Heather Harries Education Hub

Teaching in Primary, is so much more than spelling and times tables.

Teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2 (KS1 and KS2) is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a delicate balancing act of meeting curriculum expectations while nurturing young minds—and in many cases, hearts. In international settings like Dubai, primary teachers wear more hats than you’d find at the Ascot races. They’re not just educators but mentors,Continue reading “Teaching in Primary, is so much more than spelling and times tables.”

The Unsung Heroes of EYFS: More Than Just Finger Painting and Play-Doh

Last week, I received a message that was, let’s say, enthusiastic in pointing out that I’d been a bit remiss in singing the praises of the teaching within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and I had indeed glossed over each stage while I covered the school choice  rather than what went on in it.Continue reading “The Unsung Heroes of EYFS: More Than Just Finger Painting and Play-Doh”

Choosing your new school.

Right then,  let’s chat schools. One minute you’re changing nappies and negotiating with a toddler about why spaghetti doesn’t belong on the ceiling, and the next, you’re Googling “best Dubai schools” like your life depends on it. Blink three times post-birth, and boom! You’re staring at your baby in a mini uniform, all ready forContinue reading “Choosing your new school.”

Raising Children With Grit

Grit! Not the kind that shows up as tiny muddy footprints all over our freshly mopped floors (thank you, children, and pets for that constant joy), but the kind of grit that everyone can’t stop talking about these days—the stuff that’s supposed to turn our darling little ones into resilient, never-give-up troopers. It’s like everyContinue reading “Raising Children With Grit”

Mums of children with inclusion needs

Now, onto something a little deeper (but still with a light heart!) – inclusion. Mums, we’ve all got our challenges, but if you’re raising a child with inclusion needs, it can feel like you’re climbing Everest without a guidebook. And getting them into school? Oh, that’s just the start of the journey! Let’s face it,Continue reading “Mums of children with inclusion needs”

Expat Mums’ Weekly Column: The Power of “Why?, IB and UK explained”

But beyond the amusing questions our little ones ask, there’s a bigger one I hear from parents more often than any other: “UK curriculum or IB?” And that’s where things get tricky, because both are fantastic in their own ways. They each have unique strengths, and which one is best really depends on your child’s needs and future goals.

Mums school challenges 2

Thank you all for your lovely comments last week! It’s clear that so many of us are feeling the same frustrations—school places, class sizes, teacher shortages, inclusion needs, and of course, the dreaded Arabic. With Dubai growing so fast and everyone wanting to live here, schools are understandably full, and the infrastructure is still catchingContinue reading “Mums school challenges 2”