Nord Anglia International School Dubai Al Barsha 3, Dubai United Arab Emirates Physical Address: Hessa St (D61) and Mohammad bin Zayed Road Main Desk: +971 (0) 4 361 4330 admissions@nainternationalschool.ae facebook.com/nainternationalschooldubai
nainternationalschool.ae
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T H E K E Y S TAG E 3 C o urse G uide AT
N O R D A N G L I A I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H OO L D U B A I
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A Note To Parents
The transition from primary to secondary education is a really important one, and we want to make sure that students understand it as much as possible. Knowing what to expect is a major part of settling in, and we hope that this course guide will ensure a smooth and successful transition into Secondary School. We very much hope that you will read this guide with your son or daughter and talk through it with them. We understand that you will want to be reassured about the experiences your son or daughter will have in the Secondary School, and we are very happy to talk about them at any point. If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will listen and do what we can to help.
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Principles and Ethos
At NAS Dubai our student body is made up of young people from over 50 nationalities. Respect is a key theme – from and for the individual student and for diverse cultural backgrounds and belief systems. We pride ourselves in our child centered approach to education, ensuring all students embark on their own personalised learning journey to success. We aim for students to develop as enquiring, creative, reflective and motivated learners. Our high-calibre teachers tailor their teaching to individual needs, to encourage everyone to flourish, grow in selfconfidence and above all, to succeed. To this effect, an open partnership between home and school is actively encouraged. Philosophy To ensure that all those who participate in the life of our school succeed and leave us as better, more able, more responsible and more confident individuals. Governance To provide the highest quality of education to our students, where the long-term development and reputation of the organisation are safeguarded. Personal Development To encourage students to explore the extent of their intellectual and physical abilities, helping them to succeed. Values To uphold values of honesty, integrity and respect for others. Environment To provide a vibrant, happy and secure environment that is conducive to the development of our students. Teachers To ensure the school recruits and retains high-calibre professionals who are worthy of the responsibility we are entrusted with. Social Responsibility To ensure our organisation and its members are involved in promoting the general good within our community.
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Parent Teacher Communication
At NAS Dubai, we will send a daily email to parents. Our teachers and form tutors write a summary of lessons and homework set every day and then send the information home. This, we trust, supports the triangular collaboration which we believe is at the core of every success story in education. It is vital that parents are involved in our students education and we value feedback. Reports: • Receive three written reports a year • Receive a settling in report after four weeks • Parent-teacher consultations will be held twice a year Parents please note: • The first point of contact would be the form tutor or the subject teacher for any general questions. • For Learning and Curriculum issues or queries, you can contact Heads of Department in the first instance. • For any matter that requires an urgent and confidential response, we advise our parents to contact the Head of Secondary School, the Principal or the Family Liaison Officer.
Our teachers have the best interests of our students at heart and we will do our utmost to reply to your query within 24 hours. We use email as the most common mode of communication, however should you wish to meet with one of our staff, please do not hesitate to make an appointment. Academic Passports From Year 7 to Year 13 students are issued with a planner in order to help them record their homework. To monitor success and as a future form of communication. We would like parents to review this planner and sign it once a week.
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High Performance Learning
One of the most important, and different, aspects of NAS Dubai is the way that we teach and encourage learning. We train all of our teachers in a special method of teaching which is called “High Performance Learning”. High Performance Learning (HPL) gives our teachers the tools, values and aptitudes they need to achieve the best possible results. The teacher’s role is to guide learners to apply this philosophy in learning. This encourages our students to become tenacious, dedicated and enquiring learners who are capable of taking charge and directing their own development towards academic success. It is not a short cut. One of the most important aspects of our approach is called “Practicing and Persevering”. We understand that true mastery is based on the application and practice of a set of skills. We also want students to enjoy and embrace learning, acquiring the art of discovery and the art of making connections between seemingly different subjects or areas of research. When these values are applied, students will be able to look at what they have learned and, in discussion with teachers, guide learning to even greater levels of attainment. The programme is rigorous, demanding and requires application; the results are however outstanding.
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Course Overview
In KS3, students study a range of different areas. We want students to familiarise themselves with a wide range of subjects, to experience them as separate courses, taught by specialist teachers who are experts and real enthusiasts in their subjects. The only exception to this is in the language programme. Students study two languages; everyone studies Arabic, and there is a choice between Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin. These are offered as native tongue or second language. We teach Maths, English, Science and Foreign Languages in sets; students are set with other students of the same ability. We teach the remaining subjects mixed ability groups; History, Geography, Art, amongst others, are delivered in their form groups. In mixed groups, the work is differentiated so students will be challenged at their own level, allowing them to succeed. We find that the balance of setting and mixed ability works well for most students, allowing them to progress as fast as possible and learn alongside a variety of groups. We continually monitor setting and will make changes where necessary. All the subjects studied are described in this course guide, always ask us if you would like to know more about any subject offered.
