Curriculum

In this programme of study, students demonstrate the application of numeracy and literacy skills. We aim to aid our students in understanding the following aspects of accounting:

• The nature and purpose of accounting in business and non-profit-making organisations, and the principles on which accounting is based;
• The use of accounting as an aid to business decision making;
• The use of accounting as a means of assessing the financial position of an organization.

It also gives students the skills to help them to develop the abilities to quantify, to judge relevance, and to write clear and concise explanations. The course is provided by Pearson Edexcel as an IGCSE, linear qualification. This is assessed through one examination that can be taken in either the January or June examination series, at the end of the course of study. It enables successful progression to the GCE AS and Advanced Level in Accounting, and other related qualifications.

Accounting Subject Contents:

• Books of original entry
• The ledger
• Trading account
• Profit and loss account
• School reports for the last two academic years
• Recommendation letter from the previous school including attendance and behavior information
• Letter from the previous school stating the previous year group
• Employment letter from parent’s workplace (addressed To Whom It May Concern)
• 2 student photographs
• A copy of the birth certificate of the student (sight of the original)
• A copy of the vaccination certificate
• Medical file: Years 1-13 (Government Health Centre/Clinic)

Arabic is a core subject at Doha Academy. Our aim is to develop our students’ ability to:

• Communicate clearly, accurately, and effectively when writing
• Learn how to use a wide range of vocabulary with correct spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Understand and respond appropriately to what they read
• Enjoy and appreciate the variety of language
• Develop a personal style and an awareness of target audience.

We encourage our students to read widely, both for leisure and to nurture their awareness of the ways in which Arabic can be and has been used. Through Arabic, we also aim to improve the students’ analytical and communication skills.

At Key Stage 4 Students can choose to follow the Cambridge IGCSE First Language Arabic, which will prepare them to follow a wide range of courses including Cambridge International AS & A Level Arabic.

Arabic Subject Contents:

The syllabus provides a rich array of reading passages that inform and inspire students’ own writing. The passages cover a range of genres and text types for different audiences, such as essays, reviews and articles.

Art and Design inspires our students to work creatively. Our programme of study engages, inspires, and challenges students: we encourage them to use our equipment to develop their skills, experiment, invent and create their own works of art. They learn about how art reflects our history, and contributes to culture, creativity, and wealth. We aim to ensure that all students:

• Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• Become proficient in painting, sculpture, and other forms of art using a range of techniques
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using artistic language
• Know about great artists and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Art Subject Content:

Students are taught to use a range of techniques in their sketchbooks and journals, using a variety of techniques. Students will develop their ability to self-assess, as they are asked to analyse and evaluate their own work. Finally, they will learn about the history of art in terms of the periods, styles and major movements throughout history.

We aim to provide our students with a programme for Business that enables them to:

• Develop an understanding of business concepts, objectives and terminology, as well as the integrated nature of business activity
• Understand how the main types of business are organised, financed and operated
• Develop and apply an understanding of contemporary business issues in a wide range of businesses, both locally and worldwide
• Develop critical-thinking and enquiry skills to aid them in, calculating, interpreting and evaluating business data in order to help build arguments and make informed judgements
• Develop an understanding of business activity and the related considerations of ethics and sustainability for global businesses.

The course of study is provided by Pearson Edexcel as an IGCSE, linear qualification, which is assessed through two examinations that must be taken in the same series at the end of the course of study. It enables successful progression to Level 3 qualifications (such as the International A Level in Business) and beyond, in business and other subjects.

Business Subject Contents:

• Business activity and influences on business
• People in business
• Business finance
• Marketing and Business operations

We aim to enable students to:

• Develop an interest in and enthusiasm for the study of commerce
• Develop an understanding of commerce concepts, terminology, objectives and the integrated nature of commerce activity
• Understand how the main types of commerce are organised, financed and operated
• Develop and apply an understanding of commerce issues in both local and global contexts
• Develop critical thinking and enquiry skills to evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, using this to build arguments and make informed judgements
• Develop an understanding of the dynamics of commerce activity and the related considerations of ethics and sustainability for global businesses

The content has been divided into four themes. Commerce Subject Contents:

• Commercial Operations
• Commercial Risks
• Finance for Commerce
• Aids for Commerce

This course is a linear qualification which consists of two papers that must be taken at the end of the course of study and are available for sitting in the January and June examinations series.

