Welcome to the Victory Heights Primary School 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?

Yes, in all groups apart from FS1

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

At Victory Heights Primary, our vision is to create a school which is at the heart of the community and bursting with happy learners who are enthusiastic about exploring the world around them. Our aim is to create a fun and stimulating learning environment where every day is a magical voyage of discovery for children.

We want to nurture responsible global citizens who are sensitive to other cultures and people. We encourage our students to respect their environment, develop a social conscience and give something back to society. In keeping with the traditions of the best British schools, we emphasize the importance of an ‘all-round’ education, especially, character development, leadership skills and the ability to be a team player.

Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory

ELLI is about helping children develop their strength or power as learners so that they can achieve their best throughout life.

Researchers have identified teaching seven Learning Dimensions or Powers that are key to becoming highly successful lifelong learners.

The children at Victory Heights Primary School are getting to know these powers using animal metaphors, which are as follows:

The OWL is planning and strategic awareness,

The CHAMELEON is the ability to keep changing and learning,

The TORTOISE is resilience,

The UNICORN is creativity,

The BEES are the ability to work alone and in a team,

The CAT is about developing the attitude of curiosity,

And the SPIDER helps us to make connections and ‘webs’ of meaning.

Each dimension is a continuum, we are all on there somewhere. Ideally a balance of strength in all areas is needed to become effective lifelong learners.

KHDA Lighthouse

The Dubai education sector regulator, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has asked schools to work on moving towards positive education by implementing 10 key character traits.

The 10 traits for positive education are creativity, curiosity, courage, integrity, resilience, empathy, fairness and tolerance, awe, gratitude and purpose.

Here at Victory Heights Primary School we are committed, through both ELLI and the Lighthouse Project, towards positive education.

Why positive education?

‘What we need in education is a much better understanding of students and learning from a motivational perspective’ – Angela Duckworth

‘Grit is a life-long marathon, not a sprint’ – Angela Duckworth

‘Happiness makes us smarter and more efficient. It actually fuels our success.’ – Shawn Achor

‘Mindfulness is letting the mind operate naturally. We know so little about what’s happening in our bodies and minds’ – Sir Anthony Seldon

‘Happiness doesn’t require money, doesn’t require consumption it goes with the wholeness and goodness. It goes in harmony with the universe’ – Sir Anthony Seldon

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

We have 66 nationalities

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

Majority are British and Europeans

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

1:15

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?

N/A

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

N/A

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

At Victory Heights Primary School, we are aware that people learn in many different ways; we recognise the need to develop strategies that allow all children to learn in ways that best suit them, whether that be auditory, kinaesthetic or visual. Through our teaching we aim to:

Enable children to become confident, resourceful, enquiring and independent learners

Foster children’s self-esteem and help them build positive relationships with other people

Develop children’s self respect and encourage children to respect the ideas, attitudes, values and feelings of others

Show respect for all cultures and, in doing so, promote positive attitudes towards other people

Help children grow into responsible, independent and positive people

Foster a love of learning so they develop positive lifelong habits and values.

We offer opportunities for children to learn in different ways.

Activities are planned which promote:

Asking and answering questions

Investigation and problem solving

Creative thinking

Critical thinking

Reflective thinking

These activities are organised in a variety of ways:

Group work

Pair work

Independent work

Whole-class work

Inter- year group work

Cross key stage work

Display is highly valued and children’s work across all subjects is celebrated, providing them with a sense of recognition and achievement.

At Victory Heights Primary School, we believe that assessment is an essential part of teaching and learning. The main benefits of assessment enable each teacher to find out what pupils know, understand and can do and then plan appropriate progression throughout all curriculum areas, tailored to the learning needs and abilities of the specific child. Formative and summative assessments take place and regular feedback will be given to parents. Children will be given a National Curriculum level assessment in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. We are also committed to reporting on social as well as academic progress

How do you promote healthy eating?

A balanced diet is important for good health. A healthy varied diet can help maintain a healthy body weight, enhance general well-being and reduce a number of diseases such as heart disease,stroke, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. It is recognized that there is an important connection between a healthy diet and a pupil’s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in

school.

Victory Heights Primary School realizes the need to promote healthy eating for every child. It recognizes the value of promoting healthy eating habits and the important role this plays in the prevention of illnesses therefore enabling children to achieve their full potential at school.

Aims:

Victory Heights Primary School aims to provide an environment that supports a positive and healthy approach to eating practices. We aim to create an awareness of the importance of healthy eating and the benefits this brings.

To ensure that pupils are well nourished and that every pupil has access to tasty, nutritious food and safe, easily available supply of water.

Ensure that the consumption of food is an enjoyable and safe experience, which encourages the positive social interaction of pupils.

Victory Heights Primary School will inform parents of the Healthy Eating Policy when they enroll their child. This reflects the medical, ethical, allergenic and religious requirements of pupils and staff.

Parents are advised to provide school snacks and lunches that contain sufficient nutrition to satisfy the child of one third of his daily nutritional requirements.

It should contain a source of protein to keep the child alert. This may be with a sandwich filling of chicken, egg or tuna. Chicken salad, tuna pasta salad or a vegetarian option, may be an alternative.

It should contain complex carbohydrates, such as whole meal bread, pasta, rice or banana for slow release energy. This will help to sustain the child’s energy levels and assist in maintaining their concentration.

It should contain a source of calcium for growth, healthy bones and teeth. Cheese, milk, yogurt, fromage frais, yogurt drinks, smoothies and milk shakes are all excellent sources of calcium.

It should contain a portion of fruit or vegetable.

Foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar should be limited. This is aimed at preventing tooth decay and excess weight gain.

Sweets, chocolates, crisps, sweetened cereal bars and fizzy drinks are not encouraged within school and should not be included in packed lunch boxes.

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

Yes.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

An average of 20 aed is spend on the canteen daily for healthy snacks and lunches.

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

FS1-2, Start at 8am and finish at 13:00

Primary Years start at 8:20am and finish at 14:40

Is there a school uniform?

Yes, there is a school uniform.

Please advise on your discipline policy?

In VHPS we have a behaviour policy. You will find full details on our web site.

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

We regularly feedback to parents about the achievement and attainment of their child throughout the school year. Each year, we hold three Parent Consultation meetings and send home two academic reports, one at the end of the first term and the other at the end of the academic year. We also celebrate children's attainment in international and national benchmark assessments through newsletters and school publications.

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

There are two reports per year. One given on the first term and one at the end of the school year.

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

We teach Spanish from Year 3

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

There is EAL support in our school

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

Yes

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes

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

N/A

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Class Parent Representatives

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 are in a constant communication with our parent community, we form strong bonds with the class representatives and we work together for the benefit of our children and the community. The parents volunteer for activities, trips, reading, swimming as well as several events during the school year.

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

We do have currently parents that are members of our Board of Governors

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

We offer school tours, information sessions, parents presentation