Secondary

At FPS, we offer an enhanced British National Curriculum. Our provision is recognised as academically rigorous and supports our students in accessing top universities worldwide. In aligning with the national curriculum for England we offer a broad and balanced set of subjects, allowing students to explore their passions and interests whilst at the same time ensuring pathways are followed that give students the skills and qualifications needed for a 21st century world. At KS3 students can adopt an explorative mindset and are able to access an enriching range of specialist provision to support them in making their choices for GCSE level study at KS4. Students in Post-16 can choose from many A level and BTEC courses to pursue their passions and interests ahead of the next stage in their educational journey.

Our curriculum development model is rigorous and we work with a spiral curriculum model that is focussed on quality content and materials. We review and modify the curriculum to support student attainment and inspire them with passion in their subjects.

Assessment Overview

At GEMS FirstPoint School (FPS), we recognise that assessments are integral to your child's educational journey, providing insights into their progress and guiding them towards success. They are intended to be supportive tools that empower your child's growth. Assessments also foster essential life skills such as responsibility, organisation and time management. As your child prepares for their GCSE and A Level examinations, assessments become even more significant, opening doors for their preferred university and career pathways. Your involvement as parents is crucial; staying informed ensures that your child receives the support they need to excel. Together, we work as a team to make your child's learning journey fulfilling and enriching, focusing on progress, development and growth along the way.

Types of Assessment

• CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test): An assessment designed to measure students' cognitive abilities in areas such as verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning.
• Baseline Tests: An initial assessment conducted at the beginning of the school year, mainly for Year 7 students and all new joiners, to establish a starting point of students' knowledge and skills.
• PASS (Pupil Attitude to Self and School) Survey: An assessment used to gauge students' attitudes towards themselves and their school environment.
• NGRT (New Group Reading Test): An assessment tool that measures students' reading skills and comprehension.
• GL Progress Tests: Assessments administered at specific intervals to track students' progress in English, Science and Maths.
• ABT (Arabic Benchmark Test): An assessment designed to measure students' proficiency in various Arabic language skills.
• Internal Assessment- Formative: Teachers use formative assessments, such as quizzes, observations and class discussions, to gather real-time feedback on students
• Internal Assessment- Summative: There are 3 internal assessment weeks throughout the academic year.
• External Assessment: The GCSE, A Level and BTEC qualifications are conducted throughout Key Stage 4 and 5, and are by accredited external examination boards.

Assessment Grading- Key Stage 3 and 4

At FPS, we use the GCSE 9-1 grading system for Years 7 to 11, a grade 9 is the highest achievable grade, with grade 1 being the lowest.

We use the BTEC Distinction*- Pass system for BTEC qualifications. A Distinction* is the highest achievable grade, with a Pass grade being the lowest. BTEC grades carry a GCSE equivalency.

At the end of Year 11, the Department for Education in the United Kingdom considers a grade 4 as a pass and grades 5 and above a strong pass. In the United Arab Emirates, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority considers a grade 4 to be working at curriculum standards and grades 6 and above to be above curriculum standards.

We use the FPS Flightpath to monitor progress and attainment over time. We expect students to make 3 sub-levels of progress within an academic year; the flightpath allows us to identify where students are on their learning journey, and provide appropriate challenge and support to enable them to reach their full potential. It allows students and parents to track performance and set targets.

Assessment Grading- Key Stage 5

At FPS, we use the A Level A*-E grading system for Years 12 and 13. A grade A* is the highest achievable grade, with grade E being the lowest.

We use the BTEC Distinction*- Pass system for BTEC qualifications. A Distinction* is the highest achievable grade, with a Pass grade being the lowest. BTEC grades carry an A Level equivalency.

At the end of Year 13, the Department for Education in the United Kingdom considers a grade C as a secure pass and grades B and above a strong pass. In the United Arab Emirates, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority considers a grade C to be working at curriculum standards and grades B and above to be above curriculum standards.

