The new Khalifa City Campus, near to the current Raha Gardens Campus, has been built to satisfy the exceptionally high demand for places at Raha, and the ever-increasing popularity of the International Baccalaureate curriculum.
Already open is the beautiful purpose-built Early Years Centre with an emphasis on innovative and engaging child-initiated learning. The impressive outdoor play areas have been developed in conjunction with an occupational therapist and even Raha children themselves, to design and source equipment that compliments and challenges their natural stages of physical development.
Anna Lacey, Deputy Head of Early Years, Khalifa City Campus, explained: “Learning outside is so important for our children, it allows them to learn in a totally different way. The space outside is bigger, which in turn allows their thinking and learning to be bigger. It has been amazing to see the den making, problem solving and collaboration that has been happening in our new outdoor spaces.”
The impressive outdoor play areas have been developed in conjunction with an occupational therapist
The Raha IB philosophy encourages Early Years students to learn through investigation, exploration and play. Each classroom is purposefully planned to promote learning in an engaging way using open-ended resources which builds communication and social skills, but most importantly, allows the child to take their learning in any direction. Maths, science and language development can be seen through role play, construction and sensory zones, enhancing the learning experience to be spontaneous and exciting.
Iain Colledge, Principal of Raha International School, said: “It’s easy to forget that this incredible Early Years Centre only opened in September. The staff has gone above and beyond to ensure our young learners feel safe and settled in their new environment, an extraordinary feat given not only the typical new campus challenges but also having to uncompromisingly adhere to Covid protocol.”
Students to learn through investigation, exploration and play
The newly opened Khalifa City Campus currently caters to Early Years and Lower Primary students. It will be expanding to welcome up to Grade 8 in September 2021 with remaining grades joining in subsequent years. The new campus will eventually cater for up to 3,000 K-12 students