The British International School Abu Dhabi (BISAD)
As part of the Nord Anglia International Group, BISAD is one of two UAE based schools (Nord Anglia School Dubai being the other), who announced in 2016 their association with the US-based Juilliard School and plans to incorporate their programmes into the Performing Arts curricula of the UAE schools on a phased basis.
In the current academic year, the main focus has been on the Music programme. This will be followed by Dance in September 2017 and by Drama in 2018.
The Juilliard School, founded in 1905, is a world leader in performing arts education. Juilliard’s mission is ” to provide the highest calibre of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers and actors from around the world so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens”.
BISAD students follow an embedded performing arts curriculum developed by specialists from Juilliard, along with continued support from, and engagement with, Juilliard alumni and affiliated artists. This includes visits to the school and performances and coaching by Juilliard alumni. BISAD staff are trained at the Juilliard to deliver the programme. The collaboration is designed to enhance the performing arts offering by incorporating a set of teaching resources into the existing curriculum across the school. The enhanced arts curriculum was developed by curriculum and music experts at both Juilliard and Nord Anglia Education. Further detailed information can be found here.
The music curriculum is designed for all students, not just those who are serious about learning an instrument or musical performance. It is based around a repertoire of 12 core works of Music covering a wide range of cultures, genres and historical periods, each of which has been chosen by Juilliard to open the door to categories of music and fundamentals. Keyboard skills are a key component of this as it encourages immediate understanding of some abstract concepts, assists students with their notation skills and facilitates the exploration of harmony.
In addition to the core music programme, students may take the IGCSE Music option and the school plans to introduce the IB Diploma Music course in 2017-18. A further 80 students currently take part in the peripatetic programme where they are able to study Guitar, Drums. Flute, Clarinet, Piano, Violin and Voice. Students are entered for ABRSM and Trinity exams.
BISAD regularly participates in external competitions and events including Choirfest, the BSME Music Festival and a joint Nord Anglia Middle East schools Music Festival which was hosted by Nord Anglia School Dubai in 2017.
The Juilliard Dance programme, which will be introduced for the 2017-18 academic year, is currently underpinned by Dance which is taught as a unit of PE from FS1 to year 8. It is included as one of the units within the GCSE PE option at year 10 and 11. It is also offered within the Co-curricular activities to students from year 2 upwards where it is a popular option.
Drama (which will incorporate the Juilliard curriculum in the final phase) is provided as part of the core curriculum from year 7 to year 9. Year 10 and 11 students may opt for GCSE Drama and the school plans to offer IBDP Theatre by 2018. Students also participate in a range of workshops and activities in collaboration with other Abu-Dhabi based schools.
At a glance:
| Dance | Drama | Music | |
| Number of staff | PE staff | 1 | 3 |
| Grade/year groups taught | FS1 – year 8 as a unit of work in the PE curriculum
Year 10-11 as part of GCSE PE option |
Years 7-9 core subject;
Years 10-11 GCSE Drama option; Years 12-13 IBDP Theatre option (from 2018-19) |
FS1–Year 9 core subject;
Years 10-11 IGCSE option; Year 12-13 IBDP Music option (from 2017-18). |
| Instruments are taught as part of the core curriculum | n/a | n/a | Keyboard together with basic band instruments. |
| External Examinations | n/a | n/a | ABRSM, Trinity |
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