Sixth Form is being built differently at this school
PARTNER CONTENT: Still in its early years, the school’s post-16 provision has been intentionally designed around personalised learning, strong relationships and future-focused education.
While academic excellence remains a clear priority, the philosophy goes far beyond achieving top A Level results.
Instead, the focus is on developing confident, resilient and well-rounded young people who are prepared for university, careers and life beyond school.
For families seeking a more individualised and modern approach to Sixth Form, Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi (NAS Abu Dhabi) is carving out a distinctive space within the capital’s education landscape.
Building something from the ground up
Launching a new Sixth Form has given the leadership team a rare opportunity to shape culture intentionally from day one.
For Claire Masters, Head of Year 12, that culture is centred on ambition, growth mindset and helping students understand their own potential.
“There’s a culture of nothing being impossible,” she explains. “We believe our students are exceptional and capable of achieving amazing things.”
Many students have joined NAS Abu Dhabi from larger schools across the UAE, often looking for a more personalised environment.
With a cohort of just over 30 students, staff are able to understand students as individuals, recognise their ambitions and provide support tailored to each learner.
“We are creating a space built on relationships and community,” says Deputy Head of Secondary Stephen Moffatt.
“Some students felt lost in larger systems before joining us. Here, they are genuinely known and seen.”
The small cohort also gives students an unusual level of ownership over the Sixth Form itself.
Students are helping shape leadership opportunities, community initiatives and wider school culture, creating what staff describe as a true “founder mindset”.
Academic excellence and holistic education
At NAS Abu Dhabi, there is no compromise on academic expectations. “Academic excellence is non-negotiable,” says Moffatt.
“Students need exceptional outcomes if they want access to the world’s leading universities.”
However, the school is equally clear that strong grades alone are no longer enough.
Alongside academic rigour, the Sixth Form places strong emphasis on the development of the Nord Anglia 6Cs – a core set of learner ambitions: communication, collaboration, creativity, commitment, compassion and critical thinking.
Leadership opportunities, mentoring younger pupils, service initiatives and public speaking all form part of the student experience, developing confidence alongside academic depth.
This holistic philosophy is particularly evident through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) offering.
Students are encouraged to pursue independent research projects linked to their interests and future aspirations, developing university-level research, presentation and time-management skills in the process.
“It’s about intellectual curiosity and independence,” explains Moffatt. “The EPQ helps students learn how to think deeply, manage projects and stand out in highly competitive university applications.”
The power of personalisation
One of the defining features of the NAS Abu Dhabi Sixth Form is the level of personalised attention students receive. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to adapt learning closely to individual needs.
Meanwhile, strong pastoral support ensures students feel supported during what can often be a highly pressured stage of education.
Students repeatedly describe the difference this creates. “You don’t feel like just another student or another grade,” explains one Year 12 student. “Teachers really know you and genuinely care.”
The benefits extend beyond the classroom. Simon Finnigan, Head of Career and University Guidance, believes the smaller cohort allows for a far more bespoke approach to university preparation.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, students receive highly personalised guidance based on their interests, strengths and future ambitions, whether that means applications to the UK, US, Canada, Europe or elsewhere.
“The best university guidance starts early,” says Finnigan. “It’s about helping students develop the skills, experiences and self-awareness they will need long beyond Sixth Form.”
A globally connected Sixth Form
As part of the Nord Anglia Education family, students also benefit from significant global opportunities and connections.
Partnerships with international education settings including MIT, The Juilliard School in New York, IMG Academy and UNICEF, alongside access to Nord Anglia’s global alumni network, help broaden students’ perspectives beyond the classroom.
The school also regularly hosts visiting professors and university specialists from leading institutions around the world.
For students, it creates a Sixth Form experience that feels ambitious, globally immersed and highly relevant to the future they are preparing to enter.
The appeal of NAS Abu Dhabi’s Sixth Form lies not simply in where students may go next, but in who they become along the way.
With personalised support, ambitious academics and a culture built around relationships, the school is shaping young people who are prepared not just for university, but for the complexity and opportunity of the world beyond it.
At its heart, NAS Abu Dhabi’s Sixth Form is less about creating a single definition of success and more about giving students the confidence and support to define it for themselves.
For more information, visit nasabudhabi.ae
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