Nord Anglia International School Dubai
Promoted by Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Nord Anglia International School Dubai: Today’s students, tomorrow’s creators

Creativity is an invaluable skill. According to the Harvard Business Review, it is a critical competency across various industries due to the fact that business challenges require inventive solutions. Even STEAM-related fields benefit from professionals capable of thinking outside the box — go back in time to when the Wright brothers innovated the airplane instead of strategising a training programme to make cars faster. Technical abilities aside, they wouldn’t have changed the world if they didn’t believe in the impossible. School is the perfect place for children to realise their capability to achieve similar greatness.

 

Nord Anglia International School (NAS) Dubai’s Creativity Champion and Principal sums it up best, stating: “I think that it is the boundless reality of the creative imagination that distinguishes the human species and when we bring our creative powers together the benefits may be boundless.”

“Living up to this understanding is now even more important than ever before in our species’ history, and we all know that the clock is ticking. This, more than anything else is why schools must foster our shared potential and give young people the priceless satisfaction, meaning and pleasure they find when working collaboratively and creatively.”

This is precisely what his students are doing every day. NAS Dubai is a dynamic school that embraces the importance of creativity and innovation. Pairing this with the institution’s personalised approach to learning, students here — who represent 78 nationalities — have a recipe for 21st century success.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

At NAS Dubai, a child’s creativity flourishes under the guidance of dedicated teachers. Source: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

It all begins with a unique, customisable international curriculum built around world-renowned education frameworks. All ages enjoy this level of quality — Early Years and Primary curriculums are based on the National Curriculum of England. The latter comprises core lessons in mathematics, language arts, social studies and science; two language classes; a Julliard-Inspired Performing Arts Curriculum; the school’s signature Design, Innovation, Computing, Enterprise (DICE) Curriculum; and much more. The combination is certainly enriching.

“Ask any child in the Primary School to tell you about one of their favourite lessons, and you are pretty much guaranteed to be told excitedly about a lesson where they were enabled to work in teams and build or create something!” says the Leader of Innovation (Primary), Aimee Middleton. “Children are curious creatures, and when given the freedom to play, experiment and explore, they thrive.”

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Horizon-broadening opportunities are plenty at NAS Dubai. Source: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Secondary students also learn from a version of the National Curriculum of England, leading to IGCSE qualifications in Year 11. They have access to the DICE model as well, which has seen countless students take creative risks and make mistakes worth learning from.

“James Dyson made 5127 prototypes before he perfected his vacuum cleaner and we often learn more from what hasn’t quite worked than if something goes perfectly the first time and that’s what design is all about,” shares Secondary faculty Owen Gilbert. “We encourage students to learn by doing, looking at solving real-world problems and the global sustainable goals.”

For example, Year 8 students are currently working on a project connected to the Dubai 2040 sustainable vision, in which they have to design a sustainable building that will be 3D printed and placed on a scaled version of downtown Dubai. The project has opened their eyes to not just design, but the environment business and geography as well.

Sixth Form at NAS Dubai takes things up a notch by offering older students a pathway choice based on their strengths, passions and goals. Whether the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, IB Certificate or A-Levels matches their aspirations, is entirely up to them. Regardless, all of NAS Dubai’s Sixth Form pathways are internationally recognised by the world’s finest universities.

For them, much like their Primary peers, foundational knowledge is paired with horizon-broadening opportunities. In fact, when classes are over, they enjoy some of the over 100 enrichment activities and clubs available at NAS Dubai.

Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Source: Nord Anglia International School Dubai

Of course, they get to leverage their school’s global collaborations with world-leading institutions and organisations as well. Thanks to The Julliard School, learners gain access to the skill and experience of world-leading performing arts delivered by outstanding teachers.

The School’s collaboration with MIT ensures tomorrow’s innovators get a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary STEAM learning. They even get the chance to explore the same problems MIT professors and researchers are currently working on today, thanks to the fact their teachers underwent thorough, in-person training at the esteemed university.

Meanwhile, NAS Dubai’s close connection with UNICEF is nurturing tomorrow’s world-changers. This partnership helped educators here develop learning materials based on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which form the basis of the Social Impact Programme and the annual Global Challenge. Picture students spending their free time turning plants into biofuel, educating younger children about their rights and essentially providing a voice to the voiceless — it’s just another normal day in the life of an NAS Dubai learner.

It’s little wonder why these future powerhouses develop the confidence needed to thrive academically. The proof is in the numbers with 100% of students passing the IBDP this year with an average point score of 37.5, and 87% achieving A** to B in their IGCSEs — not to mention the school gaining a listing in the Spears top 100 schools of the world too. To find out more click here.

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