It is important for parents and children to note that, while our school offers the National Curriculum of England and Wales (NCE), our vision allows us to develop the school according to the needs of the community. The NCE provides an excellent framework for academic and social development but does not dictate all aspects of school life. At Star International School Mirdif, we believe we have an excellent opportunity to grow the school organically to suit the surrounding community.

Physical Development
Most current curricula place a very weighted emphasis on academic development and leave little room for balance. We believe that other fields of growth are equally important and not only supplement academics but, indeed, encourage and accelerate learning in the traditional classroom. Our timetable allows for at least one period every day when students are engaged in structured physical learning, thereby enhancing their focus and keeping them healthy.

Play
Especially at the foundation and early primary stages, there is a general neglect of ‘play time’ in many schools in the region. We believe that, in order for students to grow into versatile adults, these periods of play interspersed with formal lessons are extremely important for nurturing imagination and providing students with a rich learning environment. Structured playing hours encourage the learning of new vocabulary, enrich social bonding and promote the learning of roles. Schools often find it difficult to explain to parents not previously exposed to the NCE why it is important for their children to participate in the annual concert or sports day and why the many hours of rehearsing and practising are part of the school day.