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

Year 7 and 8 study one hour of computing each week to form a basic knowledge of programming and how computers work. From year 9 onwards, students can further their studies and optionally follow the Cambridge IGCSE in Computer Science. This aims to develop:

• Computational thinking: to learn about what can be computed and how, including consideration of the data required
• Understanding of the main principles of solving problems by using computers
• Understanding that every computer system is made up of sub-systems, which in turn consist of further sub-systems
• Understanding of the component parts of computer systems and how they relate to each other, including software, data, hardware, communications and people
• Skills necessary to apply understanding to solve computer-based problems using high-level programming language

The combination of knowledge and skills gives students a solid foundation for further study and prepare them well for a wide range of courses including AS & A Level Computer Science.

English has a pre-eminent place in academic pursuit and other aspects of our students’ future. We aim to provide high-quality English lessons and activities that teaches students to speak and write fluently, allowing them to communicate effectively. We believe in the saying, “Readers are leaders”. Thus, we encourage reading to give students a chance to develop spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, culturally and socially.

The overarching aim for English is to promote high standards of language and literacy. To do this, we aim to equip our students with a strong command of the spoken and written word, as well as to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

We aim to ensure that all students:

• Read fluently with ease and good understanding
• Develop the habit of reading widely and frequently, for both leisure and information
• Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar, and a knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
• Appreciate the world’s rich and varied literary heritage
• Write accurately and coherently, to clearly convey their ideas, using appropriate language styles, for a range of contexts, purposes, and audiences
• Learn how to discuss topics to elaborate and explain their understanding and ideas
• Be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate

Reading and writing:

At Key Stages 3 and 4, we provide a wide variety of challenging activities. We have a high expectation of our students in terms of reading for depth, as well as reading for pleasure and information

We support them in developing their knowledge of and skills in writing, by refining their drafting skills and developing resilience to write at length. They are taught how to write formal and academic essays, as well as creative and imaginative writing, for a variety of purposes and audiences. We focus on increasing their knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and show them how to understand the relationships between words and the nuances in meaning.

In summary, our programme of study at Key Stages 3 and 4 will help students:

• Develop an appreciation and love of reading, while helping them read increasingly challenging material independently
• Write effectively by learning to plan, draft, edit and proof-read work
• Consolidate and build knowledge of grammar and vocabulary
• Speak confidently and effectively
• Read and appreciate the depth and power of English literary heritage
• Understand and critically evaluate texts
• Make an informed personal response, recognising that other responses to a text are possible

The syllabus is designed to teach learners about sustainable development in a world where the security of resources and life-sustaining systems is endangered by human impact. It draws upon disciplines such as Biology, Earth Science, Geography and Economics.

Learners gain an understanding of the Earth’s natural systems and how people use natural resources; they then investigate the impact of human development on the environment and learn how the environment can be managed sustainably in the future, from both local and global perspectives.

Environmental Management IGCSE is offered as an option in key stage 4.

French is a widely spoken language. We aim to enable students to express their ideas in French and to understand and respond to its speakers, both in speech and in writing. Students are also provided with opportunities to communicate for practical purposes.

French teaching provides the foundation for mastering the language and equips students to study and work in Francophonic countries. Throughout the lessons, we aim to ensure that all students understand and respond to spoken and written French from a variety of authentic sources. They are taught to speak with increasing confidence, fluency and spontaneity, finding ways of communicating ideas through discussion and/or asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their pronunciation. They are also able to write at varying length, for different purposes and audiences, using correct grammar.

French is compulsory at Key Stage 3 and becomes optional at Key Stage 4 and 5

Geography inspires a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. We strive to equip students with knowledge about diverse places and people to help them develop a deep understanding of the Earth’s key processes. This helps them deepen their understanding of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

Our programme provides frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and changed over time.

Our aim is to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places
• Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world
• Become competent in the geographical skills needed to collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork
• Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Communicate geographical information in general.

The main areas taught are:

• Locational knowledge
• Place Knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork

This programme aims to widen students’ knowledge of contemporary issues around the world. It encourages them to reflect on what makes them ‘global citizens’, and how their learning will develop their skills and knowledge within their local and national communities. Through the content studied and assessed, we aspire for our students to engage in responding to issues and taking part in the community. We aim to enable them to take greater ownership and responsibility of the community by demonstrating active citizenship and trying to improve our society.

Global Citizenship Subject Contents:

Five key themes that underpin what it means to be a global citizen have been identified: political, social/cultural, technological, economic and environmental.

For each of these themes the students will be expected to answer questions that target their knowledge and understanding of them within the context of the wider world.

This course is a linear qualification which consists of one paper that must be taken at the end of the course of study and is available for sitting in June examination series.

Through our History programme, we help students gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world, through the British curriculum. History inspires students’ curiosity to know more about the past. Students are equipped to ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, sift arguments, and develop perspective and judgement.

