6 minute read
The Schools And Nursery Show
In a Class by Itself
EDUCATION UAE WAS PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR OF THE SCHOOL AND NURSERY SHOW 2021, WHICH HAD ITS FIRST EVENT BACK SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC. THE SCHOOL AND NURSERY SHOW HAS BEEN RUNNING SINCE 2014 AND TO SAY THAT THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE RETURN OF THIS EVENT WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. THE LIVE AND IN-PERSON EVENT WAS ABSOLUTELY BUZZING WITH PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND CHILDREN.
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The event started with the opening by The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, who were the Knowledge Partners for the second year running. M. Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Happiness, Creativity and Innovation at KHDA, welcomed exhibitors and visitors to the event, recognising how crucial good relationships are in the UAE’s education sector.
For the first time in 18 months, parents could speak directly to UAE schools and nurseries and gather valuable information to help them make the critical decision as to where to register their children. Choosing The Dubai World Trade Center as the venue for their 2021 show, with its excellent accessibility and signage, The School and Nursery Show went beyond the Covid-19 precautionary measures, delivering an event that felt safe and comfortable.
“We have always recognised the importance of face-to-face meetings when parents are choosing an educator, but this event has really highlighted this fact. The decision of where to register your children is very personal, and the personality and ethos of the school and its leaders is critical. It was fantastic to see educators connecting and engaging with parents, and it further proves the importance and need for physical events for certain business categories,” Catherine McEvoy, Managing Director of The School and Nursery Show “We were absolutely delighted with the response to the event. Schools and nurseries confirmed their best ever number of interested parents, and their feedback suggested that the majority anticipate that over 20% of leads will convert into registrations.”
Indeed, at 5.00 pm, there were still queues of people waiting to get into the event, and once inside, parents were really engaging with the schools and nurseries in attendance. Many parents were looking for advice in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the uncertainty that still prevails, such as opportunities for home tutoring.
There were some new elements to the show in response to the pandemic, too, with live-streamed panel discussions that anyone could tune into and ask questions live. Catherine states: “We chose to do some elements of the show differently this year; it was a great opportunity for us to use our strength at reaching parents online and to help more parents than ever listen into important discussions between the countries leading educators. These discussions are available for people to listen to after the event via our social media platform, and some have almost 12,000 views.
It’s an incredible opportunity for schools to get that level of exposure.” When asking parents why they visited the show, they all spoke of how important it is for them to speak face to face to the schools. Other points raised were the ability for parents to meet Principals and senior staff from the school, rather than just admissions teams. It allowed them to ask very specific questions and get detailed responses.
When asked why they had chosen to visit the school, Katie, a visitor at the show, said: “The School and Nursery Show was a great opportunity for us to find a school for our child. We were so confused by all of the choices available, especially about the curricula. Here you get to know about the different curricula available in the city and how to work out which is best for your child, which is very important.”
The School and Nursery Show reported record attendance numbers at the event.
The next Dubai edition of The School and Nursery Show will be in March 2022, and the dates for their Abu Dhabi show will be announced as soon as possible. If you’re an educator and wish to join, contact catherine@theschoolshow.ae
Contact
catherine@theschoolshow.ae www.theschoolshow.ae
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Jebel Ali School (JAS) Opens Sixth Form -
SEPTEMBER 2021
SPEAKING TO MRS E ROBINSON, PRINCIPAL AT JEBEL ALI
SCHOOL AND MR J BATTEN, HEAD OF JAS SIXTH FORM, WE ASKED WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN SEPTEMBER.
MRS E ROBINSON,
PRINCIPAL AT JEBEL ALI SCHOOL
“Whilst our Sixth Form is newly established, it is built on the longstanding reputation, values and ethos of our primary and secondary school. We continue to follow the National Curriculum for England and offer a wide array of A-levels and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).”
“Personalised pathways and a pioneering timetable allow our students to select up to four A-levels subjects, receiving expert guidance from our subject specialists, who collectively have over 250 years of GCSE and A-level teaching experience.”
“Besides our academic provision, Sixth Form students will follow our unique ETHOS programme, which includes; Enrichment, Tutor, Health & Wellbeing, Options & Aspirations, and our Skills (Life & Study) programmes.”
We asked Mr J Batten, Head of JAS Sixth Form, to tell us about the JAS ETHOS programme and how will students benefit from it?
“Our Enrichment programme offers our students an array of opportunities to develop essential skills, qualities and experiences in their industry of interest or aspiration. As a longstanding international school with a wealth of community and business links, our students are supported in undertaking relevant work experience.
They are offered extensive workshops alongside expert talks within a dedicated afternoon each week on their timetable. This programme is sure to enhance a student’s university and/or job application, and will also develop an abundance of personal qualities and career characteristics.
“Each Sixth Form student is assigned a tutor group. Tutor groups are ‘vertical’, meaning students mix across Year 12 and Year 13, this encourages a community feel across the Sixth Form and Year 12 students are able to learn from Year 13 students as they prepare their applications and examination schedules. All students receive extensive academic and pastoral support with advice and guidance from their tutor, head of year and subject teachers.
“JAS has always prioritised students’ health and well-being alongside their academics. The results of the annual GL Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) assessment, shows our students are amongst the happiest and most comfortable across Dubai, this remains a priority in the Sixth Form. Our pioneering timetable, which balances study time with a delayed school start time, and with a support team that includes our whole school counsellor, fosters students’ cognitive, physical and emotional development.
“Our Options and Aspirations Programme helps our students make a well-informed and confident transition to university and/or employment. Mockinterviews, career days, industry talks, guidance meetings, use of Unifrog, and access to our Options and Aspirations Advisor, provides students with bespoke guidance and expert advice and in line with their aspirations.
“We know, through links with UK universities, that successful preparation for leaving home and studying abroad is essential, particularly for expatriate students. We believe that academic qualifications alone are not enough. JAS Sixth Form students will be suitably prepared through the completion of our innovative Skills (study skills and life skills) curriculum that fosters academic achievement and develops cooking, laundry, DIY, and other lifelong skills.”
For more information, email admissions@jebelalischool.org or visit www.jebelalischool.org “Personalised pathways and a pioneering timetable allow our students to select up to four A-levels subjects”
Contact
admissions@jebelalischool.org www.jebelalischool.org
Podcast
www.jassixthform.podbean.com
