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Romisha Thing Cleaner

Sharon Kay Principal The founding Principal of AWIS, with vast experience of international education and a long-term resident of Doha After graduating from Northern College of Education, now part of Aberdeen University, I started my teaching career in Scotland. In 1997, I accepted a teaching role in a large International School in Qatar. This opened up a world of diversity and differing cultures that I savour to this day. Qatar then became my ‘home-from-home’, and after a short period in Oman I was asked to return to be part of the founding team at AWIS. At AWIS we offer a distinct experience from other schools in Doha. We believe that a combination of the finest curriculum, an inclusive and supportive environment, an international focus, and the individual development of each and every child is the bedrock for instilling a love of learning that will challenge your child to develop new ways of thinking and encourage them to question their world. We will raise their expectations of their own future and empower them to influence the paths of others. We have created a learning community where our students are continually motivated by the challenging and diverse learning opportunities provided by our highly experienced teaching and support staff, and where our parents feel they are given sufficient information to support their child in school. We pride ourselves on our open door policy for parents and will always review and act on, when appropriate, concerns raised. The school delivers an all-round education for every child, placing the learner at the centre of everything we do. We look forward to you joining this journey with us. Kind regards Sharon Kay Principal

Application Process Our busiest student intake time is January to May each year, which is when the bulk of the intake for the following academic year is processed. Places are limited, so you are advised to apply early. ADMISSIONS Requirements Application Process Assessment School Fees The essential first step is to register with us by completing our online Expression of Interest Form We accept student applications throughout the year. The general process is: 1. Complete the Expression of Interest Form The first step is to complete our brief online Expression of Interest form . This is quick to complete and is without any obligation on your part, but gives us the basic details for you and your child. It ensures you will be contacted by our Admissions Team when we next have an Open Day or run some new student assessments. Please note that the time between completing the form and being called for assessment varies enormously, depending upon the time of year and whether we expect to have vacancies in the year group you are applying for. 2. School Tour You will be invited in to school to meet the Admissions Team, tour the school, and ask any questions you might have. 3. Student Assessment All students are assessed, to ensure AWIS is the right school for them and that they are applying for a suitable year group. Parents will be notified in advance with details on time and date, as well as an overview of what to expect. Where possible, the School Tour and the Assessment are combined in to a single visit to the school. The QAR500 Assessment Fee is payable at the time of the assessment. 4. Assessment Result Results are typically emailed to parents within 2 or 3 days of the assessment. This will normally be either: a firm offer of a place in school, with a confirmed year group and start date confirmation of a successful outcome in the assessment, but remaining on the waiting list until a firm offer of a start date can be confirmed. Note we do not assess students unless there is a realistic prospect of a place becoming available in the near future a regret that we are unable to offer a place 5. Acceptance of Offer Where a place is offered, the offer is valid for one week. If it is not accepted within that time the offer lapses so that we can accept the next person of our waiting list. To accept the offer of a place, parents are required to pay the Registration Fee to guarantee their child's place. 6. Before Starting An AWIS Application Form must be fully completed, signed and submitted to the School Office before a child can be allowed to commence school. More detailed information on the supporting documentation that needs to be provided with the Application Form can be found on our Admission Requirements page . Application form .pdf Download PDF • 264KB

