Abu Dhabi - UAE Where Learning Has Always Come First

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1 Abu Dhabi - UAE Where Learning Has Always Come First

2 About us The Belvedere School in Liverpool, England is widely recognised as one of the best independent schools in the UK. Originally founded in 1880, The Belvedere School has over 130 years experience in academic excellence and achievement. It was deemed 'outstanding in its latest OFSTED report. We are now bringing this proud history to the UAE with our new school The Belvedere British School opening in Abu Dhabi in September The Belvedere British School in Abu Dhabi is a non- denominational, mixed independent school for pupils from ages In September 2012 we will be opening the Primary Phase of our school, for 700 pupils from Kindergarten to up to Year 6. The Secondary Phase of Belvedere British School, for pupils from ages 11-19, will open in September To continue the high standards set by The Belvedere School in the UK, great attention will be paid to Year Level Standards in Literacy and Numeracy. We will encourage our children to work collaboratively across year groups, developing resilience, independence and team- work skills. School arrangements will be reviewed annually in order to ensure our programme of study and timetabling meets the needs and interests of our pupils, school community and Abu Dhabi Education Council. Parents will always be notified of any significant changes promptly. As Belvedere Preparatory School in Liverpool provides full academic support and advice, we will work together to enable students from both countries to have the right to carry- over in either Belvedere Preparatory School (UK) or in Belvedere British School (UAE). Our school day is busy, lively and engaging. Please see our website for full details of school hours. 2

3 Inspired by the Past UK (Since 1880) Belvedere Preparatory School was originally founded in 1880 as the Junior Department of The Belvedere School, widely recognised as one of the best Independent Schools in Liverpool, UK. Originally housed at 17 Belvidere Road, we moved to our current premises at 23 Belvidere Road, Liverpool, UK in In 2006, with state funding, the Senior School became the Belvedere Academy. This development enabled the Junior Department to take the unique opportunity of becoming a fully- fledged, stand alone Preparatory School. Since 2006, the school has continued to grow and has maintained its reputation as an outstanding Independent School. An ambitious building project, creating two new classrooms alongside a purpose built Science Laboratory, was undertaken. With the additional provision of an attractive outdoor area, this has provided the facilities that our newly created school required. From September 2010 the School reverts to its historical name, will be managed locally and becomes Belvedere Preparatory School; a truly Independent Preparatory School. BPS will be accepting both boys and girls enabling all children to benefit from the exceptional education on offer. Motivating the Future Abu Dhabi (Start 2012) School in Abu Dhabi offers a broad, distinctive and predominantly academic education for pupils from 3 to 12 years of age. It will build on its long standing reputation for excellent results and high quality pastoral care for all students. The innovative and enriched curriculum will reflect our vision and ethos and meet the needs and aspirations of students. These, together with its specialisms in modern foreign languages and science, offer a unique education experience at the Belvedere School for young people from Abu Dhabi and beyond. It is our priority to give our pupils, both girls and boys, the most inspirational, all- round experience possible. We will work with others to create a healthy, safe environment within which students can enjoy learning, make progress and achieve high standards; participate fully and make a positive contribution to the School and wider commnity; and, ultimately become successful, motivated, well- adjusted adults who achieve economic well- being. We will measure our success against these outcomes. The Belvedere British School recognises the need for a broad and balanced curriculum and is aware of the vital contribution made by pastoral and extra curricular activities to the development of the whole person. It is important that students are given every opportunity to be part of a team, to take responsibility, to develop a wide range of interests and to be of service to others.. 3

4 Mission and Philosophy Our pupils receive a robust, challenging and inspiring 21st Century education, preparing them for life and making the primary schooling years an enjoyable time filled with rich and memorable experiences. Each child s unique skills and talents are discovered and enhanced in an environment of care and respect; one that promotes resilience, confidence, self- esteem and self- management skills. BBS pro- vides a creative, vibrant and academic education; one where expectations are high but aspirations for each and every child are higher. In a culture of collaboration and cooperation where pupils are taught to value diversity, our pupils are encouraged to work individually and with each other. Children will also be encouraged to be thinkers, creators and self- directed learners, but equally respectful of others, displaying positive thinking, behaviour and attitudes at all times. Children will be guided to appreciate all cultures as the UAE is a multicultural society. The School s curriculum will combine traditional teaching and learning practices with the best con- temporary and innovative approaches. High standards in literacy and numeracy will be a priority with these subjects taught daily in timetabled lessons. Alongside these fundamental skills, will be the more creative aspects of the programme. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) will allow the children to explore subjects such as history, geography, science, art in a meaningful and inter - connected way. We have chosen this programme to reflect our value of the importance of our young people having an awareness of local, national and global issues. Additionally, our children will benefit from specialist and expert teaching across the curriculum with enhanced opportunities for exploring the arts (art, music, drama), fostering an appreciation of culture and language (languages programme), growing personally, socially and emotionally and developing a sense of team work, leadership and physical well- being through physical education, sport and collaborative work.

