Frequently Asked Questions
Upper Key Stage 2
What is Upper Key Stage 2 (UKS2)?
Upper Key Stage 2 is the last two years of Key Stage 2 and consists of Year 5 and Year 6.
What are the timings for the school day?
Gates open at 7.00 am and the school day starts at 7.15 am. This is when classroom doors open and pupils are welcomed into the classroom. Doors will remain open until 7.30 am. At this point, our classroom doors close, and any pupils arriving after 7.30 am must sign in at the Front Office.
The school day finishes at 1.55 pm, and pupils are collected from their classrooms or designated collection points . Pupils attending Co Curricular activities (CCA’s) must be collected at 3.05 pm, from the CCA location.
What are the attendance and punctuality expectations?
Pupils should be present and ready by 7.25 am in classrooms ready to start lessons at 7.30 am. Aim for 100% attendance and punctuality.
Who can drop off and pick up my child?
The safeguarding of all pupils is our highest priority at Doha College. Siblings who are in the Secondary school may drop off and pick up pupils in Year 5 and 6. Please communicate with your child’s class teacher who will be picking up and dropping off your child if there is a change to the normal arrangements. We are unable to hand a child over to an unknown adult, without prior consent given by the parent. This can be done via a message on Class Dojo.
What does my child need to bring to school?
Your child will need to bring their belongings in one small/medium sized rucksack each day. We ask that your child does not bring a bag on wheels as these do not fit inside our lockers. Inside their bag, they will need.
A full water bottle
Their food for the day, kept inside a secure snack box
A DC branded hat
Library / Reading folder (provided by school) iPad charged and ready to use
When do the pupils eat and do you provide food in school?
Pupils in KS2 have two breaks per day. These last 30 minutes each. We do not provide any food in school; all food must be sent in from home. We are a ‘no nut’ school due to pupils who have severe allergies so we ask that no nuts or nut products (such as Nutella) are included in lunchboxes. We also ask for a healthy range of foods to be included within your child’s snacks as well as a water bottle. Chocolate and sweets are not permitted and treats and cakes cannot unfortunately be shared with the class for birthdays.
If your child is attending a CCA after school, please ensure that you pack an additional snack to keep them full through the afternoon.
What does a typical day look like in UKS2?
Our school day runs from 7.15 am – 1.55 pm, and every day is packed with engaging learning experiences! Here’s a snapshot of a typical day in KS2.
Morning Routine
7.15–7.30: Morning welcome, register, and settling activities.
7.30–9.15 (P1&2): Lessons such as Maths, English, Science, PE/Swim, Music, French, Arabic, Interdisciplinary Learning, Qatar History, or PSHCE/Islamic Studies.
9.20–9.50: Morning Break.
Mid-Morning Lessons
9.50–11.40 (P3&4): Lessons continue 11.40–12.10: Lunch and playtime – an important opportunity to eat, socialise, and relax.
Afternoon Sessions
12.10–1.55 (P5&6): Lessons continue
Home Time
1.55pm: Dismissal – pupils leave with lots of new learning and stories to share.
What subjects are taught in KS2?
The KS2 curriculum includes core subjects of English, Maths, Science and Topic Work (Interdisciplinary Learning): Specialist lessons are offered for PE, Swimming, Music, French and Arabic. Languages are tailored for native and non-native Arabic speakers. Pupils who are registered Arab passport holders, will have 4 hours of Native Arabic. All other pupils will receive 2 hours of French and 2 hours of NonNative Arabic.
Muslim pupils will be offered Islamic studies while non Muslim pupils will participate in PSHCE and Global Citizenship lessons.
Do the pupils have swimming lessons in KS2?
Swimming lessons as part of our PE curriculum in KS2 and pupils will be grouped by ability. Each class will have 1 swimming lesson per week.
What are Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs)?
ELO’s are homework opportunities and will always link to consolidating information that has been covered in class. Homework is set each week through Google Classroom for Year 5 and Year 6 and includes short daily tasks in Maths, English, and Science/IDL. All pupils are expected to read daily, and this can be recorded by parents in their reading journal.
