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TERM 3 2026

PRIMARY HANDBOOK BSAK

bsakabudhabi

bsak abudhabi britishschool.sch.ae

OUR SCHOOL

The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is bu Dhabi’s leading British not-for-profit, o-educational day school. From Nursery to A Level (3 – 18) our dynamic school culture offers students an enriching experience and outstanding results

Empathy and Care

Respect and Inclusivity

Honesty and Integrity

Endeavour and Resilience

CONTENT

Primary Head Welcome

Our Staff

Curriculum

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

Safeguarding

School Clinic

Inclusion Department

House System & Student Leadership

Co-Curricular and Enrichment

Music, PE and Languages

Punctuality & Attendance

Pick up Procedures, Parking and Traffic

Term Dates

Uniform and Stationery

Primary Dining and Packed Lunch Options

The Library

BSAK Bus Service

Communications - Parent Portal

Communications - Social Media

WELCOME

FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

Dear Parents,

We are a lively, busy, happy and hardworking school where our children are nurtured to achieve the very best they can.

All children in BSAK Primary School are encouraged to achieve their potential in academic, sporting and creative fields, whilst at the same time developing their social skills, manners, respect for each other and vitally important, kindness.

From Early Years to Year 6 we are proud to say that our children experience a holistic education where they develop self esteem and a love of learning

We strive for every child to exceed their expectations, develop passions and a true community spirit We are in the business of teaching children to a high standard, turning them into confident, responsible and interested learners

It is not just our heritage and facilities that mark out our school; it is the atmosphere and happiness that runs throughout our community

Mrs Elaine Rawlings Head of Primary

MEDIA CONSENT

At BSAK, we love to celebrate student achievements through photography and video, highlighting the vibrant life within our school community. Our Communications Department captures moments from a wide variety of activities, including classroom projects, assemblies, sports events, and school-wide initiatives These images and videos help us demonstrate the dedication and accomplishments of our children, creating lasting memories and strengthening our community engagement.

WHERE ARE THESE USED?

tain explicit consent any school-related materials, which may accounts, the school posters, handbooks, al materials.

ANDATORY

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OUR STAFF

PRIMARY LEADERSHIP TEAM

Elaine Rawlings Primary Head erawlings@britishschool sch ae

Jeff Payne Assistant Head

Teaching and Curriculum Years 3-6 jpayne@britishschool sch ae

Pete Collings Deputy Head Primary pcollings@britishschool sch ae

Charlotte McDowell Assistant Head

Teaching and Curriculum

EYFS & Years 1 & 2 cmcdowell@britishschool sch ae

Ellie Edgar Deputy Head Primary eedgar@britishschool sch ae

Sam Walter Assistant Head

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care swalter@britishschool sch ae

OUR STAFF

PRIMARY HEADS OF DEPARTMENT

Lucy Haverty

Inclusion Lead EYFS-Y2 lhaverty@britishschool.sch.ae

Jack Cropper Director of Sport jcropper@britishschool ach ae

Rachel Hinds

Inclusion Lead Y3-6 rhinds@britishschool.sch.ae

Charlotte Sacks Assistant Director of Sport csacks@britishschool sch ae

Faisal Udoh Head of Computer Science fudoh@britishschool sch ae

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

Antoinette Chorlton achorlton@britishschool sch ae

Arwa Hamoudeh Director of UAE Subjects & Languages ahamoudeh@britishschool.sch.ae

Gerard Fee Head of Primary Music gfee@britishschool sch ae

Emilie Lounis Languages elounis@britishschool sch ae

Diana Taylor dtaylor@britishschool sch ae

OUR STAFF

PRIMARY YEAR GROUP LEADERS

Sarah Jones Nursery sajones@britishschool sch ae

Katie Rhodes Year 2 krhodes@britishschool sch ae

Hannah Looker Reception

hlooker@britishschool sch ae

Sam Fern Year 3 sfern@britishschool sch ae

Chris Saunders Year 5 csaunders@britishschool sch ae

Marissa McCormack Year 1

mmccormack@britishschool sch ae

Joanne Baillie Year 4 jbaillie@britishschool sch ae

Pete Jones Year 6 pjones@britishschool sch ae

EARLY YEARS: NURSERY & RECEPTION CURRICULUM

PRIMARY

The curriculum is a narrative, a journey that the children begin when they enter school in the Early Years and continue through the Primary School It is, in effect, what the children are taught The children are provided with engaging and diverse learning opportunities as part of a very carefully sequenced, cumulative curriculum. Teachers, knowing the curriculum narrative well, base current learning on what children already know and also forecast future learning for the weeks, months and years to come Being able to make these ‘bigger picture’ connections, linking knowledge and concepts within a subject and between subjects, helps the children to contextualise what they have learnt, supporting them in making many new and meaningful connections

