British
Ages 3 to 18

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CityDubai-Sharjah-Ajman
CurriculumBritish
Leaving qualificationIGCSE
Language of instructionEnglish
Age RangeAges 3 to 18
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Quick summary of key school information

Leaving qualifications IGCSE
Language of instruction English
Native English teachers
Extra languages (other than English)
Class sizes Average 24 students / class
Maximum 24 students / class
Extracurricular activities
School bus
School's webpage:
Yearly fees: from: Dirham 45,177
to: Dirham 76,088
Address: Al Wadi - Sheikh Zayed Collector Rd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Is this school a perfect match for you?

Tell us your preferences and we’ll calculate your compatibility.

  • Based on 10 different criteria including price and location
  • Fees personalised to your childrens’ ages

All the details about this school in their own words

We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 37 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
Number of students

820

Number of nationalities represented in the school

The Aquila School is a fully inclusive school representing children from all over the world.

Most common nationality

Our community is very mixed – there is not any nationality that prevails.

Native English speaking teachers

All of our class teachers are native English speakers and bring with them many years of UK/ international experience. Some of our teachers have also worked with the Leadership Team at their previous outstanding school.

Language support for students not fluent in English

We support our children through our learning support team, which includes 5 experienced teachers and a skilled team of LSAs.

Additional language classes offered by the school

To enable cultural connections with other schools in the family of schools (Internationals Schools Partnership) we teach Spanish to children in year 3 up. As a school we also deliver the Arabic curriculum.

Max. number of students per class

Class sizes are no greater than 24. There is a large number of learning assistants across the school.

Average number of students per class

24

Does the school employ teaching assistants?

yes

Use of technology in the classroom

All of our classrooms are equipped with interactive smart boards. Children are also able to access Chomebooks, Ipads and Chromepads within the classroom. We also have a dedicated Computer Suite for our Primary children and a specially designed Learning hub for our secondary children.

Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)

Yes.

Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?

Our Muslim children will take part in Islamic lessons from year 2 and above.

External examinations or assessments available

For older children we will offer IGCSE, IB and BTEC.

Do teachers assign homework to their students?

We recognise that many children have busy lives. They work very hard while at school so we do not set formal homework in primary. We expect all children to read at home regularly to develop a love of reading. There will be a range of projects each term that children will be able to do at home if they choose. Secondary pupils are introduced to small amounts of homework, in core subjects, to help prepare them for more independent study for IGCSE.

Approximate hours of homework given

We expect all children to read at home regularly throughout primary. Secondary pupils are introduced to small amounts of homework, in core subjects, to help prepare them for more independent study for IGCSE.

Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation

Not applicable yet as we are a growing school.

Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs

Yes. At The Aquila School we have Hemam Learning Support Centre based within the school, offering additional support to children with SEN. At Hemam, they strive to provide autistic children and their parents a chance to experience life-transforming results through treatments and therapies used in our Learning Support Centre. This concept allows children with additional learning needs to gradually integrate into a mainstream school.

The school supports gifted, able and talented students

We are a fully inclusive school and will ensure that all children are challenged to make as much progress as possible in all areas

Student access to education psychologist

If advice is needed from an external professional – families can use the Hemam centre on our school site – or we can put families in touch with other highly regarded professionals.

Entry evaluation for students

We like to meet you and your child before taking admission in the school. This is a relaxed meeting with the Principal, Head of Primary, Head of Secondary or a Phase leader.

Waiting list

We offer a waiting list in some year groups when seats are not available immediately.

Deadline for registration (new academic year)

There is no deadline. We suggest families apply early to avoid dissapointment.

Students can join after academic year begins

Yes. We offer families the flexibility to join the school at any stage throughout the year.

School start time

Children should be in school from 7.40am. The school day begins for all pupils by singing the national anthem. On Sunday and Thursday school leaders host whole school assemblies.

Sunday to Thursday
FS1 & FS2: 7.40am
Year 1 to Year 6: 7.40am
Year 7 to Year 10: 7.40am

School finish time

Sunday to Wednesday
FS1 & FS2: 1.45pm
Year 1 to Year 10: 2.40pm


Thursday
FS1 & FS2: 1.15pm
Year 1 to Year 10: 1.20pm

Supervised care before/after school

We offer a breakfast club from 6:45am and an after school club provision up to 4:15pm. Sadly due to Covid restrictions, we are unable to offer this provision at the moment.

