A Message from the Principal

Dear Esteemed Students and Parents,

Welcome to Providence English Private School, a place where dreams take flight and aspirations find their wings! It is with immense pleasure and pride that I extend a warm welcome to each of you as we embark on a new academic year filled with endless possibilities and exciting opportunities.

At Providence English Private School, we believe in fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment that not only encourages academic excellence but also promotes holistic development. Our dedicated team of educators is committed to providing an enriching and stimulating educational experience that empowers students to explore, discover, excel, develop as global citizens and embrace cultural diversity.

To our new students, we extend a heartfelt welcome to the PEPS family. We are thrilled to have you join our diverse and vibrant community, and we are confident that your journey here will be filled with valuable learning experiences, lifelong friendships, and personal growth.

To our returning students and their parents, welcome back! Your continued trust and partnership with us are invaluable. Together, let's build on the successes of the past and strive for even greater achievements in the 2026–2027 academic year.

This handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to PEPS's policies, programs, and resources. It is designed to assist you in navigating the various aspects of our school community effectively. Whether you are a student embarking on a new academic chapter or a parent supporting your child's educational journey, we encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the contents of this handbook.

Communication is key to a successful partnership between the school, students, and parents. We encourage an open dialogue and invite you to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Together, we can create an environment that nurtures the growth, well-being, and success of each student.

As we commence this academic year, let us embrace the spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to excellence. May Providence English Private School continue to be a place where dreams are not only dreamt but also achieved.

Once again, welcome to Providence English Private School. Let's make this academic year a memorable and transformative journey for all.

Marwa DiaaPrincipal, Providence English Private School

About PEPS

School Brief

Providence English Private School (PEPS) was licensed in 1991 and fully operational in 1999. PEPS is accredited with Cambridge to deliver the Cambridge International curriculum. We are accredited by the Ministry of Education U.A.E, are a member of CIS (Council of International Schools), and are a certified accredited Cambridge and Oxford Examination Centre.

The school campus comprises two adjacent buildings. Building 1 accommodates students from Year 6 to Year 13, and Building 2 from FS2 to Year 5. The buildings total around 80,000 square feet, built on a 320,000 square-foot site. The premises contain classrooms, teachers' rooms, two science labs, two libraries, two computer labs, three activity rooms, two large conference rooms used as an IGCSE examination centre and for CPDs, two school clinics, stores, administration and finance offices, and two canteen halls. The school has six outdoor playgrounds — for football, basketball, a Kindergarten playground, and a primary playground — plus six indoor play areas, two of which serve as canteen rest areas during breaks.

The buildings meet Ministry of Education requirements, including required safety standards for students and staff. We use the latest technology to monitor corridors and the teaching process in classes. Every classroom is equipped with CCTV, a desktop computer, a projector, and a smart board with Wi-Fi.

Mission & Vision

We strongly believe knowledge is wisdom, and wisdom is strength. Good character and conduct building is nation building. Our primary aim is to provide the opportunity to bring out the multifarious talents inbuilt in our students so they can face all of life's challenges. The curriculum is designed to ensure the all-round development of each student. At PEPS, students build a long-lasting desire to learn and to build skills creatively, for the present and the future. Our special emphasis lies in promoting moral and social values to preserve the world for the future — and in keeping our students up to date with the latest developments across every field, with the machinery, equipment, materials, and resources to match.

Core Values

• Respect: Instilling in students a love of diversity, kindness toward others, and an appreciation for differing viewpoints.
• Integrity: Promoting moral conduct, accountability, and honesty among employees and students.
• Excellence: The determination to aim for the highest standards in the classroom, in personal development, and in ongoing progress.
• Collaboration: Stressing cooperation, teamwork, and the capacity to work well with others.
• Innovation: Encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability in the educational process.
• Community: Fostering a feeling of inclusion, service to others, and a sense of belonging both inside and outside the school.

