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- Learning Approach | AWIS - international school in Doha
Our learning approach is child-centred and supportive. Our international curriculum emphasises the development of skills and understanding of concepts. Learning Approach We strive to develop a welcoming environment, catering to the needs and valuing the opinions of the school community. Perceptions of AWIS can be evidenced on the school’s Facebook page, where words like "friendly", "caring", "lovely environment", and "great teachers" frequently reoccur. LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities Our child-centred approach and supportive environment encourage students to grow in aptitude and confidence Student welfare permeates all that we do. We strongly believe that children should feel cared for and care about each other. Students who feel happy, secure and respected learn more effectively. The IPC Personal Learning Goals help promote character traits such as morality, resilience and respect which enhance student well-being. A positive behaviour policy with a programme of rewards and clear steps for negative behaviour also supports all students. We are firm believers in a genuine “open door” policy, where students and parents can approach teachers and management to discuss freely any issues or concerns. Modern, International Curriculum The role of any school is to prepare its student body for living and working in the 21st century, a time of rapid change. Populations are becoming increasingly mobile and technology is developing at an unprecedented rate. We acknowledge that we need to ensure students are prepared for a competitive, international society that is subject to continuous, dynamic developments. It is essential our students develop diverse and transferable skills. We achieve this through a modern, international curriculum based upon the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). This is a thematic curriculum which suits the needs of our diverse student population. This cross-curricular approach uses inquiry based methods, enabling students to become independent learners. There is a focus on internationalism, vital for our more global world. Additionally, there is also the flexibility to acknowledge the importance of the host nation and celebrate Qatari traditions and culture. As a school we, therefore, offer a curriculum which is child-centred and learning focussed. This inquiry based focus allows students to take ownership of their learning and moves away from a knowledge based curriculum. The emphasis is on the development of skills and understanding of concepts rather than the acquisition of facts. Holistic, Child-centred Approach Schools should support students to develop not just academically but physically, socially and emotionally. As part of our holistic, child-centred approach we acknowledge the importance of extra-curricular activities. These are integrated into the school timetable and are driven by our educational goals. Teaching staff plan and deliver a series of activities on a rotational programme. This ensures all students from Years 1-6 experience a cycle of 5 different kinds of activity over a yearly programme. Examples include fitness, arts, music and drama, problem solving and games activities.
- Michael Shuel | AWIS - international school in Doha
Michael Shuel Yr.5 Class Teacher
- Requirements for Joining an International School | AWIS - international school in Doha
Requirements for Joining an International School Published: 1 December 2022 Learn in advance all the paperwork required to join an international school in Qatar The information in this article is supplied for parents in good faith. It is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of publication. All rules are subject to change, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education together with other relevant government departments remain the ultimate authority in these matters. AWIS cannot be held liable for the consequences of any error or omissions in this article. Admissions Process All schools administer their own application and admissions process, so requirements will differ from school-to-school. However, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar (MoEHE) require all international schools to upload details of students and their parents to a central system. They require us to collect some very specific documentation from parents, before a new student is allowed in to school. The purpose of this article is to ensure parents are aware in advance of these requirements. They are advised to gather all necessary documentation before leaving their home country (including having documents attested, where required). Parents should have realistic expectations of the timeline between arriving in Qatar and their children being able to attend school. Your future employer in Qatar should be able to assist you with this. The information below is provided as a simple list, for ease of reference: A: Before Leaving Home 1. Most Recent School Report: If a student has attended a school previously (in Year 1 or above), be sure to bring a copy of their latest school report with you. If this report is from outside Qatar, it must be attested in exactly the same process you will be required to follow for having your educational qualifications attested. For example, in the UK this would require that the report is: signed and stamped by the school attested by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office stamped by the Qatar Embassy in London This can be a slow (and expensive) process, so allow plenty of time before departure. There are various agents who can assist with the process, and your new employer in Qatar should be able to offer guidance. 