Student individuality is a valuable asset

Aldar Academies' Al Bateen was launched in 2011 with a vision to apply a holistic approach to education by employing a rigorous curriculum and assessment programme that encompasses creativity, leadership, critical thinking and independent learning, both in class and in extracurricular activities.
"Our vision has been to create an inclusive and highly ambitious academic institution. To this end, our ascent to becoming an IB World School - achieved two years after opening - was vital," said Dr Chiara Tabet, IB DP Coordinator, Aldar Academies' Al Bateen.
In the latest inspections from Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), Al Bateen Secondary School received an A1 "Outstanding" grade, and to date is known to be the first secondary school to achieve this rating. "We have had very good I/GSCE results so far and are very excited to graduate our first Y13 cohort this year," she added. 
Aldar Academies' Al Bateen offers two prestigious and rigorous curricula - the English National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Students enjoy numerous local and international field trips as part of their learning experience as well. "As far as university preparation, we offer one-to-one assistance with applications, plus extensive orientation workshops and university fairs. We also possess a wide network of partners including top national and international universities," she says.
Standing apart from others
"Our value-add is based around the level of care and support that is given to each student. We focus on each student as an individual, with unique talents and attributes, and concentrate on bringing out the best in each one," said Tabet.
Curriculum structure
The school offers English National Curriculum with an international dimension in Years 7 to 9, followed by the I/GSCEs in Years 10 and 11. At the Year 12/13 level, both the IB Diploma Programme and British A-Levels are offered, which parents and students choose based on preference and future goals. The IB is a rigorous and rewarding curriculum based around six subject groups as well as the DP core, consisting of TOK (theory of knowledge), CAS (creativity, action, service), and Extended Essay.
Students choose their courses from the subject groups of sciences, mathematics, individuals and societies, language and literature, and language acquisition. Students choose three to four higher-level classes, and take the rest at a standard level.
 Admission overview
 Al Bateen is an inclusive school model, but students need to show evidence of good work ethics and an exemplary behaviour for learning. For both the IB Diploma Programme and A-Levels, entry conditions are dictated by its wish for each child to be placed in the best possible position to succeed.
"Like all IB World Schools, we recommend IB for students who possess high levels of inquiry, who are principled, open-minded thinkers and reflective risk-takers. The IB is academically rigorous, but is also a boundary-pusher; students who best fit the programme are those who are not afraid to have their opinion and their worldview challenged. At the same time, the curriculum requires an agile intellectual capability," Tabet said.
 Overall environment and co-curricular scene
Al Bateen is passionate about maintaining a creative and inclusive learning environment, where students are comfortable to speak freely, think outside the box, and get creative. Its CAS activities are substantial and updated every term.
"The service element of CAS is a core focus for us - we want to instil a sense in our students of giving back to both their local and global communities. Students write reflections on their extracurricular journeys. Environment plays a big role - thanks to student-led initiatives, Al Bateen is now a fully recycling school," she said. 
In addition, the school offers a wide selection of after-school creative activities such as graphic design, photography, jewellery design, languages, calligraphy, book club, Quran club, music, choir, drama, and dance. It also offers sports such as football, cricket, baseball, basketball, netball, swimming, rugby, badminton, sailing and water sports, expeditions, and international award schemes.
Promoting intercultural understanding among students
 Internationalism and multiculturalism is a critical component of the IB learner profile, which is why the international and cross-cultural dimension is a part of everything Al Bateen does.
"We involve it in assemblies, debates, and events such as our recent international day, or the fund-raising drives we engage in such as enterprise day. Internationalism is a key theme in all lesson planning," she said.
Another critical component is instilling a sense of value in each student's own culture, even as they learn about others. For instance, students can take exams in their own mother tongue at both the IB Diploma and I/GCSE levels.
"Because of the extent of the multicultural student body, every student interacts with different cultures every day," Tabet added.