Little Champions

This phase is the primary phase of Al Karamah School with students that are aged between 6 years to 12 years of age. Within this phase we cover 2 different key stages - Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

The primary phase occupies 3 clusters within Al Karamah School- Mountain, Desert and Beach, all carefully designed with secure cluster areas and toilets within. Classrooms have also been planned around play space for the younger students with a large play area as well as green spaces for play outside each of the classrooms. 

Within this team teachers plan in key stage teams dividing ourselves into Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. Students are allocated to classes by age and ability with students over 10 years of age in separate male and female classes.

The curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum using the differentiation tools from the Equals curriculum. Class sizes are no more than 6 students per class with a high level of adult support. As such the curriculum is very much tailored to meet the individual needs of students.

The uniqueness of our school is that students follow individualized timetables supported by therapeutic interventions that meet their needs. Students with autism all benefit from structure and routine so in classes, visual timetables are displayed for the class and for individuals using Inprint software. Generally, in classrooms you will see individual workstations set up for students at which they can eventually work independently on tasks and activities.

Time is taken with the layout of each classroom to reduce anxiety for each student and provide a safe space for working, with guidance from the therapy department.

The curriculum is topic based and planned on a long term 2-year rolling programme. Topics for each key stage are carefully chosen to appeal to all the students as well as being linked to the UAE culture. Curriculum maps are shared with parents at the start of each half term with home learning ideas to support work at home.  Our curriculum maps can be found as attachments within this section.

Subjects studied within Little Champions Phase are as follows:

• Maths
• English
• Science
• Lifeskills
• Cooking
• PE
• Music
• Art
• IT

Much of our teaching and learning covers more than one subject. We also placed a lot of focus on the development on those softer skills in our students:

• Independence
• Self-help skills- toileting, handwashing, eating and drinking.
• Social skills
• Regulation of their emotions
• Following Covid protocols

We pride ourselves on our close relationships with parents. Daily communication – messages and photos via Class Dojo or MS Teams also helps us to plan for each day to meet specific needs.