Student Council At AWIS, we believe in empowering students to be leaders, decision-makers, and active participants in their school community. The Student Council is a vital part of this, providing children with opportunities to develop key life skills while making meaningful contributions to school life. STUDENTS Awards and Incentives House System School Day Student Council Student Council ensure student opinions are heard, while developing important leadership skills. During Term 1, students from Years 2 to 6 are given the opportunity to put themselves forward for a Student Council role within their class. Interested students will tell their class why they think they would make a good Student Councillor. The class will then vote to decide the two Student Councillors. After the Student Council elections have taken place, management and Key Stage 2 teachers will decide who they think will be a suitable Head Boy or Head Girl. These individuals will support the Student Councillors. Why Student Council? Our Student Council fulfils an important role in the school, including: Providing a platform for students to have a voice in the decision-making processes within the school. They can express their opinions, needs, and concerns. Giving students the opportunity to develop leadership, organisational, and communication skills. Allowing children to have input into the organisation of events, activities, and initiatives that help build a sense of community within the school. Teaching accountability, as students are entrusted with making decisions that affect their peers and the school community. Qualities We Look For The qualities we look for in our Student Councillors are: Initiative and commitment Reliability and good time management Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) Good organisational skills (personal and teamwork) Perseverance and determination Responsibility and leadership The confidence to bring ideas to the table and the maturity to accept decisions Being approachable and aware of the needs of students across the school A SMILE ! Our Expectations Our expectations of the Head Boy and Head Girl are: To act as role models for students and promote the ethos of AWIS. To represent the school as the students' ‘public face,’ including meeting important visitors and attending external events. To speak at events where students, teachers, and parents are present. To write articles documenting student life in the school. To work closely with the Principal and the management team to develop and improve the school’s practices and environment. To lead the Student Council and ensure all duties across the school are upheld

Jasmine Jones Event Planning Coordinator

Damiana Masusi Teaching Assistant Key Stage 1

All stakeholders - parents, staff, student body and external groups - are valued.. Community We strive to engage all stakeholders in the development of our learning community. Input of ideas, feedback are always welcome, and there are opportunities to become directly involved through volunteer work. SCHOOL Why Choose AWIS Ethos, Vision and Mission Community Timings and School Day Uniform Policies Promoting a caring, international learning community is one of our core beliefs Input of ideas and feedback from community stakeholders are always welcome, and there are opportunities to become directly involved through volunteer work: Friends of AWIS Friends of AWIS is a volunteer association of parents, who share ideas and utilise their different skills to enrich school life and the learning opportunities available to our students. They meet periodically throughout the year, with a selection of senior staff also in attendance, to discuss the development of the school, opportunities for further development, and ways in which they can contribute. As an AWIS parent, this is a great way to get involved in the way the school runs and develops. Family Fun Day This is our annual school fair, and a major event on the school calendar each year (covid permitting). The activities, competitions and games are always a big hit with the students, while their parents enjoy the wide selection of international food stalls and arts & crafts stalls. This is a fantastic day for the AWIS community to come together for an enjoyable day out, and celebrate the truly international flavour of the school. Student Leaders The Student Leaders comprise our Head Boy and Head Girl , assisted by several deputies. They fulfil an important role in the school, representing the entire student body to ensure their voices are heard at AWIS and they have an active say in aspects of how the school operates. They are also assigned tasks around the school, to actively empower them and develop their leadership skills. If you have visited us, you may well have been given a guided school tour by one of them!

