A Durham education is one that inspires, nurtures and encourages its pupils through the provision of the finest quality teaching coupled with extensive opportunities to enable our pupils to achieve. Our teaching encourages our pupils to think creatively, to apply knowledge and skills successfully and imaginatively, and to constantly challenge themselves whilst building ‘Confidence for Life’ in a nurturing and supportive environment.
At Durham School Dubai, our curriculum is guided by the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and English National Curriculum. Our skillful teachers draw upon the best of modern and traditional teaching pedagogies enhanced and enriched by use of technology and the exciting learning opportunities available in Dubai.
Durham School Dubai is committed to delivering an education that is engaging, challenging, motivating and fun. Using a holistic approach to education, our pupils learn through stimulating and creative experiences, in the classroom and beyond, in lessons and co-curricular activities. We aim to ensure that every Durham pupil’s experience of school is positive and productive laying the foundation for academic success, coupled with the social confidence and competence required to make their way in the world.
Children entering Durham School Dubai in EYFS start Foundation Stage 1 in the September after their third birthday. The Early Years Foundation Stage is a two-year phase. Teaching assistants support the class teachers in the delivery of the curriculum and specialist teachers deliver carousel activities in Art, Music and Computing, as well as an informal approach to Arabic.
At Durham Dubai we use a structured approach to teaching children how to use phonic sounds in their reading and writing, with the aim that children become fluent readers and accurate spellers.
We teach early reading through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised systematic, synthetic phonics programme.
Key Stage One is a two-year phase, covering the 5 – 7 years age range.
As your son or daughter moves from Early Years to Key Stage One (KS1) in Durham School Dubai, a more formal approach to lessons begins. A lot of the learning is still taught through play, especially in Year 1.
Key Stage Two, is a four-year phase from Y3-6, (7-11 years old). In some curriculum areas the Key Stage 2 timetable will run parallel to the KS3 Secondary school timetable, this allows more specialist teaching in Upper KS2.
The learning environments are well resourced and maintained providing the pupils with a range of multi-sensory activities. Display areas celebrate the pupil’s work across all curriculum areas.
Durham School Dubai aims to provide an education that challenges young people to make a difference in the world. At all levels our curriculum is designed to embed this ethos and prepare pupils to stand out.
Our bespoke Key Stage 3 curriculum enriches the English National Curriculum and includes a range of lessons to develop young leaders of the future.
Durham School Dubai aims to provide an education that challenges young people to make a difference in the world. At all levels our curriculum is designed to embed this ethos and prepare pupils to stand out. Our bespoke Key Stage 3 curriculum enriches the English National Curriculum and includes a range of lessons to develop young leaders of the future. In Key Stage 3, pupils follow the English National Curriculum.
At Durham School Dubai, we value the importance of providing vocational pathways for our pupils, building confidence for each and every pupil.
The teaching of Arabic Language for both native and non-native speakers, Islamic education for our Muslim pupils and Social Studies and Moral Education are all a part of our core curriculum.
The Arabic as a first language curriculum promotes language development adhering to the UAE Ministry of Education expectations for Arabic Language.
After making the difficult decision to change our daughters’ school after year two, we are absolutely thrilled that Durham School Dubai has exceeded our expectations and our daughter has settled in perfectly. The school offers a kind and nurturing environment that allows children to be themselves and gives them the security they need to learn and thrive.
Our 3 children have settled in well at Durham since joining in August 2023. The staff and all the teachers have made the children and the parents feel comfortable, they have created a lovely atmosphere and provide regular communication.
Our son Elai is very lucky to have such amazing people and teachers who support him daily and we have seen his confidence and communication skills grow. He has also made many new friends and we are so proud of him and thankful to the school and all its support. He goes to school every day with so much excitement and returns with lots of amazing stories.
We are so very happy we moved our girls to Durham School Dubai, the improvement I have seen in them is significant and their academic skills have improved in just one term!! It is so different to all the other schools in Dubai with small class sizes and its calm, caring and welcoming environment, professional and friendly staff.
Our son joined Durham School Dubai from the UK. The school may currently be small but it has great ambition and all the pupils are made to feel part of the growth and their opinions are taken into account. We look forward to also being part of it and seeing it grow.
Our son joined Durham School Dubai from the UK. The school may currently be small but it has great ambition and all the pupils are made to feel part of the growth and their opinions are taken into account. We look forward to also being part of it and seeing it grow.
After making the difficult decision to change our daughters' school after year two, we are absolutely thrilled that Durham School Dubai has exceeded our expectations and our daughter has settled in perfectly. The school offers a kind and nurturing environment that allows children to be themselves and gives them the security they need to learn and thrive.
Our 3 children have settled in well at Durham since joining in August 2023. The staff and all the teachers have made the children and the parents feel comfortable, they have created a lovely atmosphere and provide regular communication.
Our son Elai is very lucky to have such amazing people and teachers who support him daily and we have seen his confidence and communication skills grow. He has also made many new friends and we are so proud of him and thankful to the school and all its support. He goes to school every day with so much excitement and returns with lots of amazing stories.
We are so very happy we moved our girls to Durham School Dubai, the improvement I have seen in them is significant and their academic skills have improved in just one term!! It is so different to all the other schools in Dubai with small class sizes and its calm, caring and welcoming environment, professional and friendly staff.