2. Immunisation Record Schools will ask for a copy of your child's immunisation record. Make sure you bring this with you, although (unlike the school report) it does not currently have to be officially certified. 3. Birth Certificate As above, be sure to bring birth certificates of the children with you. B: On Arrival in Qatar 1. Complete the Attestation Process The process for having your own paperwork attested, for employment purposes, needs to be completed once you arrive in Qatar. Your employer in Qatar will have made clear to you before leaving your home country exactly what paperwork is required (it is typically the degree certificate and degree transcript of the employee, but may include other documents). Once in Qatar, these documents have to be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Doha to be stamped (qualifications also have to be translated in to Arabic). Some employers will ask you to do this yourself, while many will organise this on your behalf. If travelling with children aged 7+, it is important to include the attested copy of their most recent school report (see item A1 above) is included in the bundle of documents to go to MoFA. 2. Qatar ID On arrival in Qatar, your employer will apply for residence permits for the whole family. The end result is each family member being issued a Qatar ID. The normal process is to first apply for the employee. Then, only once the Qatar ID of the employee has been received, the company starts the process for the other family members. Ensure you understand from your employer in Qatar how long they expect this process to take. Timings do vary considerably, and any delays will prevent your children starting at school. 3. Letter of Employment Schools are required to hold a Letter of Employment on file for a parent of each student we register. This is a letter, written by your employer, stating that the child's sponsor (usually one of the parents), is in full time employment. This letter is required regardless of whether the school fees will be paid by the employer or the parents. It is a standard requirement for all students entering international schools in Qatar, so it is likely your employer will have a proforma template available. 4. Medical Report Students joining Foundation Stage or Year 1 are required to submit a "Fit to Join" Certificate (School Entry Health Assessment Certificate). This certificate can only be issued by Government Health Centres across Qatar that fall under the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). This entails a brief physician's examination, dental checkup, and a blood test. Call 107 (from within Qatar) to book an appointment. Please note that you will be asked to provide the child's health card number. You will then be able to choose a convenient date and time from the available time slots. On the day of the appointment, and after the physician's assessment is completed, you may collect the "Fit to Join School" certificate and the student's health record from the main reception of the health centre. The whole process takes around two hours. C: Choosing and Applying to a School A search on Google will quickly confirm that Qatar has a wide range of international schools available, covering many different curricula and price points. Selecting the one that best fits your needs is deeply personal. However, do remember to consider: Travel time from your house (or work). Peak Doha traffic can be problematic! Reputation and word of mouth. There are multiple online forums for expat mums and new arrivals to Qatar, where the alternatives are endlessly discussed. School ethos and culture are important. Visit your shortlisted schools to form your own view, before committing. Not all "international schools" are really international, and not all "British curriculum schools" follow a curriculum people from the UK would recognise as British. Be sceptical! The application process varies from school-to-school, so you need to contact each of them or research their websites. It typically entails an interview and/or assessment test, carried out on the school site. Some schools will make special arrangements for children not yet in the country. The admissions process typically starts in January/February each year, with the majority completed by June, ready for the following academic (which typically starts in mid to late August). Most schools continue to accept new students after the close of the main admissions process, and in to the academic year. However, the better schools will typically have very limited places available (specific year groups). If you know your children will not be in Qatar, with all the required paperwork completed, until after the main school admissions process is completed, you should consider opening a dialogue with a few potential schools before you arrive in Doha. Finally, be aware that the MoEHE often locks their student database midway through the academic year. This makes it very difficult for any international schools to accept new students after this cut-off, as we have to apply to MoEHE for special dispensation on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, the cut-off date varies from year-to-year, but is typically around March. Document Checklist By way of example, the list of documents we require here at AWIS, for a student joining us from overseas, is shown below. Note that not all are required at the start of the application process: many can be deferred until after a firm offer of a place has been accepted. ◽ Completed AWIS Application Form ◽ Qatar ID of student ◽ Passport of student ◽ Qatar ID of both parents ◽ 2 x passport photos of student (or a digital image) ◽ Immunisation record of the student ◽ Attested copy of most recent school report (if joining from outside Qatar, in Year 2 or above) ◽ Medical report (School Entry Health Assessment Certificate) - if joining FS or Year 1 ◽ Letter of employment from parent's employer in Qatar