The curriculum is carefully designed in order that children frequently revisit previous learning which supports them in transferring knowledge into their long term memory Our teachers employ impactful, evidence informed and age appropriate teaching practices to ensure that the children learn and remember core knowledge with which they can then be skilful and creative, applying what they know and being challenged to think hard Thinking hard is the engine for learning and teachers provide planned and considered opportunities for such thinking across the curriculum. Transitions between each phase of the Primary School are carefully planned in order that children move seamlessly from one stage of their learning to the next

In the Early Years, staff pride themselves on a responsive teaching approach, where children learn through the joy of play and exploration. Enabling environments are thoughtfully designed to support children in feeling calm, safe and truly at home during their time in school. During the school year, children are provided with opportunities to enable them to develop socially and academically, grow in confidence and engage with every aspect of school life. Employing a child-centred ‘in the moment’ approach to teaching and learning, staff quickly learn the unique attributes of each and every child and are able to interact compassionately with the children as individuals. As a result, staff provide learning opportunities which encourage and extend the children’s development across all areas of learning, driven by each individual’s particular interests and ideas

The quality of the learning environment is crucial to success in the Early Years and hence, it is very carefully designed to support personalised learning and progress for every child. Another important element of the Early Years curriculum is that of core ‘secondary knowledge’, such as Phonics, Writing and Maths which are delivered during focused learning times. This is managed appropriately for the needs of the children and includes short whole class, group, paired or individual instruction These teaching and learning opportunities support children to deepen and extend their knowledge and skills in preparation for their transition into Year 1. Children start to learn Arabic, taught by specialist Arabic language teachers in Nursery. PE and Music are delivered by specialist departments from Nursery through the Primary Years

KEY STAGE 1: YEARS 1

& 2

In Years 1 & 2, staff build upon the solid foundations of the Early Years and passionately believe that young children learn best through a considered balance of exploration within enabling environments and focused, instructional learning opportunities. Continuous and enhanced provision strategies enable the children to consolidate and use their knowledge, understanding and skills They also enjoy regular opportunities to develop as independent and resilient learners Within this environment, both inside the Key Stage 1 building and outside in the curriculum play areas, children actively engage in a wide range of self-selected activities. Enhanced provision provides the children with choices and encourages them to develop a lifelong love of learning and to pursue their personal interests

The Key Stage 1 curriculum ambitiously challenges children to engage, explore and ask questions. Learning is made real, is contextualised and carefully sequenced. Spanish is introduced in Year 2 for all children as are Islamic Studies and Social Studies to those children for whom it is a requirement By the end of Year 2, the children are more than ready for their move to Key Stage 2, Years 3-6.

KEY STAGE 2: YEARS 3, 4, 5 & 6

In Years 3-6, the children continue to develop their love of learning through a breadth of experiences and opportunities, building upon the strong foundations of their previous knowledge acquisition and experiences in Key Stage 1. All children continue to be taught by specialist teachers for Music, PE, Modern Foreign Languages and Arabic Islamic Studies and Social Studies are taught to those children for whom it is a requirement.

As part of the sequenced curriculum, the children revisit learning from previous years and are challenged to retrieve the knowledge previously learnt, which helps to solidify its place in the child’s long term memory. Ongoing repetition and retrieval of previously taught knowledge helps it to ‘stick’. Teachers then provide the children with generative learning activities; new knowledge is taught which the children then select from, organise and integrate with what they already know The children continually develop rich schemas, organised units of knowledge for a subject or event.

Class timetables are arranged so that Maths, English, the UAE subjects, Modern Foreign Languages, PE, Music and Moral Education and Life Skills are taught each week. Computer Science is also taught every week to children in Years 3-6 by a specialist Computer Science Teacher in a dedicated Computer Science Lab The rest of the subjects are taught in the time remaining in the class timetable using a modular approach e g Science for three weeks, Art for two weeks, History for two weeks and so on. The children and teachers have the opportunity to delve into the learning in that subject, making rich and meaningful connections within and beyond the curriculum area, and in doing so, powering learning and progress

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM LEARNING

Home Learning Activities are provided to support long-term retention of curriculum knowledge and to develop understanding and meaning The amount, format and expectations of home learning progresses through the school Home learning tasks are varied and engaging for every child

As the children progress through the school, they have the opportunity to enjoy trips across the Emirate, listen to visitors to school including the Sixth Form students and experience a variety of special curriculum days and events. Alongside this, from Year 3 upwards, the children can enjoy a wide range of Co-Curricular activities including Sports, Music, the Arts, Academic, Wellbeing, Junior Duke and many more, all of which are in place to support and extend their learning beyond the curriculum delivered in the classroom

STUDENT VOICE

Children across the school have the opportunity to give feedback to teachers and leaders via ‘Learning Studies’ where the children are involved in focused discussions about their learning with teachers, what they enjoy, what they find impactful in helping them to learn, and what they have remembered and can apply. This feedback is very powerful, alongside other methods of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum, in helping staff continually amend and adapt the curriculum in the best interests of all children

The School aims to provide the very best learning opportunities across all areas of the curriculum, Early Years to Year 6; to ensure that the children love and appreciate the journey of the curriculum, immerse themselves in the excitement and the wonder of the narrative. This is then built upon as the children move into Year 7, which supports the children’s transition into the Secondary School and allows them to turn the page to the next chapter of their education

AND PASTORAL CARE WELLBEING

Wellbeing plays a vital role in education and is intrinsically linked to children’s learning At BSAK, we believe that it is essential to support the social, emotional and mental health of our children and staff. We look to create a school community where children are welcomed, feel happy and belong within a healthy environment. We want all our children to be ready, safe and kind through building respectful and supportive relationships with each other and adults.