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Pastoral Care
A school is not only about learning in an academic sense or about learning to become a creative, enquiring, curious and reflective learner. It is a place where students learn to become respectful, polite, engaged and interested members of society. We aim to reward and guide our students during their journey. It is just as important for our students to be “caught doing good� and rewarded for it, as it is for them to be guided when they make a mistake or need to be shown the correct path. Our expectations and standards are high. Students, and indeed staff, are expected to be courteous and respectful. This might take the form of holding doors open for staff, peers or visitors, polite forms of address or taking pride in their appearance. We view the process of guidance as partnership between the student, the school and home. Parents will be informed when students have done something well and when they have required support or guidance. When a student requires support, or needs to discuss a matter of personal concern; the first port of call will be their class teacher or form tutor. These teachers are available to give initial reassurance or guidance to the student and will decide if further action or support is needed. We want our students to thrive and be happy, to enjoy their time at school in a safe, secure and constructive environment. We expect all students to work towards this goal in partnership with our staff and their parents.
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How Students Will Be Assessed At NAS Dubai
At NAS Dubai, we pride ourselves in being at the forefront of successful British educational strategies. Effective assessment and analysis of NAS Dubai is at the core of a successful educational institution. We embrace the assessment of learning (AOL) and assessment for learning (AFL). AFL and AOL are based upon structured feedback, specific to an individual that guides their future progress, as opposed to the simple ticks and crosses of the past. We have put a specialist team of teachers in place whose responsibility is to ensure that the best assessment practices are disseminated throughout the whole school, and that assessment becomes not only a meaningful tool for the teacher to track progress and take learning further, but also, and more importantly, a significant part of students’ learning practice. All subjects will use a variety of assessment techniques throughout the academic year. AFL includes peer and self assessment, teacherassessment and questioning. AOL comes from coursework and marking of books and tests. Students may also be given end of topic or unit tests in some subjects which help to reinforce the learning covered in class. On entry to the school we assess student’s National Curriculum Levels in the core subjects (English, Maths and Science) as this gives a base line for tracking a student’s progress throughout their time in the school. For more subject-specific information, please refer to each section.
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Arabic
The Arabic Department at NAS Dubai, is committed to delivering the school mission of creating responsible global citizens who are intellectually self-confident, knowledgeable and enquiring; who are culturally aware and free from prejudice. Children, from beginners to native speakers, enjoy the opportunity to learn Arabic. Familiarity with Arabic allows them to relate to the life they see around them every day in the United Arab Emirates and to make the most of their time here. Some of our children are native Arabic speakers and some are studying Arabic as a foreign language. We are fully committed to UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) requirements for Arabic curriculums. Arabic as a first language specification is designed for native speakers of colloquial Arabic who have been exposed to formal schooling in Modern Standard Arabic for several years. The course also aims to develop oral and written skills in a variety of situations, media and contexts. Arabic as a second language is primarily for those who are not native speakers of Arabic or for students who are native speakers of spoken, colloquial Arabic but have not been introduced to the writing system. This course encourages students to develop the ability to communicate in Arabic, both orally and in writing.
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Arabic
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Art
Art will give students the freedom to express themselves in an exciting visual manner. Through the work they produce, they will gain confidence and an appreciation of the world around them. They will learn to analyse the work of artists, crafts people and designers in order to inspire their own art, and they will discover that Art is a form of communication. We believe strongly in celebrating and displaying the work students produce, whether it is their individual work or work produced as part of a group project. They will enjoy seeing Art they have created on display as part of major school events. In KS3, students go on an exciting journey, experimenting with a wide variety of media, materials, techniques and processes. Their confidence, creativity and imagination will develop and they will be able to make informed choices about the media and processes that they use. Students focus on many different topics throughout each year. Topics in Year 7 focus on developing core skills using a range of tactile, units including cultural identity within Art. In Year 8 and 9 students will study the work of celebrated artists to gain inspiration to inform their work through the use of a variety of media sources. Some of the artists studied range from the photographer Paul Strand to the great painter Rousseau and the abstract Art of Robert Delaunay. Art is fun and creates an opportunity for students to express themselves and create. At the end of KS3, students will be well prepared for the IGCSE course that starts in Year 10.