School bus service available

Yes. We offer a monitored bus service to surrounding communities.

School provided lunches

We enjoy our own in-house canteen provision, where families can select from a daily choice of healthy nutritious meals for their children. Alternatively, families can send pre-packed lunches for their children.

Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)

Yes. The canteen cater for different dietary requirements.

Uniform required

Yes. We want children to feel a sense of belonging and pride and to represent their school in an appropriate manner whilst still wearing clothes that are comfortable and suitable. Our uniform is smart and relaxed, just right for engaging children in amazing learning.

Our school uniform is mandatory for students, including school bags, PE kits and school hats. Black school shoes are also mandatory.

The school uniform is not included in the tuition fees. It can be purchased from our uniform partner Trutex, who are based on-site at the school so that you can make purchases quickly and easily. Trutex is a leader in the education suppliers market, offering high quality uniforms at a competitive price for families.

Extracurricular activities or clubs offered

We run a series of school-led activiies which are available for children in Year 1 and above. These are free of charge. Alternatively we have IFA sport as the official CAS activity provider for The Aquila School who offer a wide selection of activities for the children. These include Football, Gymnastics, Swimming, Chess and Dance. Families can sign up to these activities through the IFA sport app. As a community school we offer CAS activities to external families too!

Sports activities included

Swimming and PE are included throughout the week. Families can also register for after school CAS activities if they wish to do so. These are run by our staff for children in year 1 and above and are free of charge.

Sports teams or sport competitions available for students

Yes, our school regularly competes in inter-school competitions for a number of sports.

Facilities at the school

As a new school, we are privileged to have a range of brand new, top-class facilities, including an auditorium, two multi-purpose sports halls, two heated and chilled swimming pools (with weekly swimming from FS1 to year 6) a dance studio, three well-stocked libraries with thousands of books, music and art rooms, food technology and design technology rooms, shaded outdoor play areas, and a multi-purpose astro pitch. We also have specialist KS3 rooms such as ICT suite and science laboratories.
Our spacious, well-resourced classrooms and learning areas are filled with natural light, providing excellent conditions for learning. We look forward to opening a new building with exciting facilities in 2023.

Sports facilities at the school

At The Aquila School we have 2 large indoor sports halls, a dance studio, 2 temperature regulated swimming pools, Outdoor multi-purpose court, tennis court and a large astro-turf sports pitch.

Qualities and characteristics best defining the school

The Aquila School opened in September 2018 to serve the growing educational needs of the surrounding communities in Dubailand, and across Dubai. We offer a high-quality and engaging curriculum, enriched to meet the needs of our culturally diverse community. Our curriculum is driven by our children and is tailored to their interests, through topic and project learning, which ensures all of our children are equipped with the necessary tools to make as much progress as possible.

At Aquila, our core belief is AMAZING LEARNING. We empower our teachers to teach the children what they need to learn right now, making the curriculum more individualised and relevant to our children. Our staff work tirelessly to ensure that every child makes as much progress as possible and that lessons are engaging, memorable, fun and relevant, underpinned by academic rigour

As a community school we work closely together, valuing happiness and school connectedness, guiding families on how to help their children at home, to provide the very best education possible and ensuring that children love coming to school.

Our vision-

SAFE – HAPPY – LEARNING
A happy community school with amazing learning at its heart where pupils are empowered to make choices, engage in meaningful learning experiences and make exceptional progress.

Our mission –

• Lessons that promote enquiry, innovative thinking, making decisions and problem solving lead our pupils to be independent, creative and resilient learners.
• Engaging, memorable and fun lessons, underpinned by academic rigour ensure every pupil makes as much progress as possible. Teachers are empowered to teach pupils what they need to learn right now.
• A community school where courtesy and respectful relationships are key to our success. Through collaboration with families and school connectedness our pupils love coming to school and love learning. We aspire to be the school of choice for the community we serve.
• Our pupils are safe, supervised and well cared for at all times- pupils know that the first priority of every adult in school is their well-being.

This is what matters in our school-

1. Our children are safe, supervised and well cared for at all times- children know that the first priority of every adult in school is their well being
2. Amazing learning is key, lessons are enjoyable and relevant
3. Every child makes as much progress as possible
4. Teachers are empowered to teach the children what they need to learn right now
5. We celebrate and respect the culture, traditions and heritage of the host nation
6. We are a community school- courteous and respectful relationships are key to our success

Why choose The Aquila School?