We want everyone to understand the importance of being proactive about their own emotional and physical health and we look to teach our children to be resilient, to take responsibility and to be adaptable by having a growth mindset.

We know that everyone experiences challenges which can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional support We take the view that positive emotional health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. We do this within a supportive and caring ethos which models respect and kindness and where every individual is valued.

OUR SUPPORT NETWORK INCLUDES:

Your child’s Class Teacher (always your first port of call)

Your child’s Head of Year

Mrs Sam Walter (Assistant Head of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care)

Ms Katy Bryant (Lead School Counsellor)

Ms Teddi Rawlinson (School Counsellor)

COUNSELLING SERVICE:

The Counselling Service provides an opportunity for your child to talk in confidence about issues which may be worrying them and affecting their day to day life. What they choose to talk about is completely up to them, but common issues are relationship issues, problems at home, stress, friendships, change, bereavement, distressing traumatic events and anger Primary children are referred, if required, by school staff and in consultation with parents.

AT BSAK WE:

are Ready, Safe and Kind help children to feel they belong through promoting our school values promote self confidence and ensure children know that they count, and ‘dare to be different’ help children to form and maintain strong relationships help children to understand and be able to talk about their emotions openly help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

RSK AGREEMENT

READY

At BSAK our Ready, Safe and Kind (RSK) agreement refers to our student behaviour and helps us to promote a positive school environment. Our agreement revolves around our 8 core values of: endeavour, resilience, empathy, care, respect, inclusivity, honesty and integrity by encouraging all our children to be:

Being ready means being prepared to learn and participate positively. It supports focus, engagement, and mic success

Examples:

Arriving on time with the right equipment and uniform.

Listening actively and following instructions straight away. Completing classwork and home learning in agreed time frame

SAFE

Prioritising safety ensures that everyone feels secure, respected, and free from harm - physically and emotionally.

Examples:

Using equipment and materials responsibly.

Walking calmly inside school buildings. Being mindful of others’ personal space and feelings Reporting concerns or unsafe behaviours to a trusted adult

KIND

Kindness builds a caring and respectful community where everyone feels valued, included and that they belong.

Examples:

Helping others without being asked.

Including others in games or group activities.

Speaking politely and using kind words

Showing empathy when someone is upset

SAFEGUARDING

WELFARE AND SAFETY

The welfare and safety of children who attend The British School Al Khubairat is our paramount concern. We will promote the health, wellbeing and safety of the students in all we do.

Our children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, ability, race or social background. They have a right to be safe in our school. BSAK expects all of its employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

The School recognises and understands its responsibilities to work together in partnership with other agencies both here in the UAE and the UK to help children to grow up in a healthy and safe environment. Staff appointments are subject to satisfactory checks including the enhanced DBS check, Prohibition check and references

In the interest of safety and security all adults are required to wear a BSAK lanyard, visible at all times. Navy blue lanyards are worn by BSAK staff and light blue lanyards are issued to parents upon admission to the School Any visitors to the School will be issued with a temporary orange lanyard once their entry is cleared by Security.

New parents please click here to apply for a Parent Pass if you haven’t already done so

If you have any concerns in this regard please contact any member of our Safeguarding Team

Telephone: +971 (0)2 204 0200 Email: safeguarding@britishschool sch ae

Mr Steve Oakes Assistant Head Sixth Form

Mrs Ellie Edgar Deputy Head of Primary

Mr Mark Leppard MBE Headmaster

Mr Pete Collings Deputy Head of Primary

John Foster Deputy Head of Secondary

SCHOOL

CLINIC AND TIMES

The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) has a fully licensed Nursing Clinic, staffed by four qualified School Nurses and two Nursing Administrators The clinic is well-equipped to manage minor injuries and initial emergency concerns that arise during the school day, as well as providing ongoing care for students with long-term health conditions. Beyond providing daily clinical care, the BSAK School Nurses deliver health education, conduct annual screenings, manage the school vaccination programme, and support students with new injuries or diagnoses

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME

BSAK maintains a clear policy regarding unwell children, guided by both the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and UK regulations Please refer to the Nursing Handbook for a detailed list of illnesses that require children to remain at home. The Nursing Team will contact parents if a student becomes unwell during the school day and needs to be collected To ensure we can reach you, please verify that your contact details are up to date on the Parent Portal, as these numbers are used in the event of an emergency.

