Director of Deira International School (DIS), Ruth Burke, talks to Edarabia about her vision for the school and her views on assessment and proactive parent involvement.
Our approach to assessment centers on identifying areas for development with summative (end of unit) and more importantly formative (ongoing) assessment systems embedded. In addition, cognitive ability testing from Year 3, identifies strengths and areas for growth, whereby our teachers expertly match teaching strategies to students’ requirements through content, but more importantly, in their delivery approaches. Assessment and data analysis is a major focus area here at DIS, effectively supporting high levels of student achievement. Target setting and regular opportunities for dialogue on progress, both with students and their parents, makes our system student-focused and highly transparent. Quality feedback to students is emphasised; it is instrumental in supporting accelerated progress and nurturing aspiration and a growth mind-set. Clarity in next steps, with opportunities for reflection and improvement of work, ensures students are guided towards achieving their goals.
Here at DIS, our open door policy fully supports our Parents as Partners approach, and, from induction of our very youngest right through to IB, parents are encouraged to become active participants in their children’s educational journey. Workshops for parents to assist them in supporting reading, numeracy, phonics, university application processes, wellbeing, and much more are a regular feature of our termly calendars, furnishing mums and dads with the knowledge and skills required to better support learning at home. Regular communication, through Parents’ Evenings and reports, further supports our policy of transparency with parents. Our very active groups of parents assist with all sorts of events and occasions, with our parent elected representatives meeting half-termly with school leaders. High levels of visibility and access to leaders is a key strength, and our leaders welcome feedback from all stakeholders in our drive for school development.
Our culture here at DIS is one of high standards, where students are our first priority in all decision-making processes. In recruiting high performing teachers, we work hard to ensure that our induction processes to support them, from arrival, are effective. Competitive packages, combined with high levels of resourcing, make for happy teachers; experts who are committed to high levels of care and support and to accelerating progress. Our strong ethos of developing staff professionally, supported by high financial investment in this area, is a very special feature of our school. Coaching and mentoring systems are embedded, ensuring a culture of sharing and high aspiration, which our teachers enjoy and benefit greatly from.
Here at DIS, we offer both IBPD and IBCP, with a strong emphasis on preparing students for universities and beyond. Our strong links with the community, and in particular with Al Futtaim business partners, give DIS students superb opportunities to develop their soft skills, utilise their academic skills in real life learning situations, and prepare them for the world of work.
Our outdoor education programme, emphasis on participation in a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, and student leadership opportunities all contribute to a skills set and attitude that nurture students with a strong work ethic, capable to succeed in university and in the world of work.
The necessity for students to become lifelong learners, with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing contexts, is well documented and great schools like DIS are ensuring that resilience, determination, and grit are being nurtured from an early age. Coding, robotics, and confidence with virtual and augmented reality, alongside STEM, enterprise, and design-thinking opportunities make our curriculum here at DIS particularly dynamic, effectively preparing adults of tomorrow.
The last 17 years here in Dubai, as a school leader of high-performing schools, has been a privilege and a joy. Learning, day in and day out, never ceases nor does the sense of pride in seeing students progress, have fun, and become genuine lifelong learners, supported by staff who are committed, caring, and aspirational.
DIS is an amazing school, with strong academic outcomes, a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, and expert specialist teachers. Superb facilities include our outdoor and indoor learning areas, STEM and Design and Technology laboratories, computing suites, gymnasiums, temperature controlled swimming pools, and a wonderful library. Here at DIS, we emphasise hands-on learning approaches; our students are highly engaged, motivated, and happy.
Going forward, we will continue to raise aspiration in all areas of school life, with target areas including academic outcomes, sports, and student leadership opportunities.
Ruth Burke, Director of Deira International School, is a school leader with the distinction of having led outstanding schools in Dubai for over ten years.
Educated in Trinity College, Dublin, and later in Bath University UK, Ruth holds a Masters’ Degree in Educational Leadership, and is a strong proponent of empowering staff through distributed leadership models. Her strong connection with Learning and Teaching, as well as her aspirational approaches to all aspects of education, make Ruth a visible presence to students, staff, and parents. Her relentless pursuit for excellence has been instrumental in building schools of considerable repute, where inspection, academic outcomes, and aspiration levels are evidence of her high expectations approach and a culture of collaboration, with Parents as Partners as a key component.
Mother of three, with children, spanning 6 years to 24 years of age, her passion for creating high-performing learning opportunities for both students and staff is tangible, and her drive to ensure quality outcomes for all learners is refreshing.
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