The Aquila School provides a supportive and engaging international environment, delivering an exciting and creative curriculum, which is based on the National Curriculum for England (NCE), combining science, technology, maths, and the arts, as part of a broader curriculum.
Opportunities to understand and celebrate the culture and heritage of the UAE and the diversity of our local community are integrated into the curriculum, and we also focus learning through enquiry – children make things, take things apart, and discover how things work!

We are the flagship school for International Schools Partnership - a global family of 50 schools across thirteen countries (and growing). Being part of this group ensures The Aquila School has outstanding international learning connections, quality assurance and excellent governance.

The Aquila School has been rated as Outstanding by British School Overseas (BSO) across all of its eight areas of assessment. The Outstanding grading this early on in a school’s operation is rare and The Aquila Team is very proud of this achievement.

Amazing Learning is our core purpose. You will see learning that will amaze you. Wherever you think your child might be in any subject or area, we will do all we can to allow them to do better than you can ever imagine possible.

For the last ten years, The Aquila School’s Principal and Head of Primary have worked together, beginning their journey at the first-ever school in Abu Dhabi to have been graded as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas, and the only primary school to be awarded outstanding twice.
We have recently appointed Benjamin Atkins as our Head of Secondary who brings extensive knowledge and experience to further develop the Secondary School at The Aquila School, ensuring even more success for the pupils who attend the school.
We are all very excited to have this opportunity to set up The Aquila School ‘from the ground up’ creating a caring and happy environment to encourage Amazing Learning in all children, which is central to everything we do at The Aquila School.

As a new school, we are privileged to have a range of brand new, top-class facilities, including an auditorium, two multi-purpose sports halls, two heated and chilled swimming pools (with weekly swimming from FS1 to year 6) a dance studio, three well-stocked libraries with thousands of books, music and art rooms, food technology and design technology rooms, shaded outdoor play areas, and a multi-purpose astro pitch. We also have specialist KS3 rooms such as ICT suite and science laboratories.
Our spacious, well-resourced classrooms and learning areas are filled with natural light, providing excellent conditions for learning. We look forward to opening a new building with exciting facilities in 2023.

All of our class teachers are native English speakers and bring with them many years of UK/ international experience. Some of our teachers have also worked with the Leadership Team at their previous outstanding school.

The Aquila School offers a wide range of CAS (community, action, service (sometimes called ECAs)) activities to help cultivate the individual interests and talents of children and develop social skills.
For activities run by our staff we ask the children what they want as we value pupil choice and design a programme around this. In addition, we use IFA Sport, an external provider for additional paid-for activities such as additional swimming, football, dance, and so on.

We communicate well with our families. You will always know how well your child is progressing. We provide twice yearly detailed reports on your child’s academic progress, and social and emotional wellbeing, as well as regular learning snapshots.
There are regular opportunities for families to come and see their children’s work in class and talk informally with the teachers about their child’s learning.
The weekly newsletter lets families know what the children are learning and how they can support at home.

Teaching approach of the school

We have appointed excellent class teachers with UK qualifications and experience. When selecting teachers we look for the ability to make learning relevant and engaging so that children love coming to school and make as much progress as possible. We empower our teachers to choose the best methods to motivate the children while encouraging them to be creative and resilient learners.

Learning at The Aquila School is never dull and there is not a worksheet in sight. Our teachers get the children actively learning and not passively listening - from the very start of the lesson.
The children have access to a range of technologies to support their learning in all age groups. By combining all subjects and being underpinned by a focus on academic rigour, The Aquila School is truly unique.

Our core belief is AMAZING LEARNING. You will see learning that will amaze you. Wherever you think your child might be in any subject or area, we will do all we can to allow them to do better than you can ever imagine possible. The Aquila School embraces the individuality of every learner. We support learning through a robust, child-focused curriculum, and enriching after-school programmes. The Aquila School focuses relentlessly on each child’s ability to amaze. Whether through mentoring, enrichment or personalised study, we recognise and nurture each pupils’ abilities so that they amaze themselves and inspire others.

Amazing learning is central to everything we do at The Aquila School. We are a lively, busy, happy and hardworking school where we support our children to develop a love of learning and achieve to the best of their ability.

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