COLLECTING YOUR CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL CLINIC

If you receive a call about your child who needs to either go home or be seen by a Doctor, we request that you collect your child as promptly as possible. We suggest that within 1 hour is an acceptable time frame, however, we appreciate that this may not always be possible If parents are unable to collect their child, they should notify the Nurse of the details of another person who is able to collect them.

HEALTHY EATING AND FOOD POLICY

BSAK promotes Healthy Eating and we are a NUT FREE school

MEDICAL INFORMATION

At the start of each academic year, you are required to complete a health declaration form Per ADEK requirements, we must maintain current medical information for every student Please note that without a completed form, your child will be ineligible to participate in school trips, sports teams, or off-site events

CLINIC

TIMES

MONDAY- THURSDAY 7.15am – 5pm FRIDAY 7.30am – 11.30pm

MON-THUR Nurse is available till 5pm for after school clubs

+971 (0) 204 0200 nurses@britishschool.sch.ae

INCLUSION

DEPARTMENT

The School values the abilities and achievements of all children and strives to meet the learning needs of every child Lesson planning provides for scaffolded learning tasks to make the curriculum accessible to all children, and to enable each child to make personal progress.

If a teacher has concerns about any child’s personal progress, we will share these concerns with you Likewise if you as a parent have concerns about your child, please speak to your child’s teacher at the earliest opportunity.

Most additional needs can be met through offering adapted and scaffolded work and by the teacher’s professional skills in managing a mixed ability class. However, if a teacher has more specific concerns about aspects of a child’s learning they may seek support from our Inclusion Department.

The Inclusion team supports children within the classroom setting and through short periods of individual or group work away from the class. If the school feels your child will benefit from such support, you will be fully involved in the process and will begin regular review meetings with an Inclusion teacher

Partnership with parents plays a key role in enabling children with barriers to learning to achieve their potential.

We recognise that parents hold key information and have knowledge and experience to contribute to the shared view of a child’s needs and the best ways of supporting them.

The school works in line with the UK Code of Practice when carrying out its responsibilities toward all children requiring additional support

Rachel Hinds

Lucy Haverty

HOUSE SYSTEM

AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP

The British School Al Khubairat follows a traditional British House system. The Houses offer a variety of opportunities which encourage team spirit, a healthy sense of competition and most importantly, allow for vibrant self-expression The House system is an integral part of life at BSAK Every student and member of staff is assigned to a House to build a strong sense of community, camaraderie and belonging.

There are four Houses in the Primary school, whose names are derived from an animal or bird from the Middle Eastern region; Falcon, Dhabi, Oryx and Cormorant

COMPETITIONS

There are regular House competitions in which we encourage all students to take part By taking part in these, our students earn House Points that contribute towards the school-wide scores for the chance to proudly wear their House colours after the House assemblies each month.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

At BSAK, our students are at the heart of all that we do. Student leadership is an integral part of student success as it instils quality life skills and shapes individuals. As students move through school, more opportunities for them to take positions of leadership and responsibility become available to them Students are encouraged to apply for the positions available to them, some of which are on a rota basis in class, some are rotated half-termly and others selected annually.

As part of the Student Leadership Team, our students will experience the opportunity to contribute towards making sure our school continues to thrive, sharing their own ideas and listening carefully to others.

As leaders, our students are supported to develop their communication and organisational skills, their resilience when faced with challenges, personal and social responsibility and critical and reflective thinking By developing these leadership qualities in our students, we prepare them to thrive and be effective leaders in the modern world.

CO CURRICULAR

AND ENRICHMENT CLUBS (CCEs)

At BSAK, our world class curriculum is delivered alongside an array of engaging co-curricular and enrichment opportunities, which complement each other in providing students with opportunities to explore new interests, deepen thinking and develop their talents.

Our Co-Curricular and Enrichment programme has been carefully designed to promote intellectual challenge, broaden and deepen experiences, knowledge, understanding and skills outside of the core curriculum and class provision for all of our students.

BSAK’s Primary CCE programme offers the students, from Years 3 to 6, over 60 additional learning opportunities outside of the core curriculum. There is a wide range of co-curricular activities on offer from the UAE, Music and PE departments. Our CCE brochure is shared with parents at the beginning of each term with more information about each club

We are extremely proud of this exceptional and unique extended provision, which is carefully designed to deliver the very best opportunities for all students in Years 3-6 Sixth Form students support the delivery of clubs where possible to add to the experience, drawing on the skills and enthusiasm of our older students. They are fantastic role models for the Primary students.

