Welcome to the International School of Creative Science Nad al Sheba 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.

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

Fortunately the demand for places in our school surprised us especially for EYFS and KS1. We built our next phase ahead of schedule to meet the demands in applications.

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

International School of Creative Science is a school which aims to instill strong values in itself and its community. Our students will experience the best learning experiences from strong teachers who will be their mentors as well as their role models. Students will become global leaders of learning, life, humanity and faith.

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

As an ever growing school we welcome more nationalities each year, we currently have over 30 nationalities and look forward to becoming a school of choice for all nationalities.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

We have a good balance of nationalities, around half are UAE Nationals who come to our school due to its rich values and strong education and then our nationals are equally balanced from other parts of the world such as the Europe and Asia.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

in EYFS the teacher student ratio is 1:6

in KS1 the ratio is 1:14

in KS2 & KS3 it is 1:25

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

All students progress and attainment is tracked, our last year student progress was very high where each student progressed over 7 sub steps in one year (average expected is 4-5 sub steps).

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

As per KHDA recommendation, students from Year 3 onwards will sit the CAT4 assessment and at the end of the academic year the students from Year 1 onwards will sit the PT series assessments. During this time students sit the Pearson assessments for our English subjects and Avant for Arabic studies.

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?

We are currently up to Year 9 and therefore not sitting post 16 education exams.

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

As a new school we are currently up to Year 9 and growing by one year each year and therefore currently do not have a sixth form cohort.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

The mission of the school is to "effectively instill traditional morals and values while ensuring excellence through an integrated curriculum based upon Internationally renowned best practices in teaching and learning primarily based on the New National Curriculum of England, UAE curriculum for Arabic language, Islamic studies, and social studies, plus most modern innovative skills including proficiency in science and technology."

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

We definitely encourage independent learning through homework, we also take into consideration the time a student spends on homework. Students are encouraged to work on project-based work on homework rather than the conventional way of homework. Teachers would set homework projects for students which help to develop multiple skills over a number of subjects.

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

We have a PE program that runs from FS to year 9. We also offer International Sports as an elective, and ECAs promoting healthy activity as we encourage students with talents in sports to participate in local and international competitions. In addition, we have outsourced a Sports program (Abtal) that is offered on school grounds for our school students. Some of our sports clubs include a boxing club, football club, gardening and cricket to name a few.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

The school promotes healthy lifestyles by offering well-prepared healthy choices for hot-lunch at the school cafeteria. We also encourage parents to pack healthy lunches. Also, our nurses and clinic staff always run health & hygiene campaigns to promote a healthy life-style. Our school PTA works collaboratively with the teachers to deliver workshops on the importance of healthy eating, workshops have included having a balanced plate and reducing sugar, in addition to Parents’ Sports workshops where mothers / fathers meet together for different sports sessions on school grounds.

How do you promote healthy eating?

The school promotes healthy lifestyles by offering well-prepared healthy choices for hot-lunch at the school cafeteria. We also encourage parents to pack healthy lunches. Also, our nurses and clinic staff always run health campaigns to promote healthy life-style. Our school PTA works collaboratively with the teachers to deliver workshops on the importance of healthy eating, workshops have included having a balanced plate and reducing sugar.

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

Yes, the school has a fully operational and highly effective food service and cafeteria for students.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

The average price for a good lunch would be 20 AED.

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

EYFS 7:15 to 12:40 pm

Primary & Secondary 7:15 to 2: 40pm

Is there a school uniform?

Yes

Please advise on your discipline policy?

Our school believes in positive discipline and therefore implements an ADAB policy which will have all elements of a behaviour process in any good international school but we aim to go a step further by instilling etiquettes and positive rights for our students.

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

We give feedback to parents on regular intervals. Students are constantly aware of how they are doing in class both academically and behaviorally. Parents are informed both in writing (electronically and through progress reports). All formative assessments are tracked by the teacher for each student and based on the students understanding of his age related skills, the students will be provided with additional support through intervention or pushed to depth of mastery. EYFS students have regular observations which parents can access from home to track their child/ren progress in school.

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

There is a parent-teacher meeting at the end of each term in which parents will receive feedback from teachers based on their child/ren progress and recommendations for next steps. The end of term report will capture the skills each student has secured in that term and targets for the next term which is done termly.

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

We currently have English and Arabic class only. French classes might be introduced as an extra curricula club next year.

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

We deliver the Read Write Inc. program across the school which supports our students with their reading and writing skills in addition to intervention in each year group.

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

Yes, We have dedicated a prayer time and provided a prayer room where for boys and another one for girls so they can pray.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Through differentiated instruction in class, and offering extra-curricular activities to support the needs of gifted and talented students. Our SENDco will track the progress of G&T students and work with the teachers to ensure that they are pushed to achieve mastery in their subjects.

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?

As a school inclusion is one of our core priorities. We have a very successful Effective Learning Provision (ELP) in which students are supported by the ELPCo and LSAs who work closely with each student and document their learning needs in an IEP and provide support and intervention based on the students’ needs. We have an excellent well-resourced ELP room and a sensory room which students use during their intervention and sessions.

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

Yes, we have a very strong and inclusive provision for students with learning difficulties, as a school we aim to screen and understand the needs of the students very well so that we are able to support them in our provision.

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, Our SENDCo is an Educational Psychologist from the UK and therefore has a strong understanding of student’s needs, we work very closely with centers recommended by KHDA to support the needs of students.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

We have a well-established PTA that supports the school and Class Representatives who work closely with the teachers.

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, our parents have volunteered their time for arranging events and coordinating national and international days at our school.

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

Yes our school board of governors has a parent representative.

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

Yes, in parent orientation meetings, at the beginning of the year, we walk them through the procedures and policies at our school. We also inform them on how to help their children in homework, with assessments, navigating online resources, and such. There is also a number of parent workshops done during the year to support parents and help to establish strong communication between parents and the school who work in partnership to support their children.