Primary education

Hi, Mel78England!

There is a brand new international school that is another great option for you to look into. Compass International School, Al Khor was opened in January and already has fifteen nationalities represented in its student body! It follows the British curriculum and the IPC. Class size is capped at 22 students. If you will be moving to the Pearl, you'll find the bus service for your daughter convenient. It is a quick 25 minute ride up to Al Khor. The school has lovely grounds and is located not far from the seaside. I am a teacher there and am happy to answer any questions you may have. :)

Racism is everywhere. But very sad to see it in a school though where good teachers and staff should be teaching children NOT to be racist.

Newton schools are a scam!!I am not interested in any propaganda, or mud slinging here on this site. I only eish to inform the publicof my horrible experience at Newton.

After being assured that there is indeed place available in year 1 for my daughter, we paid the enterance test and subjected my little girl to an enterance test. The teacher testing her had a thick accent which I am certain my little girl would have had difficulty understanding, having not been exposed to the different accents of the world.

After the test I was told by said teacher that my child had done well and tried hard. We were informed that we would be contactedbe the school shortly. I waited a week, with my child waiting paitently to start school. After many calls and e-mails, we were informed that she had not passed her test and was refused addmitance.

We then requested a retest as we personally knoe of a friend's daughter who was tested for the wrong year, and were promptly refused a second chance. We were not furnished with the actual results of the test nor were we given the test paper or the option of me sitting in on the test to assist the child with feeling at ease or explaining instructions due to the child not understanding the accent. I myself am a teacher with 9 years of experience and would have been able to assist my child with understanding the instructions.

We have had the most appalling expereince with Newton and my darling child, at a mere 6 years of age, is left feeling as if she is lacking in some way. She is a bright, vivacious child who had only had 2 months of grade one back home before coming to Doha. This was not even considered in the decision making process.

We were one of about 20 children on the afternoon, writing the entrance test, and i am sure my child is not the only one to have been devestated by the results of said test. Parents are desperate when they go to Newton and the school sees this desperation and uses it as a tisy way to make money from these so called 'enterance tests'.

I firmly believe that it is also the colour of our skin that impacted on the severely lack of assistance and empathy we recieved from Newton British School. Indians are considered the workforce in this country and it difficult being a South African Indian here in Doha as you are judged by your outside appearance rather than your intellectual ability and academic accomplishments. Newton treated my family with a definate disregard and a degree of racism. If we had not been an 'Indian' family, the outcome would surely have been different.

Please, stay away from this school. There are other options available. Look around and you will find them. There is Cedars School, Loydence Academy and a few other new schools that are transparent and put the child first, which is ultimately what education should be about. The CHILD!! Not lining your pockets....

Lol @2020 here we go again....

It is late in the year so a good school will be hard to locate for you child in the autumn term. But it is sometimes easier for older children. Best to start phoning and emailing and it is worth a short visit to Qatar also. The best schools are DESS, Doha College, and the American School. Compas and Sherbourne are good alternatives and are more likely to have a space. Even the British Montesori school is worth a consideration as is Park House. Newton schools are a scam. There is a QL poster who teaches there and spouts the propaganda, but be careful. Here are some useful threads:

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2899843

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2840725

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2775504

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2557925

Try Newton International Schools.

Hi Mel, the above posts aren't completely true. I have sent you details of a good school that you may possibly get a space in September. Good luck!

6 months would have passed by september and joining any school then will only disturb you and your daughter. I doubt if a school will accept new students at that point. Be patient and your daughter will be going to school by april, only 6 months after your arrival.

The above posts are true. If you sign the contract without school places confirmed, be prepared to home school.By now all places for September will probably have been allocated .

Would say all good schools are full so better start to apply immediately & put yourself into waiting list.

A school, yes, the school you would like, probably not.

Mandi