Our Approach

Learning > Sixth Form > Our Approach

Our Approach

Achieving Outstanding Results With The Right Balance of Support, Inspiration And Challenge

Sunmarke’s Sixth Form is imbued with the Positive Education approach, our dynamic and innovative Sixth Form curriculum is designed to meet the needs, talents and interest of our students, making them future-ready. Through our different pathways, we encourage students to ask questions about the world around them and think from multiple perspectives.

We are unique in offering A-Levels, BTECs and being an IB World School we also offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the International Baccalaureate Careers-Related Programme. Whether students choose the A-Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme, we inspire purpose and drive passion.

Here at Sunmarke we care about the journey that students go on and the skills they develop along the way. Our students are not defined by grades, they are a collection of skills and hobbies that shows their passion, and we want them to strive to be better learners to best prepare them for the path they choose after they graduate. Students will develop these skills through sessions run in form time on developing as a learner and preparing for higher education. While attending sessions for the latter, students will be exposed to resources that will help them explore their passions through reading, videos and courses outside of the curriculum that are now available online at the click of a button.

Outside of the form room is where you will differ in terms of skills developed. The International Baccalaureate Programmes places more of an emphasis in developing a variety of skills due to the diverse subjects students have to take whereas A-Levels allow students to delve deeper into a smaller selection of subjects. Different still are BTEC qualifications which have no exams and will, therefore, develop your investigation and research skills as you look to answer your briefs.

Whether students choose the A-Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme, we inspire purpose and drive passion.

Leadership

All students at Sunmarke’s Sixth Form are leaders and role models and they embrace this responsibility fully. These young leaders play a crucial role in the growth of the school and the community. 

Within their academics, students are provided options to lead their own learning such as through the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), available to A Level and BTEC students or through various pieces of coursework, such as the Extended Essay and Reflective Project on the International Baccalaureate pathways.

There are several opportunities for students to assume leadership roles,  form their own extra-curricular activities and represent the school as Senior Prefects, Senior Student Leadership Team, House Captains and Subject Ambassadors.  

Thinking Skills

Preparing students to flourish in an environment that encourages critical and independent thinking, Sunmarke’s Sixth Form is imbued with the Positive Education approach. Students are trained through the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) curriculum that motivates them to ask questions about the world around them and think from multiple perspectives.

Digital Learning

Sixth Form students model the use and integration of digital technologies throughout their curriculum. Many digital tools are available such as Questia School, an online library and UniFrog, a platform for search, shortlist and applying for university courses.

Sixth Form Students are taught to be at ease with technology, but also encouraged to question its validity, reliability and responsibility in a modern world. Media literacy is given a lot of importance at Sunmarke as students prepare to navigate the world beyond the school.

Please view our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy here.

Social Responsibility

Sunmarke Sixth Formers take the lead in service, learning and providing solutions while developing collaboration, leadership and social skills.

There are structured programmes for students to follow such as CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and Service Learning that lists a set of objectives to be used as guidance.

These are ‘need and solution-based’ programmes where students can choose to give service to their peers, the school, the local community and even make a global difference. These programmes make them understand the difference they can make to the world while developing emotional intelligence.

Global Outlook

As an international school training students to excel globally, we foster an ethos of honesty, responsibility, tolerance and respect for others within the academic and Positive Education curriculum.

Sixth Form students take a leading role in celebrations such as International Day by sharing their own cultures and traditions with the rest of the community. As a multi-pathway school, we aim to make our students global citizens. 

Key Stage 4 Options Booklet

Sunmarke has designed the below listed booklet to give information to our students about the courses they could study in Years 10 and 11. These are useful as a guide to choose the right options and also serve as a reference point throughout the two year IGCSE, GCSE or BTEC Level 2 programmes. It gives a glimpse of the areas of study within each subject that can be used to support the teaching and learning.

Sunmarke parents can download the PDF version of the Key Stage 4 Options Booklet from our parent communication portal, VLE.

Click here to view the Key Stage 4 Options Booklet

Sixth Form Options Booklet

We have designed the below booklet to inform and support our students on the multiple pathways available to them. We are unique in offering A Levels, BTECs, and being an IB world school, we also offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme. It is therefore, important to understand each one to make an informed decision.

Sunmarke parents can download the PDF version of the Sixth Form Options Booklet from our parent communication portal, VLE.

Click here to view the Sixth Form Options Booklet

What is the age group for sixth form?

Sixth Form is the most senior secondary class and Sixth Form schools in Dubai offer higher secondary education. 6th Form colleges or schools admit students from the age group of 16 to 18.

