THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE

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Barrie Douglas
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1 THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE CADEMY OF EXCELLENCE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS A FUTURE SHAPED BY OUR CHILDREN ALDAR ACADEMIES AL AIN ACADEMY AL BATEEN ACADEMY AL MAMOURA ACADEMY AL MUNA ACADEMY AL YASMINA ACADEMY THE PEARL ACADEMY WEST YAS ACADEMY

2 THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE. EMPOWERING OUR STUDENTS FOR HIGHER ACHIEVEMENTS

3 ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS Firstly, thank you for your interest in the Aldar Academies Academy of Excellence programme. The Academy of Excellence has been set-up to provide challenge; personalised learning and enrichment opportunities for exceptional students (Years 5 to 13) beyond that of the formal curriculum. Specifically, the Academy of Excellence provides the following benefits to any participating student: Recognition of a young person s exceptional ability or talent, thus a place in the Academy is prestigious; An extension to the educational challenges and opportunities beyond the formal curriculum and any gifted and talented activities; Development of skills and attributes, like that of critical thinking, so students can achieve at a higher level; Development of passion, creativity and commitment in areas of interest; An opportunity to enrich, extend and accelerate learning; Preparation for University.

4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: HOW MANY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE? There will be limited places, as determined by the Principal, due to the programme having a selection criteria and the availability of relevant resources to successfully run the programme. IS THERE ANY FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO THE FAMILY? There is to be no financial benefit for any parent/family, i.e. no reduction in tuition fees. However, Aldar Academies will donate a financial award towards Year 1 University fees, to one outstanding Academy of Excellence student from each of the four Academy of Excellence categories. Therefore there will be four (4) award winners in total across all of the Aldar Academies Schools. The four award winners will be chosen by the CEO for Aldar Academies and will receive the award at the Aldar Academies Academy of Excellence Celebration Event in May. Please note: if a Year 10 student, for example, was to win the financial award, Aldar Academies will hold the prize until the child finishes secondary/high school education in Year 12 or 13, unless the student is leaving Abu Dhabi due to relocation.

5 IS A STUDENT S PLACE ON THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE LIMITED TO ONE ACADEMIC YEAR? A place in the Academy of Excellence is not limited to one academic year, and will continue with the student for the duration of their academic studies with Aldar Academies, unless the student breaks any condition in which the place is awarded. One written warning would be given before any place is withdrawn. The Academy of Excellence operates from 1 st October to 31 st May each academic year. WHAT ARE THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES? There are four Academy of Excellence categories, each with its own programme of enrichment events and activities: Academic, Art & Design, Music and Sport. WHEN CAN MY CHILD APPLY FOR A PLACE IN THE ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE? Any place in the Academy of Excellence would be granted after a fair, transparent and rigorous application and selection process. The application process commences 1 st June each year.

6 ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE APPLICATION PROCESS TO APPLY FOR A PLACE A STUDENT MUST: 1. Complete the Academy of Excellence Application Form (this can be found on your school s parent portal. Alternatively, click here to download it) 2. Submit a cover letter, in English, from the child explaining why he/she should be awarded a place. Maximum one side of A4 paper and hand-written by the child 3. Send school reports/transcripts for the past three academic terms of school education (only if a student is not currently attending an Aldar Academies School) 4. Submit the application form, with relevant documentation, by 17 th September (3:00 pm Abu Dhabi time) to the Principal s PA STAGE 1 SELF-EVALUATION (PARENT AND CHILD) It is important before any application form is completed to, firstly, consider if the Academy of Excellence programme is right for your child and whether he/she meets the criteria. Your child can apply for more than one Academy of Excellence programme, from the categories below, but will only be admitted onto one programme (if selected). The answer does not necessarily have to be yes to every question but there needs to be a degree of honest and realistic self-evaluation. Please also look at Stage 3 Shortlisting & Selection Criteria before considering any application.

7 ACADEMIC ART & DESIGN MUSIC SPORT Is your child predominantly an A student or consistently Exceeding Expectations? Is your child gifted in one or more academic subjects? Gifted meaning academically achieving significantly ahead of defined curriculum standards. Does your child work hard with his/her academic studies within and outside school? achieved highly in Art & Design? won any Art & Design awards or competitions? Is your child involved in Art & Design outside of school? exhibited artwork inside or outside the school? excelled in art events within the school? achieved highly in Music? won any Music awards or competitions? Is your child learning to play an instrument and regularly attending instrumental music lessons? Does your child regularly perform inside and outside school? Does your child contribute to a musical ensemble on a regular basis? achieved highly in Sport? won any Sport awards or competitions? Does your child regularly play sport inside and outside school? represented their school or city at a regional or national sports event? achieved any music board examinations? Yes = Proceed to Stage 2 No = Need to improve and re-apply next year New/growing schools may initially decide to not offer all the Academy of Excellence categories.

