Deira International School

Q: Where is Deira International School located in Dubai?

Deira International School is located in Airport & Festival City , operating within Dubai Festival City providing outstanding education to families across Festival City, Garhoud, Deira, Ras Al Khor, and Creek Harbour .

Q: What age groups and grade levels are available at Deira International School?

The school enrols students from FS1 to Year 13 , covering ages 3 to 18. This includes Foundation Stage, primary years ( Year 1 –6), secondary education (Year 7–11), and sixth form studies ( Year 12 –13) on a single campus.

Q: Who is Deira International School best suited for?

Deira International School is best suited for internationally mobile families in Festival City and Garhoud seeking outstanding British education with IB Diploma options. The school attracts residents of Festival City , Garhoud , Deira , and Creek Harbour who value flexible British - IB pathways and academic excellence.

2023-2024Outstanding

Curriculum

IB (13 Y) / British

Annual Fees

45K - 90K AED

Location

Al Garhoud

Curriculum pathway: English National Curriculum up to Year 11 (GCSE and IGCSE), then International Baccalaureate programmes in Years 12 and 13

About Deira International School

Last updated 4 October 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports, published 2026-2027 fee schedule · methodology

Deira International School is a UK school located in Al Badia, Festival City. The school offers a structured environment for students and is known for its commitment to delivering quality education.

Annual tuition fees range from AED 44,616 to AED 89,889. The campus is conveniently accessible for residents from nearby areas including Al Garhoud, Opp. Dubai Festival City, and Al Garhoud Schools Area, making it a practical choice for families in the region.

Location

Al Badia, Festival City

Latest from Deira International School

Facts reported by the school on its own channels, summarised by BestSchool.ae with a link to each source.

2 Oct 2026Award
Deira International School wins three awards at Education Achievement Awards 2026
Deira International School received three honours at the Education Achievement Awards 2026: Primary School Team of the Year, plus individual awards for science teacher Susan Blomley and librarian Michaela Magdolenova.
Source: Instagram
15 Sept 2026Award
DIS F1 STEM Racing team wins Fastest Car Award and 3rd place at National Finals
The school's F1 STEM Racing team won the Fastest Car Award at the National Finals at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, with car Nitro Nova recording a 1.335-second track time, and achieved 3rd place overall.
Source: Instagram

Deira International School fees 2026-2027

2026-2027

Grade Level	2025-2026	Annual Fees 2026-2027	Est. Monthly
FS 12026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	44,616 AED	44,616 AED	~3,718 AED
FS22026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	44,616 AED	44,616 AED	~3,718 AED
YEAR 12026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	58,034 AED	58,034 AED	~4,836 AED
YEAR 22026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	58,034 AED	58,034 AED	~4,836 AED
YEAR 32026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	58,034 AED	58,034 AED	~4,836 AED
YEAR 42026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	58,034 AED	58,034 AED	~4,836 AED
YEAR 52026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	58,034 AED	58,034 AED	~4,836 AED
YEAR 62026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	63,057 AED	63,057 AED	~5,255 AED
YEAR 72026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	63,057 AED	63,057 AED	~5,255 AED
YEAR 82026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	68,094 AED	68,094 AED	~5,675 AED
YEAR 92026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	68,094 AED	68,094 AED	~5,675 AED
YEAR 102026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	71,453 AED	71,453 AED	~5,954 AED
YEAR 112026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	81,501 AED	81,501 AED	~6,792 AED
YEAR 122026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	89,889 AED	89,889 AED	~7,491 AED
YEAR 132026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24	89,889 AED	89,889 AED	~7,491 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated Deira International School "Outstanding" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its second consecutive "Outstanding". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Outstanding

Download Report

What inspectors found in 2023-2024

Strengths noted by inspectors

Excellent Foundation Stage provision and outstanding progress in English, mathematics and science across all phases
Students' exemplary attitudes, behaviour, relationships, understanding of Emirati culture, and contributions to the environment
High-quality support for health, care and safety
Motivating leaders, supportive governors, engaged parents and excellent resources
Strong commitment to inclusion and wellbeing

