There is a culture of giving and service at the core of our purpose, decisions and actions.
PARTNER CONTENT: The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is no stranger to winning awards, including Sixth Form, yet Alistair Thompson, Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Head Teacher of Secondary, readily admits that this is not the school’s focus nor is it its aim.
“I am very fortunate here that I have a team of like minded individuals, says Alistair. “Our philosophy is that students come first and anything that we do or introduce has the students at the centre of it. Every time we have an event, do something new or bring in a new initiative, we reflect on it quite extensively and see how we can make it better the following year.”
As well as reaching for academic excellence, BSAK also has a culture of giving and service at the core of its purpose, decisions and actions.
With more than 200 students, the school offers an exceptional choice of A Levels, vocational and educational pathways and is the only school in Abu Dhabi to offer three BTEC Level 3 Diploma qualifications in Business, Engineering and Sport.
“Our selling point to the public or those coming into BSAK for the first time is that the students are at the centre of it all,” adds Alistair who goes on to say how the school has a plethora of academic enrichment programmes that are led by Sixth Form students.
“This year we introduced Sixth Form Subject Ambassadors. We really want to give them an experience, to create opportunities, to come in and develop these young men and women and leave us in a place of strength and move to the next stage of their lives whether that is at university or on an apprenticeship or work itself. We cater to everything.”
BSAK students consistently achieve the top results in Abu Dhabi and the school’s alumni go on to study at the most prestigious universities around the world.
The school also passionately believes that a truly exceptional education requires much more than the pursuit of academic qualifications. A balanced, holistic and well-rounded education is central to our values and provision in the guise of Sixth Form Enrichment.
“I am a true believer in noncognitive skills,” says Alistair. “In education we talk a lot about metacognition and how to learn, but if we can couple that with noncognitive skills looking at students’ vision, effort, at the systems they have to operate, their attitude, how they practice and prepare, alongside the metacognition that teachers take care of, then we are going to produce a student that is ready to take on the world.”
The BSAK Future Leader’s Diploma aims to equip our students with 21st century skills to not only succeed but to make their mark in the world. Students should leave BSAK ready and able to deal with the challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s world and to make the most of the opportunities that surround them.
Global Citizenship and Service ensures students understand and are able to play a full role in the world. UAE citizenship and Global citizenship are two features of this provision. Understanding the values and the culture of the country in which they live and how they can contribute to it is emphasised through the ‘service’ and community aspects of this pillar, in addition to moral and ethical education.
Leadership is another pillar that prepares students with the skills and abilities to be the ‘leaders of tomorrow’. This practical leadership course provides a wide range of leadership roles and opportunities along with the chance to take a Mini MBA provided through Abu Dhabi University are some of the extensive opportunities offered. Key skill development includes leadership and responsibility, collaboration and teamwork, self-confidence, problem solving, entrepreneurship, communication, independent learning.
In addition to the BSAK Diploma, there is also an extensive co-curriculum which is viewed as essential to the overall holistic learning experience at BSAK.
Students are actively encouraged to engage in the wide range of activities available to them outside of the academic curriculum. Across the whole school, Sport, Music, Creative & Performing Arts departments offer exciting experiences for all years.
Academic Societies also offer the chance for students to supplement their academic learning – GeogSoc, MedSoc, World Scholars and the Arabic Society are a few that the school offers – assisting Sixth Form students to develop their interests and knowledge in preparation for university.
The school’s Debating programme is well established and actively involved in events throughout the UAE with other schools.
“Some schools say they already do all of this, but these cannot be add-ons; they have to be embedded into the culture of the school and into the Sixth Form,” says Alistair.
“At BSAK, we have lessons in leadership with the headmaster, mindset lessons, which are put together to support them, for example, lessons in gratitude or building revision timetables. Such lessons are fluid and what we do this year is not necessarily what we will do next year.
“It is about giving back and leadership, which in turn creates experiences that ultimately lead to success.”
For more information, visit BSAK Sixth Form