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Art
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Computer Science
The Computer Science course in KS3 has been designed to equip students with the ability to use technological tools to find, develop, analyse, exchange and present information, as well as to model situations and solve problems. The increasing use of technology in all aspects of society makes confident, creative and productive use of Computer Science an essential skill for life. Computer Science enables rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures, and allows students to collaborate and exchange information on a wide scale. During KS3, students develop an understanding of how Computer Science can assist them in other subjects and increase their ability to judge when and how to use Computer Science, and where it has limitations. Students will think about the quality and reliability of information and become increasingly aware of the impact of Computer Science and the need to use it safely and responsibly. We will also look at a proper understanding of how Computer Science actually works. This will look at skills such as coding and the development of control systems and management of devices. We will look at development of pseudo-code and then move onto programming languages that are in common use. Mostly we will look at the fundamentals of coding rather than going into specifics of each language. We will look at control systems through the use of Robotics and sensing apparatus to illustrate how Computer Science is employed in the real world outside of the standard applications on a PC. This application will also give an appreciation of how coding relates to logic, thinking and planning skills and how these can be transferred into a real world application.
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Computer Science
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Design and Technology
Design and Technology prepares students to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for students to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design technology, its uses and effects. Through Design and Technology, all students can become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators. The course ensure that students leave school with real life practical skills such as being able to wire a plug, cook a family meal, build flat pack furniture and make alterations to clothing. Our state of the art facilities allow all students to have access to the best resources. Within KS3 Design and Technology we operate a rotation system that allows groups of students to move within the different areas of the faculty on a 9 week rotation. Students will complete work that covers all strands of Design and Technology including: Textiles, Resistant Material, Graphics, and Food Technology. Each student will leave KS3 Design and Technology with a broad range of knowledge and expertise e.g. Drawing, Sketching, Workshop practice, use of tools and machinery, Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacture, Computer Science, Teamwork, Robotics etc.
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Design and Technology
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Design and Technology
Food Technology At NAS Dubai we are proud of our outstanding food technology facilities and our curriculum takes advantage of these by encouraging students to work towards a healthy eating lifestyle. Students design and make a range of dishes such as Spaghetti Bolognese, Fish pie, Risotto, Mandi and sweet and sour chicken. They also design and make their own meal suitable to sell in the school canteen. In Year 9 students bring together the skills they have learnt over the past two years to complete a project on foods from around the world. Students are encouraged to work independently and creatively to produce a starter, main and dessert from their chosen country. Graphics Graphic Products in KS3 is an imaginative and creative subject that allows students to express themselves through their work. The subject focuses on the manufacture of high quality products with ‘the look’ being all important. Students learn a wide range of 2D and 3D drawing techniques, both hand-drawn and computer generated. They also get to create a number of products using a variety of compliant materials including cardboard, polystyrene vacuum forming plastic, acetate and even the use of some electronics.
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Design and Technology
Textiles Students develop an awareness and interest in the broad area of textiles. They are encouraged to explore and experiment with a wide range of techniques and equipment to develop skills and to express themselves creatively. Students will learn a range of skills from understanding the need of thorough research, to being able to gather ideas to assist with their design work and then be able to make informed choices for their final design. They will learn basic pattern cutting and assembly, as well as lots of decorative skills, using a variety of equipment and our state of the art sewing machinery – sewing machines, over lockers, CAD and CAM etc, to make a product. They will also then learn how to test and improve their product by evaluating thoroughly. Resistant Material The aim of our Resistant Materials programme is to provide our students with the opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of a broad range of practical skills and techniques both graphically on paper and in relation to actual ‘resistant materials’ i.e. metal, plastic, wood, electronic components and circuits. Resistant Materials Technology is a popular subject at NAS Dubai and students have the opportunity to be creative and independent. Students can explore their design creativity in their folder work and express themselves graphically in the form of sketches and drawings. In KS3 students will learn about electronics, metals, plastics and wood. Students will acquire valuable hand skills while working with workshop tools and machines. They will also gain experience of working cooperatively and safely in a workshop environment. The projects are primarily aimed at encouraging the students to make quality products with a high standard of finish through a series of practical lessons.