5 Facilities and Opportunity Our girls and boys benefit from enormous opportunities within the school day and beyond. Our facilities are modern, spacious and well resourced. BBS provides safe, clean, comfortable and attractive classrooms that can stimulate learning and help build an inspiring classroom environment. All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology to support and enhance teaching and learning. There is a fully networked ICT suite within the school, complemented by banks of laptops, a multi- purpose hall, a music room, a large art and design studio providing facilities for 2D and 3D work, a library and fully equipped science laboratories. We have an expansive, well designed outdoor play space where, as well as having fun, children can also achieve many of their development tasks. The Kindergarten enjoy their own private, well- supervised adventure area, where they can mess, run, hide and explore the natural world. For Key Stages 1 and 2, we have the massive outdoor area, which is used for a wide range of activities. Within the school campus there are also multi- purpose hard courts used for netball and basketball. Through sport and physical activities, students have significant opportunity for team- work, leadership and decision making. Year Six will be inducted as School Leaders at the beginning of this important year, after which they will become responsible for the organisation of our weekly Celebration Assembly. The School Council of pupils will have real power to make a difference in the school and their views and ideas will be incorporated into our school policies. Parents, grandparents and other family members have opportunities to be involved in the life of the school through participating or organising clubs, volunteering in school activities and participating in events. Parents views and contributions are vital to the overall enrichment of our school and we have an active Guild of Friends made up of parent volunteers with an elected representative committee. Parents can also express their interest in joining our School Governing Board.

6 Achievements (UK Based) The Belvedere School is proud of its achievements in the UK; not only of its academic results but of its performances in a wide range of areas which include sport, music and the arts. The school aspires for all of its pupils to achieve UK Level 5 by the end of Key Stage Two and provide targeted learning support to enable its pupils to be the best they can be. Over the past four years the UK branch of the school has averaged 65% at Level 5 and 98% at Level 4 (or above) in the end of Key Stage Two SATS. At GCSE, in 2011, almost 50% of all grades were at Grade A*/A with three quarters of all grades at A*- B. 96% of students achieved 5 A*- C including English and Maths. At A level, there was a 99% pass rate with 61% of all grades at A*- B. The school has also received numerous awards itself. In the last two years alone, The Belvedere School received the following awards: Investors in People, Inclusion Charter Mark, Artsmark Gold and The International Schools Award. In 2009 Belvedere ranked in the top 100 preparatory schools in the UK according to a parent poll conducted by The Times newspaper.

7 Curriculum Inspired by 130 years of excellence, Belvedere British School aims to continue the best in UK practice abroad. As such, our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales and will be consistently monitored to reflect new developments. We offer an enhanced British Curriculum at all stages. Belvedere British School believes the aim of education is to maximise the natural processes of development within children so that they may realise the potential with which they were born. The curriculum identifies three primary aims of primary education: Enable the child to live a full life as a child and to realise his or her potential as a unique individual. Enable the child to develop as a social being through living and cooperating with others and so contribute to the good of society. Prepare the child for further education and lifelong learning. The curriculum is learner- centred. It emphasizes the importance of literacy, numeracy, and language, while at the same time responding to changing needs in science and technology, social personal and health education. Compulsory British Curriculum subjects are the same for Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) and Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6): English Science History Music Maths Arabic Design and Information and Communication Technology Technology (ICT). Geography Art and Design Physical Education Our school follows the British Primary Strategy that aims to help us raise standards and to deliver the British Curriculum more effectively. The primary framework for literacy and mathematics is a central part of the strategy. Belvedere British School uses the best approach to support teaching, learning and assessment across the whole curriculum.

8 Future Plans We have exciting and ambitious development plans including buildings, resources and curriculum improvements to make Belvedere British School one of the best schools in Abu Dhabi. As well as on- going curriculum improvements in response to new international and local initiatives, our future plans include: Future studies and site development to get secondary school licensing agreements. Enhanced sporting provision for both girls and boys with a particular emphasis on team sports. The future plan is for the school to become part of one of the top British sports academies such as Liverpool Football Club Academy. Summer Boarding Courses in conjunction with the UK Belvedere School. Our residential summer courses will provide a truly international experience in Liverpool, with English language and activity programmes that ensure the students return home after a summer that they will never forget. The Students will enjoy a huge variety of experiences inside and outside the classroom, all shared with other students from around the world. Future Plans, UAE School

9 Preparation for life Belvedere British School 31, Section ME-9! P.O. Box !Mohamed Bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi, UAE