8 STAGE 2 APPLICATION FORM The parent or child completes the Academy of Excellence Application Form and the student hand-writes a cover letter stating why he/she should be awarded a place. The letter must be one side of A4 only and hand-written by the child. The parent attaches all requested documents and submits to the Principal s PA by 17 th September (3:00 pm Abu Dhabi time). Any application received by the school after this date and time will not be considered. STAGE 3 SHORTLISTING & SELECTION CRITERIA The selection criteria is in no particular order and those highlighted in purple are not necessarily always applicable. After Stage 3, a decision is made as to whether your child progresses to Stage 4. The decision will be communicated to you in writing. SELECTION CRITERIA Academy of Excellence Academic 98% attendance (in the last 12 calendar months from the date of application) Very positive attitude to learning and school in all subjects (school reports) Listed on the school s Gifted and Talented register CAT score of 130 or higher in one or more battery Verbal, Non-Verbal, Spatial, Quantitative (Gifted) Teacher assessment data and/or teacher referral, including top 3 performers in each year group as determined by the Head of Department for Mathematics, English and Science Real passion and enthusiasm for school and learning

9 Academy of Excellence Art & Design 98% attendance (in the last 12 calendar months from the date of application) Very positive attitude to learning and school in all subjects (school reports) Displays exceptional talent in the subject Teacher assessment data and/or teacher referral, including top 3 performers in each year group as determined by the Head of Department for Art Real passion and enthusiasm for Art & Design Has been involved in Art & Design outside of school Has exhibited artwork inside or outside the school Has excelled in art events within the school Academy of Excellence Music 98% attendance (in the last 12 calendar months from the date of application) Very positive attitude to learning and school in all subjects (school reports) Displays exceptional talent in the subject, singing or one or more instruments Teacher assessment data and/or teacher referral, including top 3 performers in each year group as determined by the Head of Department for Music Real passion and enthusiasm for Music Plays an instrument/sings and regularly attends instrumental music/singing lessons Regularly performs inside and outside school Achieved music board examinations Academy of Excellence Sport 98% attendance (in the last 12 calendar months from the date of application) Very positive attitude to learning and school in all subjects (school reports) Displays exceptional talent in the subject or one or more sports Teacher assessment data and/or teacher referral, including top 3 performers in each year group as determined by the Head of Department for PE Real passion and enthusiasm for PE/Sport Regularly plays sport inside and outside school Has won one or more Sport awards or competitions Has represented school or city at a regional or national sports event

10 STAGE 4 INTERVIEW/MEETING WITH RELEVANT STAFF Shortlisted applicants are invited, by the Principal, to attend an interview with the Head of Department/Principal/Senior Leader. After Stage 4, a final decision is made and this is communicated to you in writing. The Principal s decision is final and there is no right of appeal. 1. Academy of Excellence Academic: The student is expected to bring a portfolio, containing evidence of academic achievements and contribution to school community through enrichment/eca/cas, and any interests outside of school, to the interview 2. Academy of Excellence Art & Design: The student is expected to bring a portfolio of Art & Design work to the interview 3. Academy of Excellence Music: The student is expected to audition with their instrument/s and/or sing at interview 4. Academy of Excellence Sport: The student is expected to attend a trial and/or demonstrate skills in their chosen sport/s at interview EXPECTATIONS In order to make sure the Academy of Excellence is a success for students, parents and Aldar Academies, there are certain expectations once a place has been awarded to any student. Stakeholders are expected to work collaboratively to ensure every student engages and participates fully in the programme: Each Academy of Excellence student must: Study to his/her full capacity at all times and achieve academic targets in all subjects Follow all school rules and adhere to behaviour for learning policy, without exception, at all times

11 Act as a role model for other students Attend and fully participate in all required Academy of Excellence activities Contribute to the school community through participation and commitment in enrichment/eca/cas activities Maintain 98% school attendance each academic year Attend school and lessons on time Wear full school uniform at all times without exception Attend rehearsals and perform at required Music events (Music) Attend and contribute to required Art events and exhibitions (Art & Design) Attend and participate in required PE/Sport events (Sport) Each parent must: Fully support their child and the Academy of Excellence to ensure all the student expectations, above, are achieved Commit to attending any parent workshops/briefings, the Launch Event, and the Celebration Event Each school must: Commit to developing a meaningful and engaging Academy of Excellence programme of activities so that each child has opportunities and challenges to develop competences, skills and attributes, at a higher level

12 CADEMY OF EXCELLENCE

To provide students with a formative and summative assessment about their learning behaviours. To reinforce key learning behaviours and skills that

To provide students with a formative and summative assessment about their learning behaviours. To reinforce key learning behaviours and skills that are important for lifelong learning and academic success.