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Drama
Is your child an aspiring actor, a budding director or set designer? KS3 Drama allows students to develop three key areas of Drama; devising, performing and reviewing. Students will be given the opportunity to build upon their understanding of these drama elements through the exploration of tableaux, thought-tracking, writing in role, set design, scripts and improvisation. Students will be able to use their creative thinking skills to problem solve and present accurate observations with empathy, while improving their group and communication skills. Evaluating and offering feedback takes place in every lesson and will enable students to identify and analyse what effective drama is. Throughout KS3 students will experience performing in a variety of genres such as silent movies; working with mime and music to tell a story or possibly a courtroom drama; working on persuading and convincing people. In Year 9, students will prepare for the expectations of IGCSE and use Drama to develop their own end of year performance based on a Current Affairs Stimulus. If students are more artistic, they can work on set design, considering the role of the set in communicating the themes and atmospheres of a performance. There is something in this subject to suit everyone!
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English
We pride ourselves in our innovative and dynamic English team. We believe that English is one of the most important and enjoyable subjects. The ability to read and write will determine a student’s success. That is why reading and writing with competence, confidence and enjoyment is our specialty! We will not tell students what to read and what to think - instead students will learn to develop their own opinions, think for themselves and find the answers when they need them most. We believe that being able to understand the things they hear or read and the ability to express themselves formally through writing (or informally through talk) is the most important skill they can learn in school. The exact topics students cover in school will depend upon their level of English. Our students will develop their skills using interesting, informative and thought-provoking materials. Our textbooks are important, and we will focus on helping students improve grammar, comprehension and organisation. We also work hard researching books, plays, stories and poems that we know students love to learn from. In Year 7 we will have the opportunity to read a wide variety of literary texts written by a range of authors from different time periods, genres and cultures. Students will develop an understanding of the author’s craft and they will be encouraged to read widely and frequently. Students are required to develop research and study skills to write in a range of styles for different purposes and audiences. During Year 8 we will build on what has been covered in Year 7 and therefore prepare students for Year 9 and beyond. We encourage students to edit and revise work with a clear sense of audience and to be more conscious of the effect of their writing, learning to express increasing complex ideas, develop and signpost arguments, as well as create a balanced analysis.
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French
Our French programme is for both native, or near native speakers and second language learners. Students will be assessed by our French teacher to decide which program is a best fit. Learning a modern foreign language is both fun and practical. It is increasingly important in a global economy and also has great value in terms of cultural and linguistic richness in our society. Students will learn to communicate on a wide range of topics. From introducing themselves to learning how to cope in a French city, students gain invaluable skills which will prove immensely useful in later life. In Year 7, students will learn how to describe people and places, they will feel confident in talking about the environment they live in and be able to ask questions and converse about daily topics. In Year 8 they will learn about what they like, students will be able to describe their passions and talk about topics with a more advanced vocabulary. By the end of KS3, as students prepare to start their IGCSE courses, they will have learned to talk about events in the past, present and future. Students will have also learnt about other cultures around the world and about how important it is to be tolerant towards people from different countries. Our students develop a life-long passion for learning modern foreign languages and exploring other cultures. This subject is also divided into groups with the topics and pace of class varying depending upon the student’s language level. They will have the opportunity to travel to Europe to enhance their language abilities.
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French
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Geography
Geography is a remarkable and important opportunity to learn about the world in which we live. It will develop students understanding and make them more aware of existing events locally and globally, developing geographical skills for the future. It will also help to develop their skills in literacy, numeracy, Computer Science, team work, thinking skills and enquiry skills. Students will make short and to the point reports, handle data, ask questions, find answers, make decisions about issues and research material. Students become excellent communicators and will be more aware of what is happening around them socially, economically and environmentally. They become problem solvers, team players, computer literate and well rounded flexible thinkers. Throughout KS3 the students will have learned a great deal about physical, human and environmental Geography. Topics we study will include looking at settlements (especially in relation to Dubai), geological landscapes, weather and climates, and city studies on Brazil and Japan. Learning will not just happen in the classroom; we embrace opportunities for fieldwork, where our students can explore places first hand, looking at environments and human behaviour. Students will find that Geography values individual views when making decisions about difficult issues. What can or should be done about global warming? Is it really taking place, and can they really afford to sit back and not take any action? The choice is theirs, but studying Geography will help students find their own answers.
