SECONDARY CURRICULUM | THE ARBOR SCHOOL

Key Stage 3 is a foundational stage of secondary education, building upon the skills developed in primary. We aim to nurture curiosity, cultivate critical thinking, and establish robust learning skills to encourage independence and a love of learning. Our curriculum combines a broad range of subjects aligned with the National Curriculum for England, and is guided by our unique Arbor ethos: ensuring deep academic rigour whilst educating for sustainability.

· Our curriculum is deep and rigorous, developing skills in core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Arabic, alongside creative and technical disciplines.

· Our unique Arbor Concept Curriculum integrates a broad and balanced range of subjects which is overlayed by our termly ecoliteracy foci, with either a social, ecological or economic aspect which is contextually appropriate to the UAE.

· Inquiry-based learning methodology to encourage curiosity and independent thinking.

· Personalised support and a focus on individual growth as we prepare our students for Key Stage 4.

· All students have a Positive Education lesson each week.

English, Maths, Science, Arabic, Islamic, Ecoliteracy, Geography, History, MSC, French / Spanish, Design Technology / Food Technology, Art & Design, Music, Drama, Computing, PE

· Term Dates

· Parent Handbook

· Meet the Head of KS3

Key Stage 4 at Arbor School equips students with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed for future success. Offering a blend of academic and vocational pathways, we provide opportunities for every student to thrive, whilst ensuring that we uphold our Arbor promise to maintain academic rigour simultaneously to educating for sustainability .

· A range of GCSE and vocational qualifications tailored to individual aspirations.

· To coincide with our school’s ethos and values, all KS4 students at Arbor will also study the Global Perspectives IGCSE, alongside our bespoke Arbor Global Impact Certificate, which teaches students real world application and project management through service learning.

· All students have a Positive Education lesson each week.

· Focus on personal development and leadership through extracurricular activities.

· Comprehensive career guidance and support for post-16 transition.

· PE, MSC and Wellbeing sessions are all essential components of Key Stage 4 programme.

Subjects Offered: English Language, English Literature, Maths, Double Award Science, Arabic, Islamic, Business Studies – iGCSE, Separate Sciences * – iGCSE, Design Technology – GCSE, Psychology – GCSE, Physical Education – GCSE, Art & Design – GCSE, Food, Hospitality and Catering – NCFE, Economics – iGCSE, Engineering – BTEC Lv2, Geography – iGCSE, French – iGCSE, History – iGCSE, Music Technology – NCFE, Further Pure Mathematics – iGCSE, Information Technology – iGCSE, Spanish – iGCSE, Environmental Management – GCSE

· GCSE Options Booklet

· Parent Handbook

· Meet the Head of KS4

The Arbor School Sixth Form provides a transformative educational experience equipping our students with skills, capabilities and dispositions for an ever-changing world whilst preparing them for their own futures. With a diverse range of A-levels and BTEC qualifications, students are empowered to explore their passions and achieve their aspirations, whilst being guided by our expert team on their future pathways and careers.

· Tailored academic pathways in A-levels and BTEC qualifications.

· Comprehensive pastoral care.

· Personalised university and career guidance.

· Leadership opportunities and community engagement projects.

· Global Impact Extended Project Qualification, an externally assessed accredited qualification, encouraging our students to undertake meaningful work within an area of sustainable development that interests them.

· PE, Lamda, MSC and Wellbeing sessions are all essential components of Post 16 programme.

Biology – A Level, Business – BTEC Diploma, Mathematics – A level, Economics – A LevelChemistry – A Level, Global Perspectives -IA Level, Psychology – A Level, Geography – A Level, Physical Education – A Level, Art & Design – A Level, Design Technology – A Level , Information Technology – BTEC, Environmental Management – A Level, NCFE – Creative Arts – Food and Cookery, Music Technology – A Level, Sport – BTEC Diploma

· Sixth Form Prospectus

· Options Booklet

· Meet the Head of KS5

Arbor School’s curriculum is distinguished by its integration of ecoliteracy and sustainability principles, ensuring that when our students leave our care, that they are equipped with the tools to take action and have the willingness to do so. This is developed through our complex ecoliteracy framework. By addressing topics such as biodiversity, climate justice, and sustainable development, either in Ecoliteracy, Global Perspectives or Global Impact Extended Project Qualification, our students develop the knowledge about our rapidly changing world, whilst given the opportunity to develop capabilities and dispositions in order to act and make a difference. This is our Arbor promise. This carefully designed approach evolves with age-appropriate themes, beginning with local environmental connections and advancing to global issues like post-carbon economies and climate science. Our curriculum instills a sense of responsibility, with the aim of developing a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible citizenship.

Inquiry-based learning forms the backbone of our educational approach. Our students are taught how to learn with increasing levels of independence as they move up the school, learning the appropriate skills in order to engage with topics in a deep, meaningful way under the careful guidance of our expert teachers. Students are guided through structured phases of exploration, critical analysis, and synthesis, learning how to apply: Curiosity, Creativity, Cognizance, Contextualisation, Critical Thinking, Communication and Collaboration, in order to deeply engage with their subjects, and transfer their understanding into other, real world applications. We have a robust ‘challenge for all’ approach to our teaching and learning, ensuring that all students are stretched and working towards the very best of their ability. We have an engaged and interested attitude to learning, and there is a palpable ‘buzz of learning’ that is evident throughout the school

Recognising the individuality of each student is a key component of our curriculum. As students move through Key Stage 3, our pastoral program helps our students to unlock their passions and identify their purpose, meaning that when the time comes to select their options at Key Stage 4, they are well equipped to make appropriate choices. As our students move into Key stage 5, they are offered carefully planned advice and have the opportunity to make choices which will enhance their university applications and ensure that they are well informed about their next stages of education, or otherwise. We ensure that our curriculum is challenging, yet diverse. Academic, whilst creative. This ensures that all of our students have the opportunity to flourish, no matter where their capabilities lie. We have a wide range of extra-curricular activities available to our students where they can explore skills beyond the classroom, helping them to uncover their passions and talents.

Leadership opportunities are embedded across all stages of learning, encouraging students to actively participate in sustainability projects, advocacy initiatives, and community and service-learning projects and programs. We have active student councils, whom represent their peers and actively work with school leadership in the development of our school. We have Prefects, Sports Captains and Vice Captains, House Captains, Eco Ambassadors, Global Awareness Ambassadors, Careers Captains, Inclusion Ambassadors and Tutor Group Representatives.

We pride ourselves on providing a truly inclusive learning environment that supports all students, including those with English as an Additional Language (EAL) or specific learning needs. We have highly tailored support pathways which ensure that every student accesses the curriculum appropriately, and is able to achieve their potential, and feel valued as part of our diverse community.

We have a dedicated THRIVE team, including EAL specialists and inclusion teachers who work closely with our teaching staff who provide expert guidance on differentiated instruction, additional resources, and targeted interventions.