Information regarding how to sign up and the timeline involved, including at what stage of the application process you will know if your child has been successful in obtaining a place in the CCE, will be shared with you via the Parent Portal

If you have any questions regarding the CCE programme or require any support, please contact our Parent Communciation Team at bsakCCE@britishschool.sch.ae

Students can also benefit from bespoke one-to-one instrumental lessons, supported by a dedicated team of full-time professional musicians in our Music Department, delivered during the school day on a carefully planned rotational timetable to minimise disruption to curriculum learning Students have the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of cocurricular ensembles and music clubs designed to enrich their learning experience. These ensembles provide the perfect platform to extend musical skills, develop confidence and build ensemble performance skills within a supportive and inspiring environment Some ensembles are by invitation only, with our specialist teachers providing tailored guidance to ensure that each student is placed in the most appropriate group for their development.

Details of all ensembles can be viewed via SOCS on the Parent Portal, alongside the school's other activities and enrichment opportunities. Additional information about Instrumental Tuition can be found HERE.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our school is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, integrating ecoconscious habits across all campus operations. Our newly appointed leadership team, Catherine Payne as Head of Sustainability for Primary, and Sarah Lowrie as Head of Sustainability for Secondary, are driving our green curriculum forward, heavily supported by our dedicated Eco Committee, a collaborative coalition uniting passionate students, staff, and parents.

A major milestone this year has been the massive success of our SRS Smart Recycling Station, which has vastly reduced waste contamination through interactive, data-driven recycling.

Sustainability is a collective journey, and we are always looking for ideas and support from parents Please get in touch if you would like to join the Committee or if you are able to share your professional expertise.

JUNIOR DUKE

We inspire our students to create an impactful legacy while developing the core values of endeavor, resilience, and care To support this vision, we are delighted to run the Junior Duke Award, the world’s leading life skills programme for our Key Stage 2 children.

Junior Duke is a fantastic, non-academic framework aimed at helping children grow in independence, confidence, and self-reliance It challenges students to step out of their comfort zones and learn essential life skills that they might not otherwise discover in the classroom. Across the progressive levels, tailored specifically to each age group, challenges include learning First Aid, navigation, research, swimming, event planning, delivering presentations, and exploring sustainability.

Assessors are part of our BSAK Staff community and it is a great opportunity for our children to branch out and meet the people who make our school great While the programme is supported at school, many of these fun and practical challenges are completed at home It encourages family collaboration and allows children to experience purposeful struggle, teaching them that resilience comes from trying, failing, and succeeding independently. Upon completing their challenges, students will take pride in documenting their reflections and will be celebrated with a badge and certificate at assemblies, empowering them to become capable, independent global citizens. There are 4 levels awarded to our Key Stage 2 students, depending on their Year Group Sign up for the Junior Duke Programme is in September each year and the award takes approximately 6 - 9 months to complete

MUSIC

PRIMARY

Music in the Primary School is taught by two specialist Music teachers. Students from Nursery to Y6 have timetabled music lessons each week which take place in well resourced music rooms.

The curriculum is wide and varied with singing a main focus All children have opportunities to play many classroom instruments, compose their own music and listen to a wide range of repertoire within lessons.

Y2 - Y6 students will spend one term per year learning a different instrument from the orchestra through our Wider Opportunities Instrument Programme.

There are opportunities to be part of school ensembles, including the choir, orchestra, string and flute groups, amongst others

The students learn to be creative and focused listeners, while understanding how Music brings us together, boosting confidence and wellbeing.

Mr Gerard Fee Head of Primary Music

PE

PRIMARY

Physical Education is taught across the Primary School from Early Years to Year 6.

All year groups and classes receive a total of two hours of PE & Swimming per week Swimming lessons begin in Reception and continue through to Year 6.

There are four specialist PE teachers along with Coaches who deliver PE and Swimming classes across the Primary School

The Physical Education Curriculum covers subjects such as Fundamental Movement & Sports Skills, Gymnastics, Athletics, Netball, Football, Cricket, Rounders, Basketball, Touch Rugby, Dance and Trampolining These are taught in half termly blocks

The Swimming Curriculum closely follows Swim England Levels and caters for beginners and elite swimmers alike All classes are taught in both the beginner and 25m pool

Sports Days, Swimming Galas, and House Football and Netball Competitions are held across the school year offering participatory and competitive sporting opportunities for all

BSAK competes in the ADISSA (Abu Dhabi International School Sport Association) Leagues with other schools across Abu Dhabi. BSAK enters competitions for U9 & U11 Touch Rugby, Netball, Boys & Girls Football, Basketball and Y3 - Y6 Swimming Squad These are competitive squads with a selection based approach to participation

All children are given the opportunity to represent BSAK.

Jack Cropper & Charlotte Sacks Director of Sport & Assistant Director of Sport

The Primary Languages Department comprises of Spanish, French (one Term in Year 6) and Arabic languages. The Languages team work together to provide an exciting curriculum for all three languages, sharing innovative ideas and using impactful developments from recent learning research

Arabic is taught from Nursery where time is provided for our youngest children in EYFS to engage with early language skills within their classroom setting From Year 1, children begin to be streamed into native and non-native classes for their lessons Those students whose father holds an Arab passport will automatically be enrolled in the native stream.

