Teaching & Learning
What We Learn At Steadfast
At steadfast academy we use both Cambridge and Al Baseer curriculum. These two curriculums run concurrently in order to prepare our learners for both the worlds.
The Islamic studies offered use the Al Basaeer curriculum which is versatile, activity-based, it nurtures learners to be conscious of Allah, instilsl the love of their Deen and appreciate the values and principles of Islam. Our aim is to grow our learners to not just be followers of the religion but rather be at the forefront of being practicing, knowledgeable Muslims, excelling in both the Dunya and the Deen.
For the Islamic curriculum, we begin with the very basics in kindergarten by firstly teaching our learners the existence and love of Allah and then instill and inculcate the Islamic values and etiquette. In lower primary our learners continue with the same concept in kindergarten of Tawheed and adaab at this level due to their age fiqh is introduced so as to understand the principles and rules of Ibadah. In upper primary and secondary the Islamic curriculum is more elaborated with subjects that will help our learners in their way of life, providing them with guiding principles on how to be an upright Muslim. The school provides the students with a suitable platform for them to understand other cultures and gain interpersonal skills that will aid them in how to interact with their parents, teachers, peers, and the larger society.
For the Quran we start with Huruf recognition and blending of hurufs we then proceed to reading nadhraan by observing the principles of makharij and tajweed once the students have mastered this then we concurrently with the pace of the individual learner introduce tahfidh and tafseer.
For the Arabic curriculum we start off with recognition of letters and letter formation to blending and reading of Arabic words familiar with their environment and appropriate with their daily lives. We then grow the curriculum to complex grammar so that our learners become masters of the Arabic language being fluent and confident in the three aspects of a language and that is reading, writing and speaking. We also ensure that our students get conversant with the Arabic language and use it as their second tongue to better understand the religion and be proficient in the recitation and understanding the Qur’an.
As for the Cambridge curriculum it consists of four stages and gives students a clear path for educational success from age 5 to 19. The four stages of the Cambridge Pathway lead seamlessly from primary to secondary and pre-university years. Each stage builds on the learners’ development from the previous one. These four stages of the Cambridge Curriculum are Cambridge Primary (5 to 11 years old), Cambridge Lower Secondary (11 to 14 years old), Cambridge Upper Secondary (14 to 16 years old) and Cambridge Advanced (16 to 19 years old). Students’ academic progress are assessed through Checkpoints at the end of Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary. Both Cambridge Primary Checkpoint and Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint assess students’ proficiency and ability in English, English as a second language, mathematics and science. These checkpoints provide teachers with an international benchmark to measure their students’ progress and tailor individual learning programmes. Furthermore, a feedback report is created based on each student’s results which enables detailed and structured reporting to their parents.
Five elements define the Cambridge education which are international curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and international recognition. Its international curriculum is constantly updated through expert international school research and consultation with schools. In terms of teaching and learning, teachers are expected to guide their students to become confident, engaged and independent learners. Next, assessment in the Cambridge International Curriculum is fair, valid and reliable. In addition, Cambridge qualifications are internationally recognised by higher education institutions all over the world.