SECONDARY GUIDE ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027
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WELCOME
OLIVER LEWIS Head of Secondary School olewis@amityabudhabi.ae On behalf of the Secondary Team, here at Amity International School we welcome you to the Secondary School. To those who are already members of the Amity family and to those who are new, we extend a warm welcome as we journey together through this important time in your life. Amity students are confident, happy, and enthusiastic; their joy in life and their spirit of curiosity makes education here a real pleasure. Here at Amity International School you will find an environment where you can effectively plan and prepare for the future. The combination of an excellent global curriculum underpinned by our values of Celebrating Diversity, Inspiring Excellence, Growing Together,
2026-2027
and Creating Collaboration is central to all students becoming independent confident individuals who strive to achieve their best. Inspirational teaching and a deep commitment to pastoral care means that you can grow in confidence and understanding, your individual talents and creativity can flourish. We want you to be passionate about your learning such that it broadens horizons and inspires a sense of wonder about the world around us. Our goal is to equip you with the skills and confidence you need to work well and to prepare you for higher education, careers, and future. Our rich and exciting curriculum with extensive extracurricular opportunities has been designed to develop knowledgeable, articulate young people who have the character to impress, thrive and make a difference in the future. The curriculum places a high emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and creativity across all areas of study, and values hard work, kindness, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Amity International School is a rich and diverse community, and we are extremely lucky to be in such a beautiful setting. We celebrate our diversity and welcome further opportunities to learn from each other. Our partnership with you and parents is a strength of the school and we continue to welcome feedback, support, and involvement. Please do not hesitate to come and visit us and see where the magic of learning takes place. 2
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SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
2026-2027
OLIVER LEWIS Head of Secondary School olewis@amityabudhabi.ae
SAMIRA ROKADIA Assistant Head of Secondary School
Before the start of Term 1, you will be given your child's teacher name and email address to contact them with any concerns or queries. The teacher is the first point of contact. 3
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AIMS AND ETHOS
2026-2027
We strive to produce well-educated, tolerant and intellectually curious individuals who are ready to take a full, active and positive role in the life of their local, national and international community. Our aim is for every child to reach their full potential and have the opportunity to excel in a range of subjects. We strive to ensure that every child is challenged and we pride ourselves on delivering an excellent education. We fundamentally believe that children can only excel and achieve when they are happy. Pastoral care is the cornerstone of our provision and we strive to ensure every child feels safe, happy and secure in our community. We work with the children daily and monitor their academic, social and emotional wellbeing. To prepare students for an ever-changing, fast-paced world, we encourage growth in all aspects of their lives. That is why we provide an all-round education that allows students to develop intellectually, academically and socially, both inside and outside of the classroom. 4
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TIMINGS OF THE DAY MONDAY - THURSDAY
TIMING
Registration
7:40 am
Lesson 1
7:50 - 8:30 am
Lesson 2
8:30 - 9:10 am
Lesson 3
9:10 - 9:50 am
Break
9:50 - 10:10 am
Lesson 4
10:10 - 10:50 am
Lesson 5
10:50 - 11:30 am
Lesson 6
11:30 am - 12:10 pm
Lesson 7
12:10 - 12:50 pm
Lunch
12:50 - 1:40 pm
Lesson 8
1:40 - 2:20 pm
Lesson 9
2:20 - 3:00 pm
CCA
3:15 - 4:15 pm
2026-2027
FRIDAY Registration
7:40 am
Lesson 1
7:50 - 8:30 am
Lesson 2
8:30 - 9:10 am
Lesson 3
9:10 - 9:50 am
Break
9:50 - 10:10 am
Lesson 4
10:10 - 10:50 am
Lesson 5
10:50 - 11:30 am
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WELLBEING
2026-2027
The well-being and happiness of all our pupils is our main priority and lies at the heart of all we do. We know that to achieve and flourish, every pupil needs to feel respected, valued and able to celebrate their uniqueness and individuality. We recognise how important mental health and emotional well-being are to our lives, in just the same way as physical health, and the impact of well-being upon learning and achievement. We believe passionately in creating an environment that is caring, safe and, above all, kind, and that well-being is equally as important as academic success. One cannot be achieved without the other We promote positive mental health and well- being that aims to help children become more resilient, happy and successful and to prevent problems before they arise. The school approach encompasses several aspects in creating an open, positive and supportive environment for all Students: • Strong pastoral systems • Positive relationships • Personal, Social, Emotional, Moral & Health Education/Mindfulness • Promoting Physical Health and Extra Curricular activities • Promoting resilience • Early identification of students who have well-being or mental health needs • Supporting and training staff • Counselling support is available if required Our School Counsellors work with the Pastoral Team to implement well-being initiatives to effectively address any concerns. Our Counsellors are available to see pupils and parents to provide support, guidance and advice on further external support.