Please note, if a non-native student chooses to study native Arabic from Year 1 onwards (as they are assessed to be proficient enough to do so at the end of Reception and parents wish for them to follow the native course), this will impact their language options when they transition to Secondary School Please contact the Director of UAE Subjects and Languages for more information on this

Non-native students are taught how to read the alphabet using a very successful reading scheme developed by the department, using the UK phonics system as a basis for progression Students are also introduced to the Arabic scheme called Arabee Students are motivated and encouraged to speak Arabic through the use of songs, games, puppets and a variety of fun and challenging activities. All student abilities are catered for and all are encouraged to reach and surpass their potential.

We adapt the curriculum and pedagogy to best meet the needs of all students Non-native lessons are conducted in classical Arabic and students are encouraged to learn the alphabet, speak as much Arabic as they can and learn the fascinating grammar and vocabulary of this language

The MFL curriculum employs the renowned Language Angels scheme. Students focus on oral and listening skills in their Spanish classes (Years 2-6), and a mixture of both Spanish and French in Year 6. We are cross-curricular in nature with an emphasis on fun!

Arwa Hamoudeh Director of UAE Subjects & Languages

Mona Ahmed Second in Charge of UAE Subjects & Languages

PUNCTUALITY

AND ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance and punctuality are a prerequisite for student progress and a vital preparation for adult life It is essential that students form good habits with regard to attendance and punctuality early in life. In the interests of student welfare, attendance and punctuality records are logged electronically and closely monitored

Levels of attendance and any impact this has on student learning is communicated to parents via letters, face to face meetings and school reports.

Please promote positive attitudes towards learning in your child through supporting your child’s regular attendance at school

THE BEGINNING OF THE DAYDROP OFF

For the Early Years, Nursery & Reception, the School day begins at 7.45am. Doors Open at 7.30am

Children in the Early Years should be brought to the external classroom door in the Early Years playground by an adult and handed over directly to their teacher The classroom doors will be opened at 7.30am. There are no car drop off lanes for the Early Years arrivals hence parents need to park in the roads close to school and walk their children to the entrance. Security staff will be present at the Early Years’ Entrance and will offer guidance and support if required If the Early Years child has an older sibling in Years 1-6, the siblings can also use the Early Years’ Entrance meaning that parents only have one drop off point for their children.

In Years 1-6 and without a sibling in the Early Years, children should be dropped off in the Primary Drop Off Zones from 7.30am where they will be met by members of staff There are several drop off lanes for parents to pull their car into, drop their children off, and then move away to leave space for other parents dropping off. The children should then walk by themselves the short distance to the main Primary Entrance

No child should be left unsupervised at any time outside of the school campus and children should not arrive at school before 7.30am. Security and other school staff will be present in the Drop Off Zones and at the Primary Entrance and will offer guidance and support if required

LATE ARRIVAL - AFTER 7.45AM

If your child arrives in school after 7 45am, please ensure that they sign in using the computers stationed around Primary Reception. The class register will then automatically be updated. Your child may then go to class / lessons.

FIRST DAY OF ABSENCE

If your child is unwell, you know they are going to be late or cannot make it into school for any other reason, please complete the relevant form on the Parent Portal. For sickness, this needs to be completed for each day your child is unwell.

PUNCTUALITY AND ATTENDANCE

If we do not hear from you in terms of your child absence, you will receive an email from us. However, if there are many absentees, this can b a long process and may delay our Receptionist from discovering if there is an emergency issue

Please complete the necessary forms on the Parent Portal so we are aware of the reason you child is absent. If you do not confirm a child’s absence and provide a reason, this will be noted as an unauthorised absence

REQUEST FOR CHILDREN TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY

If your child has an appointment that cannot be made outside of school time, or they have to leave school early for any reason then you must complete the Planned Absence form on the Parent Portal Please note that this may be registered as an unauthorised absence

REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE

END OF THE DAY COLLECTION

NURSERY

There are two options for Nursery pick up. 1.001.15pm OR 2.30pm, and 11.30am on Fridays. Pick up is from the classrooms, through the EYFS Gate.

RECEPTION

Whilst we understand that, in certain exceptional circumstances, students may have to be withdrawn from school and miss curriculum time, we would advocate that this disruption is minimised wherever possible If you intend to withdraw your child, you are requested to complete the Planned Absence request form on the Parent Portal with reasons clearly stated, in advance, so that the details can be added to your child’s attendance record.

UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE

We would strongly advise parents to avoid holidays during term time Absences for holidays will be recorded as ‘unauthorised’ as per ADEK guidelines

For Reception children, the official end of the day is 2 30pm Pick up is from the classrooms, through the EYFS Gate

SIBLINGS

Siblings of EYFS children will be dismissed from either the Mini Pitch or the Primary Hall during the hotter months. Please collect your child from EYFS first and then proceed to collect their siblings. This ensures one point of pick up for EYFS children and siblings.

