OUR SCHOOL The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is Abu Dhabi’s leading British not-for-profit, co-educational day school. From Nursery to A Level (3 – 18) our dynamic school culture offers students an enriching experience and outstanding results.
OUR PURPOSE We are a community committed to inspiring our students to create an impactful legacy
OUR VALUES Empathy and Care | Respect and Inclusivity Honesty and Integrity | Endeavour and Resilience
YEAR 10 PASTORAL HANDBOOK 2026/2027 CONTENT P02 P04 P05 P06
BSAK’s Purpose and Values Assistant Head Welcome Wellbeing Padlet One Stop Shop Meet Your Head of Year
KINDLY CLICK ON THESE HYPERLINKS Student Staff Agreement Safeguarding Term Dates and Timings Google Classroom & Devices Transport Communications - Parent Portal Library MELS Stationery
Mental Health and Wellbeing House System Uniform Nursing Handbook Parking and Traffic Communications - Social Media Inclusion Mobile Phones
WELCOME FROM THE ASSISTANT HEAD Dear Parents, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and your child to Year 10 here at BSAK. The aim of this booklet is to supply you with the essential, practical information you need to get a smooth start to the academic year. Year 10 is a very exciting year for students. As they embark on their chosen GCSE courses, they have the opportunity to really stretch themselves academically whilst still finding a balance in embracing the many opportunities the wider school environment presents them with.
Ms Nichola Cooper ASSISTANT HEAD
While it is vital that we work together to support our students academically, we believe in still maintaining a healthy balance between exam preparation and growing from the experiences they are offered alongside the curriculum, preparing them for life beyond their GCSE’s. The opportunities they receive outside of the curriculum are vast, through Moral Education and Life Skills lessons, tutor time and assemblies, co-curricular activities, work experience and many more. We aim to see our students grow into well rounded young people who embody our BSAK values of Empathy & Care, Endeavour & Resilience, Honesty & Integrity and Respect & Inclusion. I would like to thank you all in advance for your support this year. Ms Nichola Cooper Assistant Head ncooper@britishschool.sch.ae
WELLBEING PADLET ONE STOP SHOP A few years ago BSAK launched a Wellbeing One Stop Shop which is accessible on the parent portal. Each month we add new materials associated with Wellbeing, Inclusion, or Digital Safety. We will be continuing to do this so please keep an eye out on our Social Media channels to see what's new each month. Below you can find examples of content already there. Please take some time to look through, it is a resource for parents so if you have any suggestions on topics you want including contact me on ncooper@britishschool.sch.ae Inclusion
A spotlight on Neurodiversity with a focus on Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism A spotlight on anxiety, depression, OCD and ODD How to support your child with trauma or bereavement
Digital Safety
Back to school online safety tips Guidance on how to monitor and restrict internet usage at home Digital Safety Information booklet for parents with guidance on apps Guidance surrounding AI Online Gaming Safety Tips and ESports Parent Guide
Wellbeing
Strategies to help your tween or teen identify and process emotions How to boost your child's self esteem How to help your child develop resilience and prevent exams anxiety How to manage conflict with your tween or teen
MEET YOUR HEAD OF YEAR Dear Parents, I would like to take this opportunity to give a warm welcome to our new starters and all of our returning students to Year 10 at BSAK. As Head of Year 10, I am thoroughly looking forward to supporting the year group in their approach to their GCSE Examinations in 2028. The Year 10 pastoral team is made up of myself as Head of Year, and our six experienced and enthusiastic form tutors.
Mr James Bertrand HEAD OF YEAR 10
Together, we are responsible for overseeing the academic progress and emotional welfare of the year group. The Year 10 pastoral team is then further supported by Ms Nichola Cooper, Assistant Head. We will be there to encourage and motivate your child on a day-to-day basis, and we aim to guide and support your child emotionally, morally and academically through daily 25 minute form time and weekly MELS sessions. Year 10 is a very important year - excellent attendance, punctuality and effort in Year 10 can lay the foundation for Year 11 GCSE success. GCSE content is taught in classes and teachers begin to arm the students with the exam techniques required to succeed the following year. It is a hugely exciting time in the students’ lives but also a time when there will invariably be some challenges to overcome. The well-being of every child in our care is of the utmost importance to me and I am looking forward to working with you in positive partnerships to ensure that every student in the year is safe, happy and achieving their utmost potential. Mr James Bertrand Head of Year 10 jbertrand@britishschool.sch.ae