Zakher Private School is a different world!
Located in the prime school zone, it’s a 10-minute drive from the heart of Al Ain, overlooking the south of the majestic Jabel Hafit mountain. In the midst of beautiful environment students from every corner of the globe and from every major faith meet and learn together. Friendships are forged which forever alter perceptions about country, creed and culture.
Zakher is a living example of the different kind of world we’ll all be living in one day. Our students will be ready, because Zakher makes a world of difference in their lives.
Learning and Teaching at Zakher
At Zakher we are passionate about learning. We believe that high expectations for all pupils are very important. These expectations exist in the context of a demanding, challenging, thinking curriculum. It is a curriculum that is inclusive, that supports and challenges all learners. To sustain this vision we believe that intelligence can develop and grow ("People can get smarter"). Nothing succeeds like success and we actively celebrate success and provide a happy and secure working environment. We aim to develop all learners within our school community young and not so young, consequently staff development is high priority.
What this means in practice
When you walk around the school you will see teachers sharing the learning objectives with pupils as well as discussing success criteria so pupils can be reflective about the progress they are making. You will see a range of different teaching styles and learning strategies (to suit visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners). The children are involved and engaged in their own learning by setting their own targets. They are given time to reflect on their work and make improvements. You see children using ICT across the curriculum. Teachers care for children in their class; they give them clear boundaries and high standards of behavior are expected.
The children in the class
The children in the class are involved in learning; they discuss their work and ask relevant questions. They have opportunities to work collaboratively and to learn from each other. They are encouraged to value themselves highly and view mistakes as learning opportunities. Children are supported to be resilient, take responsibility for, and enjoy their learning.
The learning environment
Children's work is valued and celebrated and displays are used to show a wide variety of different types of work. The high value we place on creativity and the creative arts is clearly visible. Posters and displays that promote learning and good learning behaviour are visible, as are signs to encourage high self esteem. Additionally charts and messages that relate to reward systems are visible in all classrooms.
The children out of class
Out of class children learn to interact confidently and politely with adults and develop good interpersonal skills with other pupils. Pupils take responsibility for a wide range of formal and informal roles, they take pride in their school and show care for other children.
The children's work
The work is well presented and learning is recorded in a variety of ways to make the learning experience rich, varied, interesting and accessible to all. Children receive feedback, often written that shows their teacher has noted and rewarded both effort and achievement. In both verbal and written feedback, teachers find ways to develop children's learning and indicate the next step a child needs to take.
More Able and Talented
At Zakher we believe that all pupils have gifts, abilities, personal qualities and talents that should be developed and nurtured. We believe that all pupils should be given opportunities to achieve their best and to make the greatest possible progress. More able and talented children must be recognised early so parents and teachers can give them the opportunities to develop their specific gifts and talents. We differentiate work appropriately to meet these children’s needs. We also recognise that some children have individual talents and these may be developed through particular activities and opportunities.
Our Behavior Policy
Our school seeks to create an environment in which effective teaching and learning can take place.
The principles underlying our Student Behavior Policy are based on respect.
Respect for self
Respect for others
Respect for the environment
The policy seeks to put into practice the shared values of the community.
Rewards
Praising students will raise their self-esteem, help them to learn to accept praise with good grace, enable them to appreciate their strengths, and recognize the success of others and help them to become positive members of society.
Praise can be linked to work, effort, willingness, contribution, co-operation, teamwork, thoughtful actions towards and for others and personal achievement.
Sanctions
Our school has agreed standards of behavior with students and parents because it believes that good and thoughtful behavior is essential for effective learning. We seek to prepare students to take their place in society. Students do not always conform to these agreed standards and a system of sanctions is therefore required. The school may seek reparation in whatever form to reimburse loss.
Sanctions can be linked to work, effort, behavior and personal conduct and should be given when behavior, work or effort is:
Below the standard expected by the school
Below the standard of that student
Of a consistently poor standard
Zakher took its birth from the lap of its mother institution, Al Ain Juniors school, the school which has a history of excellence in education and service. Established in 1989, what started as a Nursery and Kindergarten school is now a thriving multi-cultural institute catering to about 40 nationalities from around the globe, each bringing the distinctiveness of their country, culture and traditions. The School began a new phase of its life when it was moved to its new home in Falaj Hazza – the School Zone, Al Ain.