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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

Best international school in Qatar. UK-style education in a caring and supportive environment School AWIS is a British-managed international school in north Doha, close to Qatar University, the Lagoon, and Doha Golf Club. We offer a UK-style education to children aged 3 - 11 drawn from over 50 nationalities. SCHOOL Why Choose AWIS Ethos, Vision and Mission Community Timings and School Day Uniform Policies Our vision is to nurture and empower successful global leaders through inspired learning. More We offer a UK-style education to children aged 3 - 11 drawn from over 50 nationalities. No single nationality makes up more than 16% of the student body, so we offer a truly diverse environment where children from all parts of the world can feel at home. The ethos of AWIS is to create an enjoyable, open and collaborative environment where children, their families and staff feel secure, valued, confident and independent. We work closely with our parents to forge a strong home/school relationship through effective communication to ensure the needs of students are consistently met. Our location is ideal for parents living or working in The Pearl, West Bay and Lusail area of north Doha. See our Location Map for details. Further details... Why Choose AWIS Best small international school in Doha. EYFS curriculum, delivered in English, by UK qualified teachers. More Timings and School Day Discover the school daily schedule, including timings for classes, parent pick-up/drop-off details, and more. More Ethos, Vision and Mission See how our ethos, vision and mission guide everything we do, including daily learning goals. More Uniform Discover AWIS Doha's comprehensive school uniform guide, including easy purchasing options. Ensure your child is ready with our high-quality uniforms today! More Community All stakeholders - parents, staff, student body and external groups - are valued.. More Policies We have a number of school policies in place to document our procedures and expectations across the school. More

FS Art Exhibition Step into a world where creativity spoke louder than words. Published: 19 May 2026 The talent and creativity of our budding artists in Foundation Stage blew us all away. We were thrilled to host the FS Art Exhibition; a celebration of imagination, expression and talent. Every piece of artwork told a story that captivated our visitors. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event truly special.

Best international school in Doha. AWIS - Al Wataniya International School is a primary school for students from 3 to 11 years of age. AWIS A leading primary school catering to the educational needs of international students in Doha, Qatar. Welcome to AWIS - Al Wataniya International School The learning community that cares Our Staff Fees Enrol Now Our vision is to nurture and empower successful global leaders through inspired learning Our school is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally. We offer a well-rounded curriculum and a supportive community to help every child reach their full potential. Read More Latest News FS Art Exhibition 19 May 2026 The talent and creativity of our budding artists in Foundation Stage blew us all away. 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 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

The curriculum is enhanced by a wide range of additional activities (ECA's). Extra-Curricula Activities We offer a mixture of teacher led activities and activities provided by external providers, to ensure there is something of interest for everybody. Activities change from time-to-time, while others are seasonal. LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities Gain "real world" skills through a range of activities. We offer a range of varied and frequently changing Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA's). Typical examples are shown below: Internal ECA's Our teacher led activities are provided free of charge for our Year 1 - 6 students and are driven by our educational goals. These activities typically take place between 14:00 and 15:00, and are run by our dedicated teaching staff. They are not held every school week but are usually delivered in blocks of five weeks to allow for a variety of opportunities throughout the year. Children are limitted to enroling in no more than one teacher led activity, as places are limited. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Typical examples include football, sports, ICT skills and singing. External ECA's Extra-Curricular Activities are also provided by various outside agencies, and come at an additional cost. The choice of activities is diverse, catering to the varied interests of our students, and providing opportunities for them to explore new skills and hobbies. Examples from the past include: Fitness Funsters WeDo 2.0 Tennis & Badminton Martial Arts Ballet Science

Children are grouped into Year Groups and Key Stages, in accordance with the English National Curriculum Year Groups Children are placed in Year Groups, according to age. These Year Groups range from Foundation Stage 1 for the youngest children (3-4 year olds) to Year 6 ( for 10-11 year olds) LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities Our Year Groups align with the English National Curriculum. As a Primary School, our children range in age from 3 to 11 years of age. Under the English National Curriculum, children are assigned to Year Groups according to their age. This is similar to 'Grades' in the U.S. system, but does not align exactly. Year Groups are further grouped into Key Stages, as follows: Foundation Stage 1 and 2: Early Years Year 1 to Year 2: Key Stage 1 Year 3 to Year 6: Key Stage 2 We typically have 2 parrallel classes per Year Group. So by child age, this becomes: 3 - 4 years old: Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) / Early Years 4 - 5 years old: Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) / Early Years 5 - 6 years old: Year 1 / Key Stage 1 6 - 7 years old: Year 2 / Key Stage 1 7 - 8 years old: Year 3 / Key Stage 2 8 - 9 years old: Year 4 / Key Stage 2 9 - 10 years old: Year 5 / Key Stage 2 10 - 11 years old: Year 6 / Key Stage 2

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.