Academics

Curriculum

Providence English Private School is a private co-educational institution licensed by the U.A.E. Ministry of Education, established in Sharjah in 1991. Our school is accredited and authorized to deliver the Cambridge International (British) curriculum, adapted to the cultural and environmental requirements set by the U.A.E. Ministry of Education.

We take pride in the textbooks we choose, selected after careful research from world-renowned publishers and in line with our curriculum provider's endorsements. Arabic is mandatory for all students (with some exceptions), and Islamic Studies is compulsory for all Muslim students. Social Studies, per the U.A.E. Ministry curriculum, is mandatory from Year 5 onward. Students undergo five term exams, weekly quizzes, and numerous projects across a full academic year. Applicants are interviewed by a selection committee in English and Math, and additionally in Arabic where relevant, and only gain a place after demonstrating merit.

The subject content and examinations of the Primary Cambridge Checkpoint (Year 6), Secondary Checkpoint (Year 9), IGCSE (Year 11), AS Level (Year 12), and A Level (Year 13) are led by Cambridge International Examinations (www.cie.org.uk), while students may opt for CIE, Oxford AQA, and Pearson Edexcel examining boards for their IGCSE, AS Level, and A Level examinations.

The curriculum also provides for external examinations including IBT Arabic, Progress Tests in Science, English and Mathematics, PIRLS, PISA, and CAT4. PEPS is transitioning from a content-subject-based to a learner-centered curriculum design; CAT4 exams, Progress Tracker, and other diagnostic assessments provide a solid foundation for personalized, differentiated instruction.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are the heartbeat of holistic education at PEPS, complementing academic work and contributing significantly to students' personal and social growth. They give students the chance to discover interests beyond the classroom, build a well-defined identity, and develop crucial life skills — teamwork and resilience through sport, communication and confidence through drama and public speaking, and perseverance, leadership, and time management through sustained participation.

Arts, sports clubs, community clubs, intra-school competitions, debates, and cultural events throughout the academic year all provide opportunities for students to discover and cultivate their interests. Current clubs include:

• Model United Nations (MUN) Club: Develops students' knowledge of international relations and diplomacy while strengthening research, public speaking, debating, critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills through simulated UN activities.
• Environmental Eco Club: Raises students' awareness of environmental issues while empowering them to advocate for conservation, sustainability, and the protection of natural resources.
• Sports Club: Promotes physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition through participation in a variety of sports and physical activities.
• Business Entrepreneurship Club: Develops students' entrepreneurial mindset, business insight, and practical skills to help them understand and pursue successful business opportunities.
• Kindness Community Club: Fosters compassion, generosity, empathy, and a positive school culture through student-led acts of kindness, volunteering, and community service.
• Social & Cultural Club: Celebrates diversity and creativity while developing social connections and cultural awareness through music, dance, drama, chess, cooking, history, competitions, and cultural events.
• STEM Club: Encourages students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through hands-on projects and problem-solving activities that develop creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Beyond these, the school runs field trips to different parts of the country, plans an international trip for summer, and takes part in community activities, inter-school competitions, and fun days both in and out of school.

School Divisions

Providence English Private School operates in two subdivisions: Primary School and Secondary School.

Primary School — FS2 to Year 6

Subdivided into the Foundation Stage (FS2) and the Primary Stage (Year 1 to Year 6).

Foundation Stage. The school currently offers Foundation Stage 2 (Foundation Stage 1 is in the process of approval). This stage welcomes children from 3.9 years (by September, or 4 years by December) to 5 years old, providing the foundation for social and academic learning and the early steps toward personal independence, discipline, and commitment. English is the main language of instruction, with Arabic taught as an integral part of the program, in a warm, family-like, nurturing environment. Students are encouraged to become lifelong learners through problem solving, critical thinking, sharing, and creating — mostly through communication, interaction, observation, games, and play. The areas of learning are:

• Communication and literacy
• Physical development
• Personal, social, and emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Assessment is based on teacher observation, marked work, and a progress tracker that follows each student against every lesson objective and key area. Records are retained for future reference, and constructive feedback is shared consistently with parents.

