Admissions Policy
DATE May 2026
REVIEW DATE November 2026
Owner Director
Version Number: Ver28
Working Date: N/A
Legal Sign: N/A
Type of Policy: Board
Authorised by Exec:
Authorised by Board: 01/06/2026
For Admissions to JESS from: 01/06/2026
Circulation: External Website
PREAMBLE AND RATIONALE
JESS has a diverse population, welcoming students and families from a wealth of backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. The inclusive ethos promoted by all members of the community ensures all students, including students of determination, are given every opportunity for success.
JESS broadly follows the National Curriculum for England in our Primary and Secondary Schools, with Sixth Form students undertaking the International Baccalaureate or BTEC courses
The school year runs from August to July; children can be admitted to JESS during the School year if a place becomes available (subject to KHDA guidelines).
JESS is oversubscribed. Places at the School are in high demand and there are many more applicants than there are places available. JESS has extensive admissions waiting lists for most year groups. For this reason, the School cannot take every student who applies and thus has procedures in place for the allocation of places.
This Policy outlines the procedures by which JESS offers places at the School.
The School welcomes students of determination and is committed to and guided by the Dubai Inclusive Education Policy Framework (Published November 2017) and the Directives and Guidelines for Inclusive Education (DGIE) (Published January 2020).
The School’s admission policy adheres to the stipulations of the UAE Federal Law No 29 of 2006 concerning the Rights of People of Determination.
The School’s admission policy adheres to the stipulations of the Dubai Law No 2 of 2014 concerning the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Emirate of Dubai.
The School’s admission policy adheres to the stipulations of the UAE Executive Council Resolution No. (2) of 2017 Regulating Private Schools in the Emirate of Dubai (especially Article 4 clause 14; Article 13, clauses, 16, 17 and 19; Article 23 clause 4).
Equal treatment: We welcome children from many different ethnic and racial groups, backgrounds and creeds. Human rights and freedoms are respected but must be balanced with the lawful needs and rules of our School Community and the rights and freedoms of others. All students will be treated equally, irrespective of their, or their parents' religion, belief, sect, faith, creed, race, colour or ethnic origin.
DEBENTURES AND WAITING LISTS
Overview
When JESS was founded as a non-profit organisation, it was funded through a Debenture Scheme. All children (with the exception of some staff children) are required to have their place at JESS supported by a debenture. There are two types of debentures:
a) Corporate Debenture: These were sold to companies who chose to support JESS on a long-term basis by investing in the initial building of the schools. The sale of Corporate Debentures is now closed.
b) Personal Debenture: Parents are required to purchase a personal debenture on entry to the School. Personal debentures remain in place whilst the child attends the school and are refunded when the child leaves. The price of a Personal Debenture is AED 20,000.
Waiting and Application Lists
a) Definitions
1. Corporate Waiting List are applicants who are eligible employees of a company which holds a Corporate Debenture with JESS. Corporate Waiting List is ranked by date of application.
2. Personal Waiting List is for those applicants who do not have access to a Corporate Debenture. A Personal Debenture will be required to secure a place. Personal Waiting List is ranked by date of application.
b) Emirati Applications are welcomed and will receive special consideration at every year group and priority entry placement on the Waiting List in Foundation 1 and Year 7 (see paragraph 13.4 for a definition of Emirati)
c) Foundation 1 and Year 7 Priority Order the School operates waiting lists, prioritised as follows:
1. Emirati Applications
2. Corporate Waiting List applicant with JESS Sibling
3. Personal Waiting List applicant with JESS Sibling
4. Corporate Waiting List applicant
5. Personal Waiting List applicant
6. Open Entry (Year 7 only)
Foundation 1 and Year 7 waitlists open two years prior to the start of the enrolling academic year. Updates regarding the enrolment process will be outlined on our website on 1st September two years prior, e.g. for a Foundation 1 or Year 7 place in 2028-2029 the information regarding the enrolment process is published on the website from 1st September 2026
d) Foundation 2 to Year 6 and Year 8 to Year 10 Waiting Lists: The School operates waiting lists, prioritised as follows:
1. Corporate Waiting List by the date of application
2. Personal Waiting List by date of application
3. Emirati Applications will be given special consideration
4. Open Entry for Years 3 to 10 (except for Year 7)
e) Parents who have children on any Waiting List must inform the School in writing of any change in circumstances, in particular:
1. Contact details
2. Eligibility for a Corporate Debenture
f) Applicants will be removed from the relevant waiting list if:
1. Parents decline offers of assessment or an offer of a place on two occasions
2. Parents do not respond within the deadline to waiting list update emails (two unreturned emails)
3. The child does not complete the Entrance Assessment.
g) Assessments are valid for 12 months; reassessment cannot occur within this period.
