Academics Overview

Active learning and individualised teaching are the cornerstones of the Repton Al Barsha curriculum delivery. At Repton Al Barsha, we are preparing pupils not only to pass examinations but also for an enriched and productive adult life. Our curriculum is rigorous but this co-exists with sensitivity to the individual needs of our pupils, who are challenged but not overwhelmed.

The Repton Al Barsha curriculum is broad and balanced, retaining emphasis on reading, English, mathematics and science. Teaching is focused and subjects are delivered by exceptional teachers who have high expectations of their pupils. Parents can expect to see and follow their child’s work in books where neatness, good handwriting and accuracy are expected, as well as on digital platforms. Our teachers create a vibrant, stimulating environment, using modern methods and teaching philosophies, where appropriate.

Our curriculum, which follows the UK National Curriculum for England, is enhanced with elements of the ISEB curriculum and is designed to meet the rigorous standards expected for 11+ and Common Entrance examinations. Where necessary, extra support in preparing for these examinations will be given. Repton Al Barsha promotes inclusivity of both SEND and MAG&T pupils through the Repton Achievement Base (RAB).

Early Years

The Foundation Department at Repton Al Barsha aims to develop a child’s love of learning by delivering a broad and exciting curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Through this, the children will develop a love of learning by engagement in play-based learning opportunities.

It is important to remember that children develop quickly in the early years and are able to meet and enjoy the challenges that are put before them. Through natural inquisitiveness and imagination, children soon develop ideas that inspire them and encourage intellectual, physical and emotional development.

Lower School (Years 1 and 2)

Nurturing this inquisitiveness is essential to ensure a child continues confidently in their educational development. In the Lower School we ensure this happens through a carefully planned and implemented transition process all undertaken in conjunction with the Foundation School.

We understand the importance of creating an environment in which children will continue confidently to build their individual character and self-esteem. Although putting great emphasis on the core subjects of English and Mathematics, in our experience, teaching a broad and exciting curriculum ensures that the children will not only learn facts and figures but also begin to answer independently and ask more challenging questions. With a positive attitude and frame of mind, thinking outside of the children’s natural comfort zone becomes second nature. This enables a positive learning environment to pervade throughout the school.

Within the Lower School our rounded curriculum includes the provision of extra opportunities for sports, music and art beyond what is offered in the school timetable. Our activities programme aims to give children the opportunity to further develop their abilities, or even try new areas of interest. Starting in the Lower School, our specialist sports teachers begin to provide teaching for more competitive sports squads preparing the children for competition.

Middle School (Years 3 – 5)

Much is made of the needs of the 21st century learner and it is incumbent on every good school to prepare its pupils well for the world in which they will work. However, children will always need a thorough understanding and a good grasp of the basics. Nothing the future holds will replace the need for our children to be able to communicate, read and calculate and our traditional approach to these vital elements underpins our curriculum.

In Years 3 and 4, teaching is still predominantly given by the form teacher with specialists for Art, Music, Arabic, French and P.E. The Heads of Year 3 and 4 work closely with all class teachers to oversee the academic and pastoral well being of all children in those years. Year 5 children are introduced to pure specialist teaching.

Upper School (Years 6 – 13)

The Upper School operates within a strong form system with their form tutor at the heart of their pastoral care. At Repton Al Barsha value is placed on an education which takes the best from traditional and modern methods. Classes are taught in an ordered environment with structured lessons designed to stretch and challenge every child. A variety of teaching methods are used to ensure that every type of learner performs to his/her best ability.

We believe that high expectations are the key to high achievement. The curriculum is broad and, although we take the New National Curriculum as our base, we exceed this in many ways to ensure children are prepared for 11+, 13+ and other entrance examinations.

Science is taught to every senior school student at Repton Al Barsha by specialist teachers in modern teaching laboratories.

Throughout years 7, 8 and 9, the attitudes and skills developed are used to build a platform of knowledge and understanding, based on key scientific concepts. Practical experiments and investigative skills are used to encourage to develop their own understanding of the world around them and of the relevance of science in their everyday lives.

At GSCE Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be taught separately by specialist teaching staff. The course is well designed, practical and has a strong theoretical foundation. It is interesting as well as inspiring, within a modern specification.

