ADMISSIONS POLICY

Siblings
Siblings of current pupils are given priority if the year group is at capacity. Sibling discounts are also available. 

Staff Children
Children of The Aquila School teaching staff are guaranteed a school place, subject to the terms of their contract and if the school can meet the needs of the child. They must still complete an enrolment form and supply requested documentation. 

Waiting Lists
Where a year group is at capacity, a child may be placed on the waiting list. The parent will be contacted if and when a place becomes available. If a place is offered it must be accepted or declined within one week. 

Applications For the Next Academic Years
These can be made at any time. Admissions are currently open for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years. 

Medical Records
The school requires current and accurate information regarding your child’s medical requirements, and that you update the school should the circumstances change. We require records of previous medical treatments, allergies, and vaccination records on registration. 

Placement of Students After Enrolment
The Aquila School places children in the correct year group in accordance with their age on 31st of August if starting school for the first time or in accordance with their year/grade progression, as per KHDA policy.  To maintain equality and diversity in our classes, and to allow children to better support each other’s academic and social development, we place children in the class by considering nationality, language ability, gender, friendship and additional learning needs. 

Gender 

The Aquila School is a co-educational school. 

Nationality
The Aquila School operates a fair and non-discriminatory approach to the selection of children, to enable a diverse and rich cultural experience for all children and members of the school community. 

English Language
The Aquila School delivers the National Curriculum for England to children in English. Language proficiency in FS1 is not used as an indication for admissions. In FS2, primary and secondary, language proficiency is assessed to ensure children can access the curriculum, and progress to the best of their ability. 

Additional Learning Requirements
The Aquila School is an inclusive school for gifted children and those with special educational needs. We offer additional learning support where we can help the child to progress. Parents are asked  to inform the school at application stage regarding any additional learning support requirements for their child. We may request copies of external documents such as professional assessments and individual learning plans to support your child’s transition into the school.  

In line with the requirements of the local regulatory body we are committed to being as inclusive as we can be. There is no formal assessment to enter our school- rather a dialogue and meeting with the child and their family.  We ask families to let us know of any medical or learning needs their child has and to allow the school access to reports from professionals and previous settings as appropriate. It may be appropriate for us to visit and observe the child in their existing setting or for the child to come to school for a trial session. The function of this process is to inform the school’s provision planning and enable the child to be enrolled in the school. Children will be enrolled into the year group that corresponds to their age, except where they have completed a programme of study in another setting that is equivalent to a year above or below the expected year group.  

In exceptional circumstances where the Aquila School is unable to provide a place for a pupil of determination, the criteria and rationale for the decision will be clearly described through the completion of the KHDA’s non-admission notification procedure for pupils of determination. This must take place whether the pupil is identified as a pupil of determination prior to the application or as a result of the entry assessment procedure.  

Children with significant needs 

The school works in partnership with the Hemam centre.  Hemam are registered, approved and licensed by the Dubai CDA to provide a broad range of specialist therapies on a full time basis for children whose needs are so great that they cannot be met in a mainstream school. The Hemam centre charges additional fees for this provision. Children who receive therapy from the Hemam centre are also enrolled in The Aquila School and school fees are applicable. 

Behaviour
The Aquila School believes that good behaviour is fundamental in enabling the best learning experience possible, and all children enrolled at the school should have a positive attitude to learning and respect for the school community. 

Class Capacity
Class sizes will not exceed 26 children unless in exceptional circumstances. 

Admissions Deadlines
Admissions for the academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24 are currently open.  

Families Moving Their Children from Other Private Schools In Dubai
To complete your registration process, we need to have a Leaving certificate from your child’s previous school. Please speak to your child’s previous school asking them to send this across. Please be reminded that you will be required to pay a fee for processing to the previous school. 

Families Coming from Outside the UAE
Your child will need a Leaving Certificate from their previous school, in the previous country. 

The Leaving Certificate should include the following information: 

• Certificate printed on the previous school letterhead, stamped and signed by the Principal 
• Confirmation of the school curriculum/ and total number of school years 

• Confirmation of the child’s date of joining and withdrawal 
• Confirmation of the last attended year / grade and the academic results