PYP Coordinator, International Primary Khuzam, RAK Academy, starting August 2023

The British Curriculum Primary School has been established since 2007 and now forms part of the Ras Al Khaimah Academy. The school offers local children and expats a school experience that is faithful to the National Curriculum of England as well as upholding the local Arabic culture and Islamic faith.

The school has grown considerably in the past seven years from 500 pupils to an estimated 1330 in September 2014. We employ mainly British Teachers who were trained in UK Universities or expat teachers who have extensive experience of working in good multicultural schools in England and Wales.

The school operates on a large campus shared with its sister school that offers an alternative Primary Years Programme. The buildings are air conditioned and the facilities include a well-stocked library, gymnasium, swimming pool, sports field and auditorium. We have invested in our IT facilities over the years and our pupils enjoy the benefits of a well-equipped IT department. Specialist subjects are offered by highly trained teachers and include Arabic, Islamic, Social Studies, PE, Music, Art, DT and ICT.

Our campus has well shaded areas for children to play equipped with well-designed and age appropriate play apparatus.

Organisation of the school

The school accepts children from 3 years to 11 years of age. The school has its own Head of School who is supported by a strong middle management team and although being part of an academy of three schools, retains a significant amount of autonomy.

The British Curriculum Primary School is divided into stages of education: Early Years Foundation Stage; Key Stage 1; Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. The average size of each stage is 7 classes making it essential for the school to achieve consistency and continuity of approach. Each year group has a leader and teaching staff are also supported by two experienced deputies and a SENCO.

The curriculum

At the BCPS we challenge pupils to reach the highest possible levels of attainment and meet their individual potential. The curriculum is broad and balanced and relevant to the needs of the community we serve.

Years 1 to 6 follow carefully planned schemes of work with a strong emphasis on developing the core skills of speaking & listening, reading, writing, mathematics, science and computer skills.

Pupil progress is tracked by ongoing assessment employing Assessing Pupil Progress (APP) as a means of validating Teacher Assessment. At the end of Year 6 we employ SATs to confirm teachers’ judgements and have had considerable success preparing our pupils with EAL to achieve high levels of attainment.

We place a significant emphasis on sport and run a sports academy on the weekend. Our enthusiastic PE Department takes full advantage of opportunities to compete in local football, netball, basketball, swimming and cross-country events.

We offer pupils an extensive list of music clubs including singing stars, keyboard and drumming.

At the age of 11 years our pupils move on to the Secondary Department situated on our adjacent campus.

Our mission at Ras Al Khaimah Academy is to

• Promote knowledgeable, skilful and caring learners
• Inspire individual development and a desire for life-long learning 
• Instil a relentless pursuit of excellence 
• Nurture outstanding academic achievement 
• Actively engages students to contribute to the community 
• Support inter-cultural understanding and respect 
• Encourage students to have a positive impact on the lives of others, now and in the future

We believe that

• The school community will strive to be principled, risk-takers, knowledgeable, balanced, communicators, reflective, caring, thinkers, open-minded, inquirers 
• Students have a fundamental right to a quality education in a safe, stimulating and positive learning environment 
• Every individual is to be respected for their inherent worth 
• Students have primary responsibility for their own learning 
• Education equips learners to function in a rapidly changing world by giving them the skills to access, sort, analyse, process, and use information 
• Education is a shared responsibility between parents, students, staff, administration, the Board of Governors and the broader community 
• The many cultures that enrich our international community are to be equally valued 
• Learning is a life-long process

Professional challenges

The greatest professional challenge for our teachers is to develop high levels of English in our pupils who come predominantly from homes where English is an Additional Language (EAL). A British style curriculum is popular with our local Emirate families as well as expats because it offers breadth and balance as well as offering a clearly structured curriculum and comparative assessment opportunities.

Website: www.rakacademy.org  Link: http://www.rakacademy.org/index.php/bc-primary?view=featured