Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England. However we aim to deliver significantly more than this baseline as we prepare our students to be responsible global citizens of the future. To be such citizens they need to conceptualise, problem solve, empathise and lead – as well as have an understanding of the challenges confronting the modern world. Most important of all they need to understand the importance of having time to breathe, explore and relax. To achieve this we have taken the core of the English National Curriculum and combined it with elements of the IB, RSA and other national education systems – including the ‘National Agenda’ of the UAE.
Our goal is to educate, engage and enthuse our students so that they become well rounded, successful, confident, reflective and responsible individuals ready to take their place in society.
Technology
Computer literacy is a key aspect of 21st century education, work and life. Indeed it is an important component of our JAS Profile (i.e. the skills set of a JAS student). The use of learning technology in the classroom will be treated as a natural and obvious tool, but it will not dominate and nor will it replace a whole range of skill sets (including social interaction) which is equally important in the modern world.
It is a requirement that our secondary students are equipped with an Acer Chromebook S11 4G 32GB DC with stylus. We are taking a phased approach to this introduction with the roll-out time lines as follows:
| Current Year Group (2018-19) | Date from which Chromebook required |
|---|---|
| Year 9 | January 2019 |
| Year 8 | September 2019 |
| Year 7 | January 2020 |
| Year 6 | September 2019 |
These devices may be purchased through the school at a very competitive price or indeed parents are at liberty to purchase the chromebook independently from the school. A management license of approximately AED116 is required to allow students to access the school system. More information about the school purchase scheme will be sent to you in April.
Learning and Progress
We encourage students to take academic risks: to experiment, explore, investigate and test theories. Supportive risk taking builds confidence, curiosity and resilience. We as teachers also try to think outside the box and to model the exploration, investigation and testing we are asking of the students. By inspiring and engaging we aim to embed intellectual curiosity and a lifelong commitment to learning. Only then have we succeeded in creating our responsible global citizen.
Learning is carried out in an atmosphere of trust and respect. Students and teachers together discuss progress and explore different options to overcome the inevitable challenges. Although these discussions are the core drivers of progress parents are always kept informed through consultations, individual discussions and formal reporting.
Pastoral
The development of well-being, resilience and social skills is as, if not more, important than the development of purely academic knowledge. The social and emotional needs of our students are addressed across the curriculum as well as through our mentoring sessions when Personal, Social and Health education is provided.
The transition from Y6 to Y7 is carefully and sensitively handled and the same process is repeated when students join any part of the Secondary School during the academic year.
Pastoral care is a vital component that exists in all aspects of the Jebel Ali School experience. Knowing, supporting and caring for our students from Y7 to Y13 is as important as our learning and teaching. Every teacher, parent and student is expected to play a significant role in this aspect of the Jebel Ali School community.