Curriculum Overview
"When we look at the future optimistically, it is because we have placed our trust in our children, the students, and their ability to achieve the aspirations of the nation. After all, they are our treasure, assets and future investments."
~ Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Al Karamah Vision
To provide the highest quality education and care in a safe and positive environment that enables each young person to achieve their potential.
Al Karamah Mission
Al Karamah School and Training Institute is creating a world of possibilities, supporting student achievement, enjoyment and wellbeing through enriching, nurturing and high-quality education
National Identity
Teachers prioritise UAE themes ensuring that these flow naturally and meaningfully throughout lessons. Activities reflect the UAE culture and blend into the content being taught. Wherever possible, teachers include UAE culture, its values and history into their planning. UAE values, history, and achievements are celebrated in school. A culture of respect is always emphasised through every interaction between all our community.
Our curriculum aligns with our vision and our mission.
Through the Understand, Adapt, Exceed model, UAE culture is woven into every stage of learning.
- Understand builds early cultural awareness through play-based exploration and therapeutic support
- Adapt develops communication, independence, and social understanding through culturally rich, meaningful learning experiences
- Exceed extends this learning into the wider community, embedding Emirati values within vocational, creative, and life skills opportunities
Our Curriculum Aims
Our curriculum has the students at the centre of everything we do. We want them to be:
- Safe and healthy
- Supported to achieve the very best outcomes
- Prepared for Adulthood
- As independent as possible
- Building Emirate culture
Our Approach
Our curriculum demonstrates sequenced learning from EYFS through to independence and employability in adulthood. The curriculum is structured around six whole-school strands, ensuring consistency and coherence across all learning. AKTI curriculum builds on this in the Preparing for Adulthood Framework (PFA). Both are supported by the school’s foundations for learning and the AET framework.
Curriculum Strands
Each student has an education and therapy plan which is co-created with parents, teachers and therapists. This personalised plan is central to ensuring that students are taught the skills and knowledge that will enable them to have meaningful opportunities in adulthood.
Our Curriculum Model
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced:
- Understand
- Adapt
- Exceed
Understand
The Understand (U) curriculum is based on the EYFS framework, enriched with therapeutic support. Through a play-based, exploratory approach, we aim to build communication, interaction, emotional regulation, and early problem-solving abilities in a safe and secure environment. This stage is designed to help every student feel understood, valued, and ready to engage with structured learning.
Adapt
Most of our students learn through our Adapt curriculum. Through the six strands , they develop independence, resilience, and self-regulation , and begin transferring skills beyond the classroom into wider community experiences. Adapt provides the foundations for academic growth, social development, and independence, with therapeutic strategies consistently woven into classroom learning.
Exceed
Exceed builds on the Adapt curriculum and is AKTI’s Preparation for Adulthood programme. It continues to embed therapy within lessons, but the emphasis shifts toward life skills, vocational opportunities, independence, and community engagement. Students learn through practical and work-related experiences, gaining accreditation or qualifications, exploring vocational pathways, and developing independence in daily living. They consolidate communication, academic, and social skills while applying them in real-life and community contexts. The focus is on building confidence, resilience, and decision-making so that students are fully prepared for employment, further training, or independent living. Exceed ensures that students leave AKTI with the accreditation, skills, confidence, and readiness they need to thrive in adult life.
Structure of school progression ages 3 – 25 years
Understand
I am learning through play
- Students explore, experiment, and engage in structured play.
- Focus is on developing communication, interaction, and problem-solving skills in a safe environment.
- Therapists and teachers collaborate to build foundations for learning and emotional regulation.
Adapt
I am learning with support
- Students carry out tasks with guidance, modelling, or scaffolding.
- Skills include practising routines, following instructions, and developing confidence.
- Independence is nurtured gradually through consistent adult support.
I am learning to do things with more independence
- Students begin to take ownership of their learning and daily activities.
- They practise independence, resilience, and self-regulation with reduced prompting.
- Skills begin transferring beyond the classroom into wider community experiences.
Exceed
I am preparing for adulthood and future work
- Students apply communication, academic, and social skills in real-life and community contexts.
- They focus on vocational skills, daily living, and decision-making.
- Preparation for work placements, independent living, and meaningful adult life.
Therapeutic Intervention
Therapeutic support may take place in the classroom, in group settings or on through specialised individual sessions by our in house speech and language and occupational therapists.
British Values
At Al Karamah School and Training Institute, British Values are embedded throughout daily learning and school life.
Students are encouraged to express their views, make responsible choices, and understand fairness, cooperation, and shared responsibility. This aligns closely with the UAE’s values of respect, inclusion, and community contribution.
Inclusive communication underpins our approach. Staff use structured support so that every student can participate, express opinions, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Our curriculum integrates British Values wherever possible.
- Understand introduces basic concepts of fairness, sharing, and respect through play, routines, and guided interactions.
- Adapt provides structured opportunities to practise decision-making, responsibility, and empathy, helping students build confidence in social and collaborative settings.
- Exceed extends learning into real-world contexts, including community visits, life skills, vocational experiences and developing independence.