YEARS 1-6

The official end of the day is 2.35pm and 11:30am on Fridays. Pick up is from the Primary pitch. Please enter through the St Joseph’s Gate and walk to the Primary Pitch where the children will be lined up in classes (see map on next page).

Please ensure that children are collected on time as late collection has a negative impact on the smooth running of the school and on your child’s wellbeing The following pages show the areas around the school where you can collect your children from and how you can pay to park.

Al Barq St

PICK UP PROCEDURES

The map below shows the pick up areas for the end of day: Early Years for Nursery and Reception children. Mini Pitch for siblings of EYFS children Primary Pitch for Year 1 to Year 6 Both St Joseph’s gate and St Andrew’s gate may be used to enter and exit the school at the end of the day

PARKING AND TRAFFIC

There are plenty of paid parking spaces around BSAK and these are indicated in blue on the map. Standard authorised parking around the School is marked with black and blue lines. If you park anywhere else, you run the risk of being fined.

There are no ticket machines around BSAK and therefore many parents and staff use a Parking App, DARB or pay through Mobile Phone payment (m-MAWAQiF), which enables payment via credit card or your Etisalat / Du mobile number.

TERM DATES

Term commences for Reception to Year 7, and all new Secondary Students only

Term commences for Nursery and all remaining Secondary Students

Half term

Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad Day

Last day of Term 1

Term commences for all students

Eid Al Fitr

Last Day of Term 2

Term commences for all students

Eid Al Adha

Last Day of Term 3

UNIFORM & APPEARANCE

BOYS & GIRLS | EYFS

Students are expected to take pride in their uniform and appearance, creating a positive first impression of themselves and the school. Wearing school uniform is mandatory and all uniform must be purchased through our official supplier, Trutex Textiles.

GIRLS

Everyday

Light blue polo shirt with BSAK logo on the front

Navy blue shorts

White ankle socks

Trainers (any colour)

Sun hat with BSAK logo Any other branded caps or hats are not permitted

There is no separate PE uniform in EYFS

Swimming

BSAK swim cap and BSAK one piece swim suit

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

Swimming towel

Goggles and flip flops

BOYS

Everyday

Light blue polo shirt with BSAK logo on the front Navy blue shorts

White ankle socks

Trainers (any colour)

Sun hat with BSAK logo Any other branded caps or hats are not permitted

There is no separate PE uniform in EYFS

Swimming

BSAK swim cap and BSAK swim trunks

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

Swimming towel

Goggles and flip flops

Please ensure that ALL items of clothing and all personal property such as school bag, PE/swimming bag, book bag, lunch box water bottle and hat are CLEARLY marked with your child’s name and class.

UNIFORM & APPEARANCE

BOYS & GIRLS | KS1 & KS2

Students are expected to take pride in their uniform and appearance, creating a positive first impression of themselves and the school. The wearing of school uniform is mandatory and all uniform must be purchased through our official supplier, Trutex Textiles.

GIRLS

EVERYDAY

Light blue gingham dress: white collar and BSAK logo on front pocket

Navy blue skort/culottes with blue gingham blouse.

White collar and BSAK logo on the front pocket

Navy blue cardigan/v-neck jumper with BSAK logo

White ankle socks

Shoes: all black, sensible leather shoes

(no trainers, boots or high heels)

Sun hat with BSAK logo. Any other branded caps or hats are not permitted

WINTER UNIFORM (January and February only)

Navy blue, smart, tailored trousers. Denim sportswear or casual trousers are not permitted

Navy or white tights

Blue school polo shirt with BSAK logo

Blue shorts

Trainers: non-marking, light trainers

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

SWIMMING

BSAK swim cap and BSAK one piece swim suit

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

Swimming towel

Goggles and flip flops

BOYS

EVERYDAY

Light blue short-sleeved gingham shirt with BSAK logo on front pocket

Navy blue shorts: pleats at the front, elastic at the back, no turn ups

Navy blue cardigan/v-neck jumper with BSAK logo

Navy blue ankle socks

Shoes: all black, sensible leather shoes (no trainers or boots)

Sun hat with BSAK logo Any other branded caps or hats are not permitted

WINTER UNIFORM (January and February only)

Navy blue, smart tailored trousers Denim, sportswear or casual trousers are not permitted

Blue school polo shirt with BSAK logo

Blue shorts

Trainers: non-marking, light trainers

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

SWIMMING

BSAK swim cap and BSAK swim trunks

Waterproof PE/swimming bag

Swimming towel

Goggles and flip flops

GAMES KIT FOR GIRLS AND BOYS

Gumshields

Football boots

Long sports/football socks

UNIFORM & APPEARANCE

BOYS & GIRLS | KS1 & KS2

GENERAL

GIRLS & BOYS

BSAK book bag (available from Trutex Textiles)