What the school was asked to improve

Raise attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic
Ensure students link all areas of learning to the Holy Qur'an, Hadith and Seerah
Provide more opportunities for practical inquiry skills in science, especially in upper Primary and lower Secondary
Create curriculum links that enable all students to broaden their understanding of UAE values and culture
Analyse wellbeing provision to identify areas for future initiatives
Encourage more consistent use of learning to deepen understanding of the modern world across subjects

Source: KHDA inspection report 2023-2024 (PDF, pages 1-23), inspected 04 to 08 December 2023. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Since the 2022-2023 inspection

Of the 85 performance indicators rated in both reports, 1 improved, 5 declined and 79 kept the same rating.

Students

1,807 → 1,921

+114 (+6%)

Teachers

157 → 165

+8 (+5%)

Students of determination

220 → 246

+26 (+12%)

Emirati students

216 → 233

+17 (+8%)

Improved

English — Attainment · Secondary: Very good → Outstanding

Declined

Islamic Education — Progress · Primary: Very good → Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment · Post-16: Good → Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Progress · Secondary: Good → Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Progress · Post-16: Good → Acceptable
Science — Attainment · Post-16: Outstanding → Very good

Did Deira International School act on the 2022-2023 recommendations?

Of the 5 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 4 can be checked against the 2023-2024 ratings: 0 show an improvement, 3 a decline, 1 no change yet.

Identify, address, and diminish the gaps in achievement between different groups of studentsNot measurable from the ratings
Ensure school improvement planning is suitably prioritised, with measurable success criteriaNo change yet
2 related indicators kept their ratings in 2023-2024
Provide more consistently purposeful teaching with higher expectations in Arabic, especially in upper phasesDeclined
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable · Arabic as a First Language — Progress (Secondary): Good → Acceptable · Arabic as a First Language — Progress (Post-16): Good → Acceptable
Give students more opportunities for open-ended science investigations to strengthen creativityDeclined
Science — Attainment (Post-16): Outstanding → Very good
Improve attainment and progress in Islamic education and Arabic by raising consistency of teaching to match the best practice seenDeclined
Islamic Education — Progress (Primary): Very good → Good · Arabic as a First Language — Attainment (Post-16): Good → Acceptable · Arabic as a First Language — Progress (Secondary): Good → Acceptable · Arabic as a First Language — Progress (Post-16): Good → Acceptable

Performance standards by year (85 indicators, 2 inspections)

Indicator	Phase	2022-2023	2023-2024
Students' achievement
Islamic Education — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Primary	Very good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Secondary	Good	Good
Islamic Education — Progress	Post-16	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Arabic as a First Language — Attainment	Post-16	Good	Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Primary	Very good	Very good
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Secondary	Good	Acceptable
Arabic as a First Language — Progress	Post-16	Good	Acceptable
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	Primary	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Attainment	Secondary	Good	Good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	Primary	Very good	Very good
Arabic as an Additional Language — Progress	Secondary	Very good	Very good
English — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Very good
English — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Outstanding
English — Attainment	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
English — Progress	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Mathematics — Attainment	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Mathematics — Progress	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Science — Attainment	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Science — Attainment	Primary	Very good	Very good
Science — Attainment	Secondary	Very good	Very good
Science — Attainment	Post-16	Outstanding	Very good
Science — Progress	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Science — Progress	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Science — Progress	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Science — Progress	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Learning skills	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Learning skills	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Learning skills	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Learning skills	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Personal and social development
Personal development	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Personal development	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Personal development	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Personal development	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Social responsibility and innovation skills	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Teaching and assessment
Teaching for effective learning	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Teaching for effective learning	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Teaching for effective learning	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Teaching for effective learning	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Assessment	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Assessment	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Assessment	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Assessment	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum
Curriculum design and implementation	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum design and implementation	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum design and implementation	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum design and implementation	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum adaptation	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum adaptation	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum adaptation	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Curriculum adaptation	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Protection, care, guidance and support
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Care and support	Foundation Stage	Outstanding	Outstanding
Care and support	Primary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Care and support	Secondary	Outstanding	Outstanding
Care and support	Post-16	Outstanding	Outstanding
Leadership and management
The effectiveness of leadership	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding
School self-evaluation and improvement planning	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding
Parents and the community	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding
Governance	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding
Management, staffing, facilities and resources	Whole school	Outstanding	Outstanding

