Doha School Places September 2012

Now that DC have a new primary there will be no spaces for DESS kids at DC

Hi,

For parents whose children are on waiting lists, Hibernia Learning Centre in Luqta (near Education City)offers excellent bridging or short term education.

It is a caring and friendly centre which has a good reputation for keeping children active and interested in

learning until a place in the chosen school becomes available.

Interested parties should contact Mrs. Lindy at

44176815 or mobile 33450341 or 66484813.

Email : [email protected]

My children are enrolled in Middle East International School, American curriculm. My husband did all the leg work while I was in Canada. New campus in Abu Hammour area. We decided on this school as it's the closest to the Canadian curriculm. I'm crossing my fingers and pray to God it's a great school for my children.

Lots of British curriculm schools not enough American.

Kat

I couldn't agree with you more. How can you send your child to a school without seeing it?!x

You will be fine stay away from silly comments about wait list. People leave here all the time, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if they miss a term of school whilst you look at them and see which one you like for your children. You may find that each child has different needs and one school does not suit the other. Chillax your on Doha time now and welcome to the fun. You have made the right decision and your kids will love it here! The schools are fab the outdoor life for them is amazing. The IGCSE is more rigorous than the uk and the schools MUST keep their licence so they work very hard at it!

Do they still have vacancies? We will be relocating to Doha within the next 2-3 months with a (US) fourth-grader and 2 first-graders (twins) and I am beyond desperate... have had completed applications to ASD for 3 months now and have not heard a thing. I'm wondering if the other applications that I'm submitting to ACS are even worth the effort with what I'm reading here. Leaving the kids behind is not an option, neither is home schooling since both parents work. I actually liked what I've read and heard about CIS... any chance they still have openings? I think two of the campuses are near Education City and the new hospital? I haven't applied there because they require the resident visa information and I won't have that until after I get there.

Any information or suggestions would be extremely appreciated!

We went through a similar experience recently where we had to choose a school for our son. We read many stories and received advice; all very confusing.

So we visited the schools that had availability and chose the one that we felt was most suitable after interviewing the headmaster.

I think it is beneficial to have your children with you in Doha when school-hunting. The entrance tests will need to be undertaken if there is a place available.

My son is enrolled at Newton International Lagoon (he is 15 yrs old) and we are looking forward to the opportunity he has and face it with a positive attitude.

I trust you find a school that has availability and that resonates with you and your family.

You can apply now - in fact you must apply now to stand a chance of getting a place for september 2013. You will end up paying loads of application fees - and might get a chance of a place in the future

My husband and I are moving to Doha very shortly. We are waiting for our visas to be issued and are hoping to come over mid-October. We have 3 children, they will be going into years 5, 4 and 2 in September here in the UK.

A lot of people have suggested putting their names down for schools from now however we are a bit confused as to whether this is possible given that we do not have our visas, residence permits etc as yet. Do the schools accept applications without the kids actually being resident in Doha?

What do you advise?

We are very keen on moving as a family, however, although we're not too fussy, from previous experience I am not keen on home-schooling :-)

Redline944

There is a brand new international school that most people don't yet know about - Compass International School, Al Khor. It opened this past January. It follows the British curriculum and the IPC. The classes are capped at 22 students. If you live at the Pearl, it is an easy 25 minute drive up to Al Khor, and the school offers bus service from the Pearl and Zig Zag towers. I can say quite truthfully that the British curriculum is followed with fidelity because I am one of the teachers there. I love it, and so do the other staff and the students. The teachers there live to teach, and the students are engaged and thriving. I don't mean to sound sales-y but I am quite passionate about our little slice of Qatar! Feel free to ask me any questions.

www.cisalkhor.com

Only the so-called community schools do not have the Arabic requirements. These include DESS, Doha College and the American school (and maybe others). Other private schools are subject to the SEC rules on this.

There are 4 schools now

wow! how to turn a helpfull answer into something it is'ant. well done

All I was trying to say is I know the headmaster, the school has 500 places, I believe it to follow the British curriculum. I gave the web address so anyone wishing to know more, could look.

not of the children though!

I am sorry, Tracy.C.Marriott, but I do not understand. Are you suggesting that Newton International Schools - there are in fact three schools, not one - are British schools and that they are not in fact "international" schools? Or that they only employ British teachers? Or that they follow the English National Curriculum, even though Arabic and Islamic Studies are not actually part of the English National Curriculum? Or maybe that all of the students are British? What exactly are you saying?

