Secondary Sports

Primary and Secondary Sport

NAS Dubai is in a privileged position to develop a student from three years old through to eighteen. The child’s sporting pathway has been carefully designed from EYFS through to year twelve. 

Primary and Secondary PE staff work closely in designing, planning and delivering sport at NAS which enhances a student’s experience in sport. The pathway for each and every child in sport is an enjoyable and challenging journey.

The importance of Physical Education

PE develops pupils’ competence and confidence to take part in a range of physical activities that become a central part of their lives, both in and out of school.

A high-quality PE curriculum enables all pupils to enjoy and succeed in many kinds of physical activity. They develop a wide range of skills and the ability to use tactics, strategies and compositional ideas to perform successfully. When they are performing, they think about what they are doing, they analyse the situation and make decisions. They also reflect on their own and others’ performances and find ways to improve upon them. As a result, they develop the confidence to take part in different physical activities and learn about the value of healthy, active lifestyles.

Discovering what they like to do, what their aptitudes are at school, and how and where to get involved in physical activity helps them make informed choices about lifelong physical activity.

PE helps pupils develop personally and socially. It instils passion, respect, integrity, resilience, teamwork, commitment and sportsmanship. They work as individuals, in groups and in teams, developing concepts of fairness and of personal and social responsibility. They take on different roles and responsibilities, including leadership, leading their own learning and coaching and officiating. Through the range of experiences that PE offers, they learn how to be effective in competitive, creative and challenging situations.

Sport for All vs. Elitism at NAS Dubai

We believe that every pupil should be given the opportunity to achieve their potential. Subsequently we seek to ensure that pupils of all abilities are encouraged to be the best they possibly can. By this rationale, the department believes that both Sport for All and Elite sporting performance can flourish side by side.

Lessons from year 7-9 are taught in single sex and groups are differentiated into ‘extension/exceeding’ ’expected’ and/or ‘development’ cohorts. Further differentiation happens within the lesson in order to assist all pupils to work at a level that is both challenging and tangible.

Streaming

At the beginning and end of each year students from year 3-9 will take part in a series of baseline tests to determine areas of strength and weakness. Once all data is collected the department analyse the results and set groups accordingly to benefit the needs of all students. 

The top two sets for boys and girls will have the specialist teacher for the season of sport. ie. Season 1 football; the coach taking the team for football will take the squad for lessons in their curriculum time and their morning training. This will provide a much needed extra session to improve team performance. The development group will still participate in football but with students of similar ability. The development group will still have opportunities to make the squads. Groupings are flexible.

The PE curriculum has been designed so that the block of sports take place before and during the season. This will help teams prepare for the season ahead and work on tactics during the season.

As in with other subjects that set, streaming will enhance and accelerate learning and overall become more enjoyable for the students and will encourage full commitment, discipline and effort.

This is an example of the curriculum although this is subject to change.

Curriculum Outline and Aims

Our curriculum at NAS includes areas from the National Curriculum and sports that we compete in through the DASSA leagues. Groups are given the opportunity to train as squads in PE from years 7-12. We track and monitor the students to assess them throughout to ensure students know their ability levels and set targets to improve. Within the curriculum we look at key areas such as:

• Outwitting opponents -  in invasion based activities
• Accurate replication of actions, phrases and sequences, as in gymnastic activities
• Performing at maximum levels in relation to speed, height, distance, strength or accuracy, as in athletic activities
• Identifying and solving problems to overcome challenges.
• Exercising safely and effectively to improve health and wellbeing, as in fitness and health activities.

Through a balanced curriculum students will be encouraged to be physically active and literate, developing co-ordination, control and overall body management. They will be involved in problem-solving, communicating with others and team-building exercises. Students will be encouraged to understand the importance of a healthy life style through participation in and enjoyment of a variety of activities and environments. The streaming of students will enhance this outcome.

Inter house

NAS prides itself of being inclusive, offering opportunity and follow the idea of sport for all. Every students in the school is allocated a house upon arrival. Allegiance and loyalty to one’s house are a strong feature to life at NAS and this is, perhaps, most evident at the various sporting inter-house events which take place regularly throughout the year and at the end of each topic of sport. 

Results from inter-house sporting events are collected and collated to help overall house results at the end of term and year.

Swimming

At NAS, we believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn how to swim and be taught how to stay safe in and around water. We provide students with opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment, and an introduction to the lifelong health benefits of swimming. Swimming is taught in a fun environment while nurturing a competitive attitude at the individual’s own rate. Our desire is to create a positive atmosphere where NAS students can learn to set individual goals and experience the rewards of achieving them.

We strive for all swimmers at NAS, especially our squad swimmers, to have the basic values of sportsmanship, good behaviour and team work. 

Our success is ultimately measured by how much opportunity we provide for the students of our school and by how much their individual potential is maximized. The building of positive attitudes, healthy bodies, disciplined minds, and enduring friendships are among the rewards our program strives to offer.

Sports facilities

The school has a brand new state of the art swimming facility comprising of two 6 lane swimming pools and two small teaching and learning pool and one splash play area for the younger age groups. 

• A state of the art 4G multi purpose world rugby approved astro pitch
• 2 full size astro football pitch.
• 2 straight running tracks
• Four outdoor netball, basketball and tennis courts
• Spinning room
• Weights room/fitness suite
• Two dance studios