What are CCA’s (Co-curricular activities)?
Co-curricular activities take place after the school day and run from 2.05 pm3.05pm. We offer a variety of CCAs for KS2 pupils to ensure that we are balancing the demands of a busy school day and the opportunity to partake in additional activities. Further information about days, times and how to sign up will be sent to all parents at the beginning of the school year from our CCA team.
Our CCA guide can be accessed at: Click Here
Are Student Leadership opportunities available in UKS2?
We offer a range of exciting leadership opportunities for pupils in Year 6. These roles are designed to help pupils develop responsibility, confidence, and key leadership skills.
Available positions include. Head Boy and Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl, House Captains, Library Prefects, Sports Prefects and Committee Leads
All Year 6 pupils will have the chance to apply for these roles. The application process, including expectations and timelines, will be explained in full during the induction period. We encourage all pupils to consider how they might contribute to our school community through these important positions.
Are residential trips offered in UKS2?
Year 6 pupils will have the opportunity to take part in a residential trip each year. A typical destination is Georgia in May, offering pupils a rich and memorable experience in a contrasting locality. This trip is a wonderful opportunity for personal growth, team-building, and learning beyond the classroom. It promises to be a highlight of the school year for our Year 6 pupils. Further details, including itinerary, costs, and key dates, will be shared with parents in due course.
Do you offer a bus service?
A bus service is available, and there are several routes in place to pick up and drop off DC pupils across Doha. Pupils from FS1 onwards can avail of the school bus service. The bus service offers a service at the end of the school day and an additional service at the end of the CCA programs
How do I communicate with my child’s class teacher?
We use an application called Class Dojo to communicate with parents on a daily and weekly basis. This can be downloaded onto your personal device, and instructions regarding login details will be provided at the beginning of the academic year. Teachers will post regular photos and updates related to the activities that have been taking place in the classroom, as well as notifications about upcoming events. Class Dojo also allows you to send a direct message to your child’s class teacher if you need to get in touch with them for any reason. Please note for any urgent messages, please call the Front Office on 974-44076777, as Class Dojo messages may not be seen during the teaching day.
You will receive regular updates regarding your child’s progress and their next steps in learning. Formal grade reports are issued each term through our parent portal. Alongside this, we also hold two Parents’ Evenings within the academic year, where you will meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress and next steps. You will also be provided with an academic report at the end of the year. We also have regular ‘Show and Share’ events across the year, which will allow you to visit your child in their classroom to share their work.
What happens if my child falls ill during the school day?
We have a full-time team of nurses who are based within the school each day. If your child displays any signs of illness during the school day, they will be taken to the nurse’s station for an assessment of their symptoms. You will be contacted by phone and if your child has been assessed as unfit to remain in school, you will be asked to collect your child. Equally, we ask that if your child displays any signs of illness at home, they are not brought to school and are given sufficient time at home to recover and to avoid the possibility of other pupils falling ill.
My child has an allergy - how do I inform the school before they start?
All information provided on your child’s initial application form will be shared with the school nurse, however if you child has a medical condition or allergy, it is strongly recommended that you contact our Lead Nurse at mgeldenhuys@dohacollege.com to share any relevant medical documentation or care plans from your child’s doctor and arrange a time to discuss the details with the school nurse.
We recommend contacting the nurse prior well in advance of your child’s start date to allow sufficient time for planning and to ensure a smooth and safe start for your child.
Where can I find information on uniforms, term dates and other details?
Our Doha College Parent Handbook is a comprehensive guide that provides information on uniforms, term dates, policies, access gates, a school map and other relevant information.
Our parent handbook can be accessed at:
For more information or additional questions, please contact our Admissions team, who are keen to ensure that you are fully supported with transition to Doha College.
As a not-for-profit British International School, Doha College develops confidence, creativity and intellectual curiosity in a safe, caring and inclusive environment for our students to make a lasting contribution to global society
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To enable personal grow th, instil a passion for learning and create aspirational minds.
Excellence for all, excellence from all.