Regular assessment of individual progress is a cornerstone of ensuring teaching is constantly adapted to the changing needs of individual students. Student Assessment If we do not know where children are starting from, how can we tell where they have reached? And if we do not know where they have reached, how can we tell the progress they have made? LEARNING Year Groups Curriculum Learning Approach Student Assessment Extra-Curricula Activities Anyone who is interested in children’s learning has to be interested in assessment. Tracking Student Progress Regular assessment of individual progress is a cornerstone of ensuring teaching is constantly adapted to the changing needs of individual students. Assessment at AWIS includes a mix of formative and summative assessment; each allows us to gather a range of important data that is used to continually improve the teaching and learning happening in school. Summative Assessment identifies the standard of attainment at a particular point in time e.g. end of unit, term or year. We use this information to track progress and report back to parents. We firmly believe, however, that the overall purpose of assessment is to improve standards, not merely measure them. Formative Assessment is an integral part of our teaching and learning program and is an invaluable tool to promote effective further learning. This form of assessment is continual and enables us to set targets, whether class, group or individual, for further development to take place. Reporting Termly reports keep parents regularly appraised of the progress of their child, assessed against the National Curriculum of England. Our Parent-Teacher Conferences, give our parents the opportunity for one-on-one feedback and discussion with their child's teachers. Benchmarking We use periodic external assessments to benchmark our own internal data against the wider world. This ensures the attainment grades we issue are comparable to those issued by other international schools. Each year, all our students in Years 2, 4 and 6 sit standardised Cognitive Abilities Tests (CAT4) administered by GL Assessment. These assessments will be conducted in school and will cover verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning which will provide an objective perspective on potential student achievement. Results provide very specific benchmarking data on where each child is in their learning, and how this compares with their contemporaries, both within Qatar and the wider world. We use this data to validate our own assessment decisions, to ensure we are being accurate and objective when measuring student attainment and progress. The school also participates in the TIMSS and PERLS benchmarking studies. These collect comparative worldwide data on student attainment, once every 4 years. An article on our excellent results in the most recent tests can be found here .

Raghad Amro Receptionist

Explore job opportunities at our school for Class Teachers, Arabic & Islamic Teachers, Teaching Assistants, and Administration Staff. Discover job opportunities now! Why Teach at AWIS? AWIS provides excellent opportunities for qualified and committed teachers to develop their career in a supportive international school. Our success is predicated on our capable and committed teaching staff. Relocating overseas for the first time can seem like a major life-change. However, we assure you that you will be supported throughout the process and given the opportunity to build a fulfilling and professionally enriching teaching career in this dynamic part of the world. Making the Transition There is no escaping the fact that there is a lot of paperwork to prepare in advance of leaving the UK, whether to join AWIS or any other school in the Gulf region. However, our experienced Admin team can advise you throughout the process so, if in doubt, be sure to ask! Also see our blog article on the paperwork and process. On arrival at Doha airport, you will be met by one of the Senior Leadership Team. They will accompany you to your accommodation, discuss your itinerary for the next few days, and answer any questions you might have. Expatriate teachers under our sponsorship are typically accommodated in a modern, self-contained studio apartment rented by the school for the first few months of their stay in Qatar. Then, once established in the country, they are given a housing allowance with which to rent a place of their own choosing. The immediate priority is then to settle you in to your new surroundings (guided tour, visit to the shops, local SIM card, understanding transport options to/from school etc) and introductions to colleagues. Over the following days, we start your residence permit application (see this blog post for more information) so that you obtain a Qatar ID card. Once you have this, your residency in Qatar is officially confirmed. This gives you options to further establish yourself in Qatar, such as applying for a driving licence, owning your own car, opening a bank account, renting your own property etc. Living in Qatar English is widely spoken, and the capital city (Doha) offers a broad, modern range of services. This includes high-end shopping malls, familiar international retail brands, and well stocked supermarkets with produce from all over the world. Transport options are well-developed: Uber and taxis are cheap and easily accessible, there are sophisticated metro and bus systems, and there are plenty of car rental / leasing opportunities (many with discounts for teachers). The award-winning international airport is a modern transport hub, offering easy connections to cities across the world and providing opportunities for wider travel and exploration. Qatar is also one of the safest places in the world to live, with extremely low levels of theft, and a culture of tolerance and respect. The resident expatriate community is very welcoming of newcomers, and there is a wide range of amateur sports, clubs, cultural groups, hobbies and dining options to choose from. Useful links: Marhaba Qatar Information Guide TimeOut Doha Visit Qatar Working at AWIS Our supportive, experienced team are committed to ensuring new staff settle in as quickly and comfortably as possible. You will find the parents very supportive of the school, and invested in their children's education. Our student body is extremely international, with over 50 nationalities and no more than 15% of students from any single country. There are always opportunities for staff to take on extra responsibility, and advance their careers. Professional development training is available, using both internal and external providers.

Explore our School Calendar to stay updated on important dates and events. Access our Calendar now to plan your school year effectively! Calendar Our calendar of upcoming events. 31 August 2025 - First day of Term 1 for students 26 October 2025 - 30 October 2025 School closed - Half Term break 17 December 2025 - Last day of Term 1 5 January 2026 - First day of Term 2 8 February 2026 - 12 February 2026 National Sports Day and Half term 12 March 2026 - Last day of Term 2 24 March 2026 - First day of Term 3 26 May 2026 - 28 May 2026 School closed - Eid Al-Adha 25 June 2026 - Last day of Term 3 2025-26 Term Dates - approved by MoEHE .pdf Download PDF • 728KB 2026-27 Term Dates - approved by MoEHE .pdf Download PDF • 694KB

Preethi Subbaraman Finance & HR Manager