Our aim is to ensure that all students know and understand the history of certain countries from the earliest times to the present day: how people’s lives have shaped this nation and how they have influenced and been influenced by the wider world. Students are encouraged to know and understand significant aspects of the history of the wider world, including ancient civilisations; the expansion and dissolution of empires; characteristic features of various societies and achievements (and follies) of mankind. They also gain a historically grounded understanding of abstract terms, such as ‘civilisation’. Finally, the subject encourages a balanced view of incidents – students are helped to understand historical enquiry methods, discerning why there are contrasting interpretations of the past.

Students carry on studying History at key stage 4 and obtain an IGCSE with the Edexcel board. The main areas taught for the IGCSE are: A world divided: superpower relations, 1943–72; The French Revolution, c1780-99; Russia and the Soviet Union, 1905-24 and The Changing Role of International Organisations: The League and the UN, 1919-c201

ICT is compulsory at key stage 3 and 4. We aim to enable students to:

• Acquire and apply ICT skills, knowledge and understanding
• Develop ICT-based solutions to address challenges and solve problems
• Develop an understanding of ICT systems
• Develop an awareness of both current and emerging technologies
• Develop an awareness of the legal, social, ethical and environmental consequences of the use of ICT systems for individuals and organisations
• Recognise potential risks when using ICT and develop safe, secure and responsible practices

At Key stage 4 students follow the Edexcel IGCSE course which prepares them for Level 3 qualifications and the world of work. In the examination, both written and practical skills are tested.

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and prayers and peace be upon the seal of prophets and Messengers.

The Sharia Studies department at Doha Academy aims to build a generation of Muslims who adhere to Islam in word, action and behaviour, by achieving the following broad objectives:

• Strengthen the students’ relationship with the Qur’an and the Sunnah
• Teach the students to abide by the obligatory prayers
• Ensure students are acquainted with some of the jurisprudence
• Ensure that students have a role in serving the community
• Raise students’ awareness of the status of Sharia law studies

The school has taken all possible means to achieve these goals. Through Tafseer, Tajweed and Memorization students are memorizing the Quran and gaining knowledge of Tajweed rules.

We organise an annual contest for the Holy Quran, whereby students from several schools compete and get judged by senior scholars from within Qatar and abroad.

AWe devote time to the establishment of ZUHR prayers so that students get used to praying in congregation and understand its importance.

We also ensure that our students have a good awareness of the issues that concern the Islamic Ummah and evaluate the events that support such awareness raising opportunities such as Al-Aqsa Festival.

We promote the aspect of preaching and religious guidance, whether in classes or after Zuhr prayersby holding seminars and lectures with students.

We ensure that students learn the rulings that are necessary for correct acts of worship such as ablution, prayer and fasting.

Mathematics is essential to everyday life. It is critical to science, technology and engineering, and necessary for financial literacy and most forms of employment. On a basic level, it provides a foundation for understanding the world. At Doha Academy, we strive to provide a high-quality Mathematics education that develops our students’ ability to reason mathematically, have an appreciation of the beauty and power of Mathematics, and gain a sense of enjoyment and curiosity about the subject.

We aim to ensure that all students:

• Become fluent in the fundamentals of Mathematics through varied and frequent practice with increasingly complex problems over time, helping them develop conceptual understanding
• Reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry and developing an argument using mathematical language
• Are able to solve problems by applying their mathematical skills to a variety of problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps
• Are able to produce strong mental arithmetic work without the use of calculators or ICT
• Are able to develop their mathematical vocabulary and present a mathematical justification, argument or proof.

The main areas of study for Key Stage 3 and 4 are:

• Number skills, including calculating with roots and fractions
• Algebra, including simplifying and manipulating algebraic expressions, factorising quadratic expressions, solving two simultaneous equations, linear inequalities, and using sequences
• Ratio, proportion and rates of change
• Geometry and measures, including interpreting and using fractional scale factor, identifying and applying circle definitions and properties, constructing and interpreting plans and elevations of 3D shapes, interpreting and using bearings, calculating arc lengths, angles and areas of sectors of circles;
• Probability, including but not limited to: using a probability model to predict the outcomes of future experiments
• Statistics, including but not limited to: inferring properties of populations or distributions from a sample and Interpreting and constructing tables and line graphs for time series data

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

Our Physical Education curriculum inspires students to succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities. We strive to provide opportunities for students to adopt healthier lifestyles by encouraging them to exercise and become more confident. Our programme goes beyond the teaching of the physical skills; we also aim to build character and embed values such as fairness and respect.

We aim to ensure that all students develop in a wide range of physical activities, become physically active and engage in competitive sports.