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THE HOUSE SYSTEM
2026-2027
Before starting at Amity International Upper Primary School, all students are allocated to one of the four houses : Hosn, Jahili, Mezyad and Murabba. The main purpose of the house system is to develop a sense of identity and belonging and to celebrate our achievements. It allows students, and staff, to feel more connected and involved with the community around them. The House System facilitates discussions between the most junior and most senior of school, fostering a friendly competitive spirit along the way. At the end of the year, the overall winning House is celebrated in our end of year Prize Giving Ceremony.
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2026-2027
SECONDARY CURRICULUM YEAR 7 - YEAR 9
Moving into Secondary School is an exciting time. There is much that is new, or at least different. Learning to adapt to change is a key component in this experience and an invaluable lesson for life.
It is commonly understood that we are educating students for careers that have yet to be invented. This requires our curriculum to be flexible and to focus on the higher-order skills of analysis and evaluation. We, therefore, focus on equipping our students with key skills that will enable them to problem solve, dare to create and innovate as they move towards adult life. Our aim is to enable students to think for themselves, to develop resilience, skills and attitudes to be lifelong learners, able to thrive and embrace the challenges that lie ahead. The teaching and learning that takes place in Years 7, 8 and 9 lays the foundations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE or IGCSE) courses in Years 10 and 11 and then 'A' Levels in Years 12 and 13. Public examination courses may appear to be distant but the skills, work habits and increasing independence and initiative required of Senior School students are established during Year 7 and enhanced thereafter forming crucial preparation for the next phase in their education.
AVAILABLE SUBJECTS • Arabic • Art • AI • Computing • Drama • Design & Technology • English • French • Geography • Global Perspective • Global Citizenship • History • Islamic Studies • Mathematics • Moral Education
• Music • PE • Personal Finance • PSHCME • Sailing • Science: Physics Chemistry Biology • Social Studies • Spanish • Sports Leadership • Swimming
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2026-2027
SECONDARY CURRICULUM Year 10 - 11 (GCSE/IGCSE) COMPULSORY SUBJECTS The following subjects, required to maintain a breadth of study, are a compulsory part of the core curriculum studied by all I/GCSE students at Amity International School Abu Dhabi: • Mathematics (IGCSE) • English Language (IGCSE) • English Literature (IGCSE) • Sciences - a combination of Biology, Physics and Chemistry • Arabic (GCSE) - all students will take the Ministry of Education Arabic course and we encourage students to take the full GCSE course • Social Studies (until end of Year 10) • Moral Education • Physical Education • Islamic Studies (compulsory for Muslim students only)
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS • Art • Business Studies • Computer Science ** • Design Technology ** • Drama* • Economics • Fashion & Textiles** • Geography • Travel and Tourism
• History • ICT** • Music* • Physical Education* • Psychology • Spanish • German • French
* Subjects that do not count towards equivalency. ** Only one of these subjects can be chosen. 9
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2026-2027
SECONDARY CURRICULUM Year 12 - 13 (GCSE/IGCSE) COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
Advanced Level (A Levels) is a subject-based qualification from the United Kingdom. It is a two-year, linear course with examinations at the end. A level exams are the standard entry qualification for undergraduate programmes by universities worldwide. Studies are now specialised and in much more depth than at (I)GCSE. Entrance to University depends upon attaining good grades at A level together with results already achieved at (I)GCSE. At this stage, pupils are required to study a minimum of three A-Levels. The majority of examinations are taken at the end of Year 13. Exceptionally able pupils who wish to take four A-Levels will have their requests considered on an individual basis. They will have to meet a higher-entry requirement and demonstrate a particular talent in one or more subject areas as well as the potential to cope with the additional workload. Students need to think carefully about their subject choices and be certain about the nature of the subjects they intend to take and the expectations that will be placed upon them. It is a two-year course; for linear courses the examinations will be taken at the end. For modular courses, the examinations will take place across the two years.
