The Aquila School

The school is guided by the 'Amazing Learning' philosophy, which emphasizes enquiry-based, creative lessons and academic rigour. Its core values are Integrity, Perseverance, Resilience, and Kindness, which are integrated into daily life to foster confident, compassionate global citizens. The school prioritizes student wellbeing, supported by a values-driven curriculum and a focus on developing life competencies.

The school offers a blended British curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Post-16. Secondary students work towards IGCSE, GCSE, BTEC Level 2, and LAMDA qualifications. Post-16 pathways include the IB Diploma Programme, IB Career-related Programme, BTEC Level 3, and ASDAN. The curriculum is enriched with Arabic, Islamic studies, and moral, social, and cultural studies.

Students achieve strong academic results, with 28% of GCSE grades at A-A and 80% at A-C. The school has achieved an 'Outstanding' rating from British Schools Overseas (BSO) and a 'Good' rating from the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB). Graduates are prepared for prestigious global universities and careers through various pathways.

The school is fully inclusive and hosts the Hemam Learning Support Centre for students of determination. It provides personalized programmes, tailored resources, and support from a specialist inclusion team, including Applied Behaviour Analysis, as well as Speech, Language, and Occupational therapists. The school has been awarded the SENDIA award for its provision.

The admissions process begins with an online enquiry, followed by a school tour, which can be conducted virtually for overseas families. Applicants for Early Years and Primary undergo a meeting with the Head of Primary, while Secondary applicants complete a CAT4 test and an interview with the Head of Secondary. Successful applicants receive an official offer, which must be accepted within five working days.

The academic year is divided into three terms. Term 1 typically runs from late August to mid-December, Term 2 from early January to early April, and Term 3 from mid-April to early July. The calendar includes scheduled breaks for half-term and government-declared holidays such as National Day and Eid.

The purpose-built campus features specialized facilities including science, art, and technology labs, a black box theatre, an auditorium, and music and dance studios. Sports amenities include two swimming pools, multipurpose halls, courts, an astro pitch, and a gym. The school also maintains a hydroponic farm, urban farm, greenhouses, a vertical UV garden, libraries, a canteen, cafés, and dedicated Sixth Form suites.

Students participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, academic, creative, linguistic, and musical clubs. Leadership opportunities are available through roles such as Aquila ambassadors, peer leaders, newspaper editors, MUN delegates, and TEDx speakers. The school also offers international trips, cultural exchanges, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.