Open Entry Places
a) Open Entry decisions are independent of waiting list positions and may override standard priority.
b) Open Entry places are offered for two reasons:
1. to admit students who will make a significant contribution to the sporting, artistic, creative or academic life of the School; and
2. to promote diversity within the School community
c) Open Entry is open to all, including those already on a Waiting List.
d) Open Entry policy is to offer:
1. Year 3 to Year 6: 3 places per year group in each School
2. Year 7: 10% of places
3. Year 8 to Year 10: up to 4 places per year group
e) Applications for Open Entry must meet the criteria set out on the JESS website, and applications must follow the process outlined.
Corporate Debenture Rules
a) If a Corporate Debenture application is made but the verification process establishes that the parent is not eligible, the application will be withdrawn.
b) If a child is ontheCorporateWaiting List and the parent leaves the company which holds the Debenture:
1. either the child will transfer to the Personal Waiting Lists with the original date of application determining the child’s place on the Waiting List; or
2. the child will remain on the Corporate Waiting List with the original date of application, if the parent is eligible for a Corporate Debenture with their new employer
c) If a child is attending the school under a Corporate Debenture and the parent leaves the company which holds the Debenture:
1. either the child’s debenture status changes to Personal Debenture and a Personal Debenture will be required to secure the place; or
2. the child will transfer to another Corporate Debenture if the parent is eligible to use a Corporate Debenture with their new employer.
Personal Debenture Rules
a) Personal Debentures are not payable until a place is offered. Personal Debentures cannot be purchased in advance and give no priority on the waiting list.
b) Once a child is offered a place which is secured by a Personal Debenture, parents need to confirm their acceptance by purchasing a Personal Debenture within a specified timeframe, which must occur prior to the child joining the School.
c) Personal Debentures remain in place for the duration of the child’s enrolment with School and are refunded once the child leaves.
d) If the School receives less than the required one term's notice of leaving, the Personal Debenture will not be refunded until the end of the following term.
e) Personal Debentures are AED 20,000 at both Schools.
f) Although companies may finance the payment of a Personal Debenture, it is the responsibility of the parent to organise this. The certificate will be issued in the parents’ name(s) and the refund instructions must be issued by the parent.
WAITLIST PRIORITIES
Sibling Applications
a) Siblings are given priority entry into Foundation 1 and Year 7 waitlists only.
b) All sibling applications must be received by JESS Admissions before 1st September of the year prior to the child commencing Foundation One or Year 7 – i.e. at least one year in advance.
Sibling Applications for Students of Determination
a) Students of Determination who are siblings are given priority for all waitlists.
b) All sibling applications for Students of Determination must be received by JESS Admissions before 1st September of the year prior to the child commencing school.
Emirati Applications
a) Emirati applications are given priority entry into Foundation 1 and Year 7.
b) Emirati Applications are given special consideration in all other year groups
c) Emirati siblings are given waitlist priority for all entry year groups
d) All applicants claiming Emirati priority are required to study Arabic as a first language (‘Arabic A’) and, if Muslim, required to study Islamic Education (‘Islamic A’).
e) All Emirati applications must be received by JESS Admissions before 1st September of the year prior to the child commencing Foundation One.
Children of JESS Employees
a) Waitlist priority is given to dependent children of some JESS employees.
b) Details of the eligibility for this benefit are outlined in the Staff Salary and Benefits Policy on the Staff Handbook.
ADMISSION PROCESS FOR NEW STUDENTS – HOW PARENTS APPLY
Parents must complete the JESS online application. If parents apply to a closed year group, they will not be contacted.
Parents will receive an email confirming whether the school place is available now or if the application will be placed on a waitlist. Parents will then be directed to proceed with payment of the Application Fee
An Application Fee of AED 500 is payable for each applicant. This can be paid by bank transfer, cheque or cash to the Cashier at Arabian Ranches.
The following documentation is required at the time of the admissions day invitation:
a) a copy of the school report for the previous school year (if applying to Year 1 or above)
b) a copy of an interim or current school report (if applying for a mid-year place in Year 1 or above)
c) Registration Update Form
d) completed Extra-Curricular form (Year 3 to Year 12 only)
e) CAT4 and/or Progress Test Reports (if available)
The Application Fee is refundable if the student is not offered a place following an assessment.