What is the difference between IB versus A level versus BTEC pathways?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a well-regarded educational system set up by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) that follows a global academic framework adopted by top international schools in the world. The IB’s standardised curriculum permits children to transition from one country to another smoothly.

Sunmarke is a top Sixth Form school in Dubai and a leading IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP).

Advanced Level Qualifications or A Levels are individual subject-based qualifications available for students looking to study at universities, doing away with the need for subject combinations. Senior secondary students can choose 3 to 4 A Levels based on the requirements of their university of choice.

Being internationally recognised qualifications, A Levels give you access and skills to join the most competitive universities worldwide. A combination of A Levels equips a student with skills in a particular area without having to wait until they begin university.

An acronym for Business and Technology Education Council, BTECs are practical vocational qualifications where opportunities and provided to gain hands-on experience in a field. They are also an excellent alternative to the more theory-focused A Levels.  BTECs prepare students for the real world with students going on educational visits and getting internships. It is also possible to take a combination of BTECs and A Levels.

What is the curriculum for Sixth Form?

Sunmarke is one of the best 6th Form schools in Dubai offering an innovative and dynamic Sixth Form designed to meet the needs and explore the talents of students preparing them to gain entry into the world’s best universities and workplaces thereafter.

Imbued with the Positive Education approach, Sunmarke is a 6th Form school that offers rich pathways with its A Level courses, BTEC, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP).

The A Level courses at the 6th Form school in Dubai include Further Mathematics, Science, Sociology, Spanish, French, English Literature, Arts, Business Studies, Economics, Media Studies, Music, IT, Psychology, Theatre Studies, Product Design, Geography and PE.

The IBDP at the 6th Form school offers academic depth and breadth through subjects like English Language & Literature, Environmental Systems and Societies, French, Spanish, Psychology, Business Management, Visual Arts, IT, Economics, Science, Mathematics and Film.

The IBCP is a two-year Post-16 course that prepares students to enter the industry or university with Sunmarke offering Business, Creative Media Production, Hospitality and Travel & Tourism as options.

The four BTEC specialties offered at the 6th Form school include Hospitality (where the entire gamut of the restaurant business is covered), Travel & Tourism, Business Studies (a programme that provides a glimpse of the operations and structures of business) and Creative Media Production (a course that teaches all about media as consumer and producer).

What are the top university placements after completion of sixth form?

A world class international school such as Sunmarke offers academic and extra-curricular programmes that nurtures young minds and enables them to thrive in a competitive world. With a wide range of educational pathways, excellent facilities, values-based teaching and cutting-edge Signature Programmes, students are equipped with skills that gain them access to world-class universities after their 6th Form schooling.

The list of top institutions where Sunmarke students have made their mark after their 6th Form schooling include The London School of Economics and Political Science, University of Warwick, Simon Fraser University, Kings College London, University of Waterloo, Durham University, York University, University of Toronto, University of Michigan, University of Glasgow, Imperial College London, UC Davis, University of London and York University among many others.

Can I enlist in summer internship programmes?

Sunmarke is a Sixth Form school in Dubai that offers a variety of options that enables students to gain real-world experience working in corporate offices of leading companies and meeting business leaders.

Some of the leading companies where students have been placed for summer internships are IBM, PWS, Fly Dubai, Goldman Sachs, Delta Partners, Deloitte, Citibank, McKinsey and Jumeirah Group among others.

Do I need to apply for admissions for sixth form?

If a student is not enrolled at Sunmarke, s/he will need to apply for Sixth Form school admission. An existing Sunmarke student will not need to re-apply for higher secondary education admissions. However, they will need to re-enrol to ensure smooth transition from primary to secondary.

Re-enrolments to the 6th Form school can be done online and non-refundable fee of 5% must be paid, deducted from the Tuition fee. Transfers are available for 6th Form school admissions from Regent International School to Sunmarke School. Click here for enrolment procedures at one of the best Sixth Form schools in Dubai.

What are the Sixth Form tuition fees?

The 6th Form school tuition fee at Sunmarke School ranges from AED 80,680 to AED 82,120. A sibling discount scheme is available on 6th Form school fee to students from the same family who enroll at the school for one full academic year. A 5% discount is offered on the 6th Form school fee for the second sibling, 10% for the third, fourth and fifth sibling.

Additionally, a transfer discount is also made available for students from Regent who wish to join Sunmarke. Click here for the admissions and fee policy to get enrolled in senior secondary at the 6th Form school.

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