Using technology to increase learning engagement in Year 1 and Year 2
Deeper social-emotional engagement , whether it’s with a teacher, robot, or parent is paramount to improving the ability for children to learn language from a young age. This year, DHA’s unique collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will extend to children in Years 1 and 2 who will receive the special opportunity to develop their literacy and social-emotional learning through a robot literacy station designed by researchers at MIT’s Media Lab.
Towards the end of this month, DHA will be welcoming Safinah Ali, a graduate student in the Personal Robots Group at MIT, who will oversee the initiation of the project at our school. Her work focuses on designing robotic interactions for early childhood learning and designing AI literacy curricula for K12. Safinah is part of the research effort that will bring robotic learning companions to students of DHA, that aim to enrich their language and social-emotional learning.
What AI learning will look like for our students
The robot literacy station consists of the learning companion robot Jibo, a tablet with literacy applications and a sensor setup to collect information about the study. Children will be doing literacy activities such as storybook exploration that targets their language learning and curiosity skills, emotion regulation activities that target their social-emotional learning and creative exploration that scaffolds their creativity.
The activities are designed so that they are age appropriate and complement what the children are already learning in school. In their previous work in the US, the research team observed that long-term interaction with social robots greatly benefited children’s cognitive learning, as well as social behaviors such as curiosity, growth mindset and creativity.
DHA children will interact with the robot for 15-20 minutes per session for 1-2 times per week over the course of this academic year and their schedule will be carefully designed with teachers so that it is built into every student’s regular timetable in a way that is least disruptive to their classroom schedule.
We are extremely excited to welcome Safinah in a few weeks’ time and to bring the future of learning right here to DHA.
A very proud morning for us as our talented students Lanka and Saanvi, showcased their poetic prowess in the Emirates NBD Poetry For All Competition semi-finals against dozens of schools from all across the UAE, hosted right here at Dubai Heights Academy.
Lanka shared the poem ‘I’m Glad to Be Me’ by Kenn Nesbitt, while Saanvi recited ‘Another Chance’ by Helen Steiner Rice. The girls did a fantastic job and we look forward to finding out whether we have progressed into the final round!
We are thrilled to announce that Dubai Heights Academy's incredible community has come together to raise a total of 1,600 AED in donations for Al Jalila Foundation.
October marks the month of #Pinktober, dedicated to raising awareness and support for breast cancer treatment and research. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the student council, we were able to make a meaningful contribution towards this important cause.
Pink ri...
Recently, Dubai Heights Academy had the great pleasure of welcoming a special guest, children's author Ebtisam Al-beiti to our school. Through our collaboration with the Emirates Literature Foundation and their innovative 'Reading for Pleasure' initiative, Ebtisam engaged our FS1 - Year 2 students with an exciting reading of her book 'Citrus the Smoothie Sloth.' Her book sheds light on the importance of positive well-being and the significance of healthy eating through the endearing journey o...
Dubai Heights Academy is privileged to have been selected to host the Gifted and Talented Networking Event last week, which drew almost 100 attendees from schools across the United Arab Emirates. As a British curriculum school renowned for our incredible inclusion department; this event was a significant step towards fostering collaboration, sharing ideas, and promoting best practices for opportunities for our gifted and talented students. It was a testament to our commitment to offering the...
We are delighted to announce that after much anticipation, Dubai Heights Academy's brand new podcast has dropped! These episodes are hosted by Mr Paul Begley, our Secondary English Teacher, alongside his co-hosts and secondary students Ruairi, Olek, Mia and Reyhaneh.
Tune in to episode 1 and listen to Ruairi and Olek interview their first guest Mr Paul King, who also happens to be our Head of PE and Swimming here at Dubai Heights Academy and he has some very interesting stories to tell...
In a heartwarming testament to global solidarity, Dubai Heights Academy has extended a lifeline to the Indian village of Madkarpur. With unwavering support from our students, staff, and parents during the holy month of Ramadan, we are thrilled to share the remarkable completion of our well project.
This humanitarian initiative, driven by the incredible generosity of our school community, has transcended geographical boundaries to bring clean water to those in need. The impact of this pr...
Dubai Heights Academy has always been committed to making a positive impact beyond the classroom walls. We believe in the power of education, compassion, and unity to transform lives, and our latest initiative stands as a testament to that belief. As a proud sponsor, Dubai Heights Academy has contributed to the building of a well in India, ensuring access to clean and safe water for a community in need. Through our collective efforts during the holy month of Ramadan, we successfully raised ov...
