Our Academy Learner Profile ensures that children develop skills in working and solving problems in different ways, taking risks and valuing the contribution of others. Critical thinking is very important in the modern world.  

We also recognise that the modern world requires skills and competencies beyond the statutory curriculum and therefore want our students to take every opportunity to develop key skills from a young age, including: resilience, respect, responsibility, critical thinking, independent inquiry, reflective learning, risk taking and team work. Our unique ‘Learner Profile’ encompasses these key skills across all areas of learning, developing attributes that allow young learners to build confidence, solve problems and relate to others in a positive way.

Unlike most schools, lessons at the Academy begin with a Key Question which hooks children in their learning and allows them to discuss, evaluate and debate the answer to the question. By the end of each lesson, the children can answer the key question at a deeper, more detailed level.  

In every lesson, children are also presented with a ‘Chilli Challenge’ which provides a variety of learning tasks set at different levels. Children are offered the opportunity to self-select their starting challenge to ensure every child has a personalised learning experience.  

The Core Subjects are the basis for all other learning and are more formally assessed each year. 

English

The National Curriculum for English develops student’s understanding of the English language. Children develop skills around the four areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. In KS1, children will develop a deep understanding of Phonics before applying these in the four areas. 

Maths

The National Curriculum for Mathematics develops a broad range of skills encouraging children not just to become fluent with mathematical strategies but to reason mathematically and solve problems. Mathematics is broken down into the following topics: Place Value; Number; Calculations; Shape and Space; Measurement; Data Handling; and Algebra. 

Science

The National Curriculum for Science aims to ensure that all students develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. Students will also develop understanding of the nature, processes, and methods of science through different types of science inquiry that help them to answer scientific questions about the world around them. Lessons ensure all children are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science, today and for the future. 

Arabic A (specialist)

Our specialist Native Arabic curriculum mirrors our English curriculum, and, from a young age, children develop skills around the four areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Children attend Arabic A specialist lessons four to five times a week, depending on the age of the child. 

Arabic B (specialist)

Our specialist Arabic curriculum mirrors our Modern Foreign Language curriculum, and, from a young age, children develop skills around the four areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Children attend Arabic B specialist lessons three to four times a week, depending on the age of the child. 

Islamic (specialist) 

For our Muslim students, our specialist Islamic curriculum provides children with an opportunity to develop their understanding of Islamic values. Muslim children attend Islamic lessons two to three times a week, depending on the age of the child. 

Social Studies

Children will access the Social Studies UAE Ministry of Education Curriculum, which is related to the building of personalities, instilling the values of national identity, the practice of good citizenship, which, in turn, develops a sense of belonging within the school and local community. 

Connected Curriculum 

The Connected Curriculum ensures Foundation Subjects are delivered in a connected and thematic way in order to provide exciting, engaging and motivating learning opportunities. 

Each Learning Journey has one or two key projects which offer opportunities to ‘get under the skin’ of the skills and deepen understanding of that subject area. For example, when exploring the Key Question: What does it mean to be a hero? Year 5 students discover Ancient Greece in History and Modern Greece in Geography to innovate the modern-day Olympics in Design and Technology. 

Connections between subjects are clearly mapped, whilst providing adaptability and flexibility so that the lives and cultures of learners and their communities can be distinctively embedded. Importantly, the Connected Curriculum ensures a balance of thematic and discrete teaching with an emphasis on both knowledge and skills. Connected Curriculum includes the following subjects: 

Geography 

The Academy's Geography education inspires pupils’ curiosity and fascination of the world and its people. Teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time. 

History

Our History education helps children gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. Teachers inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about the past. Teaching equips pupils to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement. Our lessons help pupils  understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as developing their own identity and identifying challenges of their time. 

Design and Technology

Our Design and Technology Curriculum allows children to use their creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.  

Art and Design

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. The Academy's Art and Design lessons engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they will be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Art and Design. They should also know how Art and Design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation 

Computing

Computing equips our students to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world. Computing has deep links with mathematics, science and design and technology, and provides insights into both natural and artificial systems. The core of computing is computer science, in which pupils are taught the principles of information and computation, how digital systems work and how to put this knowledge to use through programming. Building on this knowledge and understanding, pupils are equipped to use information technology safely to create programs, systems and a range of content. Computing also ensures that pupils become digitally literate – able to use, and express themselves and develop their ideas through, information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world. 

Moral Education

The UAE Ministry of Education Moral Education Curriculum is divided into four core areas:  

• The Character and Morality curriculum is centred around developing each student as honest, tolerant, resilient and persevering individuals.  
• The Individual and the Community curriculum ensures that children understand a true citizen is one that takes care of themselves in addition to caring about the good of society and participating actively to make things better.  
• Civil Studies ensures that whether a student was born in the UAE or moved here with their family, it is essential to understand the fundamentals of how the UAE was formed and how it is governed today.  
• Culture is an inherent part of a society and the programme wants to highlight UAE’s shared human culture that encapsulates the traditions and symbols that help define who we are. 

Physical Education (specialist)

The Academy’s high-quality physical education curriculum inspires all pupils to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. It provides opportunities for pupils to become physically confident in a way which supports their health and fitness. Opportunities to compete in sport and other activities build character and help to embed values such as fairness and respect. Our state-of-the art PE facilities enrich the curriculum for students from FS1 to Secondary.

Music (specialist)

Our specialist Music lessons provide an opportunity to develop a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. The high-quality music education at WEK should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. As pupils progress, they should develop a critical engagement with music, allowing them to compose, and to listen with discrimination to the best in the musical canon. 

French (specialist)

Weekly specialist French lessons provide an opening to other cultures. Our high-quality language education fosters children’s curiosity and deepens their understanding of French speaking cultures. Our teachers enable pupils to express their ideas and thoughts in the French language while providing opportunities for them to communicate for practical purposes. The Primary Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Curriculum is broken down into the following areas: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. 

At the Academy, as part of our well-being programme, our twice-weekly enrichment sessions allow children to develop interests and skills beyond the statutory curriculum and include activities such as gardening, cooking, yoga, social groups and drama. These activities place a high emphasis on developing positive and trusting relationships with peers and adults. We also give all children regular opportunities to showcase their learning through weekly class assemblies, parental engagements and special events in our auditorium. Developing student’s confidence in themselves is extremely important. 

Our after-school extra-curricular activities (ECAs) support academic, social and physical development. Our ECAs include clubs such as: Sports and Exercise, Creative Writing, Cooking, Design and Construction, Robotics, Coding and Performing Arts.