The Application Fee is non-refundable if the School makes a formal offer, and the parent chooses not to accept it.
INVITATION TO ADMISSIONS DAYS FOR NEW STUDENTS
Foundation 1
a) In Foundation 1, places to attend an admissions day are offered on a ‘by date of application basis’ within the following categories:
1. Emirati Applicants
2. Dependent children of JESS employees
3. Corporate Waiting List with a JESS sibling
4. Personal Waiting List with a JESS sibling
5. Corporate Waiting List applicant
6. Personal Waiting List applicant
b) If Corporate Waiting List with Siblings do not take up the full allocation of places, then these places will be added to the Personal Waiting List applicant with Siblings allocation.
c) If Personal Waiting List with Siblings do not take up the full allocation of places, then these places will be added to the Corporate Waiting List applicant allocation
d) If Corporate Waiting List do not take up the full allocation of places, then these places will be added to the Personal Waiting List applicant allocation.
e) The allocation of places between Corporate and Personal Waiting Lists applications shall be 3 x corporate places, then one x personal place per year group; and so on.
Foundation 2 to Year 2
a) In Foundation 2 to Year 2, places to attend an admissions day are offered on a ‘by date of application basis’ according to the following priority:
1. Dependent children of JESS employees
2. Emirati Applicants
3. Corporate Waiting List
4. Personal Waiting List
b) The allocation of places between Corporate and Personal Waiting Lists applications shall be 3 x corporate places, then 1 x personal place per year group; and so on.
c) Once a child’s application is at the top of the Waiting List, it is forwarded to the teaching staff at the School to which they have applied. The child will be invited into School for a class-based observation and evaluation.
d) JESS teaching staff may speak to staff at the child’s current school.
Year 3 to Year 6
a) In Years 3 to 6, there will be an admissions day in April each year (although the School may hold additional admissions days if required), valid for 12 months, for possible future places.
b) Places to attend an admissions day are offered on a ‘by date of application basis’.
c) Applicants will be invited in the following way:
1. Dependent children of JESS employees
2. Emirati Applicants
3. Corporate Waiting List
4. Personal Waiting List
5. There will be up to three ‘Open Entry’ places in each year group each year
d) The allocation of places between Corporate and Personal Waiting Lists applications shall be 3 x corporate places, then 1 x personal place per year group; and so on.
e) Where a visit is not possible evaluations will be completed remotely or online.
Year 7
All students on the waiting list will be invited to an Assessment Day which will be held on a Saturday in Term 1 of each academic year. This will be for entry into the next academic year.
Year 8 to Year 10
a) Assessment Days for these year groups will be held in Term 1 or Term 2.
b) Once a child’s application is in the group at the top of the Waiting List the School will contact parents inviting the child to the Assessment Day.
c) Where a visit is not possible evaluations will be completed remotely or online.
Year 12
Applications for Year 12 will open in Term 1: from the September of the academic year before, e.g. one year in advance, and the enrolment process will start in Term 2. Please contact Admissions for further information.
ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE FOR NEW STUDENTS – HOW THE SCHOOL ASSESSES THE NEEDS AND ABILITIES OF EACH CHILD
Overview
a) JESS welcomes applications from People of Determination and values the diversity and positive contributions they bring to the life of the School. We recognise the widely researched benefits of inclusive education for all students, including the development of social skills, personal responsibility, self-esteem, improved levels of tolerance and a more accepting attitude towards human diversity – essential components for the achievement of a fully cohesive community
b) The School is committed to making its admissions procedures accessible to all students. For this reason, the School needs to be aware of any known disability or special educational need which may affect a child's ability to participate in the admissions procedure, so that adjustments can be made to its standard admissions procedures. For further information, please refer to the Policy of Provision for Students of Determination.
c) Places are considered on an individual basis guided by the principle that we are able to meet a student’s learning needs and provide the best by every child; the support and success of all students are paramount.