Primary Stage. Year 1 to Year 6 follows the Cambridge International Curriculum alongside the U.A.E. Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic, Islamic Studies, Social Studies, and Moral Education. Progress against Cambridge objectives is tracked as Emerging, Developing, Meets Expectations, Secure and Exceeding. Weekly quizzes, projects, homework completion, classwork participation, and mid- and end-of-term summative exams all track progress; results are communicated promptly via the school portal, and quiz and exam papers are returned for parents to review in detail. All students sit the Cambridge Primary Checkpoint at the end of Year 6, ahead of the transition to Middle Secondary.

Computing marks are not counted toward the overall grade. French is offered as an additional language in Year 5 and Year 6 only.

Secondary School

Secondary School is subdivided into Middle Secondary and Higher Secondary stages. Middle Secondary constitutes Year 7, 8, and 9, while Higher Secondary includes Year 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Cambridge & External Examinations

As the school follows the Cambridge International (British) curriculum, transition from primary to lower secondary — and from lower secondary to higher secondary — is marked by checkpoint examinations. PEPS also offers IGCSE examinations at the end of Year 11, AS Level examinations at the end of Year 12, and A Level examinations at the end of Year 13.

Cambridge Primary Checkpoint

Mandatory for all students in English, Mathematics, and Science at the end of Year 6. Papers are marked by Cambridge, and each student receives a statement of achievement and a diagnostic report per subject. These checkpoint results:

• Help learners understand their strengths and weaknesses ahead of secondary education.
• Help teachers, parents, and learners plan cooperative next steps.
• Enable teachers and the school to help learners make the most of their educational opportunities.

Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint

Mandatory for all students in English, Mathematics, and Science at the end of Year 9, again marked by Cambridge with a statement of achievement and diagnostic report per subject. Feedback from this checkpoint is useful for tailoring individual learning, monitoring group and individual performance, and comparing performance across all learners taking the session.

IGCSE Examinations

PEPS prepares students for IGCSE examinations across Year 10 and Year 11, with the exams themselves sat at the end of Year 11. Per MOE UAE requirements, students must pass at least five IGCSE subjects — including English and Mathematics — plus MOE Arabic and Islamic Studies (for Muslim students), to promote to Year 12. Passing grades are A*, A, B, C, D, and E; U.A.E. universities accept grades A*, A, B, and C. Students choose their examination subjects at the start of Year 10.

Cambridge Advanced

Cambridge Advanced is for learners ready for more advanced study, building a foundation for higher education and developing deep understanding, independent learning, and critical thinking skills that universities value highly. It leads to the Cambridge International AS and A Level qualifications; AS Level covers half the content of the corresponding A Level and can be completed in one year. PEPS prepares students for AS examinations in Year 12 and A Level examinations in Year 13. Per MOE UAE requirements, students must pass two AS subjects, or one A Level subject, at the end of Year 12, plus MOE Arabic and Islamic Studies (for Muslim students). Passing grades in AS are A, B, C, and D; in A Level, A*, A, B, C, and D.

Exam Centres

PEPS is an accredited centre for Cambridge Examinations, Pearson Edexcel Examinations and Oxford AQA Examinations.

Admissions

Registering at PEPS

Candidates wishing to register their child can contact the registrar using the details below.

Documents Required for Registration

To register your child with the Ministry of Education, please bring the following alongside a completed Registration Form:

• 2 copies of the child's passport
• 3 passport-size photographs
• 2 copies of the parent's Residence Visa (as in passport)
• 2 copies of the child's Birth Certificate
• 1 copy of the child's last report from their previous school
• Original Transfer Certificate / school-leaving certificate / school recommendation letter
• Child's vaccination card

Transferring from Government Schools

The school-leaving certificate and last school report, endorsed by the educational zone.

