Welcome to the Ambassador School Sharjah 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?

The school has rigorous procedures for safeguarding and a strong emphasis

on students’ wellbeing. The protection, care, guidance and support given to students is very good. All staff, students and parents are fully aware of safeguarding procedures including child protection. Students feel safe and are happy in school. Very effective personal and academic support systems are also in place for students with special educational needs.

Students’ personal and social development and their innovation skills are very good. Students have a deep understanding, awareness, and appreciation of their own and other world cultures. Coherent learning experiences are embedded in the curriculum with a wide range of curricular and cocurricular choices and opportunities for enhancement through community partnerships.

The school successfully engages parents as partners. Parental engagement through the parent support group is well established and the ‘open-door’ school policy ensures parents’ views are taken account of. Effective communication ensures parents are fully informed about school developments and the academic progress of their child.

What is the single biggest challenge your school is currently addressing?

The single biggest challenge we are addressing right now is catering to the needs of our students to learn the Arabic language effectively . Considering that our student population is predominantly non Arabic speaking, we need to help them with resources for home learning as well. Since there is a lack of free online resources for learning the language, we rely on our teachers to provide students with videos, presentations, study guides as well as beginner and remedial classes. We also have students joining midterm across the grades from countries where they have not been exposed to the Arabic language at all.

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

Yes. we have waiting lists which are given utmost priority and immediate attention. Parents are contacted as and when the seats are available.

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

Ambassador School Sharjah believes in providing holistic education to students and equipping them with the 21st-century skills required to create a niche for themselves in the world. The curricula incorporate leading pedagogical models and best practices from around the world to ensure the overall development of the individual children. The KG curriculum follows the EYFS framework developing the core learner profiles and skill development through communication STEM and Art expression.

The Primary curriculum is developed on the competencies and the CBSE core values of a comprehensive evaluation are practiced to assess the children.

The middle school curriculum is integrated with experiential learning methodologies and students are trained to be independent.

Senior classes are prepared to face the Board examinations with adequate guidance to career options and the demands of professional studies.

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

India, Pakistani, Sri lankan, Filipino, American, Nigerian , Bangladeshi and Nepali

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Yes, Indian

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:10

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.

The recruitment process is rigorous. Only qualified and experienced staff are recruited after a background check , subject knowledge interview and demo. We have subject specialists for the various subjects including native Arabic speakers for Arabic language. All nationalities are welcome to apply for the vacancies. Teaching assistants are used primarily in Pre-KG, Kindergarten 1 and 2. Every class in Early years has a teacher, a teaching assistant and a nanny . As the students move to Primary, there are two class teachers responsible for a class.

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

NA

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

Yes, external and international benchmarking exams are part of our enriched curriculum. Our school participates in National Olympiads, ASSET, IBT-ACER, GL Assessment-PTE & PTM, CAT4 , Green Olympiad and many more.

Please provide details of how well your school did in its previous external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

The school raises the learning standards of children to International Standards by training them for International Exams like GL Assessment (UK Based Assessment), ASSET, Olympiads, Spell Bee. The students have excelled with significant results by securing top positions in exams like ASSET, Olympiads, etc.

In the previous CBSE board examination for Grade 10, we have 100% pass results with students excelling in all subjects.

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

NA

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

Learning at Ambassador School Sharjah campus focuses on developing the necessary skillsets for critical thinking, analysis, deconstruction, and problem-solving through project-based and collaborative learning. The role of the teacher becomes that of a mentor, philosopher, and guide who is constantly facilitating the learner to remain motivated and to delve deeper into the subject and related fields of study.

School believes to Inspire, Inquire and Innovate as the students are exposed to experiential learning methods. Subjects are integrated and STEAM learning is an integral part of the curriculum.

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

Yes, Independent Learning is encouraged through homework and project-based learning and shared according to a Homework Guidelines document, specifying the time required for the homework per subject , making it convenient for the parent and student to schedule the homework time accordingly.

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

With the huge playfields of football, basketball, tennis, and volleyball, various other sports activities are incorporated into the regular timetable . Children also have Performing arts / movement classes over and above the sports that we offer. Yoga, Zumba, gymnastics are also taught to the students. Our after school program “ASPIRE” offers a variety of sports activities to all the students.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

Student Council monitors the health and hygiene of school. They conduct sessions for the students and parents on healthy food and lifestyle. The Environment Ambassador of the Student Council encourages students to bring healthy food for their breaks. Students are taught about Healthy Food habits from KG. Chocolates and cakes are not allowed to be distributed during birthdays or any special occasion. Fitness sessions are part of the regular assemblies. Physical education is an integral part of the school.

