The educator’s diverse, international student base impressed across all subjects this year

Dubai, UAE, August 27, 2016:  Aldar Academies, the UAE’s leading provider of private education, is celebrating excellent I/GCSE pass marks for its secondary school pupils in Abu Dhabi. 

At the educator’s Al Yasmina Academy, the pass rate was 98 percent, while at Al Bateen, 97 percent of pupils achieved pass grades across all subjects. These latest results demonstrate Aldar Academies’ growing success as the emirate’s largest educational network in the capital. 

While Aldar Academies’ I/GCSE students performed strongly across the year group, the educator’s results were boosted by a number of top performing pupils from the UAE and internationally. At Al Yasmina, 11 students achieved ten or more A* to A grades, including Ireland’s Doireann McIntyre who earned 9A* and 2A grades, and Britain’s Amber Harding who achieved 7A* and 4A grades. 

“When I first got my results I was shocked, but now I’m just very pleased. I’ll stay at Al Yasmina for my A-Levels, but eventually I’d like to study internationally. You’re at the centre of everything here, which opens up so many doors for the future” commented Amber. “I came from a public school in the UK and the difference in quality was amazing. I was shocked, but in a good way, because the teachers were so supportive, and they have been throughout my time here.”

Meanwhile, the academy’s top performing UAE student, Mohamed Al Dhaeri, earned 9A* to B grades, including 5 between A* and A. “I feel really happy because I wasn’t expecting to do so well” he commented. “As a school, Al Yasmina is a fun place to learn - there was always something going on. I’ll definitely be staying there for my A-Levels, then, the plan is to study chemical engineering in the UK or Japan.”

“This is an incredible achievement for our hard-working students, their families, and their teachers” said Dr Tim Hughes, Al Yasmina Academy’s Principal. “There have been notable performances across a range of subjects including English Language, English Literature, Maths, Science and PE, with almost 100 percent pass rates. Our students can now look forward with confidence as they begin their next steps in education.”
It was a similar story at Al Bateen Academy where the top five students all earned ten or more A* to A grades. Canadian-Arab Laith Najim excelled with marks of 6A* and 4A, and has ambitions to study in Britain. “My plan is to finish the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) at Al Bateen and then study law in England –hopefully at Oxford or LSE (London School of Economics)” he commented.

“The Model United Nations competition was one of the highlights of my time at Al Bateen. The teachers helped me so much to prepare, and it definitely helped with my debating and English skills. I couldn’t have achieved these grades without my teachers.”

Palestinian Layan Wadi also scored highly with 5A* and 6A grades, and has plans to study design in Canada after completing her IB diploma at Al Bateen. “My results were super unexpected, but I was more excited about my parent’s reactions!” she commented. “Al Bateen is honestly an incredible school. It’s amazing how much the school has achieved since its opening. I’d definitely recommend it.”

“Overall the year group has performed incredibly well with some exceptional individual student results” commented Mr David Hutson, Principal of Al Bateen Academy. “I would like to congratulate every one of our students; their high grades are a deserved reward for hard-work, commitment, and resilience throughout the two-year I/GCSE programme.”

Aldar Academies’ secondary school pupils also surpassed the UK average for five A* to C grades –considered the benchmark results for students wishing to progress to A-Level. The educator’s Al Yasmina and Al Bateen academies recorded 86 percent and 76 percent passes respectively, beyond the most recent UK average of 66.2 percent.

“This year has been another highly rewarding period for Aldar Academies’ students, teachers and parents” commented Peter Carpenter, Director of Education at Aldar Academies.

“Overall, our secondary-level students have set themselves up for a bright future with some excellent I/GCSE results. As always, we are hugely proud of our pupils, and thrilled to see just how effective and relevant our I/GCSE curriculum is. We look forward to witnessing our pupil’s future success as they move on to post-16 education.”