Earlier inspections

2022-2023Outstanding

Deira International School is rated outstanding overall. Attainment and progress in English, mathematics and science are outstanding across most phases, while Islamic education and Arabic remain good with some inconsistency. Leadership, governance, curriculum and student wellbeing are described as exceptional, though gaps between student groups still need to be addressed.

Strengths noted by inspectors

Outstanding provision across the school, including teaching and learning, assessment, and the curriculum
Students' understanding of Islamic values, personal development, social responsibility, and world cultures supported by confident use of technology
Strong health, care, safety, and security provision supporting student welfare and personal growth
Exceptional leadership and governance supported by strong partnerships with parents
Outstanding post-16 attainment and outstanding progress in English, mathematics and science across all phases

What the school was asked to improve

Identify, address, and diminish the gaps in achievement between different groups of students
Ensure school improvement planning is suitably prioritised, with measurable success criteria
Provide more consistently purposeful teaching with higher expectations in Arabic, especially in upper phases
Give students more opportunities for open-ended science investigations to strengthen creativity
Improve attainment and progress in Islamic education and Arabic by raising consistency of teaching to match the best practice seen

Source: KHDA inspection report 2022-2023 (PDF, pages 2-20), inspected 06 to 09 February 2023. Restated by BestSchool.ae.

Rating History

2022-2023Outstanding

2019-2020Very good

2018-2019Very good

2017-2018Very good

Quality Indicators

2023-2024 inspection

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Deira International School located in Dubai?

Deira International School is located in Airport & Festival City, operating within Dubai Festival City providing outstanding education to families across Festival City, Garhoud, Deira, Ras Al Khor, and Creek Harbour.

What curriculum does Deira International School offer?

Deira International School delivers the British curriculum, following the National Curriculum for England. The educational programme spans Early Years Foundation Stage through A-Levels, with teaching structured around the UK framework covering phonics-based literacy in early years, core subjects in primary, and GCSE preparation in secondary years.

What age groups and grade levels are available at Deira International School?

The school enrols students from FS1 to Year 13, covering ages 3 to 18. This includes Foundation Stage, primary years (Year 1–6), secondary education (Year 7–11), and sixth form studies (Year 12–13) on a single campus.

Who is Deira International School best suited for?

Deira International School is best suited for internationally mobile families in Festival City and Garhoud seeking outstanding British education with IB Diploma options. The school attracts residents of Festival City, Garhoud, Deira, and Creek Harbour who value flexible British-IB pathways and academic excellence.

How much are Deira International School fees in 2026-2027?

Annual tuition at Deira International School ranges from AED 44,616 (FS 1) to AED 89,889 (Year 12) for 2026-2027, across 15 year groups, or about AED 3,718 to AED 7,491 a month. All 15 grade fees are unchanged from 2025-2026. Figures are annual tuition from the school's official fee schedule. Confirm extras such as transport and uniform with the school.

What is Deira International School's KHDA inspection rating?

KHDA rated Deira International School "Outstanding" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its second consecutive "Outstanding". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

What did KHDA inspectors say about Deira International School in 2023-2024?

Deira International School was rated outstanding overall. Inspectors praised outstanding progress in English, mathematics and science, exemplary personal development and safeguarding, and highly effective leadership. Islamic Education and Arabic attainment and progress were comparatively weaker, and the key recommendation was to raise achievement in these subjects. Strengths noted by the inspectors in 2023-2024: excellent Foundation Stage provision and outstanding progress in English, mathematics and science across all phases; students' exemplary attitudes, behaviour, relationships, understanding of Emirati culture, and contributions to the environment; high-quality support for health, care and safety; motivating leaders, supportive governors, engaged parents and excellent resources; strong commitment to inclusion and wellbeing.

