British Curriculum School: Early Years to Sixth Form Programmes

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Our curriculum

Our curriculum

Curriculum overview

Pre-Preparatory (Pre-Prep) at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City offers a magical, meaningful, and deeply personalised start to each child’s educational journey. Our early years environment is calm, joyful, and richly stimulating, designed to nurture imagination, curiosity, and a deep sense of security. Classrooms and outdoor areas are purposefully curated with natural materials, open-ended resources, and sensory experiences that inspire exploration, foster positive relationships, and encourage a lifelong love of learning.

EYFS curriculum

Following the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), learning is led by highly qualified early childhood specialists who understand how young children learn best. Our approach blends purposeful play, guided discovery, and teacher-led sessions to build strong foundations in communication, literacy, numeracy, physical development, and social understanding. Continuous provision is enhanced with specialist sessions in music, movement, art, and swimming from the earliest years.

Language development and Arabic foundational immersion

Language Development and Arabic Foundational Immersion Language development sits at the heart of our educational philosophy. From the very first day in Pre-Prep, children embark on a foundational Arabic immersion journey designed to build confident, fluent bilingual communicators. Rich and varied learning opportunities in both English and Arabic are woven seamlessly into every part of the day — from structured lessons to play, stories, songs, and cross-curricular themes.

Our specialist Arabic educators work in close partnership with class teachers to create a truly immersive environment where Arabic is not just a subject, but a living language embedded in classroom life. This early exposure nurtures a natural ear for both languages, deepens cultural connection, and ensures all children — whether native speakers or complete beginners — progress quickly and confidently. Targeted support, small-group work, and engaging, context-rich activities guarantee that every learner builds a strong foundation in Arabic alongside English, laying the groundwork for advanced bilingual proficiency in later years.

Creative arts and cultural understanding 

Children participate in creative arts sessions with specialist teachers, exploring music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Emirati heritage is celebrated alongside global cultural traditions through festivals, storytelling, and themed learning weeks. 

Values and character formation 

In these formative years, we lay the foundations for the values that define an Elizabethan education. Every child is known, cared for, and celebrated as an individual, taking their first steps towards becoming confident, able, and responsible learners. 

The Prep School at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City delivers an academically ambitious, broad, and balanced education following the National Curriculum for England (NCfE), enriched with the cultural and linguistic strengths of the UAE. From Year 3 to Year 6, pupils learn in vibrant, intellectually stimulating classrooms led by passionate teachers who inspire every child to achieve their full potential.

Academic breadth and depth

Alongside English, Mathematics, and Science, students study Arabic (as a first or additional language), Islamic Education (for Muslim students), Humanities, Creative Arts, Physical Education, and Digital Literacy. The curriculum encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration, ensuring children develop both deep subject knowledge and transferable skills.

Creative arts excellence

Music, drama, and visual arts are taught by specialists, with opportunities for every student to perform, exhibit, and create. The QE Flourish programme offers ensembles, choirs, orchestras, drama productions, and art showcases, enabling students to discover and nurture their talents.

Languages and global awareness

Arabic provision is a strength of the Prep phase, delivered through immersive, engaging lessons that meet and exceed KHDA expectations. French is introduced from Year 3, with options for additional world languages in later years. Cultural exchange projects and partnerships with schools worldwide broaden students’ horizons.

Digital innovation and e-sports

Our Prep students are introduced to coding, robotics, and design thinking. E-sports enable students to focus on teamwork, strategic thinking, and digital wellbeing, preparing them for future learning in competitive digital environments.

Character, leadership, and service

The QE House programme, leadership roles, and community projects encourage students to lead with integrity, think critically, and serve their community. These years lay the intellectual, social, and emotional foundation for success in Senior School and beyond.

Spanning Years 7 to 11, the Senior School offers a dynamic environment where academic excellence meets personal growth. The curriculum prepares students for outstanding IGCSE results, while fostering independence, global awareness, and leadership skills.

Core and elective programmes

Students can study a range of core subjects including English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Sciences, Arabic, and Islamic Education, alongside Humanities, Creative Arts, Physical Education, and Design and Technology. Additional subjects such as Business, Computer Science, Media Studies, and Performing Arts will be offered, subject to demand, allowing students to personalise their learning journey.

Innovation and emerging disciplines

Students will be offered pathways in coding, AI, XR (extended reality), and esports. Students will participate in competitive esports leagues, learning about strategy, teamwork, and responsible gaming in a professional context.