Dubai Heights Academy is thrilled to announce the launch of our new scholarships programme, designed to empower and support exceptional students in their educational journey. As a school that values inclusivity and recognises the diverse talents and abilities of our students, we are committed to providing opportunities for those who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, or outstanding talents in music and the performing arts and sports. Through our new scholarships programme, we aim...
In association with the Emirates Literature Foundation and DP World, Dubai Heights Academy is thrilled to be 1 of just 6 schools in Dubai selected to participate in the new Reading for Pleasure Initiative under a 5 year pilot scheme, which will see us become a centre of reading excellence and a model for other schools in the UAE.
The project aims to foster the love of reading, particularly in young people, through a variety of initiatives such as author visits, monthly book clubs, liter...
Dubai Heights Academy is proud to have been chosen as the pilot school for DP World Golf Week in collaboration with The Tommy Fleetwood Academy (TFA) at Jumeirah Golf Estates. During the first week of May, there was a huge buzz on campus as students and staff were introduced to the purposely refurbished shipping container fitted with impressive features and state-of-the-art technology to accommodate for golf sessions all week long.
The event was a tremendous success, with students from...
Dubai Heights Academy is committed to providing students with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world; to support our vision of fostering an environment which is diverse, forward thinking, innovative, ambitious, tolerant and welcoming. One of our greatest priorities as a school which strives for excellence, is our commitment to continuously invest in the development of our school facilities and resources; as we recognise the role that infrastructure...
As one of the most anticipated school events of the year, Dubai Heights Academy is proud to have led a successful International Day last week celebrating our incredible multicultural community together under 1 roof in a rich burst of colour and culture.
With 58 nationalities represented within the student and staff community, we embraced our similarities and differences through a beautiful display of country stalls, vibrant national dresses, mouth-watering traditional delicacies and fun...
A blog by Matt Craze, Primary Maths Lead at Dubai Heights Academy.
We have very much grown up with and accepted the attitude ‘you’re either good at Maths or you're not’. Because of this, it can be tricky to get to grips with what your child is learning, therefore leading to confusion and in some cases, Maths anxiety. Below I have outlined a few tips that will help you support your child on their learning journey.
Problem solving in contextMaths is a logical subject, re...
Here at Dubai Heights Academy, we are technologically creative. We strive to incorporate a multitude of different types of technology into our learning and believe that balance is key when it comes to traditional learning and technology. As a highly inclusive school we are also developing the use of assistive technology to enhance the student learning experience for all our students. Together with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), we are developing and piloting an exciting new...
A Blog by Pamela Snell, FS1 Teacher at Dubai Heights Academy
Play is an important part of how young children learn and develop. It helps young children to learn and develop their physical, social, emotional and intellectual skills through doing and talking. It has even been suggested that this is the initial stage as to how young children learn to think. Play allows a child to socialise and engage with others, whilst engaging in the learning process.
A blog by Danielle Walker, Key Stage 2 Science Lead and Gaynor Lewis, Key Stage 3 Science Lead
We are born with curiosity and the instinct to question why things happen, how things happen, and science enables us to do that in school and throughout our lives. We should always question the world around us and the world beyond us. Without curiosity and questioning, humans would never have discovered the fascinations of space, the strange creatures in the deep ocean, inside of...
A blog by Tara Furness, FS2 Class Teacher at Dubai Heights Academy
Motor skills are crucial for your child’s growth. Within the first five years of your child’s life you will see a significant amount of development and growth. Strengthening their physical abilities will not only make them stronger, but it will also make them more independent – something that we continue to encourage and promote throughout our Foundation Stage at DHA.
It is extremely beneficial for par...
The ‘Musicplay’ curriculum taught at Dubai Heights Academy
Music brings so many positives to a child's education and at DHA we believe in giving all of our students opportunities to experience music, whether it be through learning an instrument, using song and sounds in lessons or by discussing musical experiences and what these experiences mean to them. Music is something that takes on so many forms, and it is important to ensure children experience it throughout their education...
On 12th May 2022, over 343 teachers from across Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Garhoud, including several of our very own teachers from Years 4 through 8 here at Dubai Heights Academy participated in Day of AI, a worldwide outreach initiative by MIT dedicated to teaching and learning about artificial intelligence. Developed by MIT researchers, Day of AI is a novel low-barrier, yet high-impact short curriculum offered free of charge to K-12 students and their teachers targeting in-classroom lea...
