Secondary (11-16 Years Old)
Welcome Message from Head of Secondary
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to you from ASCS Secondary School. As the Head of Secondary, I am delighted that you are considering our school for your child’s educational journey, and I am excited to share with you the unique and enriching experiences that await them.
Choosing the right school is a significant decision, and we understand the importance of finding a school that aligns with your values and aspirations for your child. At ASCS, we take pride in providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters academic excellence and a passion for lifelong learning.
Our teachers are committed to inspiring and guiding students through their secondary education, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We believe in a holistic approach to education that not only focuses on academic achievement but also on the development of essential life skills, critical thinking, and a strong sense of community in addition to this at ASCS we aim to create an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to discover their unique talents and interests.
We value the partnership between parents and the school in fostering a positive and enriching educational experience. We encourage open communication and collaboration to ensure the success and well-being of each student.
I invite you to peruse our school website for more information about our academic programs, pathways in each key stage, extracurricular activities, and the vibrant community that makes ASCS a special place for learning and growth.
Francesca Huber – Head of Secondary
Key Stage 3
Your child’s journey begins in The Secondary School in Year 7, in Key Stage 3, before transitioning from Key Stage 3 (KS3) at the end of Year 9.
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum at ASCS has been designed to master the key skills of English, Mathematics and Science, to spark students’ interests and creativity whilst also providing them with a solid basis of preparation to meet the rigours of Key Stages 4 and 5 (Post-16).
Our core purpose at Key Stage 3
We are confident to deliver an engaging and challenging curriculum through outstanding teaching and learning. We aim to make our learners “GCSE Ready” by the end of Year 9 and to make them confident and responsible members of the school and wider community.
It is designed to challenge students in problem solving, investigative skills whilst perfecting English literacy and oracy skills. We expect our teachers to plan and think deeply about how best to teach our curriculum to suit the needs of the learners in front of them.
We have a three-year Key Stage 3, which attempts to accomplish both breadth of exposure to a range of subjects, as well as promoting depth of thought in each discipline. We are proud of our investment in the arts, languages, humanities, and technology, in addition to a very strong core subject experience.
Design Thinking
ASCS offers unparalleled opportunities for intellectual growth. The ‘Design Thinking’ approach to teaching learning encourages students to foster independent learning; to make connections between the curriculum and the wider world and to increase their cultural capital. The overarching intention is that students are able to confidently apply the higher-order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation to solve real world problems, using design principles.
Students also learn through this innovative approach to the curriculum, which transcends all subject areas, allowing them to make cross-curricular links. Every term, students have the opportunity to present their Design Thinking projects in various mediums and forums to their target audiences. During Design Thinking Week, there is a focus on Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural learning and 21st Century digital learning skills. In turn, our learners are on the journey to becoming well-rounded, global individuals.
How do we promote literacy and reading at ASCS?
The English curriculum will provide opportunities for pupils to communicate, comprehend and compose in the English Language, using a wide variety of forms. Our ‘Al Salam Literary Canon’ is a list of class reading books that we have created to enrich, inspire, challenge and broaden our pupils’ experiences of the world. The selection is international, culturally diverse and allows our staff and children to learn and share together ‘the best that has been thought, written and said’. Weekly library lessons for every KS3 child aim to foster a love for reading and present opportunities to develop critical reading skills.
Curriculum Enrichment
Research undertaken by the Institute of Education, University College London, suggests children who take part in enrichment activities outside of normal school hours achieve better grades. KS3 curriculum enrichment opportunities during the academic year will include using time in the school day creatively; allowing our students to be involved in Project Based Learning, designed and co-delivered by external providers and experts. These opportunities are designed to:
- Develop skilled, reflective learners
- Develop confident, resilient learners
- Develop active and responsible learners
Key Stage 4
At ASCS, we want our students to acquire a depth of knowledge and a comprehensive set of skills essential to their future career choices. In order to ensure that all students experience breadth and balance in their curriculum, it is important that all students follow a programme of compulsory and optional subjects. The Compulsory subjects are English, Mathematics UAE Social Studies and Islamic Studies (for Muslim students) and a Science route based on the following pathways:
Academic Pathways In Year 10, we stream students into pathways catering to their needs, interests and talents. The aim of these pathways is to ensure all students achieve the best possible outcomes within the curriculum time provided; offering up to 10 GCSE or equivalent qualifications over a course of two years.
A blended curriculum
We recognise each student’s preferred learning style and therefore offer leading British international qualifications IGCSEs in Cambridge International, Edexcel, AQA and BTEC vocational qualifications by Pearson.
Curriculum Enrichment
In addition to the formal timetabled curriculum, we offer a range of opportunities for students to continue personal development outside of the classroom. These will include local and international visits; subject-related field trips; internships and sporting opportunities. All Year 10 and 11 students are also enrolled on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme; attend careers guidance workshops and further education seminars.
Sincerely,