Global citizenship and service

Model United Nations, international exchange visits, and sustainability initiatives deepen students’ understanding of global challenges. Partnerships with universities and industry provide insight into career pathways and innovation trends.

Pastoral excellence

Through Personal Development Time, a strong pastoral framework ensures every student is supported academically, socially, and emotionally. Mentoring programmes, wellbeing workshops, and leadership coaching equip students to navigate adolescence with resilience and purpose.

The Sixth Form (Opening August 2030) will represent the pinnacle of academic life at Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City. It will be a time of specialisation, maturity, and preparation for life beyond school. Students will typically undertake A Levels, selecting subjects that reflect their interests and align with their aspirations for university and future careers.

Academic pathways

Students typically pursue A Levels in a choice of disciplines including Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities, Creative Arts, and Languages. A range of further subjects will be offered, subject to demand. The curriculum is complemented by the Extended Project Qualification, research internships, and bespoke university preparation programmes.

Leadership and future readiness

The QE Futures programme ensures graduates leave with advanced skills in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and global citizenship. Leadership opportunities range from QE House Captains to student-led committees, while service learning fosters empathy and civic responsibility.

Global opportunities and partnerships

Partnerships with leading universities, research centres, and corporate organisations give students real-world experience and competitive advantage for admissions to top institutions worldwide.

Excellence

Academic excellence

Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City, is committed to academic excellence, emphasising high standards, a balanced curriculum, and a holistic approach to students' development. The School achieves this through rigorous academic programmes, highly-qualified teaching staff, and a supportive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and independent learning.

With its roots in Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet, regarded as one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the UK, Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City celebrates tradition and embraces innovation in a setting where academic excellence is the norm and character development is emphasised.

By emphasising academic excellence, Queen Elizabeth's School, Dubai Sports City prepares its students to be leaders, contribute meaningfully to society, and meet the challenges of the future with a sense of purpose, resilience, and integrity.

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Inclusion

Student support

At Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, we believe that inclusion is not just a department. It is a culture that shapes how we teach, support, and care for every student in our community. We are committed to ensuring that all learners, whatever their needs or abilities, are given the support they need to succeed.

We recognise that students learn in different ways and may require personalised strategies at various points in their educational journey. Our dedicated support team includes experienced specialists in learning support, EAL, and pastoral care. These professionals work closely with classroom teachers to tailor support that enhances learning and builds student confidence.

Inquisitiveness

Free-thinking scholarship

At Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, we believe education should go beyond examination success. While our academic programme is rigorous and rooted in traditional strengths, it is equally forward-looking, encouraging curiosity, independence, and innovation in learning.

Free-thinking scholarship is the foundation of our teaching and learning. Students are challenged not only to master the curriculum but also to think critically, ask questions, and approach problems with creativity and resilience. Our teachers are subject experts who inspire intellectual curiosity and guide students in developing habits of independent study, perseverance, and deep reflection.

This philosophy is brought to life in every classroom and further enriched through a wide range of academic extension opportunities. From research projects and debates to partnerships with universities and expert-led masterclasses, students are encouraged to explore ideas beyond the syllabus and to collaborate in pursuing their interests.

The result is an education that cultivates intellectual poise and confidence. By the time they leave QE Dubai Sports City, students are not only well prepared for leading universities worldwide but also equipped with the mindset to excel in their future careers and to thrive as confident, able and responsible young people.

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Oracy

Dialogic teaching and learning

At QE Dubai Sports City, we place considerable importance on speaking and listening skills, with a strong emphasis on purposeful dialogue from the Early Years through to the Sixth Form. We believe that oracy, the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively, is a foundation of a good education and a cornerstone of future success.

Speaking and listening underpin higher-level thinking, support the development of high-quality written work, and nurture the communication skills that are vital for leadership and career pathways.

Our classroom practice in this area is always evidence-based, carefully planned, and implemented in a consistent, structured way. Staff training and research draw on the insights of leading academics and educationalists, including the pioneering work of Oracy Cambridge at the University of Cambridge.

We foster a classroom culture that values discussion and dialogue as powerful tools for learning. Students are encouraged to:

  • Speak with clarity and precision, adapting language thoughtfully to their audience.
  • Listen attentively, reflecting actively on what they hear.
  • Think critically by analysing and evaluating the ideas of others.
  • Engage in dialogue by questioning, sharing, and responding constructively.
  • Respect differing viewpoints, recognising the value of collaborative learning and embracing mistakes as part of intellectual growth.

By embedding dialogue into everyday learning, we equip our students to become confident, thoughtful communicators who can thrive in an interconnected world.

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