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS Applied Science (BTEC) Biology Business Studies (BTEC) Chemistry Computer Science Creative Media (BTEC) Design Technology Drama and Theatre Economics English Language English Literature
Fine Art French Geography History ICT (BTEC) Mathematics Music Physical Education Physics Psychology Spanish
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CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
2026-2027
Students have access to a wide range of activities which allow them to challenge themselves creatively, physically and academically. We are proud of the state-of-the-art facilities that we are able to offer to students, such as 540-seat auditorium, 400m athletics track, boathouse, Olympic-size swimming pool, learner pool, dance studio, art rooms, IT suites, and more.
Martin Eldridge Director of Sport & Co-Curricular Activities
These incredible facilities, coupled with our teacher’s knowledge and enthusiasm, provide the perfect setting for the outstanding development of our young actors, artists, athletes, dancers, musicians, sailors, swimmers, along with various other specialisms and areas of interest. Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) take place during or after school. Students enjoy a variety of activities, trips, visits and events, designed to enhance their cognitive, physical, emotional and social development skills, as well as enrich their lives whilst studying at Amity. A wide variety of activities are available to the students to ensure they explore multiple interests and learn valuable skills that reach beyond the curriculum. Clubs and societies run by our teachers are free of cost. Programmes run by external providers are paid. Students register for activities at the beginning of every term. 11
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TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING (T4L)
2026-2027
In Secondary, the Technology for Learning Program begins from Year 7. Here is some guidance on which device to purchase. Students are expected to bring their laptops to school, fully charged each day. It is essential that students have a laptop rather than a tablet or iPad because a laptop is a more versatile tool that can do many more things than a tablet. Important factors to consider when buying a laptop: Weight, Durability, Susceptibility to viruses, After-sales support, Ease of use, Ease of installation of software, Battery life.
LAPTOP SPECIFICATION Processor: 2GHz dual-core or 1.4GHz Quad-core Operating System: Windows 10 Memory: Min. 8GB RAM (8GB recommended) Hard Drive: 500GB standard HDD or 256GB SSD Wifi Bluetooth, ports: optional Dimensions: 11–15 inch screen Battery life: please check. We recommend at least 6 hours to last through the school day. Touch screen: optional (not required)
OPTIONS TO CONSIDER T4L enhances the learning experience of pupils and gives them a chance to take control of their own learning and participate in lesson activities with the aid of technology. In Secondary, we use windows based devices. Windows devices are more compatible with wider range of software and applications available to enhance learning experiences. Hence, pupils in secondary are required to bring windows laptops. This will be applicable to: All Year 6 pupils who will be joining Year 7 for the academic year 2025-2026 New students joining the secondary school for the academic year 2025-2026 — in terms of brands and specifications, you may choose any make of Windows laptop meeting the minimum configuration requirements above. Check more about this topic: https://www.amitybudhabi.com/admissions/it-requirements
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2026-2027
DEVICE AND PURCHASE GUIDE RECOMMENDATIONS
We highly recommend that you purchase antivirus software and/or Internet Security, which will include anti-malware and other security features (e.g. AVAST or Totalav — please remember to set up scheduled scans once installed). Teach your children how to shut down their laptop correctly. They should do this once or twice a week. This ensures the device stays up to date. Encourage children not to keep their laptops together with their drink bottles. Consider the accessories — such as carry case, laptop bag and/or cover. Purchase a mouse with the laptop and also a set of robust headphones as students are often working with sound and multimedia projects. Visit the various retailers, talk to them about their recommendations, choose 3 possible laptops and then look up the reviews on the Internet before making your final decision. Choose a retailer that has a good after-sales service. Sometimes it is worth paying a little bit more for an extended warranty. Amity provides free access to Microsoft Office to all children, and each student will be given a log on to Microsoft 365 at www.office.com. Please feel free to email the school with any questions, we are happy to guide you in the purchase of your child's device. All children must sign the Acceptable Use Agreement prior to the device being allowed on the network. We have secure Wi-Fi coverage throughout the school.