PE IGCSE is offered as an option in Key Stage 4, where students are provided with an opportunity to study both the practical and theoretical aspects of the subject. The knowledge gained enables students to develop an understanding of effective and safe physical performance.

Students master the following topics:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Health, fitness and training
• Skill acquisition and psychology and social, cultural and ethical influences

They will also undertake four different physical activities chosen from at least two of the seven categories.

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-physical-education-0413/

The future is an extension of the past. This is why nations insist on transmitting their history among generations through their education systems, based on the principle that “those who do not have a past will have no future”. Nations take pride in their history and continually attempt to connect new generations to previous ones, through their curricula.

The Qatari history and citizenship curriculum is among the most important. It aims to introduce new generations to the efforts and sacrifices of their ancestors, so that the new generations continue on the footsteps of their parents and grandparents.

Doha Academy believes that the history of Qatar should be thoroughly studied and the spirit of patriotism should be enhanced in order for students to benefit from their nation’s leading role in development and renaissance. We find the national curriculum of Qatari history and citizenship to be comprehensive, informative and to have a vital role in enriching the students’ history knowledge.

We are committed to deliver the history of Qatar in the most professional and enthusiastic method, as well as promote students’ sense of belonging and citizenship.

Science provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. It has changed our lives and is at the heart of every technology and is therefore vital to the world’s future prosperity. At Doha Academy, we believe all students should be taught essential aspects of the methods, processes and uses of Science, and that they should be encouraged to recognise the power of coherent explanation and develop a sense of curiosity about natural phenomena. We use lessons and activities to help students understand how science is used to explain what is happening, predict how things will behave, and analyse causes.

Our aims are to ensure that all students:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding.
• Develop understanding of the nature, processes and methods of science, using the latest facilities and equipment.
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science.

We focus on developing a secure understanding of all concepts to help students progress. Through Science, the students are also encouraged to use an extended specialist vocabulary. Science also involves the use of transferable skill from both Maths and English, ensuring a cross-curricular approach.

Biology subject contents:

There are a number of subject areas that can help students describe the complex phenomena of the natural world.

• Cells: the fundamental units of living organisms
• Photosynthesis
• Organic compounds used as fuels
• The chemicals in ecosystems and how they cycle through the natural world
• What influences the characteristics of a living organism?

The main topics to explore these ideas are:

• Cell biology
• Transport systems
• Health, disease and the development of medicines
• Coordination and control
• Photosynthesis
• Ecosystems, Evolution, inheritance and variation for an Islamic point view

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/international-gcse-biology-2017.html

Chemistry Subject Contents:

In Chemistry, our students learn about composition, structure and reactions of matter, understood in terms of atoms. Students are also helped to appreciate the achievements of Chemistry.

They focus on several key subject areas, such as:

• The idea that matter is composed of tiny particles
• Elements show periodic relationships in their chemical and physical properties
• Reactions can occur when molecules collide
• The three ways of chemical reactions
• Energy is conserved in chemical reactions

The main topics studied are:

• Structure, bonding and the properties of matter
• Chemical changes
• Energy changes in chemistry
• Rate and extent of chemical change
• Chemical analysis
• Chemical and allied industries
• Earth and atmosphere

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/international-gcse-chemistry-2017.html

Physics Subject Content:

Our students explore the concepts of field, force, radiation and particle structures, which are inter-linked to form unified models of behaviour. They will discover a wide range of ideas, such as the development of the universe over time and the different ways in which new technologies have been invented.

We help students understand how the complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described through a number of ideas such as:

• the use of models
• the concept of cause and effect

The main topics are:

• Energy
• Forces
• Forces and motion
• Wave motion
• Electricity
• Magnetism and electromagnetism
• The structure of matter
• Atomic structure and Space physics

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-international-gcses-and-edexcel-certificates/international-gcse-physics-2017.html

The aims of the Cambridge IGCSE Travel & Tourism syllabus are to provide Students with:

• An understanding of the travel and tourism industry
• Theoretical knowledge of the industry and related sectors, including knowledge of travel and tourism products and services and the infrastructure on which they depend
• Knowledge of the essential personal and professional skills required by individuals working in the service sector
• Critical awareness of the physical, social and economic environments in which travel and tourism takes place

This subject is offered at Key Stage 4 as an option. The syllabus develops a clear understanding of the relationship between the theory and practice of working in travel and tourism. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of the operations and problems faced by the tourism industry, and, through this, they gain competence in identifying procedures and solutions. Through investigation, candidates apply their knowledge and skills in a detailed study of a particular aspect of the travel and tourism industry.

For more information click on the following link to access the qualification’s official website:

http://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-travel-and-tourism-0471/