Inspiring Excellence, Unlocking Potential
“At Deira International School, we believe every child has the potential to achieve remarkable things. Our commitment to personalised learning means that we not only support all students to thrive — we actively seek to stretch and challenge those who show advanced aptitude, curiosity, and creativity across subjects. Our MEA G&T (More Able, Exceptionally Able, Gifted and Talented) programme is thoughtfully designed to nurture high-level thinking, encourage independence, and provide opportunities for pupils to truly excel.”
What Do We Mean by More Able, Exceptionally Able, Gifted and Talented?
At Deira International School, we recognise that some students demonstrate abilities significantly beyond those of their peers. These children may learn more quickly, think more deeply, or show exceptional skill in a particular subject or discipline.
We identify More Able and Exceptionally Able learners by triangulating a range of evidence, including:
- CAT4 scores and other cognitive assessments
- Internal and external academic performance data
- Teacher observations and professional judgement
- Feedback from parents, specialist teachers, and external bodies
Students who consistently exceed age-related expectations or demonstrate advanced aptitude are added to our MEA Register. This allows us to track their progress and provide additional challenge, support, and enrichment across their learning journey.
What’s the Difference Between Gifted and Talented?
- Gifted learners possess an innate ability — a natural flair or aptitude — in one or more areas. This giftedness often appears early and is typically untrained or spontaneously expressed.
- Talented learners take that giftedness and refine it into performance — through practice, perseverance, and passion, they achieve excellence in specific domains such as sport, music, drama, art, science, or mathematics.
At DIS, both gifted and talented students are recognised through a combination of teacher and parent nominations, observational evidence, and assessment data. We value the individuality of every learner and seek to create opportunities for them to shine — both in the classroom and beyond.
How We Identify Our MEA G&T Students
We use a combination of data-informed insights and teacher professional judgement to identify students who are working at a level significantly beyond age-related expectations. Identification is ongoing and responsive, ensuring we capture potential in academic areas, the arts, leadership, technology, and sport. Our approach includes:
- Standardised assessments and in-school data tracking
- Teacher nominations based on demonstrated strengths
- Pupil work scrutiny, classroom observation, and learner voice
- External benchmarks and competition results (where applicable)
We believe that potential comes in many forms, so we remain flexible and inclusive in how we recognise excellence.
How We Support Our MEA G&T Students
Students who are identified as more able or exceptionally able are provided with enriching and challenging learning experiences across the curriculum. Support may include:
- Differentiated learning pathways in the classroom to stretch thinking and deepen understanding
- Tiered extension opportunities and masterclasses in core subjects and specialist areas
- Access to leadership opportunities, innovation labs, and digital projects
- Participation in regional and international competitions, such as Spelling Bees, Olympiads, Robotics, and Creative Writing contests
- 1:1 mentoring or small group coaching to build confidence and support social-emotional needs
- Regular communication with families to celebrate success and ensure individual growth
Celebrating Talent through Scholarships
In recognition of the outstanding ability within our student body, we offer a Sports and Talent Scholarship Programme to further support and celebrate excellence. This initiative provides access to enhanced training, expert guidance, and high-profile opportunities for students who display exceptional talent in sports, the arts, or academics.
To explore how our scholarship programme can support your child’s development, please visit: disdubai.ae/admissions/scholarships