Lunch box (cool box type container with frozen cool pack insert)

Pencil case containing, pencils, coloured pencils, scissors, glue and eraser

Water bottle x 2

Rucksack or shoulder bag

Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied up

Hair accessories should be in keeping with school colours (blue/white)

The use of dye/colouring is not permitted Make up and nail varnish must not be worn

One pair of small, stud earrings and a watch are permitted; anything else, including friendship bands and bracelets are not permitted

Any haircuts which detract from a neat and tidy appearance (i.e. patterns, close shaven, fringes over the eyes) are not permitted

PRIMARY DINING AND

PREPACKED OPTIONS

Food builds community and, particularly in Early Years, helps children to develop interactive social skills BSAK has partnered with Food Nation since October 2019 to deliver the highest quality of food to students, staff, parents and visitors.

Food Nation is a school catering company that is raising the quality bar across the UAE. It provides nutritious, tasty food through an 'Eat Bright' programme, by which all dishes are created inhouse and contain no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, texture altering chemicals, additives, trans-fats, GMO or preservatives.

Food Nation is a chef-driven company, cofounded and led by Magnus Mumby, who has more than 30 years ’ experience of working in both food allergy clinics as well as high-end restaurants at Michelin level.

Magnus’ passion for healing foods and nutrition was borne from his parents, who are still very active in the area of food allergy and nutrition.

Children can choose to bring in snacks and a packed lunch from home or can enjoy food provided by Food Nation. We are a nut free school and proactively encourage children to drink plenty of water and choose healthy options for their snacks.

Early Years - Year 2 have their Food Nation meals delivered to their classrooms Years 3-6 sit and eat with their friends in the Dining Hall. The food is tasty and nutritious and is ordered and paid for in advance using an online system.

To download the Spare app and find out more information about ordering online, please see these helpful links -

How to download the SpareApp Spare App Help Video

LIBRARY PRIMARY

BSAK Primary Library boasts over 30,000 titles by world renowned children’s authors. Spread out over two floors, the library contains a wealth of fiction and non-fiction books on a wide array of topics that support and keep reading at the heart of the Primary curriculum

The Primary Library is a special space in the school that encourages and fosters a love of books and reading for pleasure. The librarians have an extensive knowledge of children’s authors and books, and they strive to create a warm and welcoming environment with regular activities, competitions and events.

The children who visit are encouraged to seek out new authors and genres, and the carefully curated and regularly updated collection reflects the diverse school community A recent shift to a more genrefied organising system for both fiction and non-fiction has made it much easier for children to browse and choose independently and explore the subjects they are most interested in

Every child in the Primary School visits the library over the week. For the younger years there is story time, from picture books for EYFS to extended reads for Key Stage 1.

For the upper primary years the Primary Library staff administer and support the Accelerated Reader Programme, a reading programme that helps support and monitor children’s reading practice Student engagement is a priority and to this end the library provides a calm and quiet space for students during break. Library Monitors and Y6 Prefects are a vital part of the library team.

Storytime for the youngest members of the BSAK community is held every Wednesday during term time. Siblings are welcome with a parent or guardian from 8.00am for stories, songs and fun for the littlest of listeners.

In an effort to combat the increase of myopia in children, a joint initiative between the Nursing Department and the Primary Library saw the opening of an Outdoor Library at the start of 2024. A dedicated space in the Primary School playground with comfortable floor seating and a dedicated selection of books available during the cooler months for the children to read It has proved to be a huge success, with many teachers also choosing to use the space during class time, and providing a more quiet and calm environment for the children during breaks

BUS SERVICE

AT BSAK

The BSAK Bus Service is provided by BBT, which is part of the STS Group. Their name reflects their service promise, that they are they are Safe, Timely and Smart.

The buses and service are fully compliant with the Department of Transport (DoT) and the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) regulations.

For full details about the service please visit the Parent Portal/School Information/BSAK Bus Service page or the School Website.

INTERESTED IN THIS SERVICE?

Click this link and complete this Registration Form 2026/2027

Our dedicated school contact at STS Group is Mary Blessy, sde-bsak@sts-group.com +971 56 369 3151

COMMUNICATION

Throughout the year we will keep you up to date regarding your child’s progress and events at the School. You will receive communication via email, the BSAK Parent Portal, newsletters, the School calendar and our social media channels.

Timetables and Reports: Daily timetables are available for Secondary students

Available via Phone, Tablet or Desktop:

School Emails: Delivered to your personal email and kept forever in the portal

Co-Curricular and Enrichment Activities: Information about clubs, sport fixtures and music group times can be found in your calendar, which you can also sync to your personal calendar

Forms and Appointments: Permission slips, Parents’ Evening appointments and club signups are all in one place

School Events: Search the School calendar and never miss an event.

Click here to view the BSAK Calendar