Transferring from Outside the U.A.E.

Transfer certificates (where applicable) and the last school report, endorsed by:

• The Ministry of Education
• The Foreign Ministry
• The Embassy or Consulate of the U.A.E. in the country where the documents were issued
• For G.C.C. students: the Ministry of Education that issued the documents
• From Europe, North America, and Australia: a "To Whom It May Concern" letter alongside the school report

In all cases, school certificates and documentation should be in Arabic or English. Documents in another language must be legally translated and authenticated.

Daily School Life

School Attendance

• Students are expected on the school premises by 7:00 AM at the latest, in time for assembly.
• Parents must inform the administration if their child is sick or will be absent. Students will not be admitted to class without a medical report or a guardian's letter justifying the absence (email to admin@peps.ae).
• Girls are not allowed to wear make-up (including kohl), have long nails, or use nail polish.
• Girls who don't wear Hijab must keep their hair off their face, tied back and tidy. No gold jewelry or trinkets are allowed, and hair coloring is strictly forbidden.
• Boys must have an ordinary haircut; no other style is allowed, and long hair is prohibited.
• Violators will be sent home.

Uniform

• The complete school uniform must be worn during school hours and while travelling to and from school.
• Cleanliness and neatness of the uniform must be maintained.
• The P.E. uniform must be worn on P.E. days, per the school timetable.
• Black, blue, white, or beige jackets are allowed during winter.
• Girls who wear Hijab should only use black or navy blue Hijab in school.
• Jeans trousers are not allowed.

Books, Materials & School Property

Books and copybooks are distributed in the first week of school. Parents are urged to provide their children with trolley bags for health and safety.

• Following up with all subjects during the week — especially reading in both languages, worksheets, and quizzes — makes monthly exams easier for students.
• School notebooks, the learner's book, workbook, and writing materials must be brought to school every day without fail.
• Homework and classwork for the next week is posted on the school portal every Thursday; parents should check regularly for notifications and assignments.
• Parents should follow the yearly calendar via the school website (www.peps.ae) and the school portal for weekly diaries, quizzes, and exams.
• Homework must always be completed and handed in on time.
• Students are expected to take care of school property; damage results in a fine or the cost of replacement.
• The school does not accept responsibility for the loss of articles, books, or money brought to school by students.
• Students must have teacher permission to be outside their assigned location, and should use the bathroom or locker during break time, or ask permission from their next class teacher.

Classroom & Playground Rules

Classroom Rules

• Arrive on time.
• Raise your hand before speaking.
• Listen to others and participate in class discussions.
• Use the pencil sharpener during non-instructional time.
• Stay on task and do your work.
• Bring materials and have them ready; listen to directions.
• Cooperate with your group and pick up after yourself.
• Leave other people's materials alone; don't interrupt other students' learning.
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself, and take care of personal hygiene during breaks.
• No vandalism — don't write or carve on desks or school property. Treat computers with care.

Playground Rules

During playtime, students use the playground under the supervision of designated teachers, with duty monitoring at lunch, breaks, and dismissal. Teachers on duty handle minor misbehavior with a range of responses — time-outs, warnings, cleaning duties, or detention. For repeated misbehavior, parents will be asked to sign a behaviour oath, and students may be referred to a student counsellor; use of school facilities may be restricted.

Homework Policy

Purpose

Homework serves several purposes that vary by grade level, subject, and educational philosophy, including:

• Reinforcement of learning — practicing and applying concepts independently.
• Practice — building proficiency outside the classroom.
• Preparation for class — pre-reading or research ahead of lessons.
• Time management — allocating time, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines.
• Independent learning — self-discipline and responsibility.
• Feedback and assessment — helping teachers identify areas to revisit.
• Parental involvement — a supportive role in a child's education.
• Preparation for tests and exams.
• Skill development — critical thinking, problem-solving, research, communication.
• Life skills — responsibility, accountability, meeting commitments.

