YBA helps students them explore interests and prepare for university and life beyond school
PARTNER CONTENT: At Yasmina British Academy (YBA), preparing students for life beyond school is not just a final-year exercise, it’s a multi-year, deeply personalised journey grounded in reflection, aspiration, and meaningful relationships.
With a Post-16 offer designed to nurture individuality alongside academic ambition, YBA combines breadth, balance, and bespoke support to help every learner map a pathway that feels purposeful and possible.
“We want our students to believe that anything is possible,” says Jennie Kellet, Secondary Principal, a sentiment woven throughout the Post-16 curriculum and careers model.
A curriculum designed around the individual
YBA’s Post-16 curriculum spans 28 subjects across A Levels, BTECs, and a wide range of electives, reflecting the evolving demands of global universities and workplaces. Whether students lean towards physics, fine art, forensic science, or film, there is a pathway to suit both aptitude and ambition.
“No two students share the same pathway; success is extremely individual,” explains Yahya ElKhabouche, Careers and Further Education Counsellor.
Some students take three specialised A Levels, while others follow a blended route combining vocational qualifications, the EPQ, or creative portfolio work.
The goal is not only to prepare for university but also to help students understand who they are; a philosophy grounded in the school’s vision: Empowered minds, endless possibilities.
Guidance that begins early and runs deep
YBA stands out for the depth of its guidance. Conversations about interests, strengths, and future pathways begin in Year 8 and continue through Year 13, ensuring that A Level or BTEC decisions are informed, not rushed.
For students unsure of their direction, a structured six-month exploration process involves families, tutors, and the careers team.
This sustained support allows thoughtful pathway planning and strong academic and pastoral care, enabling students to achieve success even when prior academic profiles are modest.
Future-ready skills embedded in daily practice
YBA brings “future-ready” learning to life.
Post-16 students access a wide range of beyond-the-classroom opportunities, including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), TEDxYouth, Harvard Model Congress, and Leadership Strands in sustainability, charity, and community initiatives.
These experiences are deliberately woven into the Post-16 culture to ensure students leave confident, creative, and ready to lead.
Rich opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom
EPQ: some students publish in academic journals or collaborate with university professors
TEDxYouth: students deliver talks to global standards
Innovation projects: through partners like Harvard Model Congress
Leadership Strands: initiatives in sustainability, charity, community engagement, and House events
Learning through real-world exposure
YBA connects academic learning with real-world contexts through YBA Connect, linking students with alumni in 25+ countries.
This network provides mentorship, university advice, internships, and real-life insights, allowing alumni to return and guide current students.
Work experience placements in Years 10 and 12 further strengthen real-world exposure. Recent partnerships include the University of the Arts London and Louvre Abu Dhabi, where 14 YBA artists exhibited their work, alongside masterclasses across STEM and creative fields.
“At YBA, we champion an ethos of limitless potential. If a student wants to try something, we make space for it,” says Yahya.
A careers programme defined by care and clarity
The distinctive feature of YBA’s Post-16 experience is the strength of relationships. Teachers, advisers, and leaders invest deeply in knowing each student academically, personally, and holistically. This is supported by robust systems:
Activity Lists: tracking academic and extracurricular achievements from Year 9
Student Achievement Award and Post-16 Diploma: recognising service, leadership, skills, and extracurricular success
Tailored guidance: for the 60+ new Year 12 students each year
These structures provide students with clarity, identity, and a strong evidence base for university applications.
YBA consistently secures the highest number of university placements across Aldar Education, with offers spanning the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and emerging global hubs.
Preparing students not just for exams, but for life
The through-line of YBA’s Post-16 approach is personalised pathways, empowered choices, and deeply human relationships. As Carl Dean, Head of Post-16, explains, “It’s about giving students the confidence to do whatever they want and trusting them to trust themselves.”
In a world where young people must navigate uncertainty with confidence and flexibility, YBA goes beyond exam preparation, cultivating capable, resilient learners ready to meet the future with clarity and assurance.
To find out more about Future Pathways and the Post-16 experience, visit Yasmina British Academy
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