Primary
Foundation One
Prospective students are invited into the JESS Foundation One unit; they are observed and evaluated in the following areas:
1. Levels of understanding in English
2. Ability to communicate in English
3. Social and emotional development
Foundation Two to Year 2
a) JESS will request the most recent School/Nursery Report and any other relevant information.
b) Students are invited into the relevant JESS year groups to be observed and evaluated in the following areas:
1. Communication skills
2. Social and emotional development
3. Literacy skills, including early reading and writing skills
4. Numeracy skills
Year 3 to Year 6
a) Students will be required to complete an Extra-Curricular Form.
b) JESS will request the most recent school report from the child’s current school
c) Students are observed and evaluated on the admissions day in the following areas:
1. Writing
2. Cognitive ability
3. Behaviour/attitude (through school reference and observations)
d) All round ability/talent (through school reference/report), including in sport and music
Secondary
Year 7
a) Students will be required to complete an Extra-Curricular Form.
b) Students are observed and evaluated on the admissions day in the following areas:
1. Writing
2. Cognitive ability
3. Behaviour/attitude/attendance (through school reference/report and observations)
4. All round ability/talent (through school reference/report), including in sport and music
5. Student/Family interviews
Year 8 to Year 10
a) Students will be required to complete an Extra-Curricular Form
b) Students are observed and evaluated on the admissions day in the following areas:
1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Science
4. Cognitive ability
5. Behaviour/attitude/attendance (through school reference/report and observations)
6. All round ability/talent (through school reference/report), including in sport and music
7. Student/Family interviews
Students of Determination
a) An ‘assessment of need’ may be developed (prior to enrolment); forming an agreement between parents and the School, to appropriately plan, adapt and differentiate for the needs of the student. This may include an individualised support service agreement, outlining costs, dependent upon the level of support required.
b) See the Policy of Provision for Students of Determination for further details.
ADMISSION PROCESS FOR NEW STUDENTS – HOW AND WHEN WE OFFER PLACES
Foundation One
a) Staff will feed back to parents regarding any areas for development/ provision recommendations following each visit.
b) Dependent upon the level of information obtained from the initial observation and evaluation during the child’s visit in the Foundation One unit, the School may;
1. offer a place for the following academic year;
2. offer a place for the following academic year, which includes further evaluations by way of a follow-up visit to the Foundation One Unit or the child’s current Nursery setting This will allow the School to better understand the needs of the child;
3. complete further evaluations, by way of a follow-up visit to the Foundation One Unit or the child’s current Nursery setting, to allow the School to better understand the needs of the child:
A. The School will then consider the adaptations that may be required to ensure the student’s success at JESS Staff will work with parents to establish an appropriate provision plan and offer a place in the best interests of all children.
B. There may be occasions when the School is unable to meet the immediate needs of the child and in the best interest of all children no place is offered.
Foundation Two to Year 2
a) Upon completion of the class-based evaluation, a member of the teaching staff or Admissions will contact parents to confirm an available place
b) For students for whom evaluations are completed online, the School reserves the right to insist on meeting each child before a place is offered.
Year 3 to Year 6
a) Upon completion of the admissions day, a member of the teaching staff or Admissions will contact parents to confirm when an appropriate place becomes available
b) Where there are no appropriate places available in the year group, the School operates a waitlist for evaluated children The evaluation will be valid for one year.
c) For students for whom evaluations are completed online, the School reserves the right to insist on meeting each child before a place is offered.
Year 7
a)
Once an assessment has been completed, and a Secondary place becomes available, JESS will offer from the waiting list as follows:
1. Emirati Applicants
2. Corporate Waiting List applicant with a JESS sibling
3. Personal Waiting List applicant with a JESS sibling
4. Corporate Waiting List applicant
5. Personal Waiting List
6. Open Entry applications
Year 8 to Year 10
(a) Once an assessment has been completed, and a Secondary place becomes available, JESS will offer from the waiting list as follows:
1. Emirati Applicants
2. Corporate Waiting List applicant
3. Personal Waiting List applicant
4. Four Open Entry places per year group
ADMISSION PROCESS TO SIXTH FORM FOR NEW STUDENTS
The admission process into Sixth Form is designed around a ‘best fit’ model whereby students are placed in a programme of study that aligns with their demonstrated competencies, skill set and interests.
Although there is recognition that each course operates at a defined ‘rate of travel’ and therefore an optimal GCSE (or equivalent) grade is recommended for entry, accommodations are sought when a student is unable to meet the minimum entry requirements. These may include conditional entry into selected courses, adapted subject choices or alternate programmes of study.
The guiding principle is that each student is enrolled in a programme of study whereby a suitable level of challenge and progress is achievable.
