FAQs

As the school building is currently closed due to COVID-19, we are unable to carry out assessments and tours at the school premises. We will review your application and our admissions team will invite you to virtually meet to discuss your child’s admission. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions about the school and understand more about us. After this, our team will invite you and your family to virtually meet our leadership team to complete your child’s admissions meeting.

Our school is open Sunday to Thursday from 8am until 3pm for families to visit and view the amazing Aquila classrooms and our brand new facilities. You can find out about the Principal’s weekly school tours and other events you can join on our Upcoming Events page.

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 community events such as fitness mornings, family football and cricket. The Principal even leads 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 serve hot and cold meals to children on site. There is also be a cafe in the reception area for families to use – The Parrot Café.

The exact amounts depends on the food chosen by the child but all of our meals are affordable.

The school day starts at 7.40am for all primary pupils and 7.30am for secondary pupils.  Children in FS1 and FS2 finish at 1.45pm Sunday to Wednesday and at 1.15pm on a Thursday.  Children in years 1 to 8 finish at 2.45pm Sunday to Thursday and at 1.20pm on a Thursday. CAS activities will run for children in years 2 up on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays until 3.40pm.

Yes, our newly designed uniform is contemporary and European in style. 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 use a positive approach to behaviour management based on the Jenny Mosely approach with rewards for exceeding our golden rules and sanctions for not meeting them. Every member of our community embraces the Four Cs -Courtesy, Consideration, Common sense and Co-operation.

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 three times a year.

Yes.

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

We 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 ensure that all children are challenged to make as much progress as possible in all areas.

Yes.

Our inclusion team 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 have a governing board and there are family representatives on this board.

Families are welcome to come and visit our Principal, Head of Primary and admissions team anytime during the school day- Sunday to Thursday.

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 have the opportunity to 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.

The Aquila School is part of the International Schools Partnership, a family of over 45 schools within 12 countries. These links provide invaluable opportunities for cultural exchange, outstanding international learning connections, quality assurance and excellent governance.