Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence celebrates the remarkable innovations implemented in Bahrain’s schools and universities. We learned about these innovations, the process, the challenges, and the lessons learned from some of the leading educational institutions in the Kingdom. Read more in our latest issue.

A tailored curriculum for children and young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, focusing on individualised pathways to foster independence and future-readiness.

Please share a brief background of your innovationThe Children’s Academy is a thriving, Independent Specialist School for children and young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities from ages 4-25.

The school offers a wide range of pathways, which are individually tailored to prepare for adulthood, independence, and where appropriate, employment or further studies. Pathways include a wide range of BTEC, ASDAN Functional Skills, and IGCSE programmes.

This is complemented by work experience with local businesses. Former pupils have progressed onto employment and higher education as a result of attending The Children’s Academy. Successful graduates have gone on to enter universities, higher education colleges and into the workforce.

Primarily, we are a school and therefore, the children are challenged as they would be, in a mainstream school. We offer all activities such as swimming and athletics competitions as well as the day-to-day curriculum. Exploring the wonderful island we live on is a common feature, and we take the children for several nights to Hawar Island as well as regular outings to Bahrain’s attractions.

No challenge is too big for our students, and every day they amaze us!

How was the innovation planned?We are constantly working on new curriculums to implement for our students. We have to look at each year and see what would work best for that year group. Some SEND (Special Educational Needs) students are more academic and some need more vocational work, so it is a balancing act.

What were the challenges faced during implementation?Ensuring that each student was stretched to their maximum potential and was able to access that curriculum was a challenge. We then had to differentiate the curriculum for each student. Putting special provisions in place at the British Council, so the students could take their exams also took time, as we had to prepare the students. This involved taking them there to see the building and doing exam study with them.

Give us a brief assessment of your resultsOur students achieve; it may take them a little longer and proceed at a slower pace, but they do get there in the end. Sending a student off to a higher learning environment or to work signifies that we have done our job.

In hindsight, what were the most valuable lessons learned while implementing the innovation? Could things have been done differently?The most valuable lesson learned is that our students can do anything they put their minds to. Instilling confidence in them is our main focus, and with confidence, they can do anything.