DESS College (DESC)

In Brief

Dubai English Speaking College is a well-established British curriculum secondary school (ages 11-18) serving as the secondary arm of Dubai's oldest British school group, founded in 1963. While maintaining not-for-profit status and a strong reputation among teachers for excellent facilities and packages, the school faces typical challenges with local student behavior that characterize Gulf education.

Established in 2005 as the secondary extension of Dubai English Speaking School, DESC operates on a beautiful Oud Metha campus serving over 1,100 students from more than 60 nationalities. The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum through IGCSEs and A-Levels, maintaining its not-for-profit status which allows reinvestment of surpluses into facilities and programs. Teacher discussions consistently highlight DESC as offering one of the best packages in Dubai, with excellent facilities including department-specific staff rooms reflecting the school's substantial size and resources.

The school benefits from being part of Dubai's oldest British educational institution, providing guaranteed secondary places for DESS primary graduates and maintaining strong continuity through the British curriculum pathway. DESS Connect, the alumni network, supports current students with mentorships, internships, and career guidance. However, like many Gulf schools serving significant local populations, DESC faces challenges with student behavior that teachers describe as particularly difficult, requiring careful consideration of the student demographic when evaluating the school as a workplace or educational choice.