Our Sixth Form admission procedure has five elements:
1. GCSE (or equivalent) grades
2. formal entry assessment (if relevant)
3. interview
4. references from the previous school
5. disability assessment (if applicable). Please refer to the Policy of Provision for Students of Determination
How Parents
Apply
a) Parents are required to complete a JESS Online Application Form. The Sixth Form operates a different Application Fee model, whereby the Application Fee is payable once an offer is made.
b) Admissions will email parents with instructions on next steps and request that the online form is completed confirming the programme of study (BTEC or IB Diploma) and subjects that the applicant is interested in applying for.
c) The following documentation is also required:
6. a copy of the school reports from Years 9, 10 and 11 (if available) (or equivalent year groups)
7. a personal statement from the student and parents
8. a copy of any additional qualifications, awards or certificates student has received to date (JESS co-curricula Form)
How the School Assesses:
a) Students should have a proven track record of consistently good effort, high attendance, time-management and demonstrated competencies in the subjects or courses selected.
b) All offers for places in JESS Sixth are conditional on meeting the entrance requirements in GCSE examinations (or equivalent).
Admission into Sixth Form International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP):
a) The following is the minimum entry requirement:
1. Minimum of GCSE Grade 7 (or equivalent) for Higher Level subjects and minimum GCSE Grade 6 (or equivalent) for Standard Level subjects.
2. A student must meet the grade requirements for 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level courses within the JESS Option Blocks.
3. Students must have the academic ability to cope with the rigour of the IBDP.
b) Where a student does not meet the entrance requirement for an IB subject, additional conditions may be set for admission (e.g. completion of specified readings, entrance assessment etc) or alternate subjects/programmes of study offered instead which better align with demonstrated competencies.
Admission into Sixth Form International Baccalaureate Diploma Courses (IBDC):
a) JESS does not accept external applicants into the IBDC.
b) The following is the minimum entry requirement for the IBDC:
1. GCSE Grade 5 (or equivalent) or higher in English Language and Mathematics.
2. GCSE Grade 7 (or equivalent) required for Higher Level subjects and minimum of GCSE Grade 6 (or equivalent) for Standard Level subjects.
3. Commitment to taking at least four subjects in total with at least one at High Level.
Admission into Sixth Form BTEC Courses:
a) Applicants for the BTEC programme
1. Must demonstrate interest and subject-specific competencies in the specialist course selected.
2. A minimum of 5 GCSE Grade 5 (or equivalent) or higher, including English Language and Mathematics.
How and When We Offer Places
a) Conditional offers for places in JESS Sixth Form are made on an ongoing basis but are typically issued around March (for applications submitted by February).
b) Once an offer is made, parents will receive a confirmation email to proceed with payment of the Application Fee and Registration Deposit.
c) The registration deposit will be refunded in cases where the student does not meet the entrance requirements for their chosen programme of study.
d) Parents refer to Section 4 for Application Fee payment instructions.
e) KHDA guidelines on cut-off dates for moving from different curriculums must be adhered to.
ACCEPTANCE OF SCHOOL PLACES
To accept a school place offer, parents must:
a) Complete the Acceptance Form confirming they accept the school’s terms and conditions.
b) Pay a Registration Deposit which is deductible from the first term’s tuition fees:
1. Foundation 1 to Year 6: AED 3,000
2. Years 7 to 10: AED 7,500
3. Year 12: AED 5,000
Parents have 5 working days to accept the school place offer. After this time the school place offer is forfeited and the place will be offered to the next student on the waiting list.
If the parent accepts the offer but subsequently decides not to proceed with the enrolment:
a) The Registration Deposit is refundable if the parent formally notifies the school of their intention to cancel the enrolment at least 60 calendar days prior to the school’s start date.
b) The registration deposit is non-refundable if the parent formally notifies the school of their intention to cancel the enrolment less than 60 calendar days prior to the school’s start date.
In the case of Personal Debenture holders, if the debenture sum of AED 20,000 has not been paid prior to the start of the term (or, in cases where children are joining the school at short notice, before the starting date), the offer of the place is automatically revoked, even if other deposits have been paid.
Provide documentation outlined in the offer letter The School requests a valid and up to date copy of the immunisation booklet of each child prior to school enrolment
The school place offer is not confirmed until JESS issues a Registration Deposit receipt and all necessary documentation has been completed and received.
JESS reserves the right to revoke the school place offer if the Registration Deposit payment or completed documentation is not provided.
