EXPLORE OUR SCHOOL

Throughout the school, students follow the British curriculum for all subjects taught in English. The British curriculum encourages students to learn in valuable, practical ways and to think creatively and independently. In the Foundation Stage, teaching and learning is based on the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The Primary and Secondary schools follow the National Curriculum for England and Wales. In every year group, our curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of our own girls and to provide opportunities for greater understanding of Kuwaiti heritage and culture. In Arabic and Islamic Studies lessons, students follow the MOE curriculum. Teaching and learning Our curriculum is built on understanding what we learn and how to apply our new knowledge and learning. Students will not be asked to constantly learn a lot of facts or information of by heart. Instead they will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, to ask questions, and to formulate hypotheses from evidence they have in front of them. In the Foundation Stage, lessons are planned to help students learn through play. Children are provided with a variety of stimulating activities by their class teacher each day, each of which is designed to develop their skill levels. Students will begin to receive more formal teaching towards the end of Foundation Stage 2. In the Primary School in Key Stages 1 and 2, students have Literacy and Numeracy lessons on a daily basis. Other curriculum areas include Arabic, Islamic studies, science, history, geography, Kuwaiti Social Studies, physical education, information and communication technology (ICT), and art. Classes are taught by a class teacher for some subjects and by specialists for others. Children may work individually, in groups or as a whole class. In the Secondary School, Key Stage 3 and 4 students have specialist teachers for all subjects. The core curriculum of maths, English and science is supplemented by Arabic and Islamic Studies, history, geography, Kuwaiti social studies, ICT, PSHE, art, design technology, food and nutrition and physical education. Classes move from room to room for eight lessons per day. Assessment and reporting Informal assessment of students’ learning and progress occurs daily in every class, and their work is formally assessed throughout the term using unit tests, course work, classwork, observation and other assessment tasks. Examinations take place for Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 students at the end of Term 1, and at the end of the academic year. Students’ assessment and grades are based on standards expected of students in each year group in schools around the world. A student scoring an A grade in our school would be expected to score a similar grade in any UK curriculum international school worldwide, and likewise all other results.

Understanding how to use technology is vital for students in the modern age, and as a result students in all year groups use ICT to enhance their work and develop their technology skills in a range of lessons. In Foundation Stage, students are introduced to technology through the smart tables installed into the classrooms and through their weekly ICT lessons. The school also has two dedicated ICT suites, one for Primary and one for Secondary.

We acknowledge that technology needs to be used in an appropriate way, and the school seeks to help students to understand responsible use of the internet and other technology. Through our PSHE and pastoral care systems, students learn the potential dangers of abusing the internet and social media, so that they are able to take care of themselves online in our digital age. Outside speakers also visit the school to give guidance on safe use of social media in a way that students can understand and apply to their own lives.

The English School for Girls is certified by Cambridge International Examinations and Edexcel to hold examinations for SATs and IGCSE.