FAQs

The Aquila School will open in September 2018 for the 2018/2019 academic year.

Our school is currently under construction however part of our school is now open for families to visit and view classrooms and facilities.

The Aquila School is a fully inclusive school representing children from all nationalities.

Class sizes will be no greater than 24.There will be a number of learning assistants across the school.

We have appointed excellent class teachers from the UAE and the UK. When selecting teachers, we have been looking for the ability to make learning relevant and engaging so that children love coming to school and make as much progress as possible. We empower our teachers to choose the best methods to motivate the children while encouraging them to be creative and reliant learners.

Learning at The Aquila School will never be dull there will not be a worksheet in sight and our teachers will get the children actively learning not passively listening – from the very start of the lesson.
The children will have access to a range of technologies to support their learning in all age groups. By combining technology and the arts underpinned by a focus on academic rigour, The Aquila School will be truly unique.

Our core belief is in ‘real learning for a real future’, with meaningful enquiry-based learning at the fore, with our innovative curriculum which will provide vocational. Professional and technological opportunities. Designing, constructing and even deconstructing will happen on a regular basis and we want children to find out for themselves how things work, how to fix them and how to rise to challenges. Through all of this, we will do everything we can to make children love coming to our school and not wanting to leave at the end of the day.

As well as PE and swimming being an integral part of the curriculum we will ensure that learning how to keep healthy both physically and mentally will be a key part of our curriculum. WE will also have a number of events such as Dads and Lads football and family cricket. The Principal will even lead a weekly whole school aerobics session!!!

We actively promote healthy eating at school as we know that when children eat nutritionally-rich food they have more energy and approach their studies with more enthusiasm. We will enjoy our own in-house canteen providing a daily choice of healthy nutritious meals as well as a cafeteria.

A catering company will serve hot and cold meals to children on site. There will also be a cafe in the reception area for families to use.

As we are a new school we have not made these decisions yet but we will work hard to ensure the charges are affordable.

We plan to start at 7.40am for all pupils. FS will finish at 1.45pm and other pupils at 2.45pm, with extra-curricular activities until 3.30pm.

Yes, our newly designed uniform is contemporary and European in style and can be viewed at our visitors centre. We have made it practical for children learning so primary children will not have ties or blazers!

Positive relationships will permeate all aspects of the Aquila school. We will use a positive approach to behavior management based on Jenny Moselyapproach with rewards for exceeding our golden rules and sanctions for not meeting them. Every member of our community will embrace theFour Cs -Courtesy, Consideration, Common sense and Co-operation.

We will ensure that families are fully informed of what their child is learning in school and how families can help at home through weekly newsletters and meetings for families. We will also have regular family workshops in all areas of the curriculum.

We recognise that many children have busy lives. They will work very hard while at school, so we will not be setting excessive amounts of homework. We will expect all children to read at home regularly to develop a love of reading. There will be a range of projects each term that children will be able to do at home.

Our teachers will be available for a quick word at the start and end of each day – and to make an appointment if a longer discussion is needed. Formal family conferencing sessions will happen 3 times a year.

Yes.

To enable cultural connections with other schools in the ISP family of schools we will teach Spanish to children in Y3 and older.

We will support all children through quality first teaching and by immersing children in a language-rich curriculum.

Yes.

Yes, we have two prayer rooms.

For older children we will offer IGSE, IB and BTec.

We are a fully inclusive school and will ensure that all children are challenged to make as much progress as possible in all areas.

Yes.

Our Inclusion Champion will be able to signpost families to a range of services.

The Aquila School believe family is the heart of learning and we wish to create a diverse and happy community of parents and children. We welcome parents to visit the school at anytime and encourage families to be involved in everyday learning, activities and events the school.

Yes, we will have a governing board and there will be representatives of families on it.

Families are welcome to come and visit our Principal and Admissions Team at our AdmissionsOffice at anytime, Sunday to Thursday and Saturdays. You will also be able to view the school being built.

The Aquila School is an inclusive school and open entry. All children are welcome to apply. Every child entering from Year 3 and above completes a small task, but this is not a requirement for enrolment. The task provides important up-to-date information which we can use to meet your child’s individual learning needs.

Music is an integral part of the curriculum at The Aquila School, and all students will learn an instrument and compose music. They will also enjoy participating in performance groups including choirs and orchestras.

An important part of The Aquila School happens beyond the classroom, where a student can immerse themselves in a world of creativity and activity. Whether it’s sport, music, debating or gardening, there is an abundance of extra-curricular activities to ignite your child’s passion.

You can find the procedure for enrolments, including important dates, in our Admissions Process.

Our current fee schedule, and detailed information about the different components and payment schedules, can be found on our Fees page.

The Aquila School is part of the International Schools Partnership, a family of over 28 schools around the world in the UK, South America, North America, Malaysia, Spain, Qatar and three other schools in the UAE. These links provide invaluable opportunities for cultural exchange, outstanding international learning connections, quality assurance and excellent governance.