RE-REGISTRATION PROCESS FOR EXISTING STUDENTS
A re-registration deposit is required to secure a student’s place for Year 7 and Year 12.
The re-registration deposit is deductible from the first term’s tuition fees
The re-registration deposit amount will be invoiced at the end of Term 2 and is payable at the start of Term 3 of each academic year (payment deadline being the 1st May each year)
The re-registration deposit will be as follows:
a) Year 7: AED 4,000
b) Year 12: AED 5,000
Payment of the re-registration deposit can be made by bank transfer, cheque or cash to the Cashier at Arabian Ranches.
If the re-registration deposit is not paid by the due date for students transitioning into Year 7 and Year 12, the student may need to sit an assessment with external applicants to secure a place. This will be at the discretion of the School.
If the parent pays the re-registration deposit but subsequently decides not to proceed:
a) The re-registration deposit is refundable if the parent formally notifies the school of their intention to withdraw their child at least 60 calendar days prior to the start of the following academic year.
b) The re-registration deposit is non-refundable if the parent formally notifies the school of their intention to withdraw their child less than 60 calendar days prior to the start of the following academic year.
If the parent does not pay the re-registration deposit by the stated deadline:
a) The school cannot guarantee the child's place for the following academic year.
b) If the re-registration deposit was not paid by the stated deadline and the child does not enrol in the following academic year, the school cannot seek payment of that reregistration deposit at a later date.
WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND PROCESS
To withdraw a student from school, the parents or legal guardian must submit this official withdrawal request form (a separate form is required for each child enrolled at JESS):
School Withdrawal Form – Fill out form
The intended withdrawal date or date the School Withdrawal Form is completed, will be the date on the ‘Withdrawal Certificate’ from which all refund calculations are made.
It is the responsibility of the parent to complete and submit the withdrawal request before the refund deadline.
If the withdrawal request is not submitted within the deadline, the deposit will be treated as non-refundable.
Prior to or at the time of a student's withdrawal, the parent or legal guardian must settle all outstanding fees in full. Outstanding fees include any tuition fees, mandatory services fees, or other approved charges that remain unpaid.
For a refund, tuition fees will be calculated on a term-by-term basis. The refund calculation is based on the withdrawal date recorded on the Withdrawal Certificate, which is the same date that the parent specified in their withdrawal request submitted to the school.
a) Tuition fees paid prior to the beginning of the academic year are refundable, and only the registration or re-registration fees will be deducted if the withdrawal was requested less than 60 calendar days prior to the start date.
b) If the student was enrolled in the term for two weeks or less: a month's fees will be deducted.
c) If the student was enrolled in the term for a period between two weeks and one month: two months fees will be deducted.
d) If the student was enrolled in the term for more than one month: the full term's fees will be deducted.
The school is entitled to withhold the Withdrawal Certificate or Transfer Certificate until all outstanding fees have been paid in full.
Refunds will only be made in accordance with the KHDA Schools Registration and Refund Policy.
DATA PROTECTION
JESS values the rights and freedoms of all people. This includes respecting your privacy and protecting your personal data. The Admissions Process Privacy Policy describes how JESS collects and uses (or "processes") your information during the admissions process. It also tells you how to contact JESS as well as outlining what rights you have with regard to your personal data that is collected during the admissions process.
APPENDIX 1 - DEFINITIONS
‘Admission’ relates to the process by which places are allocated to applicants who are not already enrolled in one of the Jumeirah English Speaking Schools (JESS).
‘Date of Application’ is defined as when the application form is complete and approved and the School has received the Application Fee.
‘Siblings’ include brothers and sisters, step-brothers and step-sisters, half-brothers and half-sisters:
a) A sibling qualifies for the preferential treatment under the terms of the JESS Admissions policy only if he or she is a sibling of a current JESS student and thus the two siblings will be at the school at the same time.
b) For the avoidance of doubt, an applicant will not be given sibling priority if the young sibling joins JESS after the older JESS sibling has left the school.
‘Emirati’ includes all children who are UAE passport holders as well as children born to Emirati mothers holding a UAE family book:
a) Article 10 bis of Federal Law no 17 of 1972, as amended by Federal Law no 10 of 1975 and Decree Law No. 16 of 2017, stipulates that children of UAE national mothers can receive full Emirati citizenship when they are 6 years old [provided their mother had the UAE nationality at the time of the child’s birth].
b) Applications from children born to Emirati mothers will be required to show their mother’s UAE family book to fall into this category.