The British International School, Abu Dhabi follows the English National Curriculum and, from age 14, courses leading to theinternational GCSE, followed by the International Baccalaureate.
At BISAD our aim is systematically to develop competencies: not just knowledge and skills, but the capacity to deploy them to make decisions, solve problems and acquire new learning. We seek to support all students, at all levels of ability, through rigorous teaching, matched to individual needs through effective and continuous assessment.
The English National Curriculum provides an effective framework for continuity and progression in learning. It seeks to:
- Set out the most important knowledge and skills that every child has a right to learn.
- Be a flexible framework enabling children to be taught in a way that is balanced and manageable, but stretching enough to challenge them and meet their diverse needs.
- Give standards that measure how well children are doing to support teachers in further raising student achievement.
This leads naturally to the International Baccalaureate which:
“Aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."
We aim to serve all students, whatever their background or level of ability. Through assessment for learning we strive to find, for all our students, the key to engaging them in learning, and we regard the promotion of success for all as at the heart of our mission. At the same time, we are fully aware of the need to educate children within the local context. Arabic is an important feature of our curriculum.
Students are given opportunities to develop a broad and balanced range ofskills: in language, in the Humanities, in Science, Technology, including Information and Communications technology and Mathematics, in the aesthetic and creative domains of Music, Drama and Art, and in Physical Education. We aim to equip our students with the basics, but to go far beyond that: to help them understand the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations.
We place great importance on educating the ‘whole child’ at their individual level of ability and potential to ensure a happy learner and a successful individual. Personal, Social Health Education (PSHE) plays an important role in implementing this. PSHE is taught throughout all Key Stages (ages 5-18+) and covers a wide range of learning opportunities that reflect the needs of young people in their personal and social development. It aims to help them tackle many of the moral, social and cultural issues which are part of growing up.
Throughout our students' lives in school, our attentive class teachers and Learning Support department pay close attention to their individual needs for support and extension. At the higher end of the school, we offer careers guidance and assistance with applications to universities worldwide.
