Curriculum
Dubai College has a strong academic reputation and tradition in the local and international community, but we believe that education is not solely about academic results. We aim to draw upon the best elements of the English National Curriculum, combined with the depth and range of subjects that are appropriate to a selective school.
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 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
At this level, the curriculum is designed to give students a broad exposure to a wide variety of subjects and to develop their learning skills. 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 in the form of Enrichment Days.
In Year 9, all students commence their GCSE study in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as in ICT and some students commence their GCSE study for Mathematics and French.
The Middle School: Years 10-11
In the Middle School, all current students will take 10 GCSEs and a course in ICT, leading to a GCSE qualification. The core GCSE Curriculum is made up of the following subjects:
• Mathematics
• English Language
• English Literature
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
Biology, Chemistry and Physics will be awarded as Science, Additional Science and Further Additional Science.
To encourage a balanced curriculum, students choose 4 optional subjects, which must include:
• Arabic, French, German or Spanish;
• Business Studies (International GCSE), Economics (International GCSE), Geography or History;
• Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Music or Physical Education.
In addition, all students will undertake Personal, Social and Health Education in the form of Enrichment Days and Games. Islamic Studies is compulsory for Muslim students and the intention is that this will lead to a GCSE in Religous Studies (Islam).
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. For academic year 2013-2014, we are also offering Classical Civilisation and Government and Politics at Advanced Level.
Islamic Studies is compulsory for Muslim students in Year 12 as is Enrichment for Years 12 and 13. In addition, students in the Sixth Form participate in a PSHE programme in the form of Enrichment Days to prepare them for the challenges of life after Dubai College.
In Year 13, some subject sets are may become too small due to students not deciding to continue with a subject from AS to A2 Level; if this is the case, we reserve the right to combine subject sets in the interests of staff efficiency. Consequently, there is no guarantee that staff teaching the AS course will necessarily teach the same students for the A2 course.