Sherborne Qatar is a selective British school in an international setting, offering an education based closely on the English National Curriculum. The language of instruction is English.

There is a Prep and a Senior School, and currently we have pupils in Reception up to Year 10. Our aim is to provide pupils with an enhanced British curriculum in an environment where we aim to provide children with creative, inspiring learning experience, as well as preparing them for life beyond school. Sherborne Qatar attracts children both from the local and international communities and requires that for entry, children should be able to communicate in English at a level appropriate to their age and development. Our ethos is to develop well-rounded citizens and develop their potential not just academically but also qualities for life such as independent thinking, creativity, self-respect, tolerance, empathy and global awareness.

As a British school in an international setting, English is expected to be the language spoken in school, except in Modern Foreign languages lessons. Naturally pupils feel more comfortable speaking in their first language but this will not help them to become competent in speaking and using English. Therefore, we have an 'English only' policy during the school day.

Sherborne Qatar School is the first international school in the Middle East to introduce the Independent Curriculum into its British curriculum for Years 3-9. The Independent Curriculum (IC), which was launched in the UK for private schools in September 2011, offers a new programme of learning based on the Curriculum of England and Wales, whereby children go through the steps of discovering, applying, and communicating, not simply repeating what they have been taught, as a means to ensuring that they really understand what they have learnt.

It is this key difference which will add to the traditional British curriculum already offered, as all three areas of discovering, applying and communicating are given equal emphasis within the classroom. This will provide the essential platform for pupils to become independent thinkers, which is so important in today's workplace and society in general. In adopting the Independent Curriculum as a means of accessing the very best that the British curriculum has to offer, Sherborne Qatar is providing pupils with the opportunity to obtain a first class British education, a solid foundation for exam success at all levels, and a set of qualities that will sustain them in the years ahead.

Prep School

All year groups in the Prep School (Reception to Year 6) consist of three to five classes and the year group staff work closely together to ensure that a rich and varied programme is in place to nurture and develop the children in that year group. Consequently, although most teaching takes place within class groups, pupils can be placed in sets for Maths and English from Year 3. They also operate as a whole year group for big projects, such as year group productions.

Classes have a maximum of 18 children per class in Reception and Year 1, 20 in Years 2-4, 22 in Years 5-6 and 24 in Years 7-10. In Prep School specialist staff develop the children's skills in Music, Physical Education, Islamic Studies (Muslim pupils) and Languages. Sherborne's academic tradition and the ethos of the school depend on the encouragement of hard work and the creation of a caring community. Each class is staffed by a qualified teacher. In addition every Reception class has a classroom assistant, ensuring a high degree of personal care. Years 1-6 share classroom assistants. Children are based in their own classroom with their own teacher but make full use of the school facilities and specialist staff for Music, P.E and Games, Arabic, Islamic Studies and French.

Pupils in Reception follow the UK Foundation Stage Curriculum which covers the areas of Communication and Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Expressive Arts and Design, Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. This year sets the foundation both pastorally and academically to ensure that all pupils develop the skills and knowledge for a positive contribution within Sherborne and the wider world. Pupils have specialist lessons for P.E. and Music. All pupils have lessons in Arabic together. Muslim pupils have an Islamic Studies lesson while non-Muslims follow our own programme of World Studies (covering global issues, current affairs and world religions). Children have ready access to their own outdoor play area and learn predominantly through play.

In Years 1-6 planning and teaching methods are based on the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 1(Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) and are parallel for classes within each year. Children learn through a variety of 'hands on' and practical activities and acquire and develop skills across curriculum areas. Key Stage 2 use strategies which will add to the traditional British curriculum already offered using the Independent Curriculum approach, as all three areas of discovering, applying and communicating are given equal emphasis within the classroom. Within comparatively small classes with this level of support the children are able to work in a secure and stimulating learning environment, where the needs of every child are assessed and provided for. Pupils have lessons in English, Maths, Science, Geography, History (including Qatari History), Art, Desighn Technology and Personal, Social and Health Education. Pupils have specialist lessons for P.E./Games and Music. Native Arabic speakers have Arabic lessons while non-Arabic speakers have lessons in French and Arabic as an additional language. Muslim pupils have Islamic Studies lessons (taught in English or Arabic depending on the pupil's native language) while non-Muslims follow our own programme of World Studies (covering global issues, current affairs and world religions).

The classrooms and play areas are well equipped and cheerful, reflecting the current topics of learning while displaying the activities completed by the children. Every classroom is fitted with an interactive whiteboard to enhance learning throughout the curriculum. The classrooms are planned to be vibrant and stimulating areas with great emphasis on displaying the children's own work through various media. ICT is through a cross-curricular approach, with pupils having access to desktop computers, laptops and iPads in different lessons.

The school day runs from 7.30am to 2.15pm, with the opportunity to stay for after school activities until 3.30pm on some days if it is appropriate for the child. Pupils should arrive at school between 7.00-7.20 ready for registration at 7:20. We believe that it is important to give the pupils a half hour break and an hour break during the school day to allow children time to eat together and play with other children. Unlike many communities in other countries, many children travel a fair distance to school and do not have many opportunities to play with other children of their own age near where they live.

Sherborne Qatar seeks to bring out the best in every pupil, to develop skills and talents, and to encourage good manners and behaviour. Above all we aim to promote self-confidence and a respect for others through a happy, secure and disciplined environment. We encourage the children to develop a positive attitude to learning. We provide opportunities which inspire children to discover and cultivate their talents and foster excellence and quality in all areas of the curriculum. Pupils develop independence through social and academic awareness ready for Senior School.

Prep Academic Curriculum Leaflets download below 2012-2013:

Seniors:

The senior school at Sherborne Qatar opened in September 2011, admitting pupils to each new Year Group annually until we reach Year 13 in 2014.

The senior school operates in its own purpose-built annexe on the main school campus. It has eleven classrooms, all with interactive whiteboards and full ICT access, a computer room with portable technology, a drama studio and a library. We also have separate laboratories for Science, a dedicated large Art room and a range of rooms for class and individual Music lessons. There is a large, shaded sports area and plans are under consideration for a swimming pool.

All of our teachers are specialists in their curriculum area and are well-qualified and trained. The majority of the teachers come from the UK and are fully conversant with the requirements of Key Stages 3 and 4.

Class sizes are set at a level that ensures all pupils have as much individual attention as necessary, because we believe that we must address each child's needs as fully as we can. Those who are the most able are given work that will challenge and stretch them; those who can sometimes struggle will be set tasks that aim to build their confidence in the subject.

As part of our commitment to excellence, we offer Academic Scholarship Awards to pupils entering Year 10. Not only are successful Scholars at the top in academic terms, but they also play a full part in the whole life of the school. There is a Scholars' Programme that further encourages enquiry and independent learning.

In 2014 the first cohort of pupils will sit a wide range of IGCSE subjects through the Cambridge International Examinations Board. IGCSEs are studied because we believe that they are challenging and allow pupils to excel.

We are already preparing courses for our Sixth Form pupils which will allow them to study a range of subjects, leading to CIE International AS and A Level examinations. As part of that preparation we are developing a programme that will lead pupils naturally towards the broad range of requirements now expected of all sixth formers. Importantly, we never forget that we are educating the whole child for life beyond school.

Senior pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities in school and in Doha. There are fixtures played against other schools both in Doha and in the BSME region. Visits to plays and concerts, museums and galleries all feature in the programme.

IGCSE Info