How do you promote healthy eating?

Student Council conducts assemblies and awareness campaigns for other students. We encourage children to take part in various events including fitness challenges which also give importance to healthy eating. Healthy food day, traditional food day celebration, seminars and debates on healthy food vs junk food, etc. are ways to encourage students towards healthy food.

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

NO

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

NA

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

7:30 AM TO 12:30 PM for KG and 7:30 AM TO 2:30 PM for Primary and Secondary

Is there a school uniform?

Yes, we have separate uniforms for KG, Grades 1-4 and Grades 5 upwards.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

School follows the Ministry Policies of Behaviour. The student council has Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and they monitor the student behaviour during the breaks, celebrations, and events. The school received the Anti- Bullying Award from the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood for being innovative and promoting a healthy culture in school. Student Council conducts awareness assemblies, sessions, and campaigns on anti-bullying among students.

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

Constructive feedback is a regular feature in all the assignments given by the teachers across the grades. Parents have direct access to teachers and the Senior Leadership Team of the school by email or through the school portal. The regular schedules of Parent-Teacher Meetings or PTMs are adhered to while individual Parent meetings are arranged as per the needs of the students. Virtual Parent meets as per the availability of parents are organized twice a term to share the progress of the child. A detailed descriptive report card highlighting the strength and area of improvement for each child is shared with the parents after each assessment. External benchmarking test reports are also shared with the parents through the school portal.

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

Parent-Teacher meetings happen multiple times in a year with a detailed report being published on the school portal for every child after each assessment. Parent Support Group Members attend the monthly meeting with the SLT of the school to address various common concerns.

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

First language - English

Ministry mandated language- Arabic

Second language- French, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu

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

All our students are non native speakers of English language. Our medium of instruction is English. Emphasis on phonics and reading in Kindergarten and Lower Primary ensures that students become well versed in the Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills of English.

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

Yes, we have Prayer Rooms separately for Boys and Girls with ablution facilities

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Gifted and talented students are identified, provisions are made in the lesson plan to challenge them further. They are trained for external competitions and given opportunities to conduct sessions for other students or parents . There is a Genius Hour during club time every week wherein these students are given additional tasks to take them beyond their capability in their subject of interest.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

The Centre for Learning and Counselling (CLC) is the team in school catering to the needs of all students and it consists of 2 Counsellors and 2 Special Educators and a Social Worker. Identified students attend pull out sessions with the Special Educators and the Learning Support Teachers. The school allows for the appointment of Shadow / LSA as pEr the need and demand of parents.

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?

Regular pull-out and classroom observation sessions are held by the SEND dept. Teachers are given the training to identify, refer and use specific strategies for the children who need support. IEP /ILP/ IBP is drafted, parents are oriented through meetings and workshops about the strategies to be used at home and regular follow up is done to ensure that progress is visible. There is a sensory room available in Kindergarten and a dedicated learning room for pull out sessions in the higher grades.

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

Yes, We are an inclusive school and we have a team of members who are fully qualified, trained, and competent to attend or support the students with learning disabilities.

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

Yes, the school has a team for Counselling and Learning Support to assist the children with special needs/challenges. We do have an extended support system with Learning Support Assistants for one on one need.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes, we have an active Parent Support Group with members representing each class and section.

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

Yes. Parents are kept updated about academics/events/activities. Parental Involvement activities are also conducted on a frequent basis. These could be celebrations/events/special days/ parent focussed seminars. Parents can also volunteer for various events or help to conduct workshops.

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

Yes. We have parental representation in the Governing Council. Parents are allowed to share the feedback and suggestions for the betterment of the school, which is often considered and implemented after review by the School Management. The parent representatives are also updated about the progress of the school and the students. They are also involved in major decision-making sessions related to academics.

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

Yes. We have campus tours from Sunday to Thursday to showcase the school . New parents receive information relevant to the school and their child regularly through the portal and directly from the admissions team before admission. We have batch-wise Informative Sessions/orientations organized exclusively for the new parents for sharing all the required and supportive information about the school. New Parents are also invited through email invitations and communications to be a part of the regular events and activities as per their availability and convenience.