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Our Schools
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPE
MIDDLE EAST/SOUTH EAST ASIA
CHINA
British School of Washington British School of Boston British School of Houston British School of Chicago The British American School of Charlotte World Class Learning Academy, New York
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, Villars-sur-Ollon Collège Champittet, Pully Collège Champittet, Nyon International College Spain, Madrid La Côte International School, The British International School Bratislava
Compass International School Doha, Madinat Khalifa Compass International School Doha, Gharaffa Compass International School Doha, Rayyan Compass International School, Al Khor The British International School Abu Dhabi The Regent’s School Pattaya
The British International School Shanghai, Puxi The British International School Shanghai, Pudong The British School of Beijing, Shunyi The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun The British School of Guangzhou Nord Anglia International School, Hong Kong
The British International School Budapest The British School Warsaw The English International School Prague
St. Andrews International School Bangkok, Sukhumvit Nord Anglia International School, Dubai Dover Court Preparatory School, Singapore
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German
Our German programme is for both native, or near native speakers and second language learners. Students are assessed by our German teacher who decides which program is a best fit. For native speakers, classroom teaching is supplemented with many opportunities to explore cultural life in German speaking countries throughout the world. Lessons will focus on the contents of the German curriculum; reading literature and informing texts, essay writing, grammar, speaking and listening skills, matching style to audience and purpose, as well as on the needs of students of an international school. They will be well prepared to return to German Schools, as well as – later in KS4 – graduating with an international graduation certificate. By the end of Year 7 students will be able to converse in German, talk about friends, places they visited; they will be able to ask questions about daily life and common topics. Year 8 brings more challenges; students learn to describe people and places, to ask questions and talk about topics with a more advance vocabulary. In Year 9 students will be able to arrange holidays and talk to people about themselves and what their passions are. By the end of KS3, as students prepare to start the IGCSE courses, they will have learned to talk about events in the past, present and future. Students will also learn about globalisation and about how important it is to be tolerant towards people from other countries. This subject is divided into groups with the topics and the pace of classes vary depending upon their language level. Students may also be given the opportunity to travel to Europe to enhance their language abilities.
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German
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History
History is essentially about people and the lives they lived. Some people were successful, some failed. There were heroes, villains, cowards and fools. Some were handsome or beautiful, ugly or plain, loved or rejected. They were all just like the people of today; the people they know, their neighbours, their friends, their relatives and them themselves. By studying History students learn to decide what they like or dislike, approve or disapprove and admire or criticize about the people we meet, have met or will meet either personally or via television, films, newspapers or the Internet. Students learn to make judgements and give sensible reasons for opinions and decisions. Throughout KS3 students develop special History skills that let them research and present information in different and logical ways (e.g. writing, diagrams and charts); compare people and events from the past with those of the present, discover whether life has changed or not; think like people in the past, knowing only what they knew; and use different types of evidence such as pictures, photographs, diaries, letters, maps and diagrams. All of these skills will help students find out about the amazing, interesting and sometimes boring people from the past. In Year 7 students study events, live in medieval times and travel to and fight in the Crusades. They will then zoom around the world, and fly back a few years to China when the emperors ruled. In Year 8 students get to explore the life of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. In Year 9 we will introduce students to key events affected during the 20th century by the World Wars and the Vietnam war in preparation for their IGCSE’s.
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History
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Islamic Studies
All Muslim students in Secondary School take Islamic Studies. The curriculum is developed by the UAE Ministry of Education. The programme is presented in defined topics, which are divided into basics for non-Arabic speakers and higher levels for native Arabic speakers. Islamic Studies provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, self, and issues of right and wrong. It develops student’s knowledge and understanding, other principal religions, other religious traditions and other world views. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances awareness and the understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. The attainment targets for Islamic Studies set out the knowledge, skills and understanding the students of different abilities and maturity are expected to have by the end of Secondary School.
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Islamic Studies
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Mandarin
Mandarin Chinese is spoken by 873 million people, making it the most widely spoken first language in the world. There will be more and more demand for people who can speak it, particularly as the Chinese economy continues to grow. Learning Mandarin will make students better thinkers. Students need to use many different learning styles to master the language. They will get better at speaking and listening, but also improve visual memory and coordination as they learn to read and write Chinese. Students gain a great deal from studying Mandarin, but we hope they will also see that it is a fun and worthwhile activity. All students will have the ability to follow the HSK program. Students are placed in a class to suit their level when they commence the course. This means that they will be able to make progress throughout KS3. If they study Mandarin as a Foreign Language, students work to develop a good command of the basics in the four main skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening. They will develop an interest in the subject as they find that they can apply what they learn in class to everyday practical situations. Students will understand class instructions and dialogues and use them to communicate in a more descriptive way. Students will be able to read and understand texts, and, with the understanding and support of Pinyin, they gain access to a wider range of written material. If students are native speakers of Mandarin, they will work to develop good listening skills and appropriate ways of speaking. Students knowledge of characters, grammar and literary language will be enhanced and they will be able to write for a variety of purposes. Students also start to be aware of variations in the use of Mandarin in different areas of the world.
