Navigating School Admissions in Abu Dhabi

Choosing the right school is only the first step. Once you have selected your preferred school there are still a few steps to navigate.

Any family who has recently moved to Abu Dhabi will tell you there is a significant schools shortage in Abu Dhabi. There are not enough places to meet the growing demand in the city and those places which are available are snapped up quickly. To combat this it is vital that parents do their ground work early.

Applications for September entry generally open around January of that year. All schools try to make the application process as easy as possible for parents; they have clear admissions processes and guidelines and timelines for admissions. Just check admissions periods carefully to ensure you apply well within the application period.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) govern all school activities in Abu Dhabi, including the admissions process and the registration of all students. There are clear guidelines on what is required by law, and the rules differ for public schools and private schools.

One of the most frustrating rules for expat parents can be the rule of progression. In Abu Dhabi, a student is required to pass and complete each year of schooling before they may be promoted to the next year level. As a general rule, students may not ‘skip’ years and students who fail in their studies may be required to repeat years. There are also challenges in proving equivalence between different curricula. For example in the British system children begin Year 1 at age 5. However in other countries formal schooling does not begin until age 6 or 7. This creates equivalence challenges as Year 1 in the UK may mean something very different to Year 1 in, for example, Croatia. As a result, students are not always placed with students of their chronological age and in many cases students may be required to repeat a year of schooling. The transfer letter is the most important document in this decision. Parents should take care to obtain an accurate transfer letter which clearly states their child’s year level, any equivalence between curricula and the fact that they have been promoted to the next year level. Many students have found their schooling delayed because of a simple error in their transfer letter.

Attestation of documents can also create difficulties for some families. ADEC require documents which orginate from certain countries to be attested. The list of countries changes from time to time and there may be 2 or 3 different authorities who must attest each document either in the home country or in the UAE. Parents would be wise to ask about any attestation requirements from their school well in advance as this could save you significant time and money in the future.

Many parents are (quite rightly) frustrated by these rules, but it is important to remember that it is not the school staff who are making these decisions. They may be equally frustrated, but in some cases, their hands are tied. Schools who promise anything outside these laws should be treated with caution, as students who find themselves ‘out of year’ can experience serious disruption to their learning.

A good tip is to have all your documents ready before you meet with Admissions staff. Clear colour copies of all documents, original documents available to be sighted and all required attestations in order can save you serious time at the point of application. Many school admissions offices are very helpful and will offer advice on everything from document attestations to accommodation options. Remember these people live in Abu Dhabi and speak with parents every day; they are more than happy to share their local knowledge.

Admissions staff are the public face of any school. They are often the first people you speak with, and depending on your lead time, you may stay in regular contact over a period of weeks or months. Their service standards are a reflection of the school ethos and give you an insight into the culture of the school. You should be interviewing them and reviewing their performance in the same way they are reviewing your child’s application.

Taking a tour of the school can also be very valuable, not just to see facilities and resources, but also to get a feeling for the school. When you are on the tour, do staff members greet you in the corridors? Do students smile and say hello? Do they hold doors open and allow you to pass? What is the feeling in the classrooms? Students are ultimately the best indicator of the quality of a school; more important than brochures and facilities and statistics. Take a moment to really see the students before you make your decision. And try to visit a number of schools. Every school has a personality; it is important to find a school that matches the needs of your children.

And once all the paperwork is cleared and your child is registered you will realise it has all been worth the effort. Your children should be happy to come to school and, above all, learning!

For more information about schools and education in Abu Dhabi please visit the site of the British International School Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lesley-Ann Wallace joined the BISAD team in December 2010. She was previously Assistant Principal at our Nord Anglia school in Puxi Shanghai, and part of the school leadership since the school opened in August 2005. Lesley-Ann has extensive experience in international education. Prior to joining the team in Shanghai she was in Gulf English School Kuwait and Garden International School Malaysia. Her UK experience was based in the North of England where she took on her first SLT role as Raising Attainment Coordinator followed by a Deputy Headship. Lesley-Ann is currently part of the National College of School Leadership and recently completed her NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). She is the proud mum of Thomas and Ciara, and married to Noel, a member of the PE department.