A British Curriculum School in Dubai Where Learning Connects with the Natural World

SECONDARY SCHOOL | THE ARBOR SCHOOL DUBAI

Learning at Arbor

In this Section

Secondary education at Arbor combines the rigour of the English National Curriculum and internationally recognised qualifications with ecoliteracy, inquiry and meaningful action.

From Year 7 through to Sixth Form, students are taught by specialist teachers who deepen their subject knowledge, develop their confidence and prepare them for increasingly independent study. As students progress, they follow personalised pathways through GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and vocational qualifications, supported by expert academic and futures guidance.

Learning at Arbor extends beyond examination specifications. Through our Community Impact and Global Impact programmes, students investigate authentic local and global challenges, participate in service learning and apply their knowledge to projects capable of creating meaningful change.

Academic ambition is balanced with personalised pastoral care. Form Tutors, Heads of Year, counsellors, inclusion specialists and senior leaders work together to ensure that every student feels known, supported and appropriately challenged.

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Why families choose Arbor Secondary

  • A rigorous British curriculum taught by specialist subject teachers
  • Broad academic foundations at Key Stage 3
  • Personalised GCSE, IGCSE and vocational pathways at Key Stage 4
  • A Level and vocational pathways in Sixth Form
  • Ecoliteracy integrated across academic learning and student life
  • Opportunities to complete an Extended Project Qualification
  • Strong pastoral care underpinned by Positive Education
  • Personalised support from the Thrive Team
  • Dedicated university, careers and future-pathways guidance
  • Extensive enrichment, leadership, service and residential opportunities
  • Specialist learning environments across Arbor’s living campus

Our Secondary curriculum develops secure subject knowledge while encouraging students to consider how that knowledge connects with the world around them.

Students learn to question, analyse evidence, communicate effectively and approach complex problems from different perspectives. Specialist teaching and carefully structured curricula prepare them for public examinations, university and future employment.

Alongside this academic foundation, students engage with ecological, social and economic questions through concept-based learning, fieldwork, research and service. This combination helps them understand not only what they are learning, but how they might use it with purpose.

Explore our Secondary curriculum

Key Stage 3: Years 7 to 9

Key Stage 3 provides a broad and ambitious foundation across academic, creative, technical and physical subjects.

Students build their subject knowledge while developing the organisation, independence and critical-thinking skills needed for later study. Arbor’s Community Impact Certificate connects concept-based learning with real-world inquiry, community engagement and meaningful action.

Key Stage 4: Years 10 and 11

During Key Stage 4, students follow a personalised programme of GCSE, IGCSE and vocational qualifications.

English, mathematics and science form the academic core, alongside additional subjects selected to reflect each student’s strengths and future aspirations. All students also participate in Level 1 of Arbor’s Global Impact Certificate, incorporating Global Perspectives IGCSE, Arbor Action and Service, presentations and exhibitions.

Key Stage 5: Years 12 and 13

Arbor Sixth Form offers personalised academic and vocational pathways supported by strong pastoral care and individual futures guidance.

Students specialise in subjects aligned with their ambitions while developing the independence, research skills and personal responsibility required for life beyond school. Through the Global Impact Certificate, Branching Out pathways and the optional Extended Project Qualification, they also pursue interests beyond their principal courses.

The Arbor Promise is our commitment to an education that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Through an interdisciplinary, inquiry-driven curriculum with an ecological focus, students develop critical thinking, creativity and global citizenship. They explore local and global issues, consider the relationship between people and natural systems and learn how informed action can contribute to positive change.

Service and action learning may take four forms:

  • Direct service: Working with people, communities or the environment
  • Indirect service: Supporting causes through fundraising, donations or community initiatives
  • Advocacy: Raising awareness and encouraging positive action
  • Research: Investigating issues and using evidence to inform potential solutions

These experiences help students connect academic learning with leadership, empathy, environmental stewardship and responsibility.

Pastoral care is central to life in Arbor Secondary.

Students meet their Form Tutor each morning and take part in a dedicated weekly tutor session. The pastoral programme supports their emotional, social and academic development through wellbeing education, positive psychology, relationships and social health education, digital wellbeing and values-based learning.

Our wider support network includes Form Tutors, Heads of Year, the Secondary Counsellor, the Secondary SENDCO, the Thrive Team and senior leaders. Working in partnership with families, they help students navigate adolescence, overcome challenges and make informed decisions.

Positive Education gives students practical strategies for developing resilience, recognising their character strengths and supporting their wellbeing. Restorative approaches encourage responsibility, reflection and positive relationships throughout the school community.

Students are encouraged to discover their interests, develop their strengths and contribute actively to school life.

Leadership opportunities include:

  • Student Council and year representatives
  • Wellbeing Council
  • Eco Council
  • Global Awareness Council
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council
  • Innovation Council
  • Library Council
  • House representatives
  • Sports captains
  • Senior student roles

Student leaders receive training through the Student Leadership Challenge®, helping them develop the skills and character strengths required to lead with purpose and integrity.

The Arbor Enrichment Experience brings wider opportunities together through seven strands:

  • Arbor Competes
  • Arbor Explores
  • Arbor Inquires
  • Arbor Inspires
  • Arbor Performs
  • Arbor Creates
  • Arbor Extends

Activities take place before school, during lunchtime and after school and may encompass sport, performing arts, innovation, academic enrichment, outdoor education, enterprise, service and leadership.

Arbor’s Secondary spaces support collaboration, independent study, creativity and direct engagement with the natural world.

Students learn across specialist environments including:

  • Science laboratories
  • Biodomes and the Secondary Biolab
  • Art, food technology and design and technology facilities
  • Music technology facilities and professional recording studios
  • IT and computing spaces
  • The library
  • Sports courts, pitches and swimming pools
  • The black box and performance spaces
  • Outdoor learning and reflection spaces
  • Dedicated Sixth Form facilities
  • Flexible seminar and breakout spaces

The Marketplace provides a flexible setting for study, collaboration, presentations and exhibitions. The Wahah serves as the social heart of Secondary, with breakout areas, recreational activities, a mini-auditorium and the Farmhouse Café.

Visit Arbor to meet members of our Secondary team, explore our specialist learning spaces and discover how academic ambition, purposeful action and personalised care come together.

Schedule a Secondary School tour
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Enough for all, forever.

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