SCHOLARS PROGRAMME 2020 AT THE BRITISH SCHOOL AL KHUBAIRAT
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WINNER
OUR SCHOOL The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is Abu Dhabi’s leading British, not-for-profit, co-educational day school. From Nursery to A Level (3 – 18) our dynamic school culture offers students an enriching experience and outstanding results.
OUR VISION Building on our unique local heritage, we will provide a world-class British education, inspiring all our students to exceed expectations.
OUR VALUES Empathy and Care | Respect and Inclusivity Honesty and Integrity | Endeavour and Resilience
CONTENTS Our School, Our Vision Welcome
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Why Join Our Programme 02 Award Titles 03 Academic
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Music 07 Sport 09
APPLICATION TIMELINE Applications Open 2 February
Applications Close 27 February
Assessment Afternoon 12 March | 2:00PM (by invitation)
WELCOME As a school, BSAK’s success comes from a balanced and holistic drive to provide the very best education to each and every one of our students. Our high academic standards coupled with an extensive co-curricular programme clearly testify to this. The opportunities and possibilities open to all BSAK students, inside and out of the classroom are diverse and founded on a full regard for our students’ wellbeing and personal development. The BSAK Scholars Programme is our way of putting in place a provision to support our most talented students. In many schools, this is referred to as the ‘gifted and talented programme’, but at BSAK this is an augmentation of the exceptional education that we provide to every student and it runs alongside the academic, sporting and music opportunities that are open to all. It is simply a way of making sure that we offer opportunities to challenge our most capable students, to enable them to exceed expectations and achieve their best. Are you excited by the idea of working with highly experienced teachers and of challenging yourself to excel at your talent? If you are, then the BSAK Scholars Programme could be for you. We hope that you find this brochure helpful and very much look forward to receiving your application. James McBlane, Deputy Head, Secondary, jmcblane@britishschool.sch.ae
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WHY JOIN OUR PROGRAMME? The results that our students achieve academically, on the sports field and in music are exceptional. Academic • Consistently strong A Level results Full Cohort: 46% A*- A | 67% A*-B Top 50: 75% A*- A | 90% A*-B • Outstanding GCSE results 57% A*-A | 86% A*-B Our GCSE results in Maths and Science are among the highest of all UK non-selective schools. • Only School in Abu Dhabi to offer the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering, Sport and Business Studies, and 4 other subsidiary BTEC quialifications. • BSAK Alumni are studying in the most prestigious universities around the world and on the most competitive courses. Destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Cornell and NYU.
Music • BSAK is the only school in Abu Dhabi to offer tuition across the complete range of orchestral instruments.
Sport • BSAK is the leading school in Abu Dhabi for sports and is also accomplished Internationally.
• Our dedicated full-time music professionals have experience in some of the most prestigious orchestras and choirs across the world.
• Scholar mentors are sports professionals, many with a background of playing or coaching at elite level.
• Students are frequent winners or runners up in the BSME Young Musicians of the Gulf (YMOG) competition. • Students typically achieve the highest grades at ABRSM music examinations with an average score of 124/150, exceeding the global average of 118/150.
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• Playing in both the Abu Dhabi (ADISSA) and Dubai (DASSA) schools’ leagues, BSAK is the only school in Abu Dhabi that regularly competes in Dubai, including the annual Duabi 7s. • In 2020 BSAK students won the BSME U15 Games and were crowned the World School Games U13 Champions.
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AWARD TITLES The BSAK Scholars Programme includes a Talent Development Programme for those entering Year 5 and Year 7 and Scholar Awards for those entering Year 10 and Year 12. All external Scholars offers made will be subject to satisfactory document checks, school reports and references, in line with the School’s General Admissions Policy. All students should apply the year before the required year of entry. For example, apply in Year 4 for entry into Year 5. TALENT DEVELOPMENT TITLE OF AWARD
YEAR OF ENTRY
Academic
Year 5 and Year 7
APPLICATION GUIDE External: Apply the year before your required year of entry Internal: No application required All students considered
Music
Year 5 and Year 7
All: Apply the year before your required year of entry
Sport
Year 5 and Year 7
All: Apply the year before your required year of entry
TITLE OF AWARD
YEAR OF ENTRY
APPLICATION GUIDE
Academic
Year 10 and Year 12
SCHOLAR AWARDS
External: Apply the year before your required year of entry Internal: No application required All students considered All: For entry into Year 12, an offer is dependent on confirmed GCSE results
Music
Year 10 and Year 12
All: Apply the year before your required year of entry
Sport
Year 10 and Year 12
All: Apply the year before your required year of entry
All external Scholars offers made will be subject to satisfactory document checks, school reports and references, in line with the School’s General Admissions Policy. 3
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMME Gifted academic students will gain access to a diverse and exciting range of academic enrichment opportunities as well as a personal academic mentoring programme. The School has a longstanding record of supporting and challenging our most capable students with proven outcomes. At A Level, our results are consistently strong. Full Cohort 46% A*- A | 67% A*-B Top 50 Results 75% A*- A | 90% A*-B Our GCSE results are also impressive: Full Cohort 57% A*- A | 37% A*-B Beyond the Curriculum Every term, BSAK runs a series of academic lectures open to all students. The lectures aim to take and extend learning beyond the classroom, challenge students with new ideas, extend their knowledge of history and improve their understanding of the world. Topics covered are wide ranging, from ‘How the French Revolution changed the World’ to ‘Babylonian Maths’. Academic Clubs and Societies There is also a full selection of academic clubs and societies which allow students to develop their understanding and interests in various fields over a longer period of time. Examples in the