Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Overview at Kent College Dubai
Kent College Dubai is a top British School in Dubai offering various graduation pathways including British National Curriculum A Levels, IBDP and BTEC.
There are two main aims presented in the statutory documentation for the National UK Curriculum, stating:
- The national UK curriculum provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge they need to be educated citizens. It introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and said, and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.
- The national curriculum is just one element in the education of every child. There is time and space in the school day and in each week, term and year to range beyond the national curriculum specifications. The national curriculum provides an outline of core knowledge around which teachers can develop exciting and stimulating lessons to promote the development of pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills as part of the wider school curriculum.[1]
These aims set out to support the statutory duties of schools to offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, while preparing pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life, as set out in the Education Act 2002.
Pupils enter the Senior School in Year 7, the first year of Key Stage 3 and graduate at the end of Year 13 which is the last year of Key Stage 5. CLICK HERE for more information about how most British Senior Schools in Dubai are structured as well as age guidelines per year group.
Key Stage 3 (KS3)
We are an IB World School offering a variety of curriculums throughout all year groups in the Senior School that supports our children in becoming knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
Our KS3 curriculum offers a breadth of subjects ensuring pupils have access to every subject area while consistently developing their critical thinking and communication skills. Although academic development is a core focus, pupils are also encouraged to reflect on their learning, take risks when appropriate and explore concepts and ideas that have a global significance. By the end of KS3, all of our pupils are prepared to take the next step in their GCSEs.
Key Stage 4 (KS4)
Pupils continue on their academic journey and personal development while also preparing their (I)GCSE qualifications. While our core subjects remain central to the curriculum, pupils can now refine their option subjects to those they enjoy or wish to pursue in higher education. At this stage in their schooling, pupils are encouraged to take more responsibility for their learning, especially the need to manage coursework, projects and assessment dates.
Throughout all year groups pupils are expertly supported through our pastoral system, which is further catered towards the challenges pupils face as they enter examination years. Once they begin Year 11, pupils undertake specific career lessons which allow opportunities to research and explore Sixth Qualifications and potential degree courses or career pathways.
Key Stage 5 (KS5)
We are very proud of our diverse pathways in KS5 as we aim to cater from every pupil’s needs and ambitions. The main three pathways are A Level qualifications, the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Careers-Related Programme. (we are a candidate school or the IBCP). All three pathways offer routes to university but are structured in different ways. For those pupils looking for a more vocational graduation pathway, we offer BTEC in Business, Sports, or Performing Arts.
More about our Sixth Form (KS5) Graduation Pathways
British A Leavels
The British National Curriculum, which dominates the Dubai education sector, continues to grow year to year. The A Level curriculum is the #1 studied curriculum in the world. This 2 year course aims to prepare pupils on year 12 and 13 for university.
International Baccalaureate
The IB is the fastest growing curriculum in the UAE. The IBDP aims to develop students who have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – students who flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. This 2 year course aims to prepare pupils in year 12 and 13 for university.
BTEC
BTEC’s are specialist work-related qualifications that are equivalent to 2 A Levels. BTEC qualifications encompass applied learning that brings together knowledge and understanding with practical and technical skills. This 2 year vocational course aims to prepare pupils in year 12 and 13 for the workplace or further study in their chosen field.
Choosing the right course for you:
The British National Curriculum, which dominates the Dubai education sector, continues to grow year to year. The A Level curriculum is the #1 studied curriculum in the world. This 2 year course aims to prepare pupils in year 12 and 13 for university.
| A Level | IB Diploma | BTEC (Sports, Business or Performing Arts) |
|---|---|---|
| Students specialise in their chosen area of study, focusing only on their preferred subjects. | Students gain a breadth of knowledge across the languages, social sciences, sciences, maths, and the arts. | Students specialise in their chosen area of study, through vocational training and assessment. |
| Most students study four subjects in Year 12, and can reduce to three by Year 13. | All students study six subjects and the DP core over two years, three at higher level and three at standard level. | Most students complete a Level 3 BTEC, which can be equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 A levels, depending on the number of units covered. |
| Students can expand their subject offering with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This can be in the form of a dissertation, investigation, performance or artefact. | The core subjects are the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge course (TOK) and the Creativity, Action, and Service programme (CAS). They support the development of links between the subject groups. | Students can manage their BTEC qualification easily due to its modular makeup, and they are encouraged to take advantage of the Sports Leaders Award, CAS and EPQ. |
| Although there is no formal requirement for their academic programme, all A Level students take advantage of the wide variety of extracurricular programmes on offer. | Through the CAS programme, students focus on personal development beyond the classroom through acts of creativity, service, and physical activity. | Although there is no formal requirement for their academic programme, all BTEC students take advantage of the wide variety of extracurricular programmes on offer. |
| A-Levels are graded from A*-U. | BTEC qualifications are marked from Distinction* to Pass. | The IB Diploma is awarded out of a maximum of 45 points, with 7-1 points per subject, and ToK and EE count for 3 points. |
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