10 April 2007
Set in a seven-acre campus on the border between Dubai and Sharjah, Scholars International Academy (SIA) will open on September 16.
Set in a seven-acre campus on the border between Dubai and Sharjah, Scholars International Academy (SIA) will open on September 16.
Parents in the UAE have a new world-class school to choose from, one that promises to make youngsters better equipped to tackle the challenges of life inside and outside the classroom.
The school will be based on a British curriculum and will employ progressive teaching methods and educational best practices from leading schools and specialists around the world. SIA will be staffed by a highly trained, international teaching faculty.
Aparna Verma, Managing Director of SIA's parent company and a respected UAE-based educationalist for more than 30 years, said: 'Our priority is to develop confident young adults who can engage creatively and imaginatively in shaping their own futures. SIA will take a 360 approach to education and focus on more than academic performance and sport by including guidance on healthy living, public speaking, language and other important life skills through an inter-disciplinary curriculum.'
Verma said: 'Scholars International Academy is the product of three years' research into the best educational practices from around the world and 30 years of educational heritage. SIA will provide world-class education in the UAE.'
Catering to grades 1 to 5 in its first year, SIA will develop the 'whole child' through a wide range of channels: academics, sports and wellness, languages, technology, performing arts, social development and community service.
SIA has recruited Michael Henry, 56, a highly respected principal with more than 30 years' experience in the UK. Henry served at St. Anne's RC Primary School in the UK, which received the prestigious 'Investors in People' standard in 2000 and 2004. Henry was recognised for his 'excellent' leadership at the school by the UK's Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
The school's Board of Advisors includes David Summerscale, former headmaster of Westminster School in London, which became the top academic school in the UK under his stewardship.
'Our aim is to encourage the principle of life-long learning, by making education challenging but also enjoyable,' said Henry. 'We want to equip students with the tools and critical thinking to help them lead fulfilling and successful lives.'
Henry added: 'I believe strongly in Scholars International Academy's mission statement, and the school's Board of Advisors are passionate about education. I'm proud of the campus and facilities, but more so of the people within the school. This is a chance to build a community where the self-esteem of children is nurtured and where the teachers feel a strong sense of belonging and empowerment, and the parents feel in partnership too.'
He said: 'A tremendous amount of research has gone into the new school with advice from many experts in the field, and the response to the project from parents, children and teachers has been very encouraging.'
SIA's teaching staff is drawn from around the world. Each class will be limited to a maximum of 23 children, and classes for grades 6 and 7 will be added next year. Activities featured as part of the curriculum in the first year include rugby, football, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing and basketball.
Juggling, dance, public speaking and even organic farming are part of the study programme.
The newly introduced Wellness Centre will also allow children to take time away from their regular study to learn topics such as healthy eating and fitness, and to engage in activities like yoga and pilates to improve their physical wellbeing.
Besides traditional facilities, SIA will feature more contemporary amenities such as a jungle gym, rock-climbing wall and an amphitheatre.
Aparna Verma, Managing Director of SIA's parent company, said: 'The quality of education depends on the way it is taught within the curriculum. Take the example of water. A child at Scholars International Academy will learn in science class that water has certain properties - for example, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. In history, the child will learn how large bodies of water like the Nile River have shaped civilisations. In English, the concept of water will be explored in its literal sense and metaphorically. Our approach will be to explore themes that cut across different subjects to help children place learning within a contextual framework.'
Scholars International Academy is on a seven-acre site just off Emirates Road next to Sharjah University. The school is conveniently located on the Dubai/Sharjah border minutes away from Mirdiff.
Each academic year is split into three terms. Admissions are now open for the September term.
-Ends-
Scholars International Academy is a progressive educational institution that focuses on developing the 'whole child'. The school is based on a British curriculum but incorporates the latest teaching methodologies from around the world. Students are encouraged to actively participate in their own learning through the use of a broad range of educational channels that nurture their 'multiple intelligences'.
For more information, please contact:
Sameena Ibrahim/Hady Farouk
Polaris Public Relations
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555
Fax: +9714-3415588
The school will be based on a British curriculum and will employ progressive teaching methods and educational best practices from leading schools and specialists around the world. SIA will be staffed by a highly trained, international teaching faculty.
Aparna Verma, Managing Director of SIA's parent company and a respected UAE-based educationalist for more than 30 years, said: 'Our priority is to develop confident young adults who can engage creatively and imaginatively in shaping their own futures. SIA will take a 360 approach to education and focus on more than academic performance and sport by including guidance on healthy living, public speaking, language and other important life skills through an inter-disciplinary curriculum.'
Verma said: 'Scholars International Academy is the product of three years' research into the best educational practices from around the world and 30 years of educational heritage. SIA will provide world-class education in the UAE.'
Catering to grades 1 to 5 in its first year, SIA will develop the 'whole child' through a wide range of channels: academics, sports and wellness, languages, technology, performing arts, social development and community service.
SIA has recruited Michael Henry, 56, a highly respected principal with more than 30 years' experience in the UK. Henry served at St. Anne's RC Primary School in the UK, which received the prestigious 'Investors in People' standard in 2000 and 2004. Henry was recognised for his 'excellent' leadership at the school by the UK's Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
The school's Board of Advisors includes David Summerscale, former headmaster of Westminster School in London, which became the top academic school in the UK under his stewardship.
'Our aim is to encourage the principle of life-long learning, by making education challenging but also enjoyable,' said Henry. 'We want to equip students with the tools and critical thinking to help them lead fulfilling and successful lives.'
Henry added: 'I believe strongly in Scholars International Academy's mission statement, and the school's Board of Advisors are passionate about education. I'm proud of the campus and facilities, but more so of the people within the school. This is a chance to build a community where the self-esteem of children is nurtured and where the teachers feel a strong sense of belonging and empowerment, and the parents feel in partnership too.'
He said: 'A tremendous amount of research has gone into the new school with advice from many experts in the field, and the response to the project from parents, children and teachers has been very encouraging.'
SIA's teaching staff is drawn from around the world. Each class will be limited to a maximum of 23 children, and classes for grades 6 and 7 will be added next year. Activities featured as part of the curriculum in the first year include rugby, football, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing and basketball.
Juggling, dance, public speaking and even organic farming are part of the study programme.
The newly introduced Wellness Centre will also allow children to take time away from their regular study to learn topics such as healthy eating and fitness, and to engage in activities like yoga and pilates to improve their physical wellbeing.
Besides traditional facilities, SIA will feature more contemporary amenities such as a jungle gym, rock-climbing wall and an amphitheatre.
Aparna Verma, Managing Director of SIA's parent company, said: 'The quality of education depends on the way it is taught within the curriculum. Take the example of water. A child at Scholars International Academy will learn in science class that water has certain properties - for example, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. In history, the child will learn how large bodies of water like the Nile River have shaped civilisations. In English, the concept of water will be explored in its literal sense and metaphorically. Our approach will be to explore themes that cut across different subjects to help children place learning within a contextual framework.'
Scholars International Academy is on a seven-acre site just off Emirates Road next to Sharjah University. The school is conveniently located on the Dubai/Sharjah border minutes away from Mirdiff.
Each academic year is split into three terms. Admissions are now open for the September term.
-Ends-
Scholars International Academy is a progressive educational institution that focuses on developing the 'whole child'. The school is based on a British curriculum but incorporates the latest teaching methodologies from around the world. Students are encouraged to actively participate in their own learning through the use of a broad range of educational channels that nurture their 'multiple intelligences'.
For more information, please contact:
Sameena Ibrahim/Hady Farouk
Polaris Public Relations
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555
Fax: +9714-3415588
© Press Release 2007