Doha Academy
Hi all,
Just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about Doha Academy? I applied for a job there a few weeks back. When I looked again at the job advert it had no closing date. I have tried to contact the school via email, but all emails are getting sent back to me as 'delivery failed'. I eventually managed to get through to the school on the phone but was fobbed off by a receptionist who knew very little about the job and knew even less English!
I am quite eager to go to Doha this September and just wanted to know when interviews are/if job has been filled already.
If anyone knows anything about the school, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Daisy - did you get any more information on this and did you take a job?
The fact that you couldn't even get through to the school shows how disorganised they are. Do you really want to work in a place that is so badly organised?
As far as the islamic ethos is concerned, there is none. It is just used as a marketing label just like the phrase "British Curriculum". There are hardly any qualified teachers in the whole school (not even amongst the so called principles).
Doha Academy is run by a bunch of megalomaniacs who's only connection with UK education is their yearly trip to London to recruit unsuspecting teachers. Each year they have a shortage of teachers as most are not due to come back after the summer holidays. The only thing the principals worry about is keeping their positions, education is the last thing on their minds.
Be quick, schools in Doha are closing for the summer if not in the new two days, then next week. Try the school database as there are other schools who would bite your hand off if your a native english speaking qualified teacher.
Many of the schools are advertising for staff in September. If I were you I would check out the Gulf Times newspaper classifieds on a daily basis. I know some school had something in the paper today.
The fact you have found it so difficult to contact Doha Academy shows how inefficient the whole school is. It sums up the fact that Doha Academy is run with great incompetence.
Every teacher from Doha Academy who I've met has had nothing but bad things to say about the school. The main complaint is that DA is run under the iron fist of management. This is made worse because the management do not seem to have a clue about good teaching practice.
Doha Academy is marketed as an islamic school but the standards are so woefully low that they do not do justice to the students who attend there with good faith. Teaching is seen as handing out information in the form of booklets which are supposed to be memorised. The information from the booklets is then regurgitated verbatim during monthly tests. There is no processing or understanding involved. Any teaching practice that deviates from this form of rote learning is looked down upon and discouraged by the management. A consequence of this is a very low pass rate in IGCSE and A level exams. Students are also disheartened with education in general.
If you wish to work in Doha there are many British schools here. Try applying to all of them. I am sure you will have an offer from at least one.
overall, i think that doha academy is a reasonable place to work. i have been there and the environment is pleasant and there's good energy. it is the end of the year and probably everything is quite busy. check the website and contact the principal directly. it is an islalmic english school and it is worth it to pursue the position.