North Gate British Private School

Admission Policy

Welcome to North Gate British School

We would like to welcome you to North Gate British School, Ajman’s leading British school. We are a UK British school offering the UK curriculum. The British curriculum is one of the most well-known and highly-regarded curricula in the world of international education. Many parents choose the British curriculum because they see it as the best choice for providing their children with a first-class education. Parents from around the world seek out British schools to prepare their children for success at British universities and beyond.

We invite applications from students of all nationalities, and from any curriculum, who can demonstrate that they can successfully access our curriculum and will provide a positive contribution to our school.

Aim of Our Policy

The aim of this policy is to outline the admissions process at North Gate British School linked to the guidance of the Ministry of Education (MoE). This policy will aim to highlight the process involved in the identification and admission of children who will benefit from our approach to education and who will contribute to school life and the wider community. The school will provide an inclusive education in line with the UAE Federal Laws and the MoE expectations.

Its purpose is to describe the principles and processes which are used to select and admit new students to different age groups. The school's admissions process supports the goals and aims of the school as laid out in its vision and mission statements.

Touring Our School

Following an initial enquiry, it is recommended that all parents should meet with the Admissions and SLT teams and tour the school to ensure it is the type of school and environment that they wish their child to attend. We highly recommend that parents develop and prepare their own list of essential questions that they can ask during their tour (school location, fees, class size, teacher qualification, enrichment programmes, curriculum, school timings). This will ensure that if NGBS is chosen, parents are prepared to commit to the next phase of their enrolment.

Admission Policy

• NGBS welcomes students of all abilities, nationalities, and religions who, in the school’s opinion, will benefit from the rigorous academic, personal, and social programmes on offer. We are proud of our visible commitment to diversity and international mindedness.
• We take our responsibility for children’s academic, social and personal growth very seriously. In order to serve every child’s individual needs and to support their transition to our school, it is important that we have complete information regarding your child’s previous academic experience and pastoral welfare if applicable.
• NGBS actively seeks to nurture the holistic development of all children. Where children have a gifted or talented child then this should be identified and recorded on the online application form.
• NGBS provides a rigorous international English-language education. Although fluency in English is not a criterion for admissions, assessments are set in the English language. Language proficiency will NOT impact a child’s admission into our school where students will prepare for external examinations (when applicable).
• NGBS is an inclusive school that will address the individual needs of all students including those who are diagnosed as a Student of Determination (SoD) including gifted and talented. Parents or guardians of any applicant having a specific known need must submit complete reports with their application. These might include Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) or other reports from health professionals. In the case where a child’s specific need has not been previously identified, the school reserves the right to review the situation to assess the capacity to address his/her needs within their existing level of provision.
• NGBS will always aim to provide a broad and balanced education and welcomes applications from all students. As an inclusive school, we will strive to admit Students of Determination after a thorough assessment of their educational needs. Our assessment process will allow us to gauge whether we are able to meet the needs of these students.
• NGBS adheres to the UAE Federal Law 29 and MoE guidelines
• Ministry subjects are compulsory in the UAE from Year 2. Students will receive a variety of lessons of Arabic/Islamic/Moral Social Cultural Studies per week as per the MoE statutory requirements. This is taught by specialist teachers and aims to develop an awareness and understanding of the origin of the UAE culture.
  • * All students who have an Arab passport will learn Arabic A and if they are Muslim, they will learn Islamic A.
  • * Those students who do hold an Arab passport will learn Arabic B and if they are Muslim, they will learn Islamic B.
  • * Those students who hold an Arab passport and who are non-Muslim will learn PSHE.
  • * Moral Social Cultural Studies is taught to all students.

Waiting List

• The school can maintain a waiting list based on the date of application. Any places will be offered when they become available. The school will periodically seek confirmation that parents wish for their child to remain on the waiting list.

Priority is given in this order:-

• Siblings of students already at school.
• Siblings applying for the same academic year.
• A child who has successfully completed their assessment.

Admission Procedures & Screening

Admissions Procedures

• Applications for admissions from August until the end of October will be accepted as per the UAE Law and Guidelines. Admissions will also continue from January until further notice as guided by the MoE. Applications must be completed online through the school website.