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Mandarin
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Mathematics
At NAS Dubai we pride ourselves in our exceptional mathematics practitioners. Mathematics gives students the tools to discover and describe the world around them. Students already have a sense of how important numbers and shapes are to our everyday lives and they will begin to learn that mathematical thinking can help to solve many different kinds of problems. Students gain an understanding of how mathematics can be creative through exploring patterns which we find all around us. If they enjoy Science they will use what they learn to gain a better understanding of how scientific ideas work; whilst if they have a passion for music or Art they will start to see and explain different types of mathematical structures that have an impact on both of these subjects, for example the geometric patterns. In Years 7 and 8, our team will further students understanding of the main concepts in mathematics: number and algebra; geometry and measures; and statistics. Mathematics becomes more than solving problems at this stage and our staff will help students understand many new ideas, including how to communicate mathematically and how to explain discoveries effectively. During KS3, students also get plenty of opportunities to discover new technologies and how these can be used in many everyday life situations. Students will work on spreadsheets, learn to use a scientific calculator, use software to graph lines and curves and to explore concepts such as reflection, rotation and enlargement. By the end of Year 9, students will have a deeper understanding of how to approach many different problems and, most importantly, they will be able to choose which mathematical tools will solve and explain these problems most effectively.
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Mathematics
The Additional Mathematics Syllabus This syllabus is intended for high ability learners who have achieved, or are likely to achieve, grade A* or A in the IGCSE Mathematics examination. IGCSE Additional Mathematics enables students to extend their mathematical skills, knowledge and understanding developed in the Mathematics course and use skills in the context of more advanced techniques. The syllabus has a Pure Mathematics only content which enables students to acquire a suitable foundation in Mathematics for further study in the subject.
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Music
Music is a unique form of communication that can change the way students feel, think and act. It is an integral part of culture, past and present, and it can help students understand themselves, relate to others and develop their cultural understanding, forging important links between home, school and the wider world. Studying music at NAS Dubai encourages students to have an active involvement in different forms of music-making, allowing them to develop critical skills: the ability to listen, to appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgments about musical quality. During Year 7 students will develop the core skills of performing, composing and listening through the study of six units. They will begin by studying ‘What Makes a Good Song’ which will lead them to develop their first composition where they will learn how to write and notate an eightbar melody using a given harmonic structure. Moving into Year 8 there is an intensive study of the music of Mozart and his key works. Units on the Beatles, jazz improvisation and musical theatre conclude the year. Year 9 brings more musical wonders, where students will get to look at the Romantic period, with an in-depth look at the piano music of Chopin and the Symphonie Fantastique (Fantastic Symphony) by Berlioz. The second listening unit takes its focus music from film, where students study how film composers can express character and emotion.
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Music
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Physical Education
Physical Education (PE) develops competence and confidence to take part in physical activities that, we hope, will become an important part of life both in and out of school. Students will acquire a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. Students learn to analyse situations and make decisions, and they will learn about the value of having a healthy, active lifestyle. Games will help students to develop personally and socially. They will work as an individual, in groups and in teams with different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that games offer, students learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations. In Years 7 and 8 students cover a number of activities. Students learn about the importance of warm-ups and cool-downs, fitness testing, developing an understanding of fitness and learn how to focus on speed, agility, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. In Year 9 students build upon the work of the previous two years in all curriculum areas, taking on the roles of coach and referee as well. Students will lead group warm-ups, drills, games and cool-downs. By the end of KS3 students have covered many activities during PE lessons and they may well have represented the school in a number sports. Our students are able to make an informed decision about the types of activities they want to follow for fun, a healthy lifestyle or competitively.