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EQUIPMENTS AND CALCULATORS
2026-2027
EQUIPMENTS
Students should carry a school bag with: Pens (at least one plus one spare) Pencils Coloured pencils Pencil sharpener Ruler Reading book Rubber T4L Device
CALCULATOR Scientific calculator (preferably a CASIO fx-82 ES). The number can vary a little, but the ES is important. Avoid any with 'MS' or that are the colour silver — use the dark blue ones. This can then last them from Year 7 to Year 11. All equipment should be labelled clearly with the pupil's name. Students must also ensure they bring to school any books or equipment that may be required for any particular day: PE kit, musical instrument, project materials etc.
Allowed in examination
Not allowed in examination: CALC or SOLVE functions are not allowed 14
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UNIFORM
2026-2027
GIRLS Hair: should be off the face and must be tied back, especially for lessons such as PE, DT and Science. Hair ties/bands/clips should be non-distracting with no unnecessary adornments. Hair must be of a natural colour. Distracting or ostentatious styles and "two-tone" effects are not permitted. Shoes: must be all black, polishable and of a sturdy and sensible nature — trainerstyle shoes are not acceptable. Logos are not allowed. Socks: must be all white or all black — trainer socks are not permitted except for PE. Makeup: should be kept to a natural look. Colour nail varnish is not permitted. False nails are not permitted. Jewellery: no jewellery is permitted apart from a pair of small, plain stud earrings. Wearing nose studs, tongue studs and any other visible piercing is strictly forbidden. Ties: should always be worn in school but may be removed when playing on the field. They must be tied neatly, tight to the collar. Skirts: must be of modest length, below the knee. Trousers can be worn instead. PE Kit: Children are required to wear the appropriate PE kit on PE days. Swimming: Amity swimming costume and cap are available (optional).
BOYS Hair: should be no longer than the shirt collar, tidy and of a natural colour. "Two-tone" effects are not permitted. Distracting or ostentatious hairstyles are not allowed — no tram lines, Mohican styles, excessive gel, etc. Grooming: boys should be clean-shaven or neatly groomed (for cultural sensitivity). Boys may not wear earrings. Shoes: must be all black, polishable and of a sturdy and sensible nature — trainer-style shoes are not acceptable. Logos are not allowed. Socks: must be black — trainer socks are not permitted except for PE. Ties: must always be worn in school but may be removed when playing on the field. They must be tied neatly, tight to the collar. They must be Amity ties. Please ensure all uniform items are clearly labelled.
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2026-2027
BEHAVIOUR
At Amity, we hold all students to the high standards of conduct. All students agree to our code of conduct and digitally sign this when they start. The three behaviours we do not tolerate are: • Systematic Bullying • Theft • Invovement in illegal or dangerous behaviour
CODE OF CONDUCT •Comply with the rules of the school. •Take pride in your school uniform and follow the dress code. •Follow the instructions of staff promptly. •Stay within the bounds of the school. •Arrive at school and at lessons on time and justify any poor punctuality and absence. •Demonstrate a positive attitude to your studies strive for excellence. •Complete homework to the best of your ability and on time. •Behave responsibly, and in a manner that does not endanger the safety and welfare of yourself and others. •Take good care of your possessions. Make sure they are named.
