Academics | Curriculum information for Al Hamra campus

Academics

An overview of the Academic Curriculum at Al Hamra

KEY STAGE SYSTEM OVERVIEW

FOUNDATION

STAGES 1 AND 2

Our youngest students follow the English Early Years Foundation Stage programme. Staff provide rich learning experiences and warm caring relationships to ensure every child’s unique characteristics and interests are recognised and built upon to develop resilient, resourceful, capable and confident learners.

The Foundation Stage is an exciting time for our children, their families and our staff, as the children lay down the foundations for their future success.

PRIMARY

Year 1 to Year 6

Years 1 - 6  follow the English National curriculum, which is adapted and greatly enriched to reflect our local and International context:

KEY STAGE 1

Within Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2), children build on the learning from the Foundation Stage, with a rich variety of personalised learning experiences in their classrooms, the outdoor classroom and shared spaces. The children are encouraged to continue exploring, developing curiosity and working independently and in pairs, small groups and whole class settings.

Physical development, social and emotional development remain key focuses, alongside learning in literacy, mathematics, science, history, geography, design technology and arts along with computing skills. The levels of self-regulation, independence and intrinsic motivation are key features of learning at this stage.

KEY STAGE 2

In Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) students enjoy a rich programme of English, mathematics, and follow 4-6 units of work each year that facilitate the learning of important knowledge, skills and conceptual understanding. These units integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) as well as the humanities (interculturalism, history and geography). The units are rich, engaging and relevant in developing competencies such as curiosity, critical thinking, evaluation, reflection, teamwork and collaboration. All units are underpinned by the English National Curriculum Standards.

Children in Years 5 and 6 also enjoy a carousel of World Languages (currently French and Spanish, as well as Arabic). In Year 6 students decide which language they will pursue in Secondary School (Year 7 onwards).

SENIOR

Years 7 to Year 13

YEAR 7

Students in the Secondary School (Years 7-13) move through Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. In Key Stage 3 more subject specialists are introduced to ensure the depth of subject knowledge is developed to support them in their future endeavours. With learning across a broad range of subject areas, often through an integrated unit of study, they learn key knowledge and skills in the areas of English, maths, science, humanities, visual and performing arts, computing, technology and world languages.

Physical education remains a key component of the curriculum. The well-being of our students is critical to their success, both in terms of their study as well as in their day-to-day lives. As such, Well-being lessons are conducted weekly by well-trained staff who are committed to giving our students the tools they need to support themselves and those around them.

YEAR 10 AND YEAR 11

Students in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11),  students will have the opportunity to pursue a range of qualifications including General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Business and Technology Education Council (BTECs) or a combination of the two awards.

YEAR 12 AND YEAR 13

Similarly, in Key Stage 5 (Year 12-13) students may follow a traditional Advanced Level (A-Level) route, or BTECs and again, it will be possible for students to take a combination of the two. With the close proximity of the Al Waha campus students may undertake studies of  a combination of the two.