Unless there are exceptional circumstances students must only choose languages to study at Key
Stage 4 which they have previously studied at Key Stage 3. If they have not previously studied any
of the languages please inform the school as soon as possible to enable us to offer additional
support. Students in this situation should immediately start to study the languages to ensure as
smooth as possible transition into Key Stage 4.
Subject Option Choices
The second part of the Key Stage 4 curriculum is founded on individual choice of five additional
subjects. Students can choose any subject from the list of options BUT one guided by principles
that keep the curriculum both rigorous and broad.
We recommend all students to choose a humanities subject and a creative option.
Optional subjects on offer at Dubai British School are:Languages
Arabic
French
German
Spanish
Arabic (IGCSE-
Humanities
Business & Economics
Geography
History
Psychology
by invitation only)
Creative Subjects
Art
Drama
Design & Technology
Music
Other Subjects
Computer Science
Media Studies
Physical Education
Further Additional Science (by
invitation only)
The Importance of Year 10
The foundations that students lay in Year 10 are vital to success in the final examinations. We
would like students to start thinking of Key Stage 4 as part of a 5 term cycle as opposed to viewing
them as Year 10 and Year 11. Those students who have achieved their full potential in their GCSEs
have taken on board that gaining achievement in their GCSEs begins in Year 10. The end of year
examinations, organised by subjects areas, give all students and subject teachers a clear indication
of the level of commitment and understanding they have of their subjects and provide the baseline
for more precise targets to be set.
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
The GCSE examination has a single system of awarded grades from A* to G, with the A* reserved
for the most exceptional performances.
Enrichment Activities
Whilst gaining success in their chosen programme of subjects is a major goal, it is essential that
students equip themselves with additional skills and information. The school has an extensive ExtraCurricular Activities programme (ECAs) and the expectation is that all students in Key Stage 4
attend at least one.