Curriculum Overview

Al Barsha National School will deliver an international curriculum that is sensitive and respectful of Arabic culture and local traditions. Our enhanced National Curriculum for England will integrate 21st century skills and competencies to develop confident, resilient and adaptable students for an ever-changing world.

The curriculum is imaginatively designed to provide a wealth of opportunities where students can take intelligent risks, ask questions to satisfy their intellectual curiosity and explore ideas to deepen their understanding while promoting critical thinking skills. Everything we do will allow students to develop their knowledge, understanding and creativity through a curriculum underpinned by enterprise and innovation. In turn, this will foster our students’ readiness for some of the finest universities both in the UAE and overseas and their employability. Enterprise capability includes innovation, creativity, risk-management and risk taking, a can-do attitude and the drive to make ideas happen. This concept embraces future employment as well as future entrepreneurs.

GEMS Al Barsha National School follows:

• The Early Years Foundation Stage
• The National Curriculum for England
• International accredited UK based Qualification Pathways (IGCSE/GCSE)
• The General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A Levels).

From FS1 to Year 4 girls and boys attend are taught in mixed classes. From Year 5 onwards boys and girls are separated.

Mandatory subjects

As per the rules and regulations in the UAE, it is mandatory for:

• All Muslim students to study Islamic Education from Year 2 to Year 13 inclusive.
• All Arab students (registered at the school with an Arab passport) to study Arabic as a first language from Year 2 to Year 13 inclusive.
• All students registered at the school with a non-Arab passport to study Arabic as an additional language from Year 1 to Year 9 inclusive. 

Our curriculum will be delivered by passionate and highly qualified UK trained teachers and the best Arabic Language teachers with a proven track record.

Subjects Overview

Early Years Foundation Stage

Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design, Arabic Language, Islamic Education

Key Stage 1 - Years 1 and 2

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Digital Learning, Arabic language, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, (PSHE), Enterprise Education, Design & Technology, Arts (Drama/Music/Art/) and Physical Education

Key Stage 2 - Years 3 to 6

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Digital Learning, Arabic language, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, PSHE, Enterprise Education, Spanish in Year 6, Design and Technology, Arts (Drama/Music/Art/) and Physical Education

Key Stage 3 - Years 7 to 9

English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Digital Learning, Arabic language, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, PSHE) Enterprise Education, Spanish, Design and Technology, Arts (Drama/Music/Art/) and Physical Education

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Computer Science, Arabic language, Moral Education, UAE Social Studies, Islamic Education, Spanish, Design and Technology, Arts (Drama/Music/Art/) and Physical Education.

Key Stage 5 Post-16 Year 12 and Year 13  

GNS Post 16 inspires our students to follow the guiding principles of our school, to develop academically, culturally, morally and physically through a commitment to academic achievement and success; by being responsible citizens, student leaders and by displaying an overall commitment to tolerance and respect in all they undertake.

Post 16 Overview

GEMS National School Post 16 offers personalised pathways available for students, which include IAS and IA Levels, and some traditional AS and A Levels. The enrichment opportunities on offer compliment the rich and diverse curriculum pathways on offer.

GNS Post 16 Option Booklet with BTEC 23-24

AS & A Level

• A levels have been described as the ‘gold standard’ of post-16 examinations and they are accepted as an entry qualification into all the best universities around the world.
• A levels are particularly well suited to students who have particular strengths in 2 or 3 areas of the curriculum and wish to study them further in greater depth.
• The A level is linear and therefore examined at the end of Year 13. The AS level is a standalone qualification taken at the end of Year 12 and cannot be counted towards the A level. Assessment is 100% examination at the end of Year 13.

International AS & A Level

• International A levels are also recognised by all the top universities worldwide.
• International A levels are similar to A levels but they have a more flexible, modular structure than A level and the syllabus content is designed to have greater international relevance.
• Unlike AS level, international AS level modules can be retaken to try to improve a student’s score. The AS is half the content of the A level and counts towards the final A level result. It is taken at the end of Year 12. Assessment is 100% examination.

For more information about the Post 16 please click here.