Dubai Heights Academy Secondary endeavours to provide a curriculum that meets the needs of all of our students and follows the National Curriculum of England as the basis of our curriculum. This has been tailored to comply with local requirements and supplemented with Arabic language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education and Social Studies. In addition, Dubai Heights Academy has partnered with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to develop and deliver a bespoke AI (artificial intelligence) project-based programme to further enrich our broad and balanced curriculum. With a range of student nationalities, our teachers are able to leverage opportunities to adjust the curriculum to include topics, concepts and themes that encompass the cultural diversity of all its students.
We believe that every student deserves the best possible education, regardless of background and ability, and we work in partnership with our community and with determination to ensure that we unlock their potential. Our aim is to prepare our students to realise their aspirational goals both academically and personally through our supportive approach, which enables our students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be responsible, considerate, tolerant and well- rounded individuals suited to the demands of our ever-changing multicultural society.
Our curriculum is designed to be balanced and rigorous, in order to maximise students’ knowledge as well as their cognitive and personal development. We want the students to explore and to experience a variety of subject areas that encourage innovation, critical thinking, the ability to communicate ideas effectively and to enable them to develop as citizens and engage successfully in the world beyond school. We are committed to supporting and developing the whole child, whether they choose a traditional academic route or a more personalised bespoke curriculum, through our proactive pastoral support, strong home-school partnerships and highly trained staff.
Secondary - Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9)
The Key Stage 3 curriculum consists of:
- Core Subjects: English, Mathematics and Science
- Ministry of Education Subjects: Arabic, Islamic Studies, Social Studies, Moral Education
- Other Subjects: Art, Computing, D&T, French, Geography, History, Music/Performing Arts, PE
The timetable consists of 30 x 50-minute lessons per week and the Key Stage 3 curriculum builds upon the experiences the students have had in their primary schools and encourages independent learning.
Secondary - Key Stage 4 (Year 10)
Building on skills acquired in Key Stage 3, students in Key Stage 4 will continue to follow the National Curriculum for England in Year 10 and Year 11. It is at this age, however, that students take a more independent approach to their learning and for the first time in their academic career students have some choice in what they will be studying at school in addition to English, Maths, Science and Arabic. Our broad and balanced curriculum for students will provide them with internationally recognised qualifications and skills, enabling them to progress into further education, training or employment.
The qualifications that we plan to offer at Key Stage 4 include GCSEs, IGCSEs, ASDAN and BTECs though Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International examination boards.
These qualifications play an important role in a student’s academic pathway. Whether they continue to progress onto Key Stage 5 at school or enter vocational training and the workplace, the grades a student obtains at the end of Year 11 remain with them for life. Our aim is to ensure that all students progress towards their ambitions, achieving their full potential in all subjects and selecting pathways best suited to their individual skill set and ability.
