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From Early Years to A Levels
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Find the answer to our most commonly asked questions
The building started in September 2012, and the doors to the school first opened in September 2014 to over 200 children, which quickly grew to 686 by the end of the first term.
Reach British School is in the south of Abu Dhabi, teaching the National Curriculum for England to ages 3 to 17. The school now has over 1800 students from over 70 different nationalities. We currently teach Early Years. Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form.
We are proud to be part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) since February 2016. Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions and answers.
Students are aged between 3 and 17 years old.
Sibling discounts apply for 2+ children – 5% for the older child, and 10% for the younger.
Visit our Fees and Age Placement Guide for more information.
Most teachers are native English speakers, working alongside our specialist teachers who deliver the Ministry of Education’s Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies curriculum.
In addition to Arabic, we offer French in Year 7, Year 8, and Year 9.
Termly parent teacher meetings and written reports.
Daily correspondence through email and parent applications such as Class Dojo.
Parents are welcome to meet us whenever they wish to discuss progress in more detail.
PTC Meetings – Parent Teacher Conferences
We follow the Ministry of Education curriculum for Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies for native Arabic speakers. Non-Arabs are taught separately, and they learn Arabic and Islamic Studies from Nursery, and Social Studies from Year 2.
Fees can be paid by term or year. Payment is by cheque, credit card or online bank transfer only.
Visit our Fees page for more information.
The school uniform is purchased from the uniform shop at school. This is normally 500-600 AED per child depending on the number of tops, bottoms, sports kit, socks and shoes you buy.
Visit our Ordering Uniform Guide for more information.
We are in Baniyas East 2. Access is very easy from the E11 street.
We are opposite Mafraq Hospital from the E11 street.
Please visit Contact Us for more details
Early Years 1 and 2: starts at 7.40 am to 1 pm
Year 1 to Year 13:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 7:40am. finishes at 2:30 pm.
Tuesday and Thursdays: 7.40 am to 3.15 pm
Fridays (Early Years 1 to Year 13): 7.40 pm to 12 noon.
Extra-curricular activities: For school clubs 14:45 – 15:45
In line with ADEK policy, Reach is an inclusive school which celebrates and embraces diversity. We meet all students before they join the school to ensure that we have the right support team in place to help the student progress as much as they can. We appreciate parents giving us as much information as possible in these cases.
Yes, the school has EAL Learning Support Specialist.
Yes, we have a heated 25m indoor swimming pool featuring the latest UV water purification technology, with dedicated separate changing rooms and weekly swimming lessons for Year 3 and above.
We have an outdoor astro turf football fieldpitch, and we also use our indoor multi-purpose hall for when it is too hot outside.
Yes. We have extensive art programme offering photography and interactive digital projects.
Yes.
Yes, we contracted with a catering company that will provide a range of healthy food choices available from 5-20 AED. Children from Year 1 onwards are allowed to use this service should they choose to.
Visit our Campus & Facilities page for more information.
Our Extra curricular activies are free of cost and part of our school day such as Drawing & Arts | Athletics | Book Club | Extra Maths | Science Club | Football | Swimming | Radio | Basketball | Arabic Stories| Qu’ran Studies
Visit our Clubs, Sports and Opportunities page for more information.
Our Parents Council meet monthly to discuss school progress and share ideas for improvement. Parents are involved in big school events, and we are starting to increase involvement in school activities.
We conduct admissions meetings with a very brief meeting of students from Early Years all the way through. Children in Year 1 – Year 13 do assessments in Maths, Science and English, and submit a writing sample. It is imperative that the parent informs us of any special needs or learning support the student may have so that we can support the child. Further testing may be required but as long as we can support the child, we will accept them.
Yes, please come and visit us! Visit our Book a Tour page to book your visit.
Each new academic year we offer Inductions days. If you want to learn more before then we will invite you to an upcoming parent coffee morning, or we can book time for you with the Principal/SLT.
ADEK – Reach improved significantly in many areas across teaching and learning, student support and curriculum development in our last Irtiqa’a inspection.
Edexcel – we are accredited by Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs.
AoBSO - This is the UK Department for Education’s voluntary inspection scheme for overseas schools. The Department for Education (DfE) has put in place arrangements for inspection against a common set of standards that British Schools Overseas can choose to adopt.
