SECONDARY SCHOOL
ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025
WELCOME
This booklet provides information about the curriculum and gives a taste of what to expect for your child during their time in Secondary.
We look forward to working in partnership with you. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any member of the Secondary Team who will be very happy to assist you.
Message from the Head of Secondary
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, 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.
I very much look forward to meeting you. Mr David Slade, Head of Secondary
SECONDARY SCHOOL SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
AIMS AND ETHOS
Amity International School strives to produce be 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.
We ensure that our pupils achieve their highest potential by fostering their natural desire to learn with a personalised educational programme, project-based learning and guided enquiry. Through the promotion of independent thought, critical analysis, emotional intelligence and communication skills, we prepare our students to become successful world citizens. Our curriculum and co-curriculum support children to achieve their very best by creating a culture of excellence in all that we do through a traditional yet innovative curriculum and outstanding pastoral care. The School fosters a family-orientated, tolerant and vibrant community, which imparts or provides:
•A love of learning for its own sake.
•Foundation of knowledge and skills with which to understand and question the world we live in, and to prepare them for the world we are likely to inhabit in the future.
•Awareness and appreciation of the spiritual dimension in our lives.
•Respect for the UAE culture and laws.
•Enthusiasm for the world beyond the classroomsports, music and the performing arts.
•Respect for difference in others and a recognition that the efforts and achievements of every individual in our community are valued equally.
WELLBEING
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 wellbeing 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 pupils:
•Strong pastoral systems
• Positive relationships
•Personal, Social, Emotional, Moral & Health Education/Mindfulness
•Promoting Physical Health and Extra Curricular activities
•Promoting resilience
• Early identification of pupils who have well-being or mental health needs
•Supporting and training staff
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 advise on further external support.
THE HOUSE SYSTEM
Pastoral care and our House System is at the heart of Amity. All pupils are allocated to one of the four Houses: Hosn, Jahili, Mezyad and Murabba. Each House is a small community within our larger school community, where pupils can build strong, long-lasting positive relationships with peers and staff. Within a common framework, each House has its own base, identity and ethos, and is led by a Head of House, with the support of a dedicated team of tutors.
Houses compete against each other throughout the year in a wide variety of activities, events and contests, which allow for healthy competition and offer the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities as Team and House representatives.
At the end of the year, the overall winning House is celebrated in our end of year Prize Giving Ceremony.
Tutor Role
Tutors play a central role in caring for pupils and monitoring their progress both academically and socially. They encourage involvement, commitment and high standards of work, presentation and behaviour. Tutors help forge a positive home-school relationship and embed the School and House ethos within members of each Tutor Group.
SUBJECTS - YEAR 7 TO 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.
Subjects studied in Year 7, 8 and 9
SUBJECTS - YEAR 10 AND 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 (non-examined)
•Physical Education (non-examined)
•Islamic Studies (compulsory for Muslim students only)
SUBJECTS - GCE ADVANCED LEVEL (A LEVEL)
Optional Subjects
In addition to the core subjects listed above, students also select four options from the choices below (subject to timetabling).
Art Business Studies
Spanish German Travel & Tourism
*Subjects that do not count towards equivalency.
** Only one of these subjects can be chosen.
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 (l)GCSE. Entrance to University depends upon attaining good grades at A level together with results already achieved at (l)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. Pupils 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.
Available
Subjects
•Biology
•Business Studies
•Chemistry
•Computer Science
•Design Technology
•Drama and Theatre
•English Language
•English Literature
•Fashion & Textiles
•Fine Art
•French
•Geography
•History
•ICT
•Mathematics
•Music
•Physical Education
•Physics
•Psychology
•Spanish
BYOD
In Secondary, the Bring Your Own Device 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.
https://www.amityabudhabi.com/admissions/it-requirements
Options to consider
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.
BYOD 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 2024-2025 •New pupils joining the secondary school for the academic year 2024-2025
In terms of brands and specifications, you may choose any make of Windows and below min configuration requirements:
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
Please check the battery life. We would recommend at least 6 hours to last through the school day.
Touch screen: optional (not required)
Please note: IOS devices and chromebooks do not work well for our requirements
Recommendations
We highly recommend that you purchase antivirus software and/or Internet Security, which will include anti-malware and other security features. (eg 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 students 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.
CO-CURRICULAR SECONDARY
CO-CURRICULAR
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 o er 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. 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.
MILLER Director of Co-curricular & Sports mmiller@amityabudhabi.ae
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.