• Respect and care for the facilities and property of others and of the school. • Promote a positive school community. Be an active contributor and a positive role model to others by being courteous and kind to all staff, students , their families, and members of the community. • Behave responsibly so as not to disrupt the learning of others. •Commit to the heritage and culture of the UAE by being honest and dignified in your behaviour.
ACHIEVEMENT Our achievement system exists to encourage pupils in all areas of the curriculum. An achievement point is awarded for either very good work or great effort on the part of the students. Each point is recorded and can be viewed by the teachers. These also count towards House Points. Please note that mobile phones cannot be used in school and must be kept switched off and in bags
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2026-2027
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION We aspire to provide an inclusive and holistic education provision to all our pupils.
At Amity School, we are committed to cultivating a supportive ethos throughout our community. This commitment is in our values and culture, ensuring all our pupils feel welcomed, accepted, safe, and valued.We aim to create an environment where every student can thrive, regardless of background or individual needs. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do.
SHAIHZAD KHAN Head of Inclusion skhan1@amityabudhabi.ae Our Inclusion Team: •Work with small groups and individual pupils •Support core skills, social skills, sensory needs and specific learning differences. •Implement individualised education plans and action plans. •Promote positive solutions to overcome barriers to learning. •Support classroom accommodations and differentiation. • Work in partnership with parents and hold regular review meetings. • Work collaboratively with teachers, pupils, pastoral teams, school counsellors, Educational Psychologists, occupational therapists and other outside agencies. • Enable pupils to make their best academic and personal progress possible through tailored provision, encouragement and support. • Follow the School Inspection Framework set out by the Ministry of Education, UAE and also the United Kingdom Special Education Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2014)
We believe every student has the right to feel a sense of belonging. From the moment a child walks through our doors, they are greeted with warmth and acceptance. This welcoming atmosphere is foundational to our educational philosophy. When students feel safe and valued, they are more likely to engage in their learning and reach their potential. Understanding each student's strengths and needs is essential. We use various assessment tools to identify these aspects. By doing so, we tailor our educational approaches to better support each student. This individualised attention helps students meet academic standards and develop self-confidence. We provide comprehensive support for students with Additional Learning Needs (ALNs), including Gifted and Talented, as well as students with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Specialised teaching assistants, and access to educational tools and technologies. Collaboration is vital to our approach, we work closely with parents, carers, and external professionals to ensure each student receives comprehensive support.
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KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL LIFE
2026-2027
We have an Open Door policy, and we encourage parents to contact us whenever they have a concern or they need support with anything. PARENT-TEACHER CONSULTATIONS (PTCs) Throughout the year Parents have the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress and wellbeing with their teacher. It is very important that parents attend PTCs. Should you be unable to attend on those days, we are always willing to arrange a mutually convenient time for an appointment to discuss any concerns you may have. To help inform you of the topics your children will be completing, you will receive Curriculum Overviews and Infographics outlining the connecting topics over half terms and terms. Parent Workshops We hold Parent Workshops and Open Mornings on different topics. Academic Reports At the end of each term, reports are sent home to show the students’ progress. However, please feel free to make an appointment if there is anything you would like to discuss.
USEFUL CONTACTS General inquries reception@amityabudhabi.ae info@amityabudhabi.ae Clinic nurse@amityabudhabi.ae Transportation: sde-ama@sts-group.com Cashier cashier@amityabudhabi.ae Whole School Communication communication@amityabudhabi.ae Uniform accounts-2@sumerusindustries.com Parent Relations Executive pre@amityabudhabi.ae
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