- Anna Malatesta | AWIS - international school in Doha
Anna Malatesta Yr.5 Class Teacher & KS2 Lead
- Kim Puckeridge | AWIS - international school in Doha
Kim Puckeridge Yr.4 Class Teacher
- Admissions Requirements and Process | AWIS - international school in Doha
Discover the Admissions Requirements and Process for our school. Register your interest now to start your international school journey with us. Admissions Detailed information on how to become part of the AWIS community, from the application process to booking a school tour. ADMISSIONS Requirements Application Process Assessment School Fees The first step to register your interest with us, is to fill out an Expression of Interest Form. Register We accept children from 3 to 11 years of age. The Admissions Team is busiest during April to May each year, but we do accept applications year round. For most year groups, we have more applicants than we have available spaces, so you are encouraged to apply early. The school does not set out to be academically selective, so has no minimum entry requirements as such. All applicants are assessed in a manner appropriate to their age to ensure they are ready for school, will benefit from (and contribute to) the learning environment we offer, and can be fitted in to a class appropriate to their stage of development. Register Your Interest Complete our very brief, online Expression of Interest Form , and our Registration Team will reach out to you to answer any questions and (if appropriate) arrange a tour. Register Your Interest Further details... Requirements Paperwork and other requirements needed before a student can start at AWIS More School Fees School fees are highly competitive compared to other Doha international schools of similar quality. More Application Process Our streamlined enquiry process starts with filling out our short, online Expression of Interest form More Assessment Guidance for parents on our admissions tests. Expectations and what we are looking for. More
- Njoud Nazzal | AWIS - international school in Doha
Njoud Nazzal Head of Arabic
- Jack Hardman | AWIS - international school in Doha
Jack Hardman Yr.3 Class Teacher
- Archana B K | AWIS - international school in Doha
Archana B K Cleaner
- Learning | AWIS - international school in Doha
Explore Learning at AWIS. Discover how international best practices and Qatar's unique identity shape our school! Learning Learning at AWIS is underpinned by a strong sense of purpose. This is guided by three simple observations: We must incorporate international best practice We must respect and reflect Qatar’s unique identity Qatar’s future is international LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities We have a strong sense of purpose, and a commitment to best-practice International Best Practice Our curriculum learns from and develops upon best practice in teaching methods and curriculum development from around the world. Considerable progress has been made in recent years on how children learn. Work in areas such as multiple intelligences, emotional involvement, left brain / right brain learning etc. have created new opportunities to develop dynamic and effective learning environments. Qatar’s Unique Identity We teach Arabic language to all students, whether Qatari or foreign. Teaching is streamed according to Arabic language ability, ensuring Qatari students are taught the above in Arabic while non-Arabs are taught separately in English. Qatari history and culture are taught to all students. Qatar’s Future is International Qatar is geographically small, but an increasingly significant player in world markets. Our curriculum stresses international mindedness and is designed to appeal to both, nationals and expatriates. Further details... Year Groups Children are grouped into Year Groups and Key Stages, in accordance with the English National Curriculum More Student Assessment Regular assessment of individual progress is a cornerstone of ensuring teaching is constantly adapted to the changing needs of individual students. More Curriculum National Curriculum of England supplemented by the IEYC / IPC and the national requirements for the teaching of Arabic and Islamic Studies. More Extra-Curricula Activities The curriculum is enhanced by a wide range of additional activities (ECA's). More Learning Approach Our learning approach is child-centred and supportive. Our international curriculum emphasises the development of skills and understanding of concepts. More
- News and Blog Articles | AWIS - international school in Doha
