Curriculum Information

The curriculum framework at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis is based on the National Curriculum for England from Foundation Stage to Sixth Form. Students in Key Stage 4 will follow GCSE Examination Courses and students in the Sixth Form will prepare for IB Diploma and IB Career-related Certificate.  Key Skills identified in the National Curriculum that underpin success in education, employment, lifelong learning and personal development are embedded in planning.

Our curriculum design will help to excite children about learning and provide relevant and meaningful learning experiences. GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis will provide a vibrant, inclusive and creative learning environment that encourages challenge, curiosity and choice. Our excellent standards will create a learning programme that is exceptionally rich, relevant and enjoyable.

The National Curriculum for England is based on a structured and broad framework that outlines expected levels of achievement for the duration of the student’s education. The curriculum also provides a regular programme of student assessment and evaluation to ensure that students are working towards levels of attainment appropriate to their age and capability. The National Curriculum for England is divided into Key Stages.

The curriculum at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis is also underpinned by the GEMS core values of World Citizenship, Leadership Qualities, Universal Values and Forward Thinking. These values are embedded into curriculum planning so that students are not only prepared for academic success, but equipped to be well-rounded lifelong learners and responsible, proactive members of the global community, poised to engage the future with competence and confidence.

The preparation of our students for their future in a world where globalisation and technology are driving rapid change requires that the curriculum at every point include the use of ICT to enhance its delivery and to draw on world resources.

National Curriculum for England Levels and Measuring Progress

Programmes of Study

For each National Curriculum subject, there is a programme of study. The programmes of study describe the subject knowledge, skills and understanding students are expected to develop during each key stage.

National Curriculum levels 

Children develop at different rates, but National Curriculum levels can give you an idea of how your child’s progress compares to what is typical for their age. For example, by the end of Key Stage 1, most children will have reached level 2, and by the end of Key Stage 2, most will be at level 4.

We will send you a report telling you what National Curriculum levels your child has reached in any formal assessments Programmes of Study For each National Curriculum subject, there is a programme of study. The programmes of study describe the subject knowledge, skills and understanding students are expected to develop during each key stage.

Sub levels

The levels are also subdivided, so sometimes you may hear teachers at WSO talking about a Level 3c, 2b or 4a. In this case ‘c’ means just starting to work on a level, ‘b’ means they are working within the level and ‘a’ means at the top of a level.

Subdividing levels helps to monitor how the children are progressing from term to term. A child who moves from a Level 3c to 3a over a year is clearly making progress,even though s/he stayed within Level 3.

Teacher assessments

Your child’s teacher will carry out regular checks on their progress in each subject as a normal part of their teaching. At the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 they will carry out a formal “teacher assessment”, indicating which National Curriculum level best describes your child’s performance in each area of learning.

'End of Key stage' tests

At the end of Key Stage 1, the teacher’s assessment of your child’s progress will take account of their performance in English and Maths, measured by tasks and tests that are administered informally.

At the end of Key Stage 2, your child will take national tests in English and Maths.

The tests won’t give you a complete picture of how your child is doing at school – they provide a “snapshot”, showing how they performed in selected parts of a subject on a particular day. But we can use the test results as an independent measure of how we and your children are doing compared to standards across the UK and other international schools following the National Curriculum.

The Foundation Stage

The GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis Early Years Foundation Stage consists of Foundation Stage One (FS 1) and Foundation Stage Two (FS 2). Dedicated Teachers and Teaching Assistants set the standards for learning, development and care of our children from a young age. Individual needs of children are addressed and closely monitored. Children are guided with care through their stages of development and the expectations of the six areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Physical Development
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Creative Development

Music and Physical Education further enhance the children’s curriculum experiences and Arabic and French are introduced.

Play is a key way in which our young children learn. At GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis, play is well planned, both indoors and out and recognised as a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge.

School and parents work closely together to help our children become sociable, well behaved people. We firmly believe that children need to be happy if they are to learn.

Key Stage 1

The curriculum for Years One (Y1) and Two (Y2) is lively, engaging and designed to meet the needs of all our students. The programme corresponds very closely to Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum for England and the key skills for the Excellent and Enjoyable Curriculum. We aim to develop creative, confident and inquisitive learners, who are ready to progress into Key Stage 2. Full time teaching assistants in Year 1 and 2 help to ensure all children have excellent opportunities to access each activity and achieve their full potential.

Subject specialists teach physical education, music and swimming in close collaboration with class teachers. Dedicated sessions in the Library and the use of ICT also enhances the curriculum delivery.

The children will visit many places of interest linked to the projects they are studying each term. Hands on, experiential learning will be a core component of the daily life for students in the Key Stage One department.  

Subjects taught in Key Stage 1 and 2 include:

Core Subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Science

Foundation Subjects

• ICT
• History
• Geography
• French
• Art
• Music
• Physical Education
• Personal, Social Education

Key Stage 2

Specialised teaching and the use of special resources increases as the children move through the Primary school. Children are still predominantly form based, but may also be organised according to the children’s abilities for some subjects, ensuring that individual needs are addressed.

The four year programme of study aims to produce confident and competent learners who are good communicators. At the same time, students are encouraged to develop a compassionate attitude to others, along with self-discipline and independence. Sports, music and performance endeavours also at a higher level and the success of these events are celebrated in the Academy.

ICT at GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis will feature a wireless network, interactive whiteboards and multimedia projectors in every classroom as well as access to laptops which will be stored on mobile trolleys and some handheld technologies.

At GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis all children will receive weekly Arabic and French lessons from FS 2. These are taught by specialist teachers and give children a valuable learning opportunity to develop their language skills.

Key Stage 3

All students follow a common curriculum that ensures continuity of study for students who may transfer to or from other English National Curriculum schools around the world. The subjects available at Key Stage 3 at GEMS Wellington Academy are:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• French 
• Spanish 
• Arabic (for all) and Islamic Studies (muslim students)
• Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
• Geography
• History
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology (Science is a combined subject up to Year 9)
• Music
• Art & Design
• Physical Education
• Personal,Social & Health Education

Key Stage 4 (Year 10 available from September 2012)

Students in Years 10 & 11 will study GCSE courses with the possibility of taking 9 examination subjects. The proposed curriculum subjects to be available are:

Compulsory Subjects (4):  English Language, English Literature, Mathematics and Science (students choose 1 from the three areas)
Optional Subjects (5) from: Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Dance, Drama, Economics, French, Spanish, Geography, History, ICT, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Physics.

Sixth Form (Year 12 available from 2013)

During the final two years of school, students sit for IB Diploma and IB Career-related Certificate. Again, a wide range of subjects are offered which assist in preparing students for higher studies or a multitude of career opportunities.

Key leadership qualities are very important in these senior years. Students in these classes will be challenged to accept and develop responsibilities as leaders and citizens of the world.