Newton internaion School (British) has just opened up 500 places. you should contact the head master Michael Pearson +974 33980112 www.newtoninternationalschool.edu.qa

Newton for sure conduct entrance tests, we booked in for one but cancelled after viewing the school the previous day. On waiting list for 3 other well known schools offering English cirruculum and been told no entrance exam required after viewing school report from home school.

You are mistaken,simonsmithy. Most children who are trying to gain a place at most schools in Doha have to sit some sort of entrance test. I know the lady who arranges the tests at one of the Newton schools, so I know that, as usual, you have got your facts wrong. Perhaps some children who do come from "prominent" schools in the UK might not have to be put through a test, but these are exceptions rather than the rule.

I guess if they are from a prominent school in UK, their reports should be sufficient. Purpose of entrance test is to test the child's ability & determine the level they are currently in.

I know kids who have got into Dess without entrance tests - just reports. Same for sherborne, PHES, newton etc . All based on UK reports and no tests

Be careful if you have children, simonsmithy, because your child will not have much support and not make any progress without dedicated teachers and a school with good facilities. The truly gifted children in Doha are those who have been given the gift of a place at a decent school. Can you please tell me the name of a school in Doha that does not have entrance tests? And why do they have entrance tests, simonsmithy? All schools have entrance tests in order to keep out children with special educational needs. In this respect, Park House is no better or worse than any other school.

Becareful if you have gifted children, places like Park House, Newton etc are not able to provide any additional support and your child will not make any progress

Check out Loydence Academy, English curriculum to a high standard. New campus opened September 2011 at Al Aziziyah, very small class sizes but growing weekly.

Is the above School at your talking about Cedars ?

Sarah x

Not strictly true, they are opening a new class in each year, we have got a place in yr three for our daughter and the class size will be 22

Thanks Doctor, Doctor.....

Cedars could be an short-term solution, which School have you got your children in now ? and are you happy with it ?

Sarah

As a possible short term solution you could try Cedars. We had our child enrolled there for a couple of terms whilst we were on a waiting list for another school. As an Australian family we had additional problems because our academic year doesn't match up with the UK system.

The standard of teaching is excellent (almost all teachers are British) and the class sizes are small. To be honest, if if wasn't for the fact that their building is too small to offer PE etc. we would have left our child enrolled there.

Anyway, just a thought. I know from experience how frustrating the whole schooling situation is here. Good luck.

I have registered for Park house this year and they told me that they received over 600 applications in 2 days. However, I just applied online anyhow. They came back to me & told me that my kids are unlikely to be selected due to the long wait list. Anyhow you can try. Prob you have better luck. You only change school if you are not happy with the school for whatever the reason is.

Sherborne is easier - because they are more expensive. Park House were showing prospective parents round today ( years 1 and 2) - my friend is a teacher there. They are opening a new nursery next year and additional classes in the lower years.

Thanks Simon,

You have to try though, maybe more chance with Sherbourne ?

Sarah

Sorry but you have no chance with DC - they only have 2 classes in each year and there are no kids leaving from this years 2 and 3 this year. Even if the odd place did crop up there are over 8 kids on the waiting list ahead of yours

With respect to DESS you have a better chance as there are 4 classes for each year - average wait is about 1-2 years - but they are very fair.

PS Michelle, i totally agree with only putting my children into one school and not changing them to my preferred Choice when a place become available. My Children will already have to leave all thier friends behind in the UK and i don't want to make them do it again once in Doha.

Sarah XXX

Thank you for your comments......

DC and DESS are my two favourite School's and i have applied for both..... I have no idea if i have any chance at all at getting them in any time soon ????

Sarah XXX

www.dess.org/

I think it's best not to accept anything but your preferred school, the transition from the childs home country school is hard enough but to have to then go and uproot them again after they've made friends and settled in isn't really fair on the child. Please don't despair with my comments just trying to be realistic, it's your decision at the end of the day. Doha is great by the way and you and your family will love it once you're all out here and settled.