Amount

Homework is assigned on the weekly diary every Thursday for the coming week, accessible to parents, students, and teachers. The amount assigned varies by grade level, subject matter, individual student needs, balance with extra-curricular activities, and parental involvement.

Types

A wide variety of homework is used, including problem-solving exercises in Mathematics, language arts (grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension), reading and writing assignments, science and lab reports, language learning, social studies and history projects, online assignments, and Quranic Surah and Ahadees memorization and recitation. Types vary across grade levels, with growing emphasis on meaningful, purposeful homework aligned with our educational goals.

Non-Completion of Homework

The teacher and administration will take appropriate action when homework is not completed — this can include a deduction from daily progress points, or a detention during sports or break time. Parents receive a note about the issue via the school portal.

School's Responsibilities

• The subject teacher sets appropriate homework and marks it regularly.
• Homework for the next week — including quiz assignments — is posted on the portal every Wednesday.
• Subject heads and coordinators ensure their department sets and marks homework consistently.

Parents' Role

• Support students, stepping back as they grow more independent.
• Provide a reasonable place to work, or encourage use of school facilities.
• Encourage students to meet deadlines and value homework.
• Raise concerns about homework load with the school office.
• Praise students when homework is completed.

Students' Responsibilities

• Check the school portal every Thursday or Friday for assigned homework.
• Take responsibility for completing homework promptly, and accept that deadlines must be kept.
• Catch up on missed work after any absence.
• Resolve problems with homework before the deadline, seeing staff for help if needed.
• Take pride in doing your best.

Examination & Quiz Rules

• All exams must be completed in school, on time.
• No student may sit an exam early. Travelling during term or monthly exams is not permitted, and the student will receive a zero.
• Any student absent without a medical report or pre-approved emergency will receive a zero on the exam or quiz.
• Requests to repeat an exam or quiz due to a poor result are not permitted — students can make up for results in the next quizzes and exams.

Conduct & Discipline

Student Conduct — Ministry of Education Regulations

The regulations below apply to all students, of all grades, in public and private schools. They aim to:

• Provide a disciplinary reference stipulating the rules.
• Support a suitable education and teaching environment.
• Enhance and consolidate positive student behavior.
• Establish a clear method for staff to address student behavior according to proper education principles.
• Acquaint students and parents with the rules relating to behavior in the school community, and the importance of compliance for behavioral self-discipline.

Violation Levels

Level I — First Level Violations

Minor, everyday conduct lapses.

Level II Violations

Level III Violations

Level IV Violations

Level V — Fifth Level Violations

Most severe — grounds for exclusion.

• Defamation of religion, or political and social symbols.
• Promoting material against the school's values, beliefs, or general system.
• Possession or use of drugs, anesthetic drugs, or illegal medication, or being under the influence.
• Defaming religions or provoking sectarian or religious conflict in school.
• Possession or use of firearms, non-firearm weapons, or the like, in school.
• Promoting extreme bias, or atheist ideas contrary to the school's religious, social, and political values.
• Sexual harassment of any school staff.

Measurement of Good Behavior

These measures are designed to motivate students' behavior and studies, rewarding positive actions.

Health, Safety & Campus

Library

There are two on-site libraries at PEPS, plus an online library. One serves Building 1 (Year 6 to Year 12), and the other serves Building 2 (FS2 to Year 5) — each staffed by a trained, experienced librarian, with resources for staff and students alike.

Students who register for a library card can check out books; every borrowed book has a due date, and a fine (varying by title) applies if it's lost or returned late.

The school website hosts an online library requiring a username and password, issued at the start of the school year — contact it@peps.ae for login trouble. It covers FS2 through Year 13 with over 1.5 million reference books, tales, and documentaries, plus university textbooks and further reading, hosted by the World Public Library Association — the largest eBook aggregator worldwide, established in 1996 to conserve and distribute literary and historical works across languages and nations.