Discover the latest news and articles from our school blog. Stay informed with insightful news and articles on education trends. Blog Occasional articles on activities in school, the education sector, and general matters of interest. Occasional articles on activities in school, the education sector, and general matters of interest. FS Art Exhibition 19 May 2026 The talent and creativity of our budding artists in Foundation Stage blew us all away. More Certificate of Appreciation for 2024-25 28 September 2025 A "White Flag" Certificate of Appreciation received from Ministry of Education and Higher Education to recognise the school for receiving no complaints or violations during the 2024-25 academic year. More Excellent Results in TIMSS 2023 1 May 2025 AWIS Year 5 students achieve outstanding results in TIMSS 2023 international maths and science assessment, showcasing excellence in British curriculum education in Qatar. Discover AWIS school performance and insights. More Outstanding Score in TIMMS 2019 1 July 2021 AWIS recognised for outstanding Maths and Science results in international benchmarking tests. More AWIS Book Day 2026 23 April 2026 Students dressed up as their favourite literary characters to celebrate our love of books and reading here at AWIS. More School Report Card 2024-2025 1 August 2025 AWIS received an excellent School Report Card for the 2024-2025 academic year from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar. Discover stakeholder reflections on the school and how we compare to others. More Outstanding PIRLS 2021 results 2 November 2023 AWIS students excel in the PIRLS worldwide assessment of reading skills for 9 year olds More Moving to Qatar as a UK-Qualified Teacher 1 December 2025 A brief overview of the process and paperwork entailed in accepting a job at an international school in Qatar More Alice the Musical 19 May 2025 An unforgettable journey to wonderland, brought to life through the amazing acting, singing and dancing of over 50 AWIS students. More Requirements for Joining an International School 1 December 2022 Learn in advance all the paperwork required to join an international school in Qatar More
- Staff Directory | AWIS - international school in Doha
Explore our School's Staff Directory to meet our Principal, Class Teachers, and Office Staff. Discover the heart of our School community today! Staff Directory At AWIS we recognise that teamwork and dedication across all employees, working in collaboration with parents, is essential to providing the welcoming and supportive environment that encourages children to excel. Meet Our Principal Ms. Sharon Kay As the leader of our school, Ms. Sharon Kay is dedicated to promoting a culture of academic excellence and personal growth. She is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive school community where every student can thrive. More We put a great deal of time into selecting motivated and well-qualified staff who will fit in with our school ethos and values, so they can make a positive contribution to school life. This is supported by a professional development programme which ensures skills are continuously updated and maintained, and that any identified skill-gaps are proactively addressed. We pride ourselves on the strong relationships our staff build with students, encouraging trust, respect, and a love of learning. This holistic approach ensures that children feel supported not only academically but also socially and emotionally, empowering them to achieve their full potential. Together, our team is dedicated to shaping confident, curious, and resilient learners who are prepared for the challenges of the future. Class Teachers All class teachers are professionally qualified, native English-speaking educators with a passion for teaching and learning. They are up-to-date with the latest developments in education practice and are committed to ensuring each and every student makes exceptional progress. Class teachers are supported by our very able Teaching Assistants and Learning Support staff. All staff benefit from a proactive professional development programme, which ensures skills are constantly updated. Amy Byrne Yr.4 Class Teacher Deborah Brady FS1 Class Teacher & ECA Coordinator Irena Hujdur Yr.1 Class Teacher & School Counsellor John Magee Yr.2 Class Teacher Michael Shuel Yr.5 Class Teacher Tina Daly FS Teacher Anna Malatesta Yr.5 Class Teacher & KS2 Lead Erin McCue Yr.3 Class Teacher Jack Hardman Yr.3 Class Teacher Kim Puckeridge Yr.4 Class Teacher Perrie-Jay Morris Yr.2 Class Teacher Christine Macnamara Yr.2 Class Teacher & KS1 Lead Halima Lorgat FS2 Class Teacher Jasmine Jones Yr.1 Class Teacher & Science Lead Lucy Sturgeon Yr.6 Class Teacher Shonagh Al Barbary FS2 Class Teacher & Early Years Lead Arabic & Islamic Teachers Our qualified Arabic and Islamic Studies staff use modern teaching methods to create an engaging environment that inspires their students. Wherever possible, teaching is integrated in to the thematic, cross-curricula approach used across the rest of the curriculum. Both subjects are delivered at two levels - one for native Arabic speakers, and another for non-Arabic speakers. The Arabic staff also teach Qatar History in Arabic, to those students who are native Arabic speakers. Ghada Salem Arabic Teacher Njoud Nazzal Head of Arabic Hebaallah Banimarwan Arabic Teacher Rama Aloud Arabic Teacher Khalil Bnina PE Teacher Sama Dahmash Arabic Teacher Office and Administration Staff Our School Office and administration staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to support the learning environment. Preethi Subbaraman Finance & HR Manager Sandra Testino Araneta Library Coordinator Raghad Amro Receptionist Sharon Kay Principal Rebecca Littlehales Deputy Head of Curriculum & Progress Tamara Alia Registrar