Screening & Assessment

• To ensure that our curriculum is suited to the skills, needs and abilities of every child, an assessment is held prior to entry on the school site. The assessment process is designed and initiated by SLT members who are experienced with initiating a rigorous and supportive assessment process for all students.
• Assessments vary for each year level and can be either group or individual. We are an inclusive school, although we do assess and, in doing so, we try to keep our assessment processes as informal as possible. This reflects the child-centred approach that we adopt. Our processes are designed to allow us to get to know each child before they arrive for their first day in the classroom. We do this by giving our teachers as much information as possible on our new students before they start. We look at how well the child separates from the parent and whether they seem confident in answering simple questions. We look to see if the student joins in straightforward conversations with our lovely admissions team.
• For our Foundation Stage children, we invite all the children and parents into school for a play date. This is where children and parents spend time in the classrooms to familiarise themselves with the classroom and teachers. The week after children are invited back for a second play date where parents will be invited to meet with our leadership team in our Parents’ room so they have a chance to ask any questions they may have. Our aim is to be as friendly and welcoming as possible.
• Assessment Process
  All our assessments are age appropriate and are designed to help explore your child’s strengths and personal qualities, readiness, and ability to access our curriculum. The information collated from your child’s admissions assessment supports our teaching staff. The information that we collect during the admissions process is vital as this supports the school in making an informed professional decision in relation to your child.
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
  English is the main language of instruction at NGBS. We are committed to making our EAL program available to students whose first language is not English. If a student is identified as requiring possible extra EAL support (either through identification by the parent or through our assessment process) the Inclusion Team will become involved and conduct further testing. Based on the results of this assessment and in collaboration with the Admissions and the Inclusion Team additional support will be offered pending available resources in the school.
• Toileting Policy (Foundation Stage)
  All students should be fully toilet trained (both urinary and faecal) by the time of starting FS1 and must accept the school’s policy on toileting. The school recognises that accidents, both urinary and faecal incontinence, do occur at times, but if the class teacher is concerned with the frequency of accidents, the student must stay at home until the parents/guardians are confident that the student can return to school fully toilet trained. Please refer to the NGBS toileting policy.
• Selection is based on multiple criteria.
  These are: -
  • The results of our assessment processes are supported by previous school records, where available and must be shared with the admissions team.
  • The results of the assessments are usually provided to parents within 24-48 hours.
  • Should a child not be offered a place, parents will be given apparent reasons why and a suggested action plan on what should be the next steps for the child.
  • FS1, FS2 and Year 1 applicants are also assessed for school readiness. They must be toilet trained and have a level of independence.
  • Age appropriateness for the year/grade level to which admission is sought.
  • Transfer Certificate from the previous school (FS2 onwards). Certificates should be attested for international transfer.
  • Priority will be given to siblings of those who have secured admission to the school.
  • The admissions team can decide if further assessment or support is required, based on initial assessment.
  • The child’s previous curriculum is taken into consideration as well as the limitations concerning possible transfer dates for local transfers as defined by the MoE guidelines.
  • All admissions will be offered at the discretion of the Principal in consultation with the School Director.

Key Documents Required for Admission

Key Documents Required for Admission:-

• Student’s Passport
• Student’s Unified number (Emirate students only)
• Student residence Visa (non-Emirati students only)
• Student UAE ID card copy (both sides)
• Students Birth Certificate
• Student immunisation record/ Medical record
• Parents/Sponsor passport copy
• Sponsor residence visa
• Parents/Sponsor UAE ID card copy
• Family book (Emirate students only)
• Student’s photograph, passport size x4
• Previous 2 year’s school reports (From FS2 -Year 12 only)
• Transfer certificate confirming your child’s details, school attended, dates attended and last school grade. It must be written on letter headed paper, signed by the School Principal, and stamped.
• All transfer certificates from outside the UAE must be attested by the relevant Ministry of Education within the home country and by the UAE Embassy. This must be subsequently attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE.
• All transfer certificate’s from inside the UAE must be attested by the relevant Ministry of Education from the Emirate of the previous school.
• Once the assessment has been completed and all key documents have been provided, feedback will then be given directly after the assessment or within 48 hours.
• Offer letters will then be sent to all successful applicants.
• Once you have received an offer, you will have 7 days in which to reply.
• To accept the offer, you will need to return the required documentation and make the payment as per the offer letter.
• Once this is all in place, your child will be enrolled for the forthcoming academic year.

Medical records for all students

• The school requires current and accurate information about your child's medical requirements. You must update the school, should any circumstances change. Children can only begin their educational journey with North Gate British School once the completed medical form has been received by the Admissions office.
• Conditional offers
  • The school reserves the right to make a conditional offer in a variety of circumstances. The nature of the condition and the financial consequences will be clearly stated in writing in advance and signed by the parents applying for admission, including the relevant SLT member and the Principal.