What was Deira International School asked to improve in its 2023-2024 inspection?

The 2023-2024 KHDA report recommended that the school: raise attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic; ensure students link all areas of learning to the Holy Qur'an, Hadith and Seerah; provide more opportunities for practical inquiry skills in science, especially in upper Primary and lower Secondary; create curriculum links that enable all students to broaden their understanding of UAE values and culture; analyse wellbeing provision to identify areas for future initiatives; encourage more consistent use of learning to deepen understanding of the modern world across subjects.

Has Deira International School improved since its 2022-2023 inspection?

Between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 inspections, 1 of the 85 indicators rated in both reports improved, 5 declined and 79 kept the same rating. Improvements include English — Attainment (Secondary) from Very good to Outstanding. Enrolment went from 1,807 to 1,921 students (+6%). Of the 5 recommendations made in 2022-2023, 4 can be checked against the 2023-2024 ratings and 0 were followed by a measurable improvement.

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At a Glance

From the 2023-2024 inspection profile

Grades

FS1 to Year 13

Age

3 to 18

Students

1,921

Genders

Boys and girls

Curriculum

UK/IB

Language

English

School Profile

As reported for 2023-2024

Principal

Simon McDougal O'Connor

Since 9/1/2020

Opening year

2005

Teachers

165 (+88 assistants)

Counsellors

Largest nationality teachers

Largest nationality students

Arab

Emirati students

233

Determination students

246

Accreditation

BSO, IBO

Curriculum examinations

GCSE,IGCSE, IB

Last inspection: 04to08December2023

About Deira International School

Last updated 4 October 2026 · Sources: KHDA inspection reports, published 2026-2027 fee schedule · methodology

Latest from Deira International School

Facts reported by the school on its own channels, summarised by BestSchool.ae with a link to each source.

2 Oct 2026Award

Deira International School wins three awards at Education Achievement Awards 2026

Deira International School received three honours at the Education Achievement Awards 2026: Primary School Team of the Year, plus individual awards for science teacher Susan Blomley and librarian Michaela Magdolenova.

Source: Instagram

15 Sept 2026Award

DIS F1 STEM Racing team wins Fastest Car Award and 3rd place at National Finals

The school's F1 STEM Racing team won the Fastest Car Award at the National Finals at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, with car Nitro Nova recording a 1.335-second track time, and achieved 3rd place overall.

Source: Instagram

Grade Level

2025-2026

Annual Fees 2026-2027

Est. Monthly

Fact Sheet

FS 12026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

44,616 AED

~3,718 AED

FS22026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

44,616 AED

~3,718 AED

YEAR 12026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

58,034 AED

~4,836 AED

YEAR 22026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

58,034 AED

~4,836 AED

YEAR 32026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

58,034 AED

~4,836 AED

YEAR 42026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

58,034 AED

~4,836 AED

YEAR 52026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

58,034 AED

~4,836 AED

YEAR 62026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

63,057 AED

~5,255 AED

YEAR 72026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

63,057 AED

~5,255 AED

YEAR 82026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

68,094 AED

~5,675 AED

YEAR 92026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

68,094 AED

~5,675 AED

YEAR 102026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

71,453 AED

~5,954 AED

YEAR 112026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

81,501 AED

~6,792 AED

YEAR 122026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

89,889 AED

~7,491 AED

YEAR 132026-2027Year checked 2026-09-24

89,889 AED

~7,491 AED

Inspection Report

KHDA rated Deira International School "Outstanding" in its 2023-2024 inspection, its second consecutive "Outstanding". The school has been inspected 14 times since 2008-2009.

Latest Rating (2023-2024)

Outstanding

Download Report