Curriculum Overview | Learning | Raffles International School

Curriculum

OVERVIEW

Raffles International School in Dubai offers world-class education with a focus on holistic development, academic excellence, and global perspectives. Our diverse community nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and leadership skills, preparing students for success at A level and beyond.

Learning
Curriculum Overview

WE OFFER THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM FOR ENGLAND

Raffles International School is committed to the successful learning of all our students. RIS offers the National Curriculum for England, which challenges students to meet internationally recognised academic standards. Students leave Raffles with a broad world view and the mental agility to pursue their dreams in an ever-changing global landscape.

Nursery, FS1 & FS2 (Pre-School)
Children in our youngest year groups all learn and develop through the UK EYFS curriculum which is personalised to meets every child's needs and support each individual child's developmental pathway. At RIS we celebrate the fact that every child is unique and we offer an individualised, holistic learning journey for our students. This approach enables our young learners to grow and develop in an age-appropriate, sensitive and responsive manner. An integral element of the EYFS curriculum is 'The Unique Child' which values and respects all children and families equally, and here at RIS this is woven into our core values as a truly international community of learners. Children in Early Years at RIS engage with our curriculum to facilitate 'Characteristics of Effective Learning' including motivation to learn, critical thinking and reasoning skills through explorative and investigative play based experiences. The areas of development encompassed in our curriculum are: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development (including fine motor skills) Literacy (including phonics, reading and writing) Mathematics (including shape and spatial awareness) Understanding the World (including science and technology) Expressive Art and Design (including role play and imaginative play)

Nursery, FS1 & FS2 (Pre-School)

Children in our youngest year groups all learn and develop through the UK EYFS curriculum which is personalised to meets every child's needs and support each individual child's developmental pathway. At RIS we celebrate the fact that every child is unique and we offer an individualised, holistic learning journey for our students. This approach enables our young learners to grow and develop in an age-appropriate, sensitive and responsive manner.

An integral element of the EYFS curriculum is 'The Unique Child' which values and respects all children and families equally, and here at RIS this is woven into our core values as a truly international community of learners. Children in Early Years at RIS engage with our curriculum to facilitate 'Characteristics of Effective Learning' including motivation to learn, critical thinking and reasoning skills through explorative and investigative play based experiences.

The areas of development encompassed in our curriculum are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication and Language
Physical Development (including fine motor skills)
Literacy (including phonics, reading and writing)
Mathematics (including shape and spatial awareness)
Understanding the World (including science and technology)
Expressive Art and Design (including role play and imaginative play)

Primary School (Year 1 – Year 6)
The National Curriculum for England is the basis of the RIS Primary School curriculum, supplemented by the UAE Ministry of Education curricula for Arabic and Islamic Education. The Primary curriculum helps students become independent, lifelong, creative thinkers and problem solvers by identifying and concentrating on their individual strengths and areas for development. From Year 3 onwards, Mandarin or French are language options, in addition to mandatory Arabic which starts in Foundation. Also, EAL support is offered from Year 1 for learners new to the English language.

Primary School (Year 1 – Year 6)

The National Curriculum for England is the basis of the RIS Primary School curriculum, supplemented by the UAE Ministry of Education curricula for Arabic and Islamic Education.

The Primary curriculum helps students become independent, lifelong, creative thinkers and problem solvers by identifying and concentrating on their individual strengths and areas for development. From Year 3 onwards, Mandarin or French are language options, in addition to mandatory Arabic which starts in Foundation. Also, EAL support is offered from Year 1 for learners new to the English language.

Secondary School (Year 7 – 11)
Learners entering the Secondary School in Year 7 will continue with the National Curriculum for England at KS3 which leads into KS4. KS4 marks the transition into GCSE/IGCSE and BTEC Level 2 subjects for Years 10 and 11. All RIS students must take English, Mathematics and Science courses and all Arab students must take Arabic. Optional subjects include Art and Design, Business Studies, BTEC Business, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, Economics, French, BTEC IT, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education, BTEC Sport, Separate Sciences, Spanish and BTEC Travel and Tourism.

Secondary School (Year 7 – 11)

Learners entering the Secondary School in Year 7 will continue with the National Curriculum for England at KS3 which leads into KS4. KS4 marks the transition into GCSE/IGCSE and BTEC Level 2 subjects for Years 10 and 11. All RIS students must take English, Mathematics and Science courses and all Arab students must take Arabic. Optional subjects include Art and Design, Business Studies, BTEC Business, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama, Economics, French, BTEC IT, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education, BTEC Sport, Separate Sciences, Spanish and BTEC Travel and Tourism.

Sixth Form (Year 12 – 13)
In the RIS Sixth Form students are recommended to select 3 A Level courses or BTEC Level 3 courses. Both are two year courses and provide students with entry qualifications accepted worldwide.