Doha Gollege is an excellent british school, i my self went to follows the brisitch criculum and is montiored regularly by a team that come from uk to check on school teaching, exams, updating of curicullum, texbooks and school improvement. this school has top facilities and is always keeping up to date with the uk schooling system, it is like studying in britain, higly recomend this school.

doha college website - http://www.dohacollege.com/

Poolplan's comments are off base. DESS is not just "OK". It is probably the best primary school in Doha. That's why it is very difficult to get a place for your child at this school. I know one lady who waited three years for her son to be given a place at DESS.

If Poolplan feels that any of the staff at DESS have behaved in a way that breaches normal codes of professional condidentiality and ethics, then the right thing to do would be to draw the matter to the attention of the principal, rather than making vague insinuations and unsubstantiated allegations on a public forum like this one.

Incidentallly, I am NOT on the staff at DESS. However, I do know that, compared to my present school in Doha, the facilities at DESS are better, the teachers are better paid and the school fees are lower. OK, Poolplan?

Thanks for that, we will see how thing's shape up....

Your husband can apply for the kids while you and them wait in the UK. If there is no movement on the waiting list then obviously you don't want to give up their places in the UK. To be fair it is probably harder to get your kids into a good public school in the Uk than DESS. People are coming and going from Qatar as there is only so much time you can spend here.

The quality of DESS is OK, but the teachers do tend to concentrate on the better kids. There is also considerable bias and confidentially can also be breached. Codes of conduct and ethics are more relaxed here.

Hi Bluesky76,

It good to hear that somebody else is going throught the same thing !!!have you got your Children into a School then ? and are you going into company accommodation or have you found your own ?

How exciting, my Husband will be a Capatain on the A320 and about you,

Many Thanks

Sarah XX

Hi Bluesky76,

It good to hear that somebody else is going throught the same thing !!!have you got your Children into a School then ? and are you going into company accommodation or have you found your own ?

How exciting, my Husband will be a Capatain on the A320 and about you,

Many Thanks

Sarah XX

Hi Redline,my husband got a job for QA as well and we are moving to Doha in May! We are on the same boat!!!!The best think to do is to apply NOW for all the schools.Newton British School might have a place for your children....just start with any school you can find and then wait for your desired school! Good luck!!!!

Since there are sraight A students, then it's even easier to get into DC as what I was told. Good luck. Doha British School Montessori is also not bad.

Thank You, Minie....

That was a very useful post.... I was worried about the entrance exam, my boys are straight A student's at thier current school, but i didn't know what the Doha Schools would expect of them ?

I'm hoping that the exam's are sat in a nice environment and the children don't feel any pressure, i want the whole move to Qatar to be positive, so fingers crossed,

Sarah xxx

Thank you Bral1960!

To me , whether you are coming with your husband a not, you have to start applying now & wait for schools to come back to you with a place. As of now, I can say ALL schools Brit or non Brit are on waiting list mainly due to 2 reasons

1. Influx of new families coming to Doha to work while the existing ones are still here.

2. Existing people are transferring schools to their desired schools or so called better schools.

So for schools like Doha College & DESS would have super long list. Heard that there are people waited for 2 years to get into DESS.

Nevertheless, don't get upset over this as I believe they picked the names by random & also by academic results. So all u need to do is first to submit yr apps & pray that you get picked for an entrance exam. And don't worry about the entrance exam. It's very easy and nothing that ordinary kids cannot do.Another thing that you need to do is to call them up periodically to check for spaces available after you have submitted them.

Last but not least, if you really have to come here with your hb, take whichever school that can offer you place & wait for your desired on to be available. Tat's what everyone did here in Doha actually.

I'm thinking it best to wait until i get school places before i come out, but my Husband will not be at all happy with that !!!

Thanks XX

no harm in trying. You decide in the end.

Best of luck with you school applications, I have heard all the British Schools are full even for September so would recommend not coming out until you have places for all of them at the same school.

Hi, my kids go to DBS as well, year 2, 3 and 5 none of the classes are overcrowded all have around 24 per class - they do follow the British Corriculem and would go as far to say they are a year ahead of the kids in England.

Thank You everyone for your quick reply's, i'm going to start applications today to all the schools and hope for the best XXX

Thank You Rachel for you quick reply, I'm feeling alot more positive after all the feedback that i have had on this forum.

I'm going to start applying today, i do like the look of Doha College,DESS and Sherbourne, they have all been very helpful over the phone.

Is your Husband a Pilot ? did Qatar Airways help with initial costs of applying for the School, applications, registrations and term fee's, and do Qatar Airways pay the school direct ?

