Featured School

Dover Court International School

Relocate Editorial 22 FEBRUARY 2022

Dover Court International School is an international, multicultural and inclusive school community in the heart of Singapore. We are a community underpinned and guided by clear values, which resonate with the values of Singapore itself and with those upheld by global communities everywhere. We are unique in welcoming children of diverse strengths and talents and in providing an education which is aligned to each individual.

We are highly ambitious for our students in all aspects of their academic and personal growth. Our students are energetic, articulate, motivated, confident, caring and they are eager to make their mark on the world. One of the great strengths of our British style international education is that such growth involves all aspects of students’ moral, physical, emotional, aesthetic, social and academic development focused on each individual’s personal best. Here at DCIS, this is achieved through superb teaching supported and complemented by Teaching Assistants and the guidance of Form Tutors and Progress Leaders.

We are blessed with an inspiring campus, set in a fascinating city in the heart of Asia. Teachers are drawn from the very best worldwide and the administrative and support staff are dedicated professionals, all of whom play a vital part in the education of our students. As part of the Nord Anglia Education family and through our membership of FOBISIA and the Council of International Schools, we are able to ensure that our staff skills remain at the forefront of education, through outstanding continuous professional development.

When you and your family become part of DCIS you become part of our community. Through shared values, consistently enacted, together we provide a secure environment for children to feel safe, be happy and to live, learn and flourish, every day. Our parent-run Dover Court Association (DCA) provides a wonderful point of contact between families and school. Whether you are new to our school, new to Singapore, or a long-standing member of our community, you will find something for you and your family through the DCA.

About the School

Dover Court International School offers a broad, balanced and differentiated full time on campus programme operating within the framework of the English National Curriculum, a curriculum used by over 30,000 schools worldwide, known for its reliable assessment system and rich variety of resources. Through three bespoke pathways the needs of students of all abilities are catered for. Pathway 1 is our mainstream pathway, whilst students in Pathway 2 follow the mainstream curriculum in a smaller setting, with adaptations made where needed. Pathway 3 offers the highest level of educational support and students follow an individualised curriculum in smaller settings. Integration and twinning are important parts of the school day and students across the three pathways share many learning opportunities to foster a truly inclusive mindset.

Our aim at Dover Court International School is to give all students the best possible start on their educational journey. We believe that by providing a balance between child-initiated and adult-led activities, we offer a curriculum that meets the individual needs and interests of all children. In Nursery and Reception, our youngest students learn through our Early Years Curriculum, developed within the framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and inspired by Reggio Emilia.

Our Primary students follow the English National Curriculum appropriately modified to provide an international dimension using the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). English and mathematics are regarded as the foundation subjects and receive the largest time allocation from the class teacher, with daily lessons. Our teachers use the IPC to deliver the curriculum in science, history, geography, design technology and art in a thematic way.

In the classroom our teachers use dynamic marking which happens live and provides students with instant feedback on areas of work to focus on. Our teachers are continuously assessing and tracking individual progress, ensuring that learning in personalised and opportunities are not missed. It is important for us that our students are able to think globally, work well in groups and be confident enough to take their own path where necessary.

The Secondary School years are a particularly important time in a child’s life. We know that these years are significant for influencing the crucial decisions children will make about their future and the role that they will play in the world. We work closely with every student and their families, to provide the personal guidance and support needed to ensure a successful transition as they progress through the school.

As an all-through school, DCIS aim is to make our students’ transitions through each year seamless and straightforward. In Year 7 students join our Secondary School, having already experienced what life in Secondary is like through a number of transition events held throughout Year 6. The secondary Student Transition Mentors also help welcoming new students and support them in their settling in.

The English National Curriculum forms the basis for the content of the Secondary programme at Dover Court. It builds on prior learning and prepares our students to explore in greater depth the concepts, processes and skills of specific subjects.

Our Secondary school is a blend of practical experience and experimentation, books, discussions, lectures and technology, allowing students to learn at a rapid pace. Our curriculum offers a thematic approach to education, within curriculum areas, that brings learning to life for our students. The program offers a lively and motivational approach which ensures that our students love coming to school every day and helps them to develop greater confidence in their learning and its relevance to their world.

The Secondary school is structured into three Key Stages, Key Stage 3 comprises Years 7 and 8, whilst Years 9, 10 and 11 make up Key Stage 4, and Years 12 and 13 Key Stage 5, or Sixth Form. Students in Key Stage 4 work towards the globally recognised IGCSE, International Certificate of Secondary Education, and sit their final exams at the end of Year 11. In Sixth Form the IB Diploma Programme, IB Courses and International BTEC Levels 2 and 3 in Business are offered. Students within the SEN provision can also access ASDAN courses or International BTEC Level 1 in Business.Students who do not speak English as their first language can access additional support through our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme in the Primary school and up to, and including, Year 9. English levels are measured by using assessments that link to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference For Languages) so that we can best meet the needs of each student.

The students are assessed in their speaking, listening, reading and writing proficiency in English and the scores determine the level of support needed. EAL students are taught in mainstream classrooms. In order to cater for all learners, we offer a fully differentiated approach in all curriculum areas. This means our lessons are already designed to meet the needs of all learners, including EAL students. Our teachers are trained in how to adapt lessons to ensure that all students are able to access the curriculum at the appropriate level and teaching assistants offer extra support.

As part of Nord Anglia Education, NAE, DCIS is also part of a global community of over 66,000 students who collaborate together through the Global Campus. Every Global Campus activity is designed to enrich learning experiences with opportunities beyond the ordinary. From expeditions to Switzerland to visual arts and creative writing competitions, the students are inspired to be ambitious in their learning and to collaborate globally. Nord Anglia Education takes an innovative approach to learning, particularly evident in the collaboration with MIT in developing real-world challenges across the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Mathematics (STEAM). Our performing arts programme comprises music, drama and dance and is supported by Juilliard through NAE, with regular visits from Juilliard curriculum specialists.

The education of young people at our school is not just about what happens in the classroom. Our program of extracurricular activities is designed to enrich and improve our students’ overall learning experience. We offer a range of activities, from sports and music to art and science, there is something for everyone.