British-and-IB education in Dubai, characterized by rich facilities, strong inspection ratings, small class sizes, and a nurturing community. It’s a leading option for families seeking a holistic, academically rigorous, and inclusive environment—though, as with all schools, visiting and engaging with current parents can offer valuable personalized insight.