The founding Headmaster of AGS Muscat, the new British curriculum school in Seeb, confirmed today that the school is in the final stages of construction and will be open in September as planned. Mr. Andrew Hurst said that there has been a huge amount of interest in the new school and that classes would be open in all year groups up to Year 6. “We are filled with great excitement about AGS Muscat as we await the first children in the school.
The British independent school model of Pre-Prep (3-7 years old); Prep (7-13 years old) and Senior (13-18 years old) is something that appeals to parents because it is clear how the school’s curriculum will adapt to different stages of a pupil’s development. Our teachers are all qualified to British standards and also understand the international context of the school. We want the same high expectations of a British independent school but we also want to celebrate Omani culture, Arabic language and Islamic faith in order to educate and prepare our young people for an international life.
That means we have a strong emphasis on moral and ethical values, good manners, self-discipline and confidence, as well as academic achievement. Learning outside of the classroom – on the sports field or at one of our wide choice of extra-curricular activities – will be equally important as the teacher inspired activities in the classroom.”
Sarah White, Head of British Education at Al Najah Education, one of the partners in school owners English Education Management Company (EEMC), said that AGS Muscat was a forward-looking school. “Using the experience from our schools in Dubai, we know that there is a great demand for British-style education delivered in an international context. The involvement of parents in the education process is critically important to successful learning. AGS Muscat will have an open and transparent dialogue with all parents to help them monitor progress of their children and gain the most out of the school experience. We know that pupils must have good IT skills, but they must also know the basics of language and number. We will use the latest progressive assessment techniques to ensure that every pupil is making the progress expected of them in English and Mathematics and that we are providing the highest quality of education for all pupils, including those with special needs.”
According to Satish Gopinathan, Business Development Director at Al Najah Education, AGS Muscat’s facilities rank as amongst the best in the Middle East. “Classroom sizes are very generous, giving lots of space for the creative style of teaching we advocate. In addition to the impressive sports and swimming facilities, there are large indoor play areas, specialist music rooms, a dance and aerobics studio, cafeteria and a dedicated Apple iMac laboratory for computing and ICT.”
AGS Muscat is the second project for EEMC (joint venture of Al Tamman Holding and Al Najah Education), following the successful establishment of the Horizon Kids International Nursery located on Al Mouj. Himansu Mohapatra, General Manager of Al
Tamman Holding – a Muscat Overseas Group company, said that this was an exciting time for new educational development in the Sultanate. “We have a strong commitment to provide holistic education to Omani nationals and expatriates. Our new school in Duqm is planned to open in September 2018 and we remain grateful for the dedicated and professional support from the Ministry of Education, Sultanate of Oman and all the local stakeholders involved.”