Reporting Overview

We share a data report each term, and a full written report at the end of each academic year. These provide a comprehensive overview of your child's academic performance.

We run two Parent Consultation Events throughout the academic year. These provide an opportunity for you to discuss your child’s academic performance with their class teachers.

Assessment Overview Booklets

To view the KS3 Assessment Overview for Term 1, please click here. 

To view the KS4 Assessment Overview for Term 1, please click here.

To view the KS5 Assessment Overview for Term 2, please click here.

At Gems FirstPoint School we believe the pastoral system is crucial for nurturing students' well-being, fostering a supportive environment, and promoting holistic development. This is done through a rigorously planned out registration programme for each year group, ensuring that all key aspects are covered and tailored to individual year groups.

Throughout the year each individual year groups registration plan you will find the following areas covered in ensuring our students become well rounded, world ready global citizens;

• Wellbeing in school is paramount for students' academic success, social growth, and overall happiness. A key focus on the registration programme is the wellbeing of all students, each week we have a key link to a wellbeing strand which will offer a focus for all that week.
• Careers teaching careers in school is essential for shaping our future generations, fostering critical thinking skills, and empowering our students to reach their full potential. Our registration programme embeds this throughout each year group allowing students to learn more about their future career aspirations.
• Assemblies weekly assemblies are timetabled in to the programme and are important for fostering a sense of community, promoting school values, and providing a platform for important announcements and celebrations.
• Learning skills are essential in school for equipping students with the tools they need to adapt, problem-solve, and thrive in an ever-changing world. These sessions are planned for each specific year group to enable them to develop a range of skills needed to succeed.
• Reflection we believe this to be vital for deepening understanding, reinforcing learning, and promoting personal growth and self-awareness. Students in each year group will have sessions planned in to support reflection throughout the year at specific points.
• Moral and Social Education MSC is a recently combined subject made up of Moral, Social and Cultural Studies. The Moral Education Program prepares students for societal changes by tracking trends in moral, community, civic, and cultural aspects. It aims to preserve local character, national heritage, and encourage positive behaviours. The Social Studies curriculum focuses on understanding social, political, and economic systems, analysing historical events, and emphasising the importance of connecting past knowledge to present and future challenges.
• Literacy is of utmost importance as it equips students with the necessary skills to comprehend, infer, analyse, and communicate effectively. The goal is to empower students to enhance and utilise their literacy skills across various subjects, enabling them to apply their knowledge in a cross-curricular manner and fostering proficiency and confidence in their abilities.
• Numeracy sessions are embedded into the registration programme to reinforce concepts, providing additional practice, and boosting students' confidence and proficiency in the subject.

At GEMS FirstPoint School, we have a community of resilient students who are not only prepared for the challenges they may face today, but also empowered to seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Confidence, perseverance, and tolerance are not just words to us; they are the pillars upon which we build our learning community. We want our students to embody these qualities, to face challenges with resilience, to persist in the pursuit of their goals, and to embrace the diversity of perspectives and experiences that make our community vibrant and dynamic.

Communication and teamwork skills are essential tools for success in today's world. We encourage our students to embrace collaboration, creativity, and innovation, recognising that it is through working together that we achieve our greatest accomplishments. We believe in the importance of individuality, yet also in the power of teamwork and the unique contributions each student brings to our school and the wider community. This is evident in not only how we think and act in the classroom but the range of opportunities in our ECA programme and wider school life.

Our students are curious, compassionate, and globally minded, ready to make a positive contribution to their community and beyond. We believe in nurturing not only academic excellence but also the values of empathy, kindness, and respect that are essential for creating a better world. Our weekly Principal Award winners epitomise this. We encourage our students to be involved in activities run by the House Captains and Wellbeing Warriors. Students take part in regular student led enquiries and Harkness discussions to ensure they lead continuous development of teaching and provision.

At GEMS FirstPoint School, we inspire our learners to be FPS READY: Resilient, Empathetic, Adaptable, Dyanamic and You (themselves)!