Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
950 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
50 |
| Most common nationality |
British |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
1% local : 99% international |
Languages
| Native English speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Arabic, Spanish, French |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
24 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Every classroom is resourced with an interactive whiteboard, computer and internet access to engage the children and further develop their learning. |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
IGCSE, A Levels |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
Depends on the subject and grade level. |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
Entrance assessment |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Foundation Stage 1 and 2: Assessments will normally take around 30 minutes. All assessments are conducted either individually or in a small group to ensure that it is a relaxed, stress-free experience. Assessments for Foundation 1 and Foundation 2 are based primarily on observation of your child at play and aim to be a relaxed and enjoyable experience for the child. Foundation Stage teachers will be observing your child’s personal, social and emotional development,
Primary School: HIS assessments take into consideration the whole child. HIS observes communication skills, social development, behaviour, attitude, manners, physical development and academic levels in both Maths and English (based on the current UK National Curriculum levels). Assessments will normally take 30-50 minutes. All assessments are conducted either individually or in the company of a small group to ensure that it is a relaxed, stress-free experience. Secondary School: HIS assessments take into consideration the whole child. HIS observes communication skills, social development, behaviour, attitude, manners and physical development, in conjunction with a 60 minute written academic paper (based on the current UK National Curriculum level). Assessments will normally take 30-50 minutes. All assessments are conducted either individually or in the company of a small group to ensure that it is a relaxed, stress-free experience. |
| Waiting list |
Depends on the grade level. |
School day
| School start time |
KG1 - KG3: 8:00 am
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| School finish time |
KG1 - KG3: Sunday to Thursday: 1:00 pm
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| Supervised care before/after school |
Star Club is an after school childcare facility provided on behalf of the school by qualified staff. The club provides supervised, quality care in a safe and fun, informal play environment. Activities include arts & crafts, playdough modelling, gross motor play, role play, puzzle time, outdoor/indoor play and age appropriate DVDs. The Primary children are also encouraged to do supervised homework. The staff ratio does not exceed more than ten children to one member of staff at any given time. The facility is available to all children aged 3-12 years who require after school care between 12.45 pm-5.00 pm. |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
At present, the School does not have on-site catering facilities and, therefore, parents are requested to provide their children with cold snacks and packed lunches as appropriate. |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Arabic reading, story telling, book club, still life drawing, pan pals writing, lab rats, Islamic art, debating, netball, swimming, desert dance, football, guitar, film club, choir, maths, Swedish, table tennis, creative chefs, ICT club, athletics, mural art, running, cooking, brain gym, fitness, basketball, reading, Irish dancing, sailing, water sports |
| Sports activities included |
Physical education |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes |
Facilities
| Sports facilities at the school |
Play areas, sports fields, swimming pool, sports hall, splash pool |
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Horizon International School (formerly Star International School Umm Sheif) is an established multicultural school that follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum of England.
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| Teaching approach of the school |
Horizon International School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the National Curriculum of England. At the senior end of the school, students follow a combination of IGCSE / GCSE’s and ‘A’ Levels chosen from an extensive range of subjects. In all areas throughout the school, HIS adopts a student centred approach based around its core values of respect, hard work and good manners. HIS fully believes in preparing students to take their next step into the wider world and as a result, make their learning opportunities as engaging, interactive and real as possible. What makes HIS so special is also the emphasis that is placed upon the wider aspects of the curriculum. HIS provides a wide-ranging extra curricular programme that the majority of students participate in, along with plenty of local, national and international trips, excursions and tours. HIS also has numerous student led groups such as the Student Council, Eco- Monitors, Sports Leaders and School Buddies to name a few, as a way of encouraging the students to take on additional responsibilities, be role models for younger students to follow and also develop their self awareness in conjunction with leadership skills. |