Frequently Asked Questions

1. When did Uptown Primary School open?

2. Which curriculum/programme is offered?

3. Where is Uptown Primary School located?

4. Which days of the week are school days?

5. How long is a typical school day?

6. What is the length of the school year?

7. Is nursery a requirement for acceptance into KG1?

8. What is the age for entering KG1?

9. My child does not speak English; can s/he still come to the school?

10. What languages are being taught at Uptown Primary School?

11. How does the IB programme accommodate students coming from the British system?

12. What is the difference between Years and Grades?

13. What kind of facilities does Uptown Primary School have?

14. Where do the students come from?

15. Where do the Uptown Primary School teachers come from?

16. What are the tuition fees?

17. Are uniforms required?

18. Does Uptown Primary School provide transport?

19. Does Uptown Primary School provide meals for students?

20. What extra-curricular activities are offered at Uptown Primary School?

21. What happens if my child requires extra help and support?

22. What if my child doesn't make any progress under the IEP?

23. I would like my child to attend Uptown Primary School. What are the next steps?

1. When did Uptown Primary School open?
Uptown Primary School opened in September 2005.
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2. Which curriculum/programme is offered?
Uptown Primary School is an authorised IB World School which offers the acclaimed International Baccalaureate

Primary Years Programme (www.ibo.org)
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3. Where is Uptown Primary School located?
Uptown Primary School is located in Dubai's residential area Mirdif, which is a mere 10 minutes drive from Dubai's International Airport.

Please click here to view the location map.
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4. Which days of the week are school days?
In the UAE, the school week runs from Sunday to Thursday.
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5. How long is a typical school day?
Kindergarten 1 Sunday to Thursday 7:45am to 1:00pm (First Semester)
Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am to 2:00pm (Second Semester)
Thursdays 7:45am to 1:00pm
Kindergarten 2 Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am to 2:00pm
Thursdays 7:45am to 1:00pm

Grades 1-5 Sunday to Wednesday 7:45am to 2:30pm
Thursdays 7:45am to 1:30pm
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6. What is the length of the school year?
The school year starts in September and ends at the end of June. Please click here to view the School Calendar.
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7. Is nursery a requirement for acceptance into KG1?
Pre-school education is not a requirement. However, it is recommended that your child has plenty of social interaction with other

children before starting KG1 and has spent time away from the primary care giver before starting school for the first time.
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8. What is the age for entering KG1?
Your child must turn four on or before December 31st of the year of entry. You can view a complete Grade/Age/Birthday Cut Off below.

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9. My child does not speak English; can s/he still come to the school?
In our experience, the youngest children can integrate quickly into class with support from an English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher.

Older primary children have an intensive English class to equip them with the essential language skills to function appropriately before integration

into their mainstream class and may receive additional support in class.
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10. What languages are being taught at Uptown Primary School?
English is the main language of instruction throughout the school, with first and second Arabic language programmes taught in an innovative and

engaging way. French and German are optional foreign languages.
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11. How does the IB programme accommodate students coming from the British system?
The IB combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of knowledge and experience from international

schools to create a relevant and engaging education framework for all children. It therefore accommodates students coming from any system

anywhere in the world; in addition, students leaving the school at any level can also 'slot' into any system in any country.
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12. What is the difference between Years and Grades?
In the UK, school normally spans fifteen years: these are known as Foundation 1 and 2, and Years 1 through 13. In many other parts of the world

(including Europe, North America and Australia), school spans fourteen years: these may be known as Pre-KG and KG, and Grade 1 through 12.

At Uptown Primary School our classes are known as (Kindergarten) KG 1 and 2 and Grades 1 through 5.
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13. What kind of facilities does Uptown Primary School have?
Uptown Primary offers a welcoming, purpose-built campus dedicated to the pursuit of learning. The school environment complements, provokes and

stimulates students' learning.

Facilities include:
• Swimming Pool
• Gymnasium
• Library
• Well-equipped ICT Suites and interactive White Boards in most classrooms
• Art Studio
• Music Practice Rooms
• Dance Studio with Sprung Floor
• Safe Play Areas
• Well-resourced Classrooms
• Kids' Café
• Facilities for the Physically Challenged
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14. Where do the students come from?
Uptown Primary School has a diverse population with students from the UAE and all over the world. At present, we have students from over 53 countries.
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15. Where do the Uptown Primary School teachers come from?
Uptown Primary School's faculty and support staff comes from a diverse pool of nationalities. Uptown Primary School is committed to recruiting the best qualified

teachers and support staff with relevant international experience and proven performance.

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>16. What are the tuition fees?
Please click here to find out more about the tuition fees and how to apply to Uptown Primary School.

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17. Are uniforms required?
Yes, Uptown Primary School has a uniform policy. Please click here for more details on where to purchase uniforms.
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18. Does Uptown Primary School provide transport?
We offer school transport through an experienced transport company called Arab Falcon, which provides school transport to all Taaleem schools.

Please click here for more information.
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19. Does Uptown Primary School provide meals for students?
Uptown Primary School students are able to purchase healthy meals and beverage options at the Kids' Café.
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20. What extra-curricular activities are offered at Uptown Primary School?
Uptown Primary School offers a large variety of extra-curricular activities. Please click here for details.

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21. What happens if my child requires extra help and support?

Most children with learning or language support needs have them met in school, and we will include you in any discussions and consider your views

in making decisions about your child. We will also try to get the views of your child wherever possible. The school may decide that your child needs

extra or different help, which may be a special way of teaching certain things, some help from an adult, or one to one or small group teaching

and in some cases use of particular equipment or software. At Uptown Primary School, after consultation with all parties, we will write an Individual Education

Plan (IEP) to focus on specific areas of concern. All recommendations, strategies and extra costs will be discussed and agreed with parents.
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22. What if my child doesn't make any progress under the IEP?
If your child doesn't seem to be making the progress anticipated, the homeroom teacher and the school's Learning Support Team will talk to

you about getting advice from other people outside Uptown Primary School. This might be from a specialist teacher, for example, or an educational psychologist,

a speech and language therapist or another health professional. This kind of help, involving a multi-disciplinary team, will preferably be coordinated by

the school in consultation with parents.
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23. I would like my child to attend Uptown Primary School. What are the next steps?
Complete the application form and submit the required documents to our Admissions Office, together with the application fee. On receipt of an application,

if there is space available students will be assessed. On successful completion of the assessment, acceptance letters will be sent.

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