Repton Al Barsha (formerly Foremarke School Dubai) and Repton Abu Dhabi, both part of the prestigious Repton Family of Schools in the UAE, are pleased to announce their reaccreditation as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2021 – 2024. This is the second and third time, respectively, that both schools have received this recognition, as a result of the unique implementation of Apple technology in the classrooms, coupled with the schools’ continuous innovation in learning, teaching and the overall school environment.
Apple Distinguished Schools are centres of innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration, and make learning personal.
At Repton Al Barsha, technology is at the forefront of learning from Early Years Foundation Stage, to aid student development and drive innovation both in and beyond the classroom. Its approach is guided by its vision of ‘Learning by Connecting’; supported digital learning that goes beyond the textbook.
The school hosts a number of unique initiatives to integrate technology in students’ approach to learning – including the annual ‘Creativity Festival’, whereby schools across the UAE join together, developing creative responses anchored in Art, Music and Digital Presentation to solve different real-world challenges. Teachers have successfully completed the Apple Teacher learning programme – a self-paced professional development course that fosters the skills necessary to use technology purposefully and creatively – while every teacher and assistant has received training to use in-built accessibility features as well as Apple Classroom, to personalise learning for each child.
Zoe Woolley, Headmistress of Repton Al Barsha noted, “We are proud to once again receive the recognition as an Apple Distinguished School in the UAE, as we continue to place digital literacy at the core of our curriculum. The re-appointment of Repton Al Barsha as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success and ongoing commitment to creating a compelling learning environment, where teachers are fully equipped to help develop our students into innovative leaders of the future, in a world driven by technology.”
Repton Abu Dhabi on Reem Island in the UAE capital ensures that technology is embedded into the curriculum from Early Years all the way up to Year 13. Students are equipped with their own iPad, Coding is a timetabled subject, and children are also exposed to resources such as interactive Spheros, Beebots and drones, as well as enjoy access to robotics challenges. The school has a dedicated Student Digital Team; with Apple Teacher trained staff to ensure that technology is implemented in a safe and controlled manner. Its pioneering ‘Annual Digital Summit’ event sees hundreds of students and teachers across the UAE collaborate each year, dissecting important and topical issues, and developing strategies centred on the purposeful use of technology within the school curricula.
Gillian Hammond, Principal of Repton Abu Dhabi, said: “At Repton Abu Dhabi, technology is at the heart of what we do. We’ve been recognised as an Apple Distinguished School since 2016, and receiving this status once again is a true honour for our teachers, students, parents and the entire school community. Our students are continuously encouraged to solve problems in new ways, particularly through STEAM subjects. Our team works hard to integrate problem-solving strategies through the use of Coding and technology in lessons and activities, in an effort to encourage computational thinking and impart 21st century skills onto our aspriring future innovators, entrepreneurs and career go-getters.”
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