The English curriculum has been developed from both the English UK National Curriculum and ISEB syllabus. Each term there is a focus the learning around a set novel or Shakespearean play which influences and provides context to the comprehension, grammar and writing sessions that take place throughout the week. Through this, students are able to practise, apply and transfer the skills they have readily learnt in order to access a range of tasks. Within each academic year, students in the Senior School will enhance their understanding of how to analyse language, form and structure and continually develop their crafting of essay style responses, which will demonstrate in depth analysis. The development of these skills will lead our students into their iGCSE curriculum that incorporates both English Language and English Literature components. The skills they develop within English will also be transferable to other literacy based subjects, such as Humanities, and can enhance students ability to write in depth and analytical essays.

The Secondary Mathematics curriculum at Repton Al Barsha is a continuation of study from the Key Stage 2 UK National Curriculum and is based on the National Curriculum Framework for Key Stage 3 and the International 9-1 GCSE specification, enhanced by the ISEB curriculum up to 13+. We have a four year program of study comprising of a two year Key Stage 3 and a two year Key Stage 4, with the GCSE content mapped directly onto the Key Stage 3 curriculum from Year 7, providing both horizontal breadth and vertical depth in learning

The curriculum content is arranged sequentially into 10 thematic key objectives which pupils will study each year, each objective exploring and expanding on from the 6 broad strands of Number, Ratio and Proportion, Algebra, Graphs, Geometry, and Statistics. The content has been sequenced and arranged coherently, interleaving with different areas of Mathematics, increasing in challenge and rigor. The content of the curriculum has also been clearly defined into the three key skills of fluency, Mathematical reasoning and problem solving pupils would have developed from Key Stage 2. In addition, we have introduced a scholarship standard for each key objective theme to further stretch and challenge our More Able Learners.

Learning at Repton Al Barsha is situated within the framework of knowledge and understanding, focusing on developing pupils conceptual understanding. This helps pupils develop a strong grasp of the key concepts and techniques required in Mathematics to apply their knowledge to functional contexts.

Our students will have the aptitude and skills to deal with challenging and unfamiliar problems, construct logical arguments and manipulate precise and intricate concepts using mathematical language. They will be prepared through a plethora of learning opportunities both within and outside of school to maximize their numeracy and mathematical skills, to make a difference in all walks of life.

At Repton Al Barsha we believe learning in Art enhances all areas of the self from personal and social development, problem solving and creative thinking skills to our students' understanding of the world around us.

Autonomy and personal expression are key to our approach to art education, with the students being free to choose which direction to take their art studies in. The art studio is a safe haven for experimentation and expression. Our senior school students are given free rein to explore and select their own tools and materials. However, this approach is embedded in a firm background knowledge of the formal elements of art, artistic technique and in art history.

Repton Al Barsha boasts two purpose-built art studios and a dedicated gallery space.

Whether preparing our students for application to art college to pursue a career in art, or purely as a means to support the growth and development of our blossoming young adults, Art is an integral part of life at Repton Al Barsha.

Senior School music at Repton Al Barsha sees Key Stage 3 students following schemes of work designed to encourage progressive skill development and to challenge all abilities. All schemes incorporate elements of listening, performing and composing, the three main areas of music. Along with instrumental work, digital skills are also encouraged through the use of composition software and apps. Students are encouraged to employ their critical thinking skills and plan for self-improvement through evaluative target setting. Many students learn instruments and they are encouraged to bring these to class.

For students keen to continue their musical studies at Key Stage 4 we offer a GCSE music programme, where they are able to gain a broader knowledge and understanding of a range of musical genres and further develop their performance and composition skills.

Regular performance opportunities are provided at events such as Musical productions, the annual House Shout and our Café Concert recital series as well as external events such as ChoirFest Middle East. In addition, a range of instrumental and choral activities are offered as part of our ASA and ECA programmes.

Sport and PE is not merely a health strategy; it is an education strategy allowing our students to grow, learn and develop personally and academically. Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 sport will provide various pathways to allow our pupils to develop their critical thinking skills and transform their prior knowledge to support them on a path to become the next generation of skilled learners and workers.

Physical Education has never been more relevant in our ever-evolving world of fitness, sporting business and sports science. Our dedicated staff and excellent facilities will provide pupils with an energising and stimulating curriculum which will include a variety of new and engaging sports in which to maximise their understanding and knowledge of the subject. This includes academic pathways such as GCSE PE, which incorporates a variety of practical and theoretical elements.

With three hours of curriculum sport per week, an extensive fixtures schedule and a choice of 20 different sports within our ASA and ECA program, students will be kept healthy and active.

The Arabic curriculum has been developed from both UAE national documents and KHDA criteria. We link our curriculum to real life in order to be able to apply the learning outside the learning environment.

