BSAK recently scooped an array of well-deserved accolades at Schools Compared.com’s Top Schools Awards
PARTNER CONTENT: Part of the fabric and heritage of Abu Dhabi for over half a century, this leading not-for-profit, co-educational, Embassy School is the best in class, owing much of its success to its interconnected community.
The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) recently scooped an array of well-deserved accolades at Schools Compared.com’s Top Schools Awards, in no less than five categories, including the coveted award for Best School in the UAE.
“The first word that springs to mind is pride over the acknowledgement of our school,” says Mark Leppard (MBE), Headmaster at BSAK, who was also awarded Best Principal.
The additional awards being Best School for Fine Art and Creative Studio Work; Best School for Sport; and Best British Curriculum School.
While the awards shine a spotlight firmly on BSAK itself, Mark stresses how the accolades should go to all the people that work so hard to ensure the school runs at such a high level.
“I’m very much into building teams, and the awards are a recognition of the teamwork at BSAK. For example, to be awarded as the best school in the UAE and the best British curriculum, a school needs to be strong in a number of areas,” he explains.
“Success is not a reflection of one person alone or a department, it is the combination of many people working together, as well as those who contribute as volunteers. The awards are about all the teams involved in every aspect of school life.”
In addition to the Schools Compared awards, BSAK was recently once again awarded Outstanding following its inspections from the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), as well as from British Schools Overseas (BSO), which is the UK Government’s inspection scheme for British International Schools.
“The reports acknowledge our community,” Mark says. “A child ’s education cannot be down to just the child; it cannot be down to just the teacher, and it cannot be down to just a parent,” Mark adds, describing the unity of child, teacher and parent as a triangle.
“Triangles are the strongest shape and with all three pieces together, we have a solid collegiate approach. Any award that the school receives is therefore a reflection of our community.”
Community-led activities
The uniquely British school, which provides excellent British academic education, has been firmly at the heart of the Abu Dhabi community since it was founded in 1968.
In fact, the community element of the school is part of its original decree. Like Abu Dhabi and the UAE, the School has been guided by the vision of the late President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as being under the ongoing patronage of the British Ambassador.
For example, sports at the School is also fundamental in terms of community outreach. With a far-reaching sporting reputation across the region, the School is well established as one of the strongest sports providers in Abu Dhabi.
“With participation from a large body of staff and parents, we run large-scale sporting tournaments such as the BSAK 7s in netball and rugby and football, which bring together and enable competition between schools across the Middle East” says Mark.
The School’s Music Department, too, has strong community connections, sharing a love of music with all. “Organising and hosting a community orchestra, choir, brass band, masterclasses and previously the Abu Dhabi Young Musician competition; its heart lies in the community.
Mark explains how regular communication with parents ensures they, too, are part of the community. “We are working together, being together and being informed together,” he says.
Activities such as the Winter Fair, International Fete and National Day celebrations, among others, are run by the ‘Friends of BSAK’, a group of parents and guardians of current and former students at the School, whose roles include helping to build and maintain the School community through involvement in key school events and activities.
“My message to parents is that the more they are involved in the School, the more beneficial the School will be for them and their children. The entire School and I are very grateful for this wonderful partnership.”
For more information about the School, visit britishschool.sch.ae
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