Year 10 and Year 11

Age: 14 Years old to 15 Years old

As students move into Year 10 the next stage of their learning journey to excellence and global citizenship requires them to make a number of decisions around the subjects that will define their learning journey for the next two years.

We strive to support knowledge, help students to acquire skills and develop a strong character to help prepare them for their future aspirations. Metropole is usually a place central to the city, country or community, this is what our school is; the hub of our community and will support all aspects of community life inside and outside school. Our school welcomes all into our central hub.

GENERAL CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (GCSE)

There are different exam boards offering certificated courses in both GCSEs and International GCSEs. As an international school we have the opportunity to present students for either course from the range of exam boards. We are currently presenting students for a mixture of GCSE and iGCSE exams with AQA and Edexcel exam boards.

COMPULSORY SUBJECTS

Physical Activity is extremely important in supporting our students and keeping them healthy and in a good state of mind. All Year 10 and Year 11 students will have 2 lessons of Physical Activity per week. This will be increasingly important in Key Stage 4, where academic demands on students are far greater than lower down in the school. Students interested in this subject can also select GCSE Physical Education as an option.

All students who hold an Arabic passport must study Arabic MOE as this is compulsory.

During Moral Education, Arabic MOE and Islamic Studies, students will be studying the ministry approved Curriculum. This is a requirement from the KHDA.

All Muslim students have to study Islamic. Non-Muslim students will use this time for Career’s enrichment to help support decisions further in their education.

KEY STAGE 4 IN GEMS METROPOLE SCHOOL

We understand that creating a focused curriculum at this early stage in education can be a difficult process. In MTS we believe that a broad and balanced education is still important in KS4 to prepare students for future studies in whichever system of education or career path they enter. We find that many students will change their career focus as they continue through education and want them to keep a variety of options open. We are proud to offer a wide range of courses to meet the interests and needs of our students.

To ensure breadth and balance and to meet UAE requirements all students will study the following core subjects:

• GCSE English – Language, or Language and Literature (depending on suitability), or 2nd Language English
• GCSE Mathematics - Foundation or Higher
• GCSE Science - Double Award or Triple Science Award
• Arabic A and B students will study the MOE course with the option of taking iGCSE examination 
• Physical Education - Core subject
• Islamic Studies for Muslim students
• UAE Moral and Social Studies re compulsory subjects

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

Students are required to select 4 additional courses, which must include UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) Arabic A for all Arabic passport holders. They should select 1 subject from each option column. We will strive to meet the requests of students however there are limited spaces in each subject and option subjects will only run if there is sufficient uptake.

The option subjects we offer are:

1. Arabic A
2. Arabic B
3. Art, Craft and Design
4. Computer Science
5. Business Studies
6. Dance
7. Drama
8. Economics
9. Food Preparation & Nutrition
10. Geography
11. History
12. ICT
13. Media Studies
14. Modern Languages - French
15. Modern Languages - Spanish
16. Music
17. Physical Education
18. Psychology
19. Sociology
20. iBTEC ICT (Level 2)
21. iBTEC Sports (Level 2)
22. iBTEC Business (Level 2)
23. iBTEC Travel and Tourism (Level 2)

• A levels have been described as the ‘gold standard’ of post-16 examinations and they are accepted as an entry qualification into all the best universities around the world.
• A levels are particularly well suited to students who have particular strengths in 3 areas of the curriculum and wish to study them further in greater depth.
• The A level is examined at the end of Year 13. The AS level is a standalone qualification taken at the end of Year 12 and cannot be counted towards the A level. Assessment is 100% examination at the end of Year 13.

• International A levels are also recognized by all the top universities worldwide.
• International A levels are similar to A levels but they have a more flexible, modular structure than A level and the syllabus content is designed to have greater international relevance.
• Unlike AS level, international AS level modules can be retaken to try to improve a student’s score. The AS is half the content of the A level and counts towards the final A level result. It is taken at the end of Year 12. Assessment is 100% examination.

Our Post-16 Phase is being developed with the following core principles:

To ensure we are able to offer accessible courses for our students’ abilities and passions, and provide qualifications which will help them access Higher Education Institutions and the workplace.

To build independent, responsible and resilient citizens by giving our students greater autonomy. Sixth Form students will receive the opportunity of greater freedom to help transition them into the independent life at university, as well as further leadership opportunities as student leaders of Metropole.

To provide students with opportunities to enhance their studies by developing skills beyond the classroom, giving them opportunities to develop social responsibility as well as to contribute to the community in which we are situated.

• Consider subjects you enjoy and currently do well in. Give some thought to choosing subjects that you have not studied before but don’t be tempted to choose them just because they are new. Make sure you have the skills, knowledge and aptitudes which are suited to the study of those subjects.
• Listen to the advice of your teachers.
• Don’t choose a subject because your friends have. Choose what’s right for you.
• Research which subjects are required or are of benefit for the career you wish to pursue. You don’t want to discover that you can’t access the career you want because you don’t have the right A levels.
• Ensure that you do not exclude yourself from any university courses that you may wish to pursue (for example by having too few full A levels or the wrong subjects). 

• Physical Education
• Moral Education
• Arabic (MoE) - if students hold an Arabic Passport
• Islamic - if student is registered Islamic, regardless of passport

• Mix of termly activities that may include (sport, online employment readiness courses and entrepreneurship)
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• IPQ (subject to academic performance)
• Community Service
• Prefect / Student Council
• Model United Nations

Courses offered in Year 12 and 13 (2023/2024)

* Native Speakers must be tested in and approved by the Head of Department

Please Note:

• Students will choose a combination of 4 subjects for Year 12 and if following the IAS/IAL/AS/A Level route, will have the option not to continue one onto Year 13.
• All students will take Physical Activity and Moral Education as compulsory subjects. Muslim students will take Islamic Studies as a compulsory subject. Students holding Arabic passports must study Arabic (MoE).
• Applications to Post-16 will be reviewed and a conditional offer may be made subject to interviews.
• Prerequisites: Students must meet the minimum entry requirements for Sixth Form. The standard requirement on to our 'AS', ‘IAS’, ‘IAL’ and 'A' Level pathway is 5 GCSE's at Grade 5 (C) or above plus the minimum requirements of each subject. There are specific subjects studied in Sixth Form that will require higher GCSE grades such as Mathematics and the single Sciences. Exceptions may be made, but only after consultation and agreement with the Head of Secondary School and the Head of Sixth Form.
• Courses will only be run where there is sufficient student uptake.
• The courses choice structure may be subject to change at any time.