📌 Overview

Horizon school is a non-selective, private school in Dubai. It provides British curriculum education for international students aged between 3 and 11 years old from more than 47 countries. English is the language of communication throughout the school, and in lessons but many of our children have English as their second or third language. Being fluent in English is not a requirement of entry to our EYFS or Year 1 classes and we regularly take children throughout the school where English is an additional language and not fluent. Horizon Communicator is the principle method of communication we use to share information with parents on general issues about the school or events involving children. There is a ‘live’ Horizon calendar plus links to our sports calendars, so that all stakeholders can check for events relating to the children. The key areas are NEWS (short paragraphs of information), RESOURCES (where we upload letters, forms and trip information etc., for the school community to access) and ALERTS. Alerts are very short, important but not critical, messages when we need to alert you to something relevant. Alerts appear on your Communicator as a red pop-up, so that you don’t miss them. For example, when students are away on trips, we publish daily news snippets (blogs) on what they are doing. From time to time we also publish pictures from events at the School in the GALLERY section (e.g. trips). At Horizon School, the Music specialists are committed to excellence, energised by quality learning and integrity in teaching. They are passionate about the innovations that follow and how they strengthen curricular merit for all our children. Mr Malanga (the Head of Music) believes that the foundation for teaching is an understanding of learning. "The past half-century of brain research has provided us with robust new understandings of the nature of music learning. At Horizon School we have taken advantage of this new knowledge to drive innovations in our teaching, assessment & differentiation. The results of these changes have been pride worthy. Students greatly enjoy their learning and are gaining practical musicianship skills that were once assumed to be the province only of the especially talented". A wide variety of sporting opportunities are available at Horizon and we believe that physical activity is for everyone, from Foundation Stage One to Year Six. In our department we have five specialist teachers for PE and swimming who work hard to deliver an inclusive and inviting curriculum that challenges and inspires the children in every lesson. The boys and girls in our wonderful school also have the chance to learn and compete in 10 different sports in local and international tournaments and competitions, including football, netball, swimming, rugby and cricket (for both boys and girls). Summary of KHDA Inspection · Student's attainment and progress in English, mathematics and science are at least good and almost always very good. Attainment and progress in Islamic education and Arabic as a first and second language, remain overall acceptable. Students have very positive attitudes to learning. Student ability to be innovative and entrepreneurial is developing well in each phase of the school. · Across the school, students display outstanding personal development. They are self-reliant and demonstrate self-discipline in a range of situations. Their understanding of Islamic values, their social responsibility and their innovation skills are outstanding. · Teaching is very good in both phases. Throughout the school, systems of assessment are also very good, including how well assessment information is used to plan for the next steps in learning. However, in a few lessons, there is still some variability in this. · The school curriculum is broad and encompasses fully the revised National Curriculum in England. It provides students with a good range of subjects and extra activities. In the FS, the curriculum is outstanding and is modified to reflect the previous experiences of the children. Across the school, modification of the curriculum to meet the needs of students of different abilities is well embedded into lesson delivery. · Systems for the protection, care and guidance of students are outstanding. The personal needs of students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are attended to very well within this inclusive school. · Inspiring leaders, together with a highly effective governance, have set a clear direction for the school, resulting in a number of improvements. Leaders are highly committed to the UAE priorities and to ensuring that the school applies an innovative approach in all its work, for example, the structure of leadership to learning within the classroom. School’s strengths · The school provides inspirational leadership and governance, and all staff demonstrate strong commitment to school improvement. · Standards of achievement in English, mathematics and science are very good. · Students’ attitudes and behaviour are excellent, resulting in a happy and purposeful learning environment. · The quality of learning skills and approaches to innovation are very good in each phase of the school. · The school has excellent relationships with parents, ensuring that they support and are fully involved in their children’s education. · The school makes excellent arrangements for promoting healthy life styles and keeping all students safe.... more