Welcome to the Al Mamoura Academy Abu Dhabi official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

If you have to highlight three strengths of your school, what would they be?

* All girls secondary education

* British and American Curriculum for secondary school

* Outstanding school campus and facilities

* Accredited by BSO

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

Open for 2022/2023

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

For all students to feel safe, inspired and confident. For them to respect themselves and others, taking responsibility for their actions and developing positive behaviours and outcomes for the future.

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

International demographic with more than 35 nationalities

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

United Arab Emirates

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

12:7

Please describe your approach to teacher recruitment in terms of the balance of staff you seek in terms of nationalities and in terms of years of experience/ qualifications you look for. Please also provide details of how you use teaching assistants.

Our staff are all qualified teachers with either a Bachelor of Education or a PGCE or equivalent. They are all ADEK PASS approved. Teachers all all qualified in the curriculum they teach in.

Does your school measure Value Added data? Please provide details of how you measure, and current Value Added benchmark scores.

Value added is measured against CAT4 data and (I)GCSE results.

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

We offer IGCSE, GCSE, International A Level and A Level exams as well as the High School Diploma.

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

Current data shows that all of our students will be going to University at the end of this academic year. Applications are yet to be confirmed as 1st Cohort of Post 16 students.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

We focus on high expectations – our ‘bronze’ success criteria is age related expectations so that the ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ reflect above age related expectations. This is a means of focusing the planning of lessons on challenge.

In our Middle School, we prioritise PBL and investigation as evidenced by the recent introduction of Genius Hour and Science Labs being used from Year 5 upwards.

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

We endeavour to develop independent learning through homework and expect teachers in Middle and Senior School to set homework once a week. The time spent on homework is dependent on task and increases according to the year that the student is in.

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

All students have 2 PE lessons per week in order to ensure that they engage in physical activity. Alongside this, we encourage students to use their break and lunchtimes actively.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Wellbeing activities; wellbeing rooms; PE lessons; form time activities; DT lessons

We promote safeguarding, anti bullying, respect, kindness and well-being through our student leaders programme. We have a bespoke year overview highlighting values, Emotions and Personality

Internet safety and social media communications are covered with students of all ages, and workshops are facilitated for parents. We share information on filters and controls to keep students safe

How do you promote healthy eating?

We promote healthy eating through our food provision in school. There is also an extensive focus on healthy eating and food miles within food technology lessons.

We have healthy eating representatives in each class who help students make good choices.

Food Nutrition classes highlight food groups and activities on how to fuel your body efficiently.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students? How does it promote a balanced diet?

We have a school canteen and the menu promotes healthy choices.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

The approximate cost is AED 15 for a hot meal with a selection of snacks and salads between AED 13 and AED 20

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-2:50pm

Friday: 8:00am-12:00pm

Is there a school uniform?

Yes

Please advise on your discipline policy?

We operate a behaviour policy rather than a discipline policy. We focus on praising positive behaviour to reward students that are doing the right thing. Disruptive behaviour will be dealt with by the class/subject teacher in the first instance. Consistency in the way disruption is dealt with is absolutely vital so that students know the boundaries within which they can work and learn. Communication with parents early on is also necessary to help prevent low level disruption from escalating. Behaviour issues are logged on CPOMS and appropriate sanctions, communications or reconciliations are applied accordingly.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

During the year, parents receive written communication with regards to Attainment and Progress three times a year. Alongside this the school has scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences 3 times a year.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

During the year, parents receive written communication with regards to Attainment and Progress three times a year. This is supplemented by three Parent Teacher Consultation opportunities.

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

English, Arabic, French and Spanish

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

EAL support is given to key individuals who are new to English and who struggle to access the curriculum. We have an EAL induction process for students who are new to English. There is a specialist teacher that provides this and support is offered through differentiated teaching and learning opportunities throughout the curriculum. We have a termly EAL focus to support teachers ensuring they are meeting the needs of all students.

Do you offer a dedicated prayer room/s for students? For which faiths?

We offer dedicated prayer rooms for our Muslim students.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Students are identified and challenged within lessons. Our Gifted and Talented students are also members of the Academy of Excellence where they have access to higher level learning. We have introduced Advanced Learning Plans to help further challenge our more able students with targets specific to their areas of strength. Our aim is to provide opportunities beyond the curriculum to explore their strengths and areas of passion.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

One to one intervention; small group intervention; support for learning; additional exam support;

All students needs are highlighted on planning, to stretch the more able and support the less able. Meetings are held weekly to review information and offer further support.

Students have Individual Support Plans to assist social and emotional progress and Individual Education Plans to support with their academic needs. We have close links with outside agencies and strong relationships with families to work collaboratively to support specific identified needs.

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

Through our Director of Inclusion and support from the wider Aldar team.

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

We have links with multiple external agencies who support our students both on and off site to meet their individual needs.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes - The Al Mamoura Parents Association (AMPA). They support school staff in organising community events, providing feedback on future plans and meet with regularly with our leadership team.

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

We have AMPA which is the Al Mamoura Parental group within the school.

They have a change to support with specific events within the school such as National Day, International Day etc

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

Yes

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Coffee Mornings scheduled bi-weekly

Tours

Meet the Principals