The Oxford School is based on the English National Curriculum (adapted to local
requirements). It is an English curriculum
but incorporates an international framework, allowing students to move easily into the American or other educational system for future studies. This flexibility also
allows us to easily incorporate global best practices in regards to educational
development. The curriculum is delivered through
the medium of English - leading to the worldwide recognized qualifications of IGCSE
and AS/A2 (A levels). We also provide statutory courses in Arabic and Islamic studies
according to UAE requirements.
The School is an accredited Cambridge International Examination Centre and prepares
students for the Cambridge IGCSE's and AS/A2 (A levels). Students up to Grade Eight
follow a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes all major subjects, plus
extra-curricular activities and sports. In Grade 9 students select subjects to study
at IGCSE level. The Board Examinations are taken at the end of Grade 10. In Grade
11 and 12 students who have achieved good grades in the IGCSE examinations may continue
to study for the GCE 'AS' and 'A2' qualifications to gain British 'A' levels.
In addition, students follow courses in Computer Studies and Information Technology
leading to the Cambridge ICT Skills Starters and the ICT Skills Career Awards which
start from Grade 3 onwards.
The curriculum provides well
researched and proven guidelines for classroom teaching and student learning known as schemes of work. Established
learning goals allow for the effective assessment of a child's progress at various
stages. This gives teachers the opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses
and monitor and assess
the progression of students.
The Oxford School uses a wide selection of educational books and materials from
the United Kingdom to meet the needs of children of varying abilities and from different
cultures. Class size is usually about twenty-five students.
It also offers a selection of
optional languages, which include French and Urdu. Arabic is studied by all students
who either follow the UAE Ministry syllabus for Arabs or Non-Arabs as appropriate.
Educating the whole child:
In planning the curriculum and putting it into practice, we aim to ensure that excellence
is pursued and valued, that lessons are challenging and have pace and direction,
and that the way children are taught, for example, individually, in groups or as
part of a whole class, matches their individual needs.
Certain experience and knowledge, and the skills they promote are essential throughout
each stage of education because they are vital to the all round personal development
of every child, and they form the foundation to future learning.
As the students move to the upper classes, the day becomes more structured. The
full range of National Curriculum subjects is taught and greater specialization
is introduced. Programs are carefully monitored through assessment and examination
and as we identify individual strengths, each student is motivated to build on them
and is encouraged to achieve his/her full potential.
Ongoing assessments take place in each year group, and at certain times of the year
there are formal assessments.
Oxfordians are encouraged to pursue their individual interests and enthusiasm, to
discover unsuspected areas of excellence and to enjoy the experience! In addition
to their academic achievements, it is our aim that they should leave us equipped
with the skills that will enable them to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Literacy Skills & Numeracy Skills:
The school follows the 'Ginn' Reading Skills programme. Every week two periods are
set aside for enhancing Literacy Skills. Every child reads at his/her own pace of
the Reader Level and then completes the corresponding Workbook and Reading Skills
book. A good reader may finish up to 3 Levels in a year.
Numeracy skills are incorporated into the curriculum. Mathematics is not just a
subject that needs to be solved on paper. The problems are application based to
help improve logical and analytical skills of students.