We really can't wait to get out to Doha and am hoping that the schooling all falls into place,

Many Thanks, Sarah XXX

Everybody reckons their school is the BEST!

My kids (Year 7 & Year 5) go to DBSM and I have no knowledge of such large class sizes nor any deviation from the British curriculum - a friend of mine teaches there and she is clear that what they teach is the same as home? They kids recieved excellent text books and stuff.

There are horror stories about most of the schools mentioned above (prob including DBSM!) and as many "Best" schol tags for the same schools - it is down to personal preference and experience.

Everytime I log on here and see comments about schools I chuckle at the amount of best schools that are listed. To date I believe there might be about 6 "best" schools in doha, based on what, usually perception based on how well a particular child is doing at that school at that moment. It seems to me that if a child is struggling or not doing particulalry well then first thing to do is blame the school "it must be the school".

A well motivated pupil will thrive in most environments and from what I have come across so far most of the schools are okay, as long as they are not for profit...we are never going to replicate a top british school but why would we want to as one of the benefits here is the multi culturalism.

Of course places are tight but I dont think people should stress as much about the schools. I have a child of 13 who will either go to DBS or DC but personally I would have him in ASD (no chance) but not because the rest are rubbish just because I personally got a better feeling about the ethos of the school.

Not suprising , Park House pick up the kids who are not academic enough to get into DC or DESS

I disagree with Expatemily (I am a friend in real life with her) Park House is a great school. Also loads of Qatar Airway people. I have 3 kids in the school. Other good schools (based on my dealings with the schools and friends comments) are Doha (Montisori) British School; Doha Collage, Doha English Speaking School. These four schools are also "reasonably" priced. The American schools are crazy expensive. I suggest applying to all of those schools now (as in today!). Places often open up over the summer and Park House requires a deposit on next year from current students in May for September so you could still easily get places. Having 3 children is an advantage because one one gets a place it tends to bounce the others up on the waiting list.

My husband also works for Qatar Airways. Now is an excellent time to apply for schools here as they are sorting places for Sept 2012. I am a teacher and it was a worry trying to get our daughter into a school. We arrived at the wrong time of year and it took a while to get her into a school so I had to home teach for a while. However, this time last year we got our daughter into Doha College. She has come on in leaps and bounds and we are thrilled with the school. The school has recently been inspected and did extremely well. They use the British Curriculum so the transition from UK to Doha College was very easy! Your children will need to sit an assessment but it's nothing to worry about. You will also need previous school reports from their current UK school. Other schools that we were impressed with were DESS and Sherbourne. Hope that helps! Good luck! :)

There are some great new schools opening, for instance the International School of London or the American College School (though obviously not British curriculum). I've switched my daughter from Park House (a British school I STRONGLY recommend you avoid), to the aforementioned ACS-- they had immediate availability, being so new. Also, many schools have relationships with certain companies, so check if that is true for your husband's company. Good luck!

bral1960, for the years that redline944 mentioned DBS (Montessori) is not advisable as they are having arround 30 pupils at all classes.

Any place you can get is good. Apply to at least 6 schools and keep your fingers crossed. it might take up to 2 years

Its not easy to find school seat available in Doha so I strongly suggested to apply now. Newton British School and Montessori British School are the best following British Curriculum and the best location (Al Waab/Al Azizya) for western people to live.

Good luck

Angelo

DESS although the best has LONGGGGG waiting list and is until primary. For me , no harm putting them into the waiting list & pray that you will get a place. To me there are other good ones like Doha College, Parkhouse, Sherbourne & Doha British School which you can consider. Due to personal preference, I have seen parents transferring their kids within these few schools too. Alternatively you let your husband settled here first.. find a school before you guys come over. All schools require entrance exam before they are accepted. So whenever a place becomes available, do prepare to fly them immediately.

Wait and only apply to Doha English Speaking School. If they get accepted then leave the UK. This school is only British school which follow the actual British curriculum and is monitored by the British educational council. All the rest of the British school claim they "follow" the British curriculum. Who is there to monitor the school? If you PAY for a private company to accredit the school, they will come out and give you accreditation. You will find out that your child will be a year behind because majority of the schools don't have the textbooks for each subject in the class. Nor do they have a curriculum without textbooks or manuals. Sadly, the teachers have to deal with the parents as to why their child is behind because the Principal will pond you over to the teacher for any complaints.