BSME - BSME supports a network of high quality British international schools in the region. In addition, it facilitate an invaluable partnership between member schools and business partners specialising in educational services, products and tools.
International Schools Partnership – Reach now benefits from the educational development opportunities from more than 80 sister schools as part of this global group. ISP is spending millions on learning resources, facilities and training over the next few years to transform Reach into a world-class school.
Aspen Heights British School, Al Bahya, Abu Dhabi – ISP opened Aspen in September 2017 in Al Bahya, Abu Dhabi, also led by a Principal from an Outstanding school. Fees from 35,000 AED.
The Aquila School, Dubailand, Dubai – ISP opened Aquila in September 2018.British curriculum led by a principal from an Outstanding school. Fees from 40,000 AED.
Nibras International School, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai – Acquired by ISP in March 2017. American curriculum school. Fees from 23,000.
We are always looking for highly qualified teachers from Nursery to Secondary School. Preference is given to native English speakers for British curriculum subjects.
Visit our Career Opportunities page for more information.
In the Secondary School, lessons are taught by subject specialists and the KS3 and KS4 English National Curriculum is followed. There is some crossover in terms of the content taught in Year 6 and Year 7 but the level gets progressively higher.
We hold a transition day in Year 6 to help with the change-over, this is followed up in Year 7 with an induction week.
We have a pastoral lead who helps to take care of children as well as the school social worker. Every teacher has a duty of care towards the children and they complete a course on safeguarding before the school year begins.
Assembly 07:45
Registration 08:00
Block 1 08:10
Block 2 09:30
Break 11:00
Block 3 11:15
Start of Block 4 12:45
Lunch 13:30
End of Block 4 14:00
End of Day 14:30
With a maximum class size of 30 as per ADEK regulations.
In KS3 pupils follow the English National Curriculum studying English, Maths, Science, Geography, History, French, PE, ICT and Art, alongside Arabic, Islamic, UAE Social Studies and Morals.
Maths, English, ESL, Science Double award, Geography, French, PE, History, ICT, Art. Students take a minimum of 5 IGCSE subjects (generally 7) plus Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Specialist teachers, different classrooms, science labs and a full PE program.
IB is specialist study and is more internationally recognised and cross curricular. A Levels are for specific subjects, A-Level is a more in-depth study in to those specific, 3 to 4 subjects.
IB students study 7 subjects 6 different categories as well as completing an Extended Essay on a subject of their choice.
AS means Advanced Subsidiary and is a precursor to A-Levels, although the qualification also stands alone.
A-Level is advanced level.
Yes there is a termly sign-up sheet.
Yes, we arrange fixtures amongst many other schools.
Where possible students are given access to an online book.
As there are only four classes per day students can keep their books in their bag.
There is a clear behavior policy that manages bullying. Please see our Anti-Bullying policy.
No, the school will provide everything the children need.
No, there are extra costs for these.
Yes – we aim to send classes at least twice per year.
Yes – when required. As there are only 4 blocks per day the maximum pieces of homework per night would be 4.
Block scheduling allows students to have more quality teaching time with their teachers. By minimising time spent transitioning from lesson to lesson we can maximise learning. It gives students the opportunity to develop their studies in more depth than is available otherwise, more quality written work is produced, and more complex group work can be performed. In lessons like PE and Art, this is even more essential to give students time to explore their creativity and passions.
It is a system used by the top schools in the UK and is increasingly being used in the UAE, with the Emirates National Schools recently switching to it. Since the switch students and teachers alike have commented how successful they think it has become. (It also means students do not bring such heavy bags with them to school – as they only need to bring 4 books – not 8!)
French.
Children will have sessions to support them with their study skills.
You will receive written reports three times a year. There will also a number of students, parent, teacher consultation evenings.
No, but the breaks run at separate times.
Yes, but it is not compulsory.
If they are seen using one, it will be confiscated.
Students must pass 5 subjects from IGCSE that do not include Arabic language and Islamic education. If the student has failed in one or more of the 5 IGCSE subjects, he /she will be promoted to the next grade (internal school system) and he /she will repeat the exams in October or November. If the student would like to move from our school to any other curriculum at the beginning of September and the student has failed, he/she will repeat the grade (i.e. will not be promoted to the next level).
May and June, the results are released in August.
We currently only have one full-time French teacher.
