Sixth Form
Sixth Form Home / School Programme We create young, well rounded, dynamic individuals who are ready to face the outer world and its challenges. Welcome to your future! Sixth Form education is the gateway to university and life beyond. The transition from school to the sixth form is an important, challenging, yet exciting time as for the first time in your education you can choose where and what to study. We at Dubai Scholars, strive for academic excellence whilst providing a supportive, holistic, motivational learning environment where every young person’s experience is unique & fulfilling. We know how important it is to excel at this stage of your education. That’s why everything we do is geared towards helping you succeed- In short, we prepare you for a world beyond education. Entering the Sixth Form at Dubai Scholars students require at least a B grade in the compulsory and optional subjects studied at the culmination of Key Stage 4. The Sixth Form at Dubai Scholars Private School aims to bridge the gap between the levels of academic and social maturity of students finishing Year 11 and the levels required by top universities worldwide. Historically students from DS have attended US universities including Ivy League universities in the US and Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and top engineering schools in India. Academic Programme Pearson Ed Excel International Advanced Level (IAL) is typically for learners aged 16 to 19 years who need advanced study to prepare for university and higher education. We at Dubai Scholars follow the Edexcel Board for all our subjects except for Information Technology (IT) & Media Studies – CAIE CAIE – Cambridge Assessment International Education EDEXCEL is offered by a subsidiary of the Pearson publishing company. Both examinations are highly respected and have equal value regarding further studies or employment. Subject offered: Students can choose any of the combinations or Independent subjects stated below. A minimum of 3 or 4 Subjects can be selected: Media Studies or Economics Chemistry or Accounts Biology or Business Physics or Psychology Independent Subjects Mathematics Information Technology Specifications: Edexcel : https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-advanced-levels.html CAIE IT : https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/502964-2021-syllabus.pdf Media Studies : https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/502957-2021-2023-syllabus.pdf The Sixth Form at Dubai Scholars provides opportunities for enabling leadership. The Sixth Form Executive Committee comprises of high caliber students, they form an integral part of the student council. Sixth Formers are expected to be effective ambassadors for the school and to help with a range of activities, from charity week to prefect duties. Our experience shows that Sixth Formers respond well to these expectations and fulfill their tasks with good humor and consideration for others. The Sixth Form Executive Committee comprises a President, Vice President & Executive Members who are supported by the other student council members. Students apply for positions and are interviewed by the Head of Secondary & Sixth Form Co-ordinators Students are given opportunities to participate in several projects both inside and outside of school. The students participate in several activities, including Parent Forums, Student-Led Conferences, the DS Internship Programme, School Tours & School Clubs etc. Participating in such programs/activities creates many opportunities for our students to gain valuable experiences in preparation for university, apprenticeships, or employment. Sixth Form students are encouraged to support & teach the younger year groups. Eg: (Academic Boosters/ Girl Up Club) FAQ What do A-level, AS and A2 mean? A-level means Advanced level and refers to the overall qualification. The International A-level consists of two stages called AS and A2. AS stands for Advanced Subsidiary level. Students who complete the correct pattern of AS level units (usually 2 or 3 units at this level, depending on the subject) will be awarded an AS-level certificate or can continue the subject at A2. A2 refers to the final stage of International A-levels. Students who have completed AS units in a subject move on to do A2 units, which are of a higher standard. Completing the correct sequence of units at both AS and A2 level means you have finished a full International A-level in a subject. University entrance is at the discretion of the university based on your AS and A2 grades. In Year 12, students typically study four Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) subjects. In Year 13, students typically take three of their AS Level subjects forward to a higher level, known as A2. Some students also broaden their studies by taking an additional AS Level subject in Year 13. AS and A2 unit examinations are held in May or June. Compatible AS units may be combined (a process known as cashing in) to complete certifiable AS Level qualifications. Compatible AS plus A2 units may be cashed in to complete certifiable Advanced Level (A-Level) qualifications. Statements of provisional examination results are released in August. Certificates of final qualification results are issued in October. What is Edexcel? Edexcel, a Pearson company, is the UK’s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications and testing to schools, colleges, employers, and other places of learning in the UK and internationally. Edexcel was formed in 1996 by the merger of the Business & Technology Education Council (BTEC), the UK’s leading provider of vocational qualifications, and the University of London Examinations & Assessment Council (ULEAC), one of the major exam boards for GCSEs and A-levels. What is the difference between Edexcel International Examinations and Cambridge? Edexcel and CAIE are both examples of UK exam boards. They both provide a range of internationally recognized qualifications. What is the difference between GCSE and IGCSE? GCSE and IGCSE are qualifications that are at the same level. The IGCSE has been developed to be more relevant to students learning in an ‘international’ or non-UK context. The ‘I’ stands for international. These qualifications have become so popular that several independent schools in the UK are now moving away from the GCSE and adopting the IGCSE. However, in terms of entrance into post-secondary and other courses, the qualifications are seen as equivalent. What is the difference between Edexcel and CAIE /IGCSE’s There is no difference in the level or degree of difficulty