Prep school - The Active School
Active Minds │ Active Bodies │ Active Citizens
Years 7 to 9
The Active School, also known as Prep School, is the third phase of education in our students' Metropole Journey, covering Years 7-9. In the Active School, we cultivate well-rounded students who excel academically, athletically, creatively, and as active members of their community. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to foster Active Minds (Inside and beyond the classroom), Active Bodies (In the Sports Arena or on the Stage), and Active Citizens (At MTS, in the home or the community).
Our educational approach is practical, student-led, and enquiry-based, encouraging challenge and critical thinking. We pride ourselves on achieving High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class Status, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Our "Every Second Counts" ethos ensures that learning is maximized and meaningful. The Learning to Lead program focuses on developing essential skills, empowering students to take initiative and lead with confidence. Through Student Led Conferences, learners take ownership of their progress and set goals for their future development.
Students study UK National Curriculum subjects, including English, Maths, Science, ICT/Computer Science, Art, Drama, Music, Dance, History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages, MSC (Moral, Social and Cultural) and Physical Education. Additionally, they learn Arabic and Islamic Studies (for our Muslim students). For Non-Muslim students we deliver Learning to Lead, which is a skills-based lesson. Our enrichment programs offer opportunities for students to develop their interests and abilities.
We are committed to growing leaders at Metropole School. Our curriculum provides ample opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and gain related accreditations. Throughout the Active and Futures schools, students are encouraged to establish their leadership and embrace leadership opportunities.
Please click below to download Prep School Curriculum Books:
Sean Dennis
Head of Prep School
Meet The Head of Prep
Explore the Secondary Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on several different areas below
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English
In the secondary school students follow a structured course in English that enables them to consolidate core skills and analyse a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students have dedicated library lessons with a resource pack provided to guide them through their independent reading opportunities.
The distinction between ‘comprehension’ and ‘word reading’, which operated at Key Stages 1 and 2, has disappeared. There is one set of orders, simply called ‘reading’. Pupils are encouraged to read critically through ‘knowing how language, including figurative language, vocabulary choice, grammar, text structure and organizational features. During Key Stage 3 ‘the analytic study of language should receive greater attention, whether this study is concerned with word classes, word structure (which would include morphology),sentence grammar, text grammar, the history of change in English (including etymology) or other aspects of knowledge about language.
Students are taught to write ‘well-structured formal expository and narrative essays; stories, scripts, poetry and other imaginative writing; notes and polished scripts for talks and presentations; a range of other narrative and non-narrative texts, including arguments, and personal and formal letters’; and they mention planning, editing and proofreading.
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Maths
At GEMS Metropole students' needs are very much at the heart of the learning process. Everyone is valued for his or her experiences and questions are welcomed as part of the learning experience. Students are encouraged to develop an independent learning attitude through investigational tasks and regular homework.
The programme of study for Key Stage 3 is organised into apparently distinct domains. Pupils build on Key Stage 2 and connections across mathematical ideas to develop fluency, mathematical reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems. They also apply their mathematical knowledge in science, geography, computing and other subjects.Decisions about progression is based on the security of pupils’ understanding and their readiness to progress to the next stage. Pupils who grasp concepts are challenged through being offered rich and sophisticated problems.
Together, the mathematical content set out in the Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 programmes of study covers the full range of material contained in the GCSE Mathematics qualification.
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Science
Science is changing our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity, and all students should be taught essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science.
In the secondary school the principal focus of science teaching in Key Stage 3 is to develop a deeper understanding of a range of scientific ideas in the subject disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. Pupils should begin to see the connections between these subject areas and become aware of some of the big ideas underpinning scientific knowledge and understanding.
Studying the sciences in Key Stage 4 provides the platform for more advanced studies, establishing the basis for a wide range of careers. For others, it will be their last formal study of subjects that provide the foundations for understanding the natural world and will enhance their lives in an increasingly technological society.
Our modern science laboratories offer spacious, excellent facilities in which students can study Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and be introduced to the fundamental concepts of science that will pave the way for the more advanced topics.
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Course Options
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Prep Subjects
Year 7 to Year 9
Age: 11 years old to 13 years old
Prep students at GEMS Metropole School have the ability to tailor their programme to meet their interests. We support and encourage students to find out their strengths and explore more advanced areas of learning as they prepare for their final years of school and major examinations.
Year 7-9 subjects:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Humanities (History and Geography)
- Modern Foreign Languages (French or Spanish)
- Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music)
- Physical Education (PE)
- Art and Design
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Computing
- Islamic Studies (Includes Quran recitation) - Muslim Students
- Arabic (A and B)
- Learning to lead (Non-Muslim students)
- Active Leaders
- Moral education and Social Studies
- After School ECAs
Students will begin to prepare for their International Graduate Certificate for Secondary Education (IGCSE) that they will study for from Year 10, so an emphasis is placed on skill and competence discovery.
More To Explore
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Facilities
We have a state of the art campus and facilities which create a rich learning environment.
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Extra Curricular Activities
We offer programs that introduce students to a variety of exciting and enriching experiences.
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School Policies
Policies are important as they help a school establish rules and procedures and create standards of quality for learning and safety.