In senior school, all students study Arabic for 160 minutes per week. Each half term emerges a new topic focus, working on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. During this time, students are exposed to a number of relevant grammatical lessons to ensure an in-depth understanding of the Arabic language and its rules.

In each topic we build-up the 4 skills starting from keywords to larger paragraphs, this allows our pupils to ease seamlessly into the Key Stage 4 curriculum, where students will work towards an iGCSE in Arabic, embedding and enhancing the skills learned lower down the school.

Islamic Education Programme of Study in Repton Al Barsha follows the UAE National Document and is based on the KHDA criteria, the Ministry of Education and subscribed books and curriculum.

All Muslim pupils are attending Islamic Education classes study and learn based on the following Islamic Curriculum Six Standers:

Divine Revelation.
Islamic Beliefs.
Islamic Ruling and Aims
Islamic values and Manners
Prophet Biography and Islamic Personalities
Identity and Contemporary World issues

In Foremarke we have developed a strong belief that as Happiness, Peace and Love are essential values of Islamic Culture; we enjoy by doing our best in Islamic Education to instill all that positive values in the little minds as well young learners to help them in becoming more balanced and effective members of the community.

Pre-prepared Islamic Education national crucial based syllabus encourages students to develop lifelong skills and knowledge across all different levels of the Islamic Education learner in the school.

Social Studies is a Ministry of Education prescribed subject that runs throughout the full school. From Year 7, students are delivered an intensive look at a range of areas including, history, geography, civics, sociology, and economics. The Social Studies courses look at the world around us and as well as, the history and impact of the United Arab Emirates. Social Studies encourages students to be inquisitive, thoughtful, empathetic and innovative. The courses follow a prescribed set of outcomes, and allows for use of ICT and encourages student led discussion and input. Each year group will be encouraged to produce termly projects as part of the assessment. There will also be Ministry of Education Examinations each term, which will assess the content learned from each of the topics taught in each year group.

Moral Education is a Ministry of Education prescribed subject that runs throughout the full school. The purpose of the subject is to help young people in the ‘UAE access universal principles and values, that reflect the shared experiences of humanity.’

Content in Moral Education focuses on 4 key themes.

Character and Morality
Individual and Community
Civic Studies
Cultural Studies

By studying each of these themes’ students are opened up to a curriculum which encourages them to build on their own learning and experiences throughout Year 1 – Year 12. Students also develop a deeper understanding of their place in society in the UAE and the wider world.

There is no formal assessment for Moral Education, but students are encouraged to keep a portfolio of work as they progress from Y7-12.

All students at Repton Al Barsha are offered an outstanding education in Humanities. Humanities is divided into History and Geography. At Key Stage 3, both subjects are delivered in half termly blocks to allow for a more detailed and specialised curriculum to be delivered. This allows for students to hone their research, critical thinking, literacy and analysis skills. Both subjects are inclusive of the English National Curriculum with ISEB enhancement. Students are also prepared in Key Stage 3 for GCSE with skills embedded into both subjects. At Key Stage 4, students will be able to choose from the Humanities subjects on offer. The courses in Key Stage 4 will follow the iGCSE curriculum for each.

The study of Humanities encourages students to be analytical, innovative and communicative. There are a number of cross-curricular links with other subjects, therefore the study of humanities can also enhance the English and Science curriculums.

Repton Al Barsha students have access to an engaging and challenging French Curriculum which aims for excellent pronunciation and a high level of confidence with French phonics. All students up to Year 6 study French for one hour per week and at Key Stage 3, this increases to two hours. Each half term will see a new topic focus, working on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. During this time, students are exposed to a number of relevant grammatical lessons to ensure an in-depth understanding of the French language and its rules. Pupils will also receive one weekly piece of written or comprehension homework from Year 5 onwards, and will have vocabulary lists corresponding to each topic as they move through the school. This allows our pupils to ease seamlessly into the Key Stage 4 curriculum, where students will work towards an iGCSE in French, embedding and enhancing the skills learned lower down the school.

Here at Repton Al Barsha, we recognise that we are in a world where every day we are surrounded with Code and technology.

Our children follow instructional code from an early age – making a sandwich, brushing their teeth, making patterns.

Digital skills are in demand everywhere and are required in at least 82% of online advertised openings across the UK!

We feel it is our duty to prepare our pupils for jobs the jobs of the future. Teaching the skills of ICT will prepare them to succeed as citizens in a global society in which information is growing at an incredible rate. We are fortunate to have individual iPads for each child from Year 1 to 8 and the children are provided with opportunities to use technology to support and enhance their learning and work.