Medical Information

During school hours, two Registered Nurses and their assistants staff PEPS's two clinics in Buildings 1 and 2. A visiting physician is available weekly, or more often on request. The clinics are licensed and fully equipped by the Ministry of Health. School nurses teach health classes (sports awareness, good eating practices), manage infectious and chronic conditions, and work with parents and staff on specific health matters.

As per the Ministry's school health program, immunizations are offered in the clinics for particular classes on request. Parents receive information about a vaccine's type and specifications before the date, and must submit a rejection form to decline vaccination.

If a student needs medication during school hours, a doctor's prescription or parental permission is required before the school nurse can administer it.

Food & Canteen

Two canteen halls, in Buildings 1 and 2, offer benches, dining tables and chairs, and air conditioning. Food is catered by licensed eateries approved by the cities of Dubai and Sharjah and overseen by the Ministry of Education's Students Health Zone.

Fresh food is delivered daily by 8 a.m., in sealed containers showing production and expiry dates. Warm sandwiches are held in a temperature-controlled food warmer; cold salads and sandwiches sit in a display refrigerator. Fresh fruit and a daily hot dish round out the menu, and the supplier collects any leftovers at the end of each day.

Cleaning Services

Two cleaning supervisors lead a team of cleaners, with a full-time facilities technician handling urgent tasks. Each cleaner has a designated task and area of the school. Cleaners assigned to play areas, restrooms, corridors, and classrooms wear their uniforms during work hours, so students can identify them easily when they need help.

Security

As a school, we carry a significant responsibility toward our students and parents, and take strong security measures on the premises:

• 4 security guards stationed at the gates.
• Visitor control — all visitors register at the School Office and are escorted by a staff member at all times.
• All gates close after drop-off, up to 8 AM; after that, parents, students, and visitors enter through the monitored School Office gate.
• CCTV covers all gates, open areas, and school buildings.
• Overnight guards.
• Classroom windows open only partially, never fully.
• Each corridor has a supervisor monitoring students and watching for intruders.
• Students carry a log book recording their movement between classes in their section.
• Student sections are usually locked; only the supervisor and section cleaner hold keys.

Getting To & From School

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

Please use the school's approved gates for drop-off and pick-up, and avoid staying on the property afterward, so we can keep arrivals safe and avoid long waits outside the school.

Parents use designated gates by grade level: all grades enter through Building 2, "Gate 4," and exit through Building 1, "Gate 2." If siblings are housed in different buildings, management permits the older student to collect younger siblings from class, using either building's authorized gate.

Drop Off

Students should not be dropped off before 6:30 AM. In the morning, students wait in the designated area until supervisors and teachers arrive to assist them.

Pick Up

Parents and drivers are asked to arrive on time at the end of the day.

• FS2 students finish at 1:30 PM. Parents can pick up in person from the KG entrance at Building 2.
• Primary and Secondary students (Year 1–Year 13) finish at 2:00 PM. Parents pick up from Building 1, using Gate 4.

Parents or drivers should go to the main entrance and request their child from the duty supervisor. All students must be collected by 3:00 PM at the latest, as teacher duty ends then; parents and drivers are responsible for any delay. All drop-off and pick-up gates close at 8:00 AM — for a school visit or early pick-up after that, use Gate 2 (Administration Office).

Early Leave

The PEPS Learning Community's main goal is to offer a rigorous and dependable curriculum, which requires minimal classroom disruption — so there are limits on when students may leave class during the regular school day. Students will not be dismissed from class unless:

• A family emergency has been approved by administration and reported by a parent or authorized representative.
• A pre-arranged doctor's appointment could not be scheduled outside school hours (documentation required).
• A student's illness has been confirmed by the school nurse.