Secondary School are; Medical Society, Politics Society, Oxbridge Club, Psychology Society, Duke of Edinburgh, Debating Club and Model United Nations. Oxbridge and University Applications The school runs a dedicated and highly successful Oxbridge and Medics programme to prepare students for the application, testing and interview process. We also have a full time Careers and University Advisor and our students go on to the very best and most competitive universities and courses around the world. Our successful track record of Oxbridge, Ivy League and Medical applicants is unrivalled in Abu Dhabi. Academic Mentoring In addition, gifted academics will be supported by a mentoring programme. Personal attention and support is a key component of our approach, to ensure that our most capable students realise their potential. In turn we expect our talented students to provide peer mentoring for younger students, contribute to the community and develop their own leadership and interpersonal skills. Selection For external candidates, this will be done on the basis of the results of an aptitude test and student interview, alongside the application form and previous two years’ school reports. The aptitude test is done through an external provider at the cost of AED 70, which is settled by the applicant. All current BSAK students will automatically be considered for our programmes and parents will be informed if their child meets the criteria. Academic Scholar Application
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MUSIC PROGRAMME BSAK has the only music department in Abu Dhabi offering tuition across the complete range of orchestral instruments from a dedicated full-time music staff. Music students excel at BSAK, typically achieving high grades impressively in the ABRSM music examination, with an average score of 124/150, far exceeding the global average of 118/150. In 2020 three BSAK students were crowned the winner of their category in the BSME Young Musician of the Gulf (YMoG) competition. Our Funky Brass Band also reached the final of the large ensemble category. Expectations The BSAK Scholars Programme exists not only to support and enhance the education of the most gifted, but also so that scholars may enrich the learning environment at BSAK for the benefit of others. For a Music Scholar this might mean taking a leading role in a number of school ensembles, or setting a good example of attitude and showing outstanding commitment to instrumental practice and self-improvement. In other words, we are looking for capable and talented ambassadors of music. All scholars will be expected to sing in at least one of the School Choirs to enhance their note and sight-reading ability. Benefits • Tuition and guidance from some of the best instrumental teachers in the Middle East • Access to a wide range of co-curricular ensembles • A tailored programme of enrichment and development and regular Scholars Talks • A dedicated music mentor to oversee each individual’s progress and musical commitments • A wide variety of regular performance opportunities Criteria and Assessment Years 5-6 Equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 4-5 on main instrument Years 7-9 Equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 5-6 on main instrument Years 10-11 Equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 6-7 on main instrument Sixth Form Equivalent to ABRSM/Trinity Grade 8+ on main instrument Selection Students who can show outstanding potential on one or more instruments are encouraged to apply. Students must submit an application form which includes an academic report and a reference from their current instrumental teacher(s). Short-listed candidates will be given an audition including performance on their instrument(s) and sight-reading their main instrument. Applicants should offer two contrasting pieces if offering one instrument, or one piece on each instrument if offering two instruments. Students will also have an interview with the Director of Music.
Music Scholar Application
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SPORT PROGRAMME BSAK caters for the talented athlete and provides opportunities to excel as sports performers, as well as developing leadership and team building skills. Customised care and a tailored approach to each individual ensures that our students are nurtured through their sporting education. Core Sports Our programmes focus principally on the School’s four key sports: Football, Rugby, Netball and Swimming. Students are accepted into a programme if they excel in one or more of these sports. Students are also considered if they are an excellent athlete in two or more of these sports or if they perform to a very high standard in a non-core sport. Inspirational Workshops & Masterclasses During the sporting year, students access a variety of different workshops and seminars given by professional athletes and inspirational speakers. These events not only inspire the students but give them a chance to see what makes a proven professional performer reach their peak. Masterclasses are also made available where students gain direct coaching and guidance from elite athletes in their specific fields - a highlight of the programme. Sporting Opportunities The school has an extensive sporting calendar which allows our students to participate at the highest level. With teams competing locally both in the Abu Dhabi (ADISSA) and Dubai (DASSA) schools leagues, this allows scholars to be pushed to varying levels of competition. The school competes in internationally recognised multisport elite events in both British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and Council of British International Schools (COBIS) tournaments, giving students the opportunity to showcase their talents. We also host a tri-series of tournaments in Football, Netball and Rugby and compete across a range of invitational tournaments throughout the sporting year. Benefits • Opportunities for participation in elite events • Regular bespoke mentoring and continuous feedback on performance • Recognition for achievement amid high expectations • Leadership opportunities, modules and training • Scholars lead sports assemblies and presentations • Specialised trips • Strength and Conditioning plans • Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Clinics Selection Successful applicants will be invited to attend the selection day and a variety of sports performance assessments will take place. A timetable will be sent to students who are taken forward to the selection day. Sport Scholar Application
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Please direct enquiries to Mrs Karen Collings on scholars@britishschool.sch.ae
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