For Every Child, Every Mind And Everybody
Dubai Heights Academy is a British Curriculum School located in the heart of Al Barsha South. It has its own dedicated Foundation Stage building and caters for Primary and Secondary students, currently offering up to Year 7, Year 8 from September 2021 onwards and will extend to Year 13 in a phased roll out. Dubai Heights Academy location allows easy access for neighbouring communities such as Dubai Hills, Al Barsha, Arabian Ranches, Damac Hills...
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has introduced a new schedule for its school tours, which are being organised in addition to its existing 360° virtual tours, which were launched after the lockdown, earlier this year.
Parents can now tour the school in person, every day at 4pm – Sunday to Wednesday, 2.15pm on Thursday and 10am on Saturday, giving them the opportunity to explore the school and its state-of-th...
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, will launch its secondary school when the new academic year 2020/2021 starts on August 30th.
In addition to providing a curriculum that follows the National Curriculum for England and is tailored to comply with local requirements with Arabic language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education, and Social Studies, DHA has also signed a partnership agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of...
DHA has space to comply with latest KHDA COVID-19 health and safety procedures, without disrupting classes – virtual and onsite tours, reduced fees, easy payment plans and the introduction of Chromebooks complete its comprehensive reopening plan.
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has announced that it will be reopening in full when the new academic year 2020/2021 starts on August 30th.
Alison Lamb, Princ...
DHA prepares for new school year with, reduced fees, easy payment plans and free Chromebooks, coupled with COVID-19 health and safety initiatives.
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has announced a series of revised fees, new payment plans and free access to Chromebooks, for students for the new academic year starting in September 2020.
New students enrolling for the 2020/2021 academic year, which starts in Sep...
With schools in the UAE to remain closed until the end of the academic year and children adjusting to their new classroom set up at home, Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has shared their top tips for maintaining a healthy wellbeing while learning from home.
It can be hard for both parents and children to maintain a routine when facing an entire day spent in the house – things can quickly become unstructured. How...
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has turned to the immersive capabilities of virtual reality by launching 360° virtual tours, with virtual admissions for the next calendar school year, September 2020 – June 2021, now open.
Virtual tours of the campus, which can be accessed via DHA’s newly launched website, allow both parents and children interested in DHA to explore the school and its state-of-the-art facili...
Continuity, quality educational online tools and personal interaction are key to distance learning, says DHA
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a leading British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has rolled out a wide range of distance learning programmes to ensure the education of its students is not affected by the closure of schools as a result of the COVID-19 virus outbreak.
The distance learning school programme, which is in line with the Mini...
British curriculum school, located in Al Barsha South, will offer exclusive 15% discount for FS1 pupils registering for the 2020-2021 academic year
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, is set to host a Foundation Stage (FS) opening day on Tuesday 25th February, with admissions for the next calendar school year, September 2020 – June 2021, now open.
Parents and children are invited along to meet with the sch...
With over 600 schools in the UAE at present, finding the perfect school for your child can be a daunting experience.
However, there’s more to selecting the perfect school for your child than imagining what they will grow up to be – with many factors for parents to consider such as curriculum, subjects taught, location and fees, amongst others.
Alison Lamb, Principal, Dubai Heights Academy, said: “Before making any decision, it’s important to visit and participate in...
Students from Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, enjoyed a very exciting day recently, when they were invited by the Emirates Golf Federation, to attend a coaching clinic hosted by Ryder Cup golfing legend Ian Poulter.
Talking about the impromptu lesson, from one of golf’s all-time greats, DHA Principal Alison Lamb, said: “His natural talent and easy rapport with the children, clearly inspired some absolutely amazing...
British curriculum school, located in Al Barsha South, prepares to welcome first ever group of Year 7 and Year 8 pupils in September 2020
Dubai Heights Academy (DHA), a British curriculum school located in the heart of Al Barsha South, has announced the appointment of a new Vice Principal & Head of Secondary, ahead of the opening of DHA’s secondary school phase in September 2020.
With over 20 years’ UK and international experience in new, developing and establish...
The school hosted a special National Day assembly as well as participating in a video which was filmed at the school with Emirati sports presenter Haithem Al Hamadi to be shown on Dubai One
More than 280 students from Dubai Heights Academy (DHA) together with their families, staff and friends came together to mark the UAE’s 48th National Day and Year of Tolerance with two days of traditional Emirati activities, dancing, singing and Arabic storytelling.
Kicking off th...