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Physical Education
SPORTS Football Swimming Rugby Athletics Handball Badminton Volleyball Tennis Netball Basketball Lacrosse Softball Hockey Water Polo Cricket Rounders
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PSHE
PSHE stands for Personal, Social and Health Education. This will be where students consider ideas and look at topics that will support them in making informed decisions about life. It is a carefully planned part of the curriculum that contributes to the quality of life by developing students knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes in some very important areas. We will promote healthy and positive lifestyles as part of our school culture, and we will help students to become healthier, more independent, more responsible and more active members of our community. Students will learn and appreciate what it means to be a positive part of a multi-cultural school and society. The course includes aspects of citizenship, where students learn how they can make a positive contribution to society, and traditional PSHE, where they learn how they can make sure they lead a confident, healthy and responsible life. The dual focus on them as an individual and the role they play as a member of a society will reappear throughout the course, and students will have plenty of opportunity to look at both aspects of PSHE. Throughout Years 7, 8 and 9 we explore topics like the harmful effects of bullying, and how to prevent it, healthy lifestyles, dealing with stress and emotions, alcohol and drugs, friendships and relationships, global issues, the environment, human and animal rights, managing money, dealing with racism and prejudice, becoming a responsible citizen and managing learning. This list demonstrates we will be dealing with important topics, and we will give students plenty of opportunity to contemplate, absorb, discuss and challenge it all. A note to parents We do, of course, tackle all the topics here carefully, sensitively and with respect to the law and local culture of the UAE. We are more than happy to discuss what we cover and how we cover it, please get see our staff for further details.
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PSHE
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Science
Science ignites students curiosity about how the world around them works and offers them opportunities to find explanations and answers. Students will connect their own practical experience with scientific ideas as they experiment in physics, chemistry and biology labs, and they will have fun learning that all our knowledge of Science is based on what scientists have discovered from their experiments. Students see how scientific ideas help to develop our world – affecting industry, business, medicine and improving everyone’s quality of life. Students study the development of Science worldwide and will see the impact it has had on different cultures. In Science lessons, students learn to question and discuss issues that will affect their own life and the future of the world. Our teachers will work on the three main aspects of Science: biology, chemistry and physics. Students see what each of the Sciences is about, and also see that there are skills and ideas that they all share. In Year 7 students will begin to look at a range of topics from Acids and Alkalis, Bubbles to the Solar System. Year 8 brings more topics such as circulation and respiration, looking at ecology, materials and recycling atoms and elements, compounds and mixtures. In Year 9, students start to gain a deeper understanding of each of the Sciences, by looking at modules on inheritance and selection, plants and photosynthesis and even get to delve into a crime scene investigation! By the end of KS3, as students prepare to start the IGCSE courses, they will have learned about energy, electricity and forces. Students have discovered that atoms and their chemical reactions allow us to understand how the world is made, and they will know what makes something alive. Students also learn some more direct things about us and our world: health and growing up, and the way we affect the environment around us. Finally, we look away from our home planet, and start to explore the mysteries of the planets, stars and universe.
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Science
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Spanish
Our Spanish programme is for both native, or near native speakers and second language learners. Students will be assessed by our Spanish teacher to decide which program is best. Spanish is a widely spoken language and it is a great asset for anybody wanting to expand their knowledge of a culture and increase their opportunities to work internationally. Learners make rapid progress as it is a very phonetic language. By the end of Year 7 students will be able to converse in Spanish, talk about friends, places they visited; they will be able to ask questions about daily life and common topics. Year 8 brings more challenges; students learn to describe people and places, to ask questions and talk about topics with a more advance vocabulary. In Year 9 students will be able to arrange holidays and talk to people about themselves and what their passions are. By the end of KS3, as students prepare to start the IGCSE courses, they will have learned to talk about events in the past, present and future. Students will also learn about globalisation and about how important it is to be tolerant towards people from other countries. This subject is divided into groups with the topics and the pace of classes vary depending upon their language level. Students may also be given the opportunity to travel to Europe to enhance their language abilities.
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Spanish
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Co-Curricular Activities
What takes place in lessons in the classroom is important, and our students enjoy classes and are highly successful in them. To achieve success however, they need to do more than this, and we will encourage students to take part in co-curricular activities (CCA) to add to what they are doing in normal lessons. We offer a wide variety of activities from sport, drama, art to debating, gardening or chess. If students choose to take part in sport, it can be as part of NAS Lions teams, representing the school, or it can be just for fun in a range of different team and individual sports. The arts are well represented, including opportunities to: dance, paint, draw, learn digital photography, sing in the choir or play in the orchestra and various ensembles. If a more cerebral challenge excites, then students are able to improve in chess, develop languages further, join a Science club or take part in the Model United Nations or World Scholar’s Cup. The precise mix of activities varies from term to term and there is plenty of opportunity to broaden students minds and develop their skills. Clubs and activities will offer opportunities to take on new challenges, work with different people and develop confidence and self-esteem through what students achieve. Our CCA programme encourages independence, perseverance and commitment and students will benefit a great deal from the choices on offer.