National Curriculum of England supplemented by the IEYC / IPC and the national requirements for the teaching of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Curriculum We are a British-style international school following the National Curriculum of England, carefully adapted to meet the needs of a diverse student body. LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities AWIS offers a tailored approach to the best elements of the National Curriculum of England, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and the International Primary Curriculum. Our core curriculum is the National Curriculum of England, as prescribed for use in all government schools within England. Detailed information on this can be found on the official UK Government website for the National Curriculum . All students also study the three compulsory subjects from Year 1 to Year 6, Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History. Arabic and Islamic Studies lessons are also available for our native Arabic speakers in Foundation Stage 2. Foundation Stage (KG) Children under 5 years of age (at the start of the academic year, in August) will normally be placed in Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) or Foundation Stage 2 (FS2). These year groups are collectively referred to as EarlyYears. The Early Years uses a subset of the National Curriculum of England, called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. Detailed information on this can be found on the official UK Government website for the EYFS . We use the EYFS framework to develop a cross-curricular, thematic, creative curriculum that incorporates key areas of learning and development. We implement a holistic approach which supports the development of all areas of learning; creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where young children can thrive and learn at their own pace. The EYFS framework identifies seven areas of learning and development: Communication and Language Personal, Social and Emotional Development Physical Development Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design The seven areas of the EYFS are interconnected, building strong foundations for children’s learning while developing essential skills and knowledge. We provide a nurturing and engaging environment where play is recognised as a vital part of early development. A balance of teacher-led and child-initiated experiences fosters curiosity, with meaningful interactions extending learning. By exploring and expressing their ideas in different ways, children deepen their understanding and grow in confidence. Our approach ensures learning is inspiring, engaging, and joyful, allowing children’s personal interests to flourish. Monster Phonics Monster Phonics is our structured phonics programme, taught from FS1 to Year 2, that lays the foundation for confident reading and spelling. It helps children break down words by identifying letter combinations (graphemes) and blending their sounds (phonemes). What makes Monster Phonics truly special is its fun, multi-sensory approach. Sounds are grouped into ten colour-coded categories, each brought to life by a playful monster character. These characters make learning interactive and engaging, sparking children’s interest and making phonics lessons something they look forward to. This programme is carefully designed to support all learners, including those who may need extra help, ensuring every child can succeed. Fully aligned with the National Curriculum for England, Monster Phonics provides a consistent and effective pathway for developing literacy skills during the crucial early years of education. By combining structure, creativity, and fun, Monster Phonics helps children develop a love for reading while building the skills they need for lifelong learning. Year 1 to Year 6 At AWIS, we follow the British National Curriculum, with all objectives in Maths, English, and Science derived from it. These objectives are delivered through tailored schemes of work designed for each Key Stage. Other subjects are taught through thematic units from the IPC (International Primary Curriculum). Children in Years 1 to 6 are grouped into two Key Stages, each following a consistent and cohesive curriculum: Key Stage 1: Years 1–2 Key Stage 2: Years 3–6 Mathematics Our core mathematics programme, Power Maths, is a mastery-based approach designed to ignite curiosity, foster enthusiasm, and build confidence in mathematics. This child-centred programme is built on a lesson design that promotes a growth mindset, helping all children develop a deep, conceptual understanding of mathematics. Power Maths incorporates the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach, using hands-on tools and visual representations to support children in grasping abstract concepts. The programme aligns fully with the outcomes of the National Curriculum for England, ensuring comprehensive coverage of key objectives. To support this, we also give children regular opportunities to practise using mathematical language. This helps them think critically and approach maths as a problem-solving tool, rather than just memorising facts. To enhance learning at home, we use the Times Tables Rock Stars Programme, which motivates students to practise their times tables regularly through fun, interactive challenges. This has significantly improved their fluency and accuracy, and we are proud to have won Qatar-wide competitions, reflecting their hard work and enthusiasm. English At AWIS, our English curriculum is guided by the outcomes of the National Curriculum for England. We believe that a strong foundation in key language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing)nis essential for children to succeed in all areas of learning. To support this, AWIS has made significant investments to help students develop these skills as quickly and effectively as possible. Oxford Reading Tree Our main reading scheme is Oxford Reading Tree, which provides a structured approach to reading. This is complemented by a variety of additional reading materials designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of reading among our students. Monster Phonics Monster Phonics is our structured phonics programme, taught from FS1 to Year 2. This is