School assessments can be an unnerving process for both parents and your child, with assessments for a first-time school place proving particularly nerve-wracking. It is natural to worry about how your child will cope when separated from you, or to be concerned that you have done enough to secure a place, especially when competition is high for the number of spaces available. Each school has its own procedures in place for the assessment process. While they may differ from school to school, rest assured that they all aim to offer as much support as they can to every child they admit.
The actual assessment process will vary depending on the year group that you are applying for. Generally, assessments for the foundation stage are play-based, and are often conducted on a one-to-one basis. For younger children, parents are usually invited along to accompany the child or be nearby while the assessment is being carried out. This can alleviate any separation anxieties, which in turn will allow your child to feel more relaxed and be able to focus on the play-based assessment. For older children, assessments will be tailored to the specific year group, and will usually include literacy, mathematics and elements from the curriculum, as well as your child’s social skills.
The best advice that I can give to parents is to try to relax (I know that this is easier said than done!). I too have been through the process of placing my children at schools in Dubai and know the stress and dilemmas that every parent faces at this time. It is important to remember that your child will pick up on your worries and this in turn may make them nervous themselves. This should be avoided if at all possible.
The assessment process itself is not designed to catch children out. They should relax and try to answer any questions to the best of their abilities. Reassure them before and after the assessment no matter how well you think they may have fared - all children want to know that they have done their best, which is all that can be asked of them.
Schools do understand that nerves are involved when attending an assessment and so for this reason, they also take into consideration your child’s previous school reports, if applicable. This involves looking at their attitude to learning and academic history to ensure they get a balanced overview and complete picture of your child’s potential.
If you have any further questions regarding any part of the application process, do not hesitate to approach the admissions manager of the school. Their job is to guide you through the process and they should be happy to assist you with any of your concerns.
With thanks to Dawn Rennie, Director of Development and Admissions, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park.