Dubai, a city built in the desert to be a little extra ordinary. At the heart of the city lies a school whose approach to the performing arts is also extraordinary. Introducing the Dubai English Speaking College (DESC).

DESC are a long-term partner of RSL, and have grown their music and performing arts cohorts with RSL’s Vocational Qualifications as the backbone of their qualifications offering. The flexible and practical nature of our Vocational Qualifications allows them to inspire creativity and tailor their courses to their students’ needs, while promoting proven progression routes into the best UK Universities and Conservatoires.

The students and staff at DESC are truly part of the RSL family. Their achievements with our Vocational Qualifications not only earned them the RSL International Centre of Excellence award, they have also been voted “Best School in the UAE” (2019) and “Best School in the UAE for Technical Education” (2023/24) at The Schools Compared, Top School Awards.

Breaking away from GCSE and A Levels at Dubai English Speaking College

In a recent podcast with Music Teachers In International Schools, Sam Wormald (Head of Curriculum, Performing Arts) explains the reasoning behind the Dubai English Speaking College ditching traditional music and performing arts exam boards.

Over the last six years, Sam has transformed their music and performing arts faculty by introducing RSL Awards’ Vocational Qualifications.

Listen to her interview with MTIIS’s Chris Koelma and discover why DESC utilise RSL’s VQs, the positive teaching and learning outcomes complete with alumni success stories, alongside advice for teachers and schools looking to transform their creative curriculum offering.