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All students are provided with class notebooks during the year, and textbooks (physical and digital) are provided where appropriate.

Students are required to bring the following every day:

• Rucksack
• Pencil case
• Black, blue, red/pink, purple pens
• Multi-coloured pencils
• A mathematics set including protractor, compass, set square and ruler
• A rubber
• Pencil sharpener
• A calculator (we advise a Casio fx-991EX or Casio fx-991ES)

Every student has their own secure locker, in which they can store their books or devices during the school day or overnight.

We strongly advise students use a thermos water bottle to keep their drinks cool during the day.

• Understand the five key concepts about print: print has meaning, the names of the different parts of a book
• Print can have different purposes: page sequencing, we read English text from left to right and from top to bottom
• Develop their phonological awareness, so that they can: spot and suggest rhymes, count or clap syllables in a word, recognise words with the same initial sound, such as money and mother
• Engage in extended conversations about stories, learning new vocabulary
• Use some of their print and letter knowledge in their early writing. For example: writing a pretend shopping list that starts at the top of the page; write ‘m’ for mummy.
• Write some or all of their name.
• Write some letters accurately

Students to have access to the canteen, although there is also the option for students to bring in a packed lunch.

At Safa British School we believe that good behaviour is essential for an effective learning environment in which all students are given the opportunity to achieve. We seek to create a caring and inclusive environment that encourages and reinforces good behaviour. Our standards of behaviour are underpinned by values such as honesty, respect, consideration and responsibility.

At SBS we believe that our students should influence their learning environment and help shape the systems that affect their daily experiences. Every year, students are able to run campaigns for election to our Student Council. The council is made up of a range of positions, including:

• President
• Prefect
• House Captain
• Heritage Leader
• Well-being Ambassador

The Student Council is a key link between the staff and the student body, and they are responsible for running school events, communicating with their peers, as well as being a ‘critical friend’ to help improve the systems in the school.

Research clearly shows the importance of home learning and extension within the secondary phase of education. For SBS, home learning is an opportunity to build upon class learning, support skill development, and nurture independence as well as student ownership. Home learning is set as an appropriate sequence of learning, and is communicated through Microsoft Teams, allowing students to manage their time and meet deadlines.

There is no set homework diary for the academic week – the tasks set are not a’bolt on’ but a key part of the learning sequence. The following guidelines apply to homework:

• Homework activities are set to take 20-30min per day
• In the event of larger project-based work being set, this is communicated to parents and students
• Homework is set with a minimum of 2 days to complete the task

We are proud to promote a love of reading at Safa British School. It is our belief that everyone should have access to a wide range of literature and opportunities to explore a range of texts and reading styles. We work across the curriculum to support all of our students in becoming confident readers. While research highlights the strong correlation between regular reading and increased academic success, we also promote a love of reading for its holistic qualities.

At Safa British School, we use a range of methods to support all our students, whatever their ability, to develop and extend their reading skills:

• Reading Plus, an online program, develops students’ individual reading fluency and comprehension skills.
• Regular reading time is built into lessons across the curriculum.
• Quiet reading spaces are available, with a wide selection of books for students to borrow and enjoy.
• Reading time is built into our Form Time activities.
• Bedrock Vocabulary, an online program, develops students’ language acquisition and development.
• Throughout the school year, we celebrate reading with competitions and whole school reading days.

With our outstanding new facilities, we offer an extensive range of extra curricular clubs. Our sports offering includes basketball, netball, cross country, football, cricket, rounders, dance, gymnastics, athletics and swimming.

SBS prides itself on being a long-standing member of DASSA (Dubai Athletics and School SportsAssociation) and BSME (British Schools Middle East). Through these networks, we field teams to allow students the opportunity to represent our school in a healthy, competitive environment, striving to improve their individual and collaborative performance.

The school’s ECA programme offers opportunities before school, after school and within the Curriculum+ slots in the middle of the day.

We expect our students to come to school neatly groomed and smartly dressed, in the correct and appropriate clothing. This sets a professional work ethic. Students need to be aware that our expectations are the same when they are wearing the Safa uniform outside of school. Parents are asked to support their child in meeting these expectations. Read More