Curriculum
An Overview of the Curriculum
The College has a long and strong academic tradition, drawing upon the best elements of the English National Curriculum, combined with the depth and range of subjects that are appropriate to a selective school.
Attention to the individual student and to his or her educational development is paramount though all Years of the curriculum: individual needs are always taken into account and success is achieved through outstanding learning and teaching, and systematic tracking of progress by the students’ form teacher and the setting of appropriate targets. Our expectations are that pupils will play a full part in their own progress and development.
The aim of our curriculum is to develop as fully as possible the understanding, knowledge and skills of each student so that when they leave Dubai College, they are in a position to meet the challenges that they will face in a rapidly globalising and competitive world. It is also our intention that students achieve a place at a highly selective Russell Group university in the UK or a leading university worldwide.
Parents will receive regular reports in various formats at appropriate times in the school year and will have the opportunity to meet with their sons and daughters’ teachers. We actively encourage all students to attend Consultation Evenings, dates of which are on the school calendar, which can be found on the home page.
The Lower School: Years 7-9
All students study the following subjects:
• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Arabic
• Islamic Studies (for Muslim students)
• French or Spanish
• Geography
• History
• Music
• Physical Education
• Art, Design and Technology and Drama
In addition, all students will undertake Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
The Middle School: Years 10-11
In the Middle School, all current students will take 9 GCSEs.
The core GCSE Curriculum is made up of the following subjects:
• Mathematics
• English Language
• English Literature
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
To encourage a balanced curriculum, students choose 4 optional subjects, which must include:
• Arabic, French, German or Spanish;
• Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History or Information and Communication Technology;
• Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Music or Physical Education
In addition, all students will undertake Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Games. Islamic Studies is compulsory for Muslim students.
The Sixth Form: Years 12-13
The vast majority of students in the school continue their studies into the Sixth Form, provided that they meet the entry requirements of achieving a minimum of 5 B grades at GCSE.
All students in Year 12 study for 4 AS Levels and progression to Year 13 to full A Level is dependent upon students achieving their target grades in these examinations. Most students drop one of their subjects on entry to Year 13.
The subjects offered at A Level are: Arabic, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Design and Technology, Drama, English Literature, Economics, the Extended Project (AS only), French, Further Mathematics, Geography, History, Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics and Spanish.
In addition, students in the Sixth Form participate in a PSHE and Enrichment programme to prepare them for the challenges of life after Dubai College.