Academic
Our Educational Approach
Wycombe Abbey is a world leader in education where the qualities of academic excellence, empathy, and integrity thrive, and we are taking this education philosophy and applying it to the teaching and learning at WAICE, where every child can excel. We are committed to holistic learning, enabling our children to excel in academics, sports, music, and drama, and an extensive range of co-curricular activities. We prepare our pupils to be confident, responsible, and independent global citizens. We regard each child as unique and believe that everyone can achieve individual excellence based on the principles of high performance and the practices of personalised learning.
WAICE offers an enhanced curriculum drawn from the English national curriculum, underpinned by the academic qualities identified by Wycombe Abbey as the attributes that define successful pupils. These are enterprise and engagement, drive and determination, reflection and development.
Our globally recognised international curriculum sets high standards for education from the Foundation Stage to Year 12, providing clear progression for pupils, with each stage, building on the previous one. The curriculum content is challenging and culturally sensitive, yet internationally relevant, preparing our pupils for success with their academic studies and life beyond the classroom. We are committed to providing opportunities across the curriculum to develop transferable, generic skills, and foster approaches that enable pupils to emerge as independent, autonomous, life-long learners. Our curriculum encourages independent learning and the teaching of higher-order thinking skills. The structure of the school’s curriculum is explained below and we will start teaching classes in the Early Years from age 3 and up to age 9 in 2024. The senior school will be open from 2025 onwards. Please contact the school for more details.
Early Years (age 3-5 years)
In Early Years, our programme supports a theme-based bilingual curriculum which covers the seven main areas of childhood development. We believe that every child should enjoy a stimulating all-round education. This will involve playing and exploring, active learning and creating, and thinking critically. Since Early Years’ education exerts such a powerful influence on a child’s future learning, we encourage children to learn through lively activities which highlight interactive play and creativity, and enable them to experience the joy of learning.
Junior School (age 5-11 years)*
In Key Stage 1 (5-7 years), we continue to adhere firmly to the ethos of holistic education, while giving pupils a more structured and traditional teaching environment. Our pupils will continue learning Arabic and gain a great appreciation for Egyptian culture. They will master English and, in doing so, appreciate different cultures, broadening their horizons, inspiring them to approach the world with global perspectives, and to develop knowledge and skills for their futures.
Our pupils are assessed regularly and naturally, including assessments of their social skills, awareness of health issues, and their emotional and academic development. One of the core assessments is focused on their English language competence, including their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
During Key Stage 2 (age 7-11 years), greater emphasis is placed on problem-solving and creative thinking to encourage more independent learning. Pupils develop a mix of learning styles working independently, in small groups or in larger teams. They access specialised teachers and specialist learning spaces. We monitor the well-being and progress of each child-we want them to feel happy and challenged. Our Modern Foreign Language programme starts in Year 3, with specialist French or German lessons, reflecting Egypt’s heritage.
* Note that in 2024 the Junior School will only offer teaching up to age 9 and will expand to age 11 in 2025 along with the opening of the Senior School.
2025 Onwards
Senior School (age 11-18 years)
The curriculum at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 offers a comprehensive introduction to a wide range of academic, creative, and technical disciplines. Additionally Physical Education and Wellbeing ensure that pupils’ emotional, social, and physical development are monitored and nurtured. The teaching and learning progressively focuses on the IGCSE examinations, for which we will offer many possibilities for subject combinations, which best fits their abilities, aspirations, and personal passions.
Our Sixth Form curriculum at Key Stage 5 will be designed to nurture individual interests and provide a solid foundation for university studies and tomorrow’s global workplace and preparation for the International A-levels. All Sixth Formers follow a programme of enrichment, carefully designed to develop critical thinking, leadership and research, and presentation skills. It also includes guidance on university applications, careers, and health and wellbeing.