described in detail in the above section on the Foundation Stage curriculum. Literacy Tree In Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, we are excited to use the Literacy Tree scheme to enhance our reading and writing lessons. Literacy Tree is a complete, book-based platform that meets all National Curriculum requirements, providing a robust framework for our lessons. The programme is divided into three key sections: Writing Roots : This section features book-based planning sequences that cover writing skills comprehensively. It engages children in writing with a clear audience and purpose, fostering creativity and expression. Spelling Seeds : Literacy Tree teaches spelling and vocabulary in context, encouraging investigation and application. The Spelling Seeds component works alongside Writing Roots, using the same texts to provide additional opportunities for learning and practice. Literacy Leaves : This section focuses on enhancing reading comprehension through a series of activities that guide children through entire books. It aims to develop critical readers using a variety of texts, including novels, poetry collections, and high- quality non-fiction books. These texts are connected to the Writing Roots through overarching literary themes, enriching the overall learning experience. To support our writing programme, we incorporate the Oxford Writing Criterion Scale, which breaks down children’s writing development into small, manageable steps. This approach helps us understand each child’s current level and the next steps they can take to continue progressing. With Literacy Tree, we ensure that our students receive a well-rounded literacy education that fosters a love of reading and writing while meeting key curriculum objectives. Science We use White Rose Science, a programme designed to spark curiosity and excitement while nurturing confidence in science. Using a small-steps approach, it helps children explore scientific concepts deeply and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Aligned with the National Curriculum for Science from Years 1 to 6, White Rose Science encourages hands-on investigations and meaningful discussions that bring science to life. The programme builds children’s understanding step by step, ensuring every learner can actively engage and succeed in their scientific journey. By combining exploration, inquiry, and practical learning, White Rose Science inspires children to see the world through a scientific lens and develop a lifelong love of discovery. International Primary Curriculum (IPC) For the remainder of the curriculum we follow the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), a cross-curricular, thematic, and creative curriculum designed to inspire and engage children. Rooted in the latest research on learning styles, the IPC takes a global approach, encouraging children to connect their learning to their local context while exploring perspectives from other cultures and countries. The IPC provides a clear framework of what children should learn, covering a broad range of subjects found in a well-rounded primary curriculum. It supports the development of subject-specific knowledge and skills while emphasising the interconnectedness of different disciplines, ensuring a cohesive learning experience across all areas of the curriculum. At the heart of the IPC are its specific learning goals, which focus on subject knowledge, personal learning, and international mindedness. Personal learning goals ensure children are taught in such a way that they become adaptable, ethical, resilient, empathetic, respectful, thinkers, communicators, and collaborators. These goals are embedded into our teaching of History, Geography, Art, and other subjects, creating a seamless approach that connects all aspects of our curriculum. This ensures that children not only develop a deep understanding of each subject but also see how their learning fits together in a meaningful and global context. Arabic At AWIS, we value Qatar's native language and culture, ensuring that all students in Years 1 to 6 study Arabic as either a first or second language. All students receive five Arabic lessons each week. Native Arabic-speaking students follow the Ministry of Education’s curriculum, with lessons covering speaking and listening, reading, writing, grammar, and dictation. To further enrich their learning experience, the Arabic Department organises special events and competitions, such as the Arabic Spelling Bee and Reading Competition. For non-native speakers, lessons focus on building confidence in the language through engaging speaking and listening activities, helping students develop an appreciation for the Arabic language and culture. Islamic Studies All Muslim students in Years 1 to 6 study Islamic Studies as either a first or second language. All students receive two lessons of Islamic Studies each week. Native Arabic-speaking students follow the Ministry of Education’s curriculum, learning and explaining Surahs, understanding the six pillars of Eman, and exploring the five pillars of Islam. Non-native speakers study Islamic Studies in English, following the Call to Faith teaching resource. These lessons provide an engaging introduction to Islamic values, practices, and beliefs while fostering understanding and respect for the Islamic faith. Qatar History All students at AWIS have one Qatar History lesson per week, taught using the Ministry of Education’s textbooks in both English or Arabic, depending upon the Arabic language ability of the student. Additionally, connections to Qatar are integrated within our IPC units, allowing students to relate their learning to their host country. This approach encourages respect for Qatari culture while fostering international mindedness and an appreciation for the diverse nationalities within our school. As part of our commitment to celebrating Qatar’s heritage, we recognise key national events such as Qatar National Day and Qatar Sports Day. These celebrations provide opportunities for children to embrace and appreciate the traditions and values of their host country.

Christine Macnamara Maths & Science Curriculum Lead

Lila Gurung Cleaner

Deborah Brady ECA Coordinator

Irena Hujdur Community Liaison & Staff Wellbeing Coordinator