EQUIPMENT
Pupils should carry a school bag with:
•Student Planner
• Student
•Pens (at least one plus one spare)
Pens
•Pencils
Pencils • Coloured
•Coloured pencils
•Pencil sharpener
Pencil
•Ruler
Ruler
•Reading book
Reading
•Rubber
Rubber
Scientific
•Scientific calculator (preferably a CASIO fx - 82 ES (the number can vary a little, but the ES is important. Avoid any with 'MS' or are the colour silver, use the dark blue ones as shown below). This can then last them from Year 7 to Year 11.
Allowed in examination Not allowed in examinations: CALC or SOLVE functions are not allowed.
Upon starting, students receive a timetable and a student planner to help them be organised for each lesson. The student planner is where the timetable is to be copied and homework recorded. Parents are asked to check and sign this weekly and tutors will do the same.
All equipment should be labelled clearly with the pupils 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.
MATTHEW
Tutor Time
Gates open at 7.20 am. We ask that secondary children are their class by 7.40 am, ready for Tutor Time and daily notices before the National Anthem. Children arriving after 7.55 am must register late at reception. Learning begins proptly at 8 am.
EXPECTATIONS
At Amity, we hold all students to the high standards of conduct. All students agree to our code of conduct and sign this in their student planners when they start.
The three behaviours we do not tolerate are:
- 11:30
- 12:50 12:50 - 13:40 13:40 - 14:20 14:20 - 15:00 3:15 - 16:15 7:50 - 8:30 8:30 - 9:10 AM 9:10 - 9:50
- 10:10
- 10:50
- 11:30
- 12:00
•Systematic Bullying.
• Systematic
• Theft.
• Involvement
•Involvement 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, pupils, 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 pupil.
Each point is recorded and can be viewed by the teachers. These also count towards House Points.
Achievement are awarded as follows:
•Bronze
•Silver
•Gold
•Platinum
In addition, we have a Star of the Week, where a student has surpassed expectations and can be nominated by students and teachers.
KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL LIFE
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 with each subject teacher. Students will make appointments, and we ask that the student attends with you to take ownership of their own learning and progress.
It is very important that both Parents and Students 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.
Academic Reports
Parents receive termly progress reports and a full report at the end of Term 3. However, please feel free to make an appointment if there is anything you would like to discuss.
Useful Contacts reception@amityabudhabi.ae nurse@amityabudhabi.ae cashier@amityabudhabi.ae
All of our information will be emailed directly to you. Please make sure you have given us the correct email address for contacting you, and you update us if your details change.
We actively encourage open and honest communication with all of our parents so please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime.
UNIFORM
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 - trainer-style shoes are not acceptable. Logos are not allowed.
Socks must be white - trainer socks are not permitted except for PE.
Makeup should be kept to a natural look. Colour nail varnish is 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.
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.
Boys should be clean-shaven or neatly groomed (for cultural sensitivity). Boys may not wear earrings.
Please ensure all uniform items are clearly labelled.
Please also check our Bag Policy.
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.
PE Kit: Children are required to wear the appropriate PE kit on PE days. Swimming: Amity swimming costume and cap are available (optional)
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. 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 individualised education plans, 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.
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).
EAL SUPPORT
We have a dedicated, well- resourced EAL Department who support pupils who are new to English, or are continuing to develop their competency in English and therefore require additional support in their acquisition of the language of instruction.
Personalised Approach
EAL support is differentiated based on a learner’s proficiency in English. This assessed by an EAL teacher when they begin school and subsequently tracked each term.
The primary focus of the EAL Team is to ensure that all pupils learning English as an additional language are given the opportunity to fully access the curriculum and overcome any barriers to learning. This is achieved by developing both their social and cognitive language skills, as well as their reading and writing skills through the use of specific EAL software, which strongly promotes the use of a learner ’s home language, practical activities and structured lessons. EAL support ranges from personalised provision in class or withdrawal of 1:1 or small groups with a dedicated member of the EAL team.
New students will be approached by the EAL Team at the beginning of the Term to assess their English Language level to identify the learning support required.
Justyna Skowronski jskowronski@amityabudhabi.ae
Head of EAL
Our main aim is to ensure that all EAL pupils have an environment in which they can thrive both socially and academically.
If your child is learning English as an additional language, one of the most valuable ways you can support your child at home is to develop their literacy skills in their first language before learning to read in a second one. Translating curriculum content and homework in your first language is another great way to develop vocabulary and comprehension.
