AWIS – Al Wataniya International School

We are close Qatar University and Doha Golf Club, so conveniently located for parents living in Lusail, The Pearl, West Bay, and other popular residential areas in the northern part of Doha.
We offer a holistic UK-style education, tailored for children aged 3 to 11 years old. Our diverse and inclusive student community, representing over 50 countries worldwide, ensures a vibrant and truly global learning environment. Major national groups within the student body include Jordan (13%), Egypt (12%), United Kingdom (7%), Qatar (6%), United States (5%), Spain (4%), and Turkey (4%). Emphasising curiosity, independence, and international-mindedness, AWIS encourages students to embrace diversity while nurturing a global perspective. More details on our students are available at https://www.awisdoha.com/students.
AWIS class teachers are all fully qualified, with the majority hailing from the UK or Ireland. They are supported by Teaching Assistants, many of whom are parents of children in the school. We also have an excellent Arabic Department, which delivers two parallel curriculums: one for native Arabic speakers, and another for non-Arabic children. Islamic Studies is also taught to Muslim children only. More details on our staff are available at https://www.awisdoha.com/staff.
The school’s ethos revolves around providing a supportive and motivating atmosphere, nurturing students’ potential and independence. AWIS emphasises forging respectful connections with Qatar while embracing international perspectives. Parents are encouraged to contribute ideas and feedback, and are invited to volunteer through the Friends of AWIS association. This volunteer group collaborates with senior staff to enhance school life, organising events such as the annual Family Fun Day, promoting community involvement. The school also empowers student leaders, including a Head Boy and Head Girl, to advocate for their peers and actively participate in school operations.
AWIS’s educational approach integrates international best practices. We provide a very similar education to the best schools available in the UK, adapted to respect Qatar’s identity and prepare students for a global future.
The learning environment at AWIS prioritises student well-being and engagement. We foster a positive, open-door policy encouraging communication between students, parents, teachers, and management. The school’s modern, internationally-focused curriculum, based on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) and the English National Curriculum, promotes inquiry-based learning and skill development over rote memorisation. More details on our curriculum are available at https://www.awisdoha.com/learning/curriculum.
The school tracks student progress carefully, with outcomes benchmarked internationally, to ensure all students meet their full potential. We use ongoing formative and summative assessments to ensure teaching and learning strategies are constantly adapted to the needs of each leaner. Progress is regularly reported to parents, with in-person staff/parent meetings to discuss any issues or concerns. Benchmarking against external assessments, such as CAT4, TIMSS, and PERLS, is used to validate our internal assessments of student achievement and informs continuous improvement. The school has historically scored very highly on the TIMSS and PERLS international benchmarking assessments, earning recognition from Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
In addition to academic excellence, AWIS encourages holistic development and a view of education far beyond a narrow, purely academic focus. For example, we integrate extracurricular activities into the school day (as well as after-school activities) to maximise participation. These activities span fitness, arts, music, drama, problem-solving, and games, catering to students’ physical, social, and emotional growth.
AWIS accepts children between the ages of 3 and 11. Admissions are open year-round, although available spaces are limited: early applications are advisable. The school warmly welcomes applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds and academic abilities, assessing each child appropriately for their age: this ensures their readiness for the school’s environment and their ability to integrate into a suitable class, based on their developmental stage.
Parents interested in booking a school tour or joining the Waiting List are encouraged to register their interest through our website, using the online Expression of Interest Form. This is without obligation, but ensures we have essential contact information and some minimal details on your child. A comprehensive discussion of the application process can be found at https://www.awisdoha.com/apply/application-process.