Bus Rules

Bus service is optional and arranged at registration; the bus contract is an official agreement between the parent and the bus company, with fees varying by emirate and area. We work with a licensed bus transport provider managing bus-registered students' transportation. Every bus carries an approved, licensed driver and a student assistant, who helps younger students on and off the bus, monitors behavior, and serves as a parent contact point. The assistant records attendance daily and double-checks the bus at arrival and departure so no one is left behind. Student safety is our top priority.

Every bus has a unique number, and parents receive an SMS with bus details at the start of the year. Our PEPS-employed Bus Coordinator ensures each bus passes a thorough safety inspection, is cleaned daily, and stays in good condition for a comfortable ride.

If a student consistently misbehaves on the bus, the bus company and the school both have the right to terminate the contract immediately and remove the student from the service.

Family Partnership

General Rules

• No mobile phones are allowed in school. Violators are punished and phones confiscated until the end of the school year.
• No electronic games are allowed; any brought to school will be confiscated.
• Chewing gum is strictly prohibited on school premises.
• Eating during class hours is strictly not allowed.
• Parents may not enter classrooms during school operating hours.
• Parents may not enter through the administration entrance without an appointment or serious matter.
• Classroom seating considers each student's physical needs; special requests from parents are not accommodated.
• Parents are asked to attend meetings and activities that require their presence, and to note all letters sent home.
• For any concern about their child, parents are asked to submit a letter through the administration rather than calling repeatedly — this helps us act directly instead of managing calls. Email is another option (see Key Contacts).
• Respectful relations between school and parents benefit our students; mutual help and respect support positive outcomes for both.
• Legal action will be taken against any parent or student who accuses the school through any media without reasonable grounds.

Celebrations

For any non-school-sponsored activity — Primary/Secondary parents and students: class parties are not encouraged at school. For a special occasion, parents may request a small celebration by submitting a written letter or visiting in person, stating the reason, date, time, and content of the celebration (e.g. cake, donuts, balloons).

If approved, parents may only bring pre-cut cake or cupcakes with plastic or paper plates and forks.

Celebrations must not exceed 20 minutes, and can only take place during art/sport period (with teacher agreement) or lunch break. No gifts or special treats are allowed.

FS2 parents: birthday celebrations must be prearranged with the school using the same procedure. Approved parties take place only on Thursdays, for 20 minutes.

No outside-class invitations are permitted. Failure to arrange in advance with the school will mean the celebration does not happen.

Field Trips

We encourage participation in outside events and trips planned by the school — depending on the destination, a trip may be social or connected to the curriculum. Parental support significantly improves the experience for students.

Parents are kept updated on upcoming travel plans, and students receive a comprehensive form specifying the location, duration, and subject matter. Parents who wish their child to take part sign the form and return the student for submission. All trips depart from and return to school; parents may not, under any circumstances, collect their child directly from a trip — all students must report back to school for safety reasons.

Students must wear the school uniform on trips and visits, so their school is easily identifiable. As over 95% of students take part on trip days, it's preferable for anyone who would rather stay home to do so, as minority students will not receive instruction on those days.

Complaint Procedure

PEPS is proud of the quality of teaching and pastoral care we provide. If parents have a complaint, they can expect it to be handled as follows, with most complaints resolved quickly:

1. Contact school administration by email at contact@peps.ae, the Subject Head Teacher, or a letter sent with your child. Many matters are resolved immediately this way; where further investigation is needed, the head teacher and section supervisor become involved.
2. Complaints made directly to administration are usually referred to the relevant form teacher, head teacher, section supervisor, and student counselor.
3. The student counselor keeps a written record of all complaints and the date received, filed in the pupil's personal file.
4. Where further investigation is required, management decides how it should be carried out, and reaches a decision — with any recommendations — within 7 days of the hearing.
5. Management writes to parents with its decision and reasoning, communicates it to the Head Teacher, and sends findings in writing to parents and, where relevant, the person complained of.

All concerns and complaints are treated seriously and confidentially; correspondence, statements, and records are kept confidential.

Key Contacts

For registration enquiries or anything not listed above, please contact the School Office directly.