Parent's Review of Horizon School in Dubai
What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)
Horizon School
In what town or city is this school located?
Dubai
How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)
British Primary
What grade levels are represented at this school?
up to grade 6
How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)
parents drop them off, some get there by bus (contracted it seems by the school)
How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?
Facilities are fine. They have a good play area, a big field etc. The swimming pool is out in the open – which makes it freezing cold in the winter (even though its heated), and your child is pretty much sun-prone in the summer. The football field is very nice.
What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?
Not much really. Horizon is pretty much a by-the-book school and that book is written by the Head Teacher Ms Sinclair – who seems to be very focused on micromanaging the entire school. If your child comes from the UK, it's pretty much similar, except Horizon's standards are lower than equivalent grades in the UK. Coming from other countries, I haven't heard much complaining, but please don't look for extra support.
How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?
You're kidding, right? Parents are treated like second class citizens by the school management. The Head Teacher and her team of 'rulers' have no clue that even though they are a school, they are accountable to parents, and that parents are paying customers. Gosh they need to go for a course or two. I'd hate my child learning social manners from that lot. Oh yes, there are coffee mornings – but these are meetings by moms to discuss how best they can raise even more money for the school.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?
Don't! The teachers (not all, but quite a few) are rude and they they are basically ruled over by the Head and the others in top positions. Gosh, that's a rude lot. I you want a good school, try DESS, JESS or Jebel Ali. The American Scools are better as well. It was a huge mistake we made putting our child in when we arrived from the UK. What a poor waste of the formative years.
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Comments about this Report
guestOh my God this school is horrible we had a hard time there they were very rude to me and my child ,,,, thanks God there is some one had the same problem like us
guestWell i am really sad to read this comments cause i went and visited the school this morning to enroll both my kids in fs1 and fs 2 for september 2014, and paid 500aed for each application. I felt that there were a really good athmosphere and Mrs Sinclair was very passionate about the education they provide at Horizon. Everybody was friendly and i felt good spirit . Well maybe I should look at JESS and Jabel Ali but its a challenge to get a spot there. Good luck to everybody in dubai...
guestwell what would one expect with teachers and the owner coming from scotland. not a lot of class I would state. and what annoys me is that the children only have 15 mins to eat their lunch. parents dont have much choice because there are not enough good schools.
guestAbsolutely agree with all the comments. The head and deputy treat the parents with nothimg short of hostility. The academic standards are very low. I would say the majority parents are unhappy and would move if they could. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
guestI also enrolled my two kids year 1 and year 4 for September 2013. I was told they had space in these year groups so I paid aed 500 each for the application fee. Both were invited for assessments and never offered a place despite passing their assessment. They were full of excuses when I asked why? Each time my called for an update, it was a different story and then to be told 'sorry' both year groups are now full. A very unfair selection process.....they only choose who they like! When I complained they decided to cancel my applications but offered a refund on the fee. A complete time waste and I'm glad I learnt this before it was too late. A terrible experience!
guestI discovered this forum whilst trying to find out more information on the school as I am considering applying for a teaching post here for September 2014. Coming from Scotland I am absolutely appalled to read the racist remarks by someone on this forum: "well what would one expect with teachers and the owner coming from scotland. not a lot of class I would state. " I cannot speak for the staff in this school, however I happen to be extremely well educated, have a great deal of experience and value the children and parents I work with above all else. As a result of this I have excellent relationships with the families in my current and previous school. It is ignorance like this which I work tirelessly to eliminate in teaching children tolerance, respect and and global citizenship, through leading by example.
guestOne word of advice, no school in Dubai is perfect. Have been a parent in Dess and it was shocking how rude some staff were with kids and parents. I have suffered from first hand experience.be prepared to find rude teachers everywhere and unfortunately mostly were British teachers, Scottish teachers were the most warm and polite teachers in my experience. The truth is that if you kid is struggling no school in Dubai will help.so if you have a brilliant kid all schools are good but if your kid is not academic prepare ahead for hard and heart breaking experiences.