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Co-Curricular Activities
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Resource Centre
The Resource Centre is central to the school, literally and metaphorically. We believe that students are best served through a combination of in-depth study and an ability to use rapid research tools. We value the combination of books and computer-based resources and ensure that our resource centre is a combination of a well-stocked library and an Internet hub. Students will need guidance in the use of all research tools and also in planning for their future. Our Librarian and University Counsellor are both situated within the resource centre giving students the best chance to move forward with their studies and into the world.
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Residentials
Some of the most exciting times students will have at NAS Dubai will not be at school at all. Visits to other parts of the UAE and other countries will give them opportunities to work in a completely different environment with different types of people. In each of the three years students spend in KS3 they will spend a week out of the classroom, facing challenges and the new experiences that each trip provides. Our residential trips will give students an opportunity to challenge themselves, but it will also allow students to learn a little more about themselves, friends and the local culture. If students like skiing, they will have the opportunity to head to the Swiss Alps. This trip is perfect for beginners to experts, as he chosen resort will cater for all levels. It is also a great opportunity for students to show off their French skills! Alongside the fun, residentials will give students an opportunity to take part in History, Georgraphy or Language trips. All the activities will support, enhance and extend everything we do at school. Another very popular trip is the visit to Tanzania. During their time away students work closely with the Huruma Orphanage and Maua Primary School, where they help to teach young children and also assist with renovations and maintenance of the building. This can be in the form of painting, building furniture or more challenging task such as laying tiles! If students would like to experience different cultures then there will be the opportunity to visit our sister schools through language exchanges. This is a great chance to immerse themselves in a different language, culture and environment!
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Global Classroom
The Global Classroom unites our students around the world. The programme enables students to discuss, innovate and learn from their peers as well as selected experts through a rich mix of online and face-toface activities to inspire and excite. Designed to develop confidence and ability as a learner, the Global Classroom complements and extends the curriculum. Students will develop skills and behaviours which prepare them to succeed at school and more importantly, in later life. The programme consists of: • An online learning space where they can lead their learning in a safe but exciting environment. Sections are tailored to Primary, Secondary and Post-16 students. They will join students around the world to create content, challenge each other and question invited experts in bespoke activities designed to develop creative and critical thinking. • An annual in-school challenge to develop collaboration and creative skills. In 2011, our students created murals which symbolised their school in the local community. In 2012, we held ‘Dance Unites’ in association with Pineapple Dance Studios. In 2013, students tackled global water problems in ‘The Water Challenge’, in partnership with Imperial College London and Practical Action.
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Global Classroom
• Students can participate in the opportunity of a lifetime. The annual face-to-face event brings together representatives from Nord Anglia Education schools around the world to learn and work together to make a difference. In 2012, students gathered to explore and debate world hunger and famine at a conference in London. In 2014 our students participated in an expedition to Tanzania where they renovated and taught at a local school and experienced African life and culture. The face-to-face event is a fantastic opportunity for them to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help them achieve highly at school and beyond. Our Global Classroom is really making a difference to our students: “I love the Global Classroom as I can express my opinions, share my ideas and learn about different views on society” “I think that Dance Unites was one of the best things I have done in my life” “The Global Classroom has helped me feel more confident in my lessons at school”
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Rewards
In the Secondary School, rewards are seen as a way of reinforcing healthy behaviour choices and encouraging positivity in how students approach all aspects of school life. Our teachers recognise that praise is the most effective form of reward and as part of their daily classroom practice, our teachers will praise students. Additionally, throughout the school a House Point System operates. Students are rewarded for academic achievement and improvement, contribution to co-curricular activities, positive behaviour, good citizenship and uniform. House Points are recorded in the Academic Passports and teachers award a House Point Certificate when students have received 25, 50, 100 and 250 Points. House Point Certificates are presented in regular Achievement Assemblies where students are encouraged to celebrate the success of peers. A further tier to our rewards practice is the ‘Principal’s Commendations’. These are awarded at the discretion of the Head of Secondary for outstanding performance or sustained improvement in any of the following areas; citizenship, behaviour and social graces, contribution to arts and music, sports or co-curricular activities, academic effort or excellence. Our teachers are reward-orientated in their educational philosophy. They seek imaginative ways to highlight achievement and help students feel positive about the learning process and daily experiences at NAS Dubai.
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Where Are We Going
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Where Are We Going
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