Can anyone put my mind at rest, i have just read an awful review of sherborne school on blacklistedschools.com about the inadequate toilets, children eating in the corridors etc please help is it a bad school, fellow moms please help
To be honest are not that good. They lack discipline and academia.
American/British schools of course have their faults...non are perfect at all but I do think they offer the chance to learn and understand what has been learnt rather than just 'sound clever and be able to pass exams'.
Sherbourne is an excellent school, one of the best in England and I happen to think the teachers are the best ;-) x
akaka22, I came from the US 5 yrs ago, with 3 children. The older was in 10th grade, and the youngest was 3 yrs old. So I talk from experience. They are all now in Qatar Academy (which is full, and the youngest was on waiting list for 3 years), and the oldest is in college. I am also of Arabic origin, and Muslim.
Simply, schools are full. The sooner you accept that, the better your search process would be. As I stated above, focus on academic quality of schools, which it includes arabic and islamic classes anyways.
Now, if you want to distance yourself from anything American/British, for your own reasons, then your choices regardless of the school, will include lowering academic performance of your children.
Stay aways from what is called arabic schools, also called government schools, or independent schools. It is a national experiment which is bound to failure, and you do not want to be part of that experiment.
The Sherborne school is a new British private school, with top academic quality, and they do teach arabic and islamic classes. Chances are they still have room for some or all your children.
This is how it goes, lower your expectations, relax your criteria, apply to all possible schools, you may end with the best available, and every child in a different school.
Most schools offer Koran and Arabic if there are Arabic speaking/Muslim children in the school and there always are.
If you are coming from America and your children have been in that system, the American School would be my first port of call; it offers continuation of curriculum.
If you can’t get in there, I would suggest looking at British Schools as they do tend to follow teaching standards and practices of the American education system and vice versa. Although your children may struggle with the changes in some subject matter; e.g History for one.
A word of warning though, the British Curriculum is very prescriptive and some children find it very hard to integrate from another system but it is much better than say the Indian or Arab schools if you intend for your children to continue in a Western system.
Indian schools are very hot house and the focus is on passing exams rather than the art of learning and utilising the knowledge you have gained in a debating/ research way. I find a lot of Indian children struggle with the British System as they get the answer eventually (usually, sad to say when parents have done the homework from Wik or google) but when tested cannot tell you how they came to ‘that conclusion’ or show working out.
Arabic schools tend to focus on Koran and Arabic and lack discipline.
Only been working in the Middle East as a Teacher for the last 15 years but I am sure some smart arse will jump in and tell me (a) I am racist or (b) I don’t know what I am talking about lol
Sean-C, try to keep your cool and your (biased) opinion for yourself; "mainsteam education"!? "Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive (!); rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct" (Wikipedia - not the best source, but I like the comment)
Does anyone have good or bad experience with Al-Arqam, Iqraa, or AL-Maha?
How about the one in the education city, I believe it's called Qatar Academy?
To my knowledge, they are the best in Qatar in combining market-oriented education with proper and contemporary Arabic and Islamic teachings. No wonder their selection criteria is a bit competitive in terms of admission.
Find "any" school which will accept your children, as many if not most, have waiting lists. Focus on academics quality of the school, as religious and cultural teachings can be supplemented, but not the other way around.
whats wrong with mainsteam education? Do you not wish that your children integrate seamlessly with society instead of isolating and polarizing themselves into radical right wing clans?
Qatar's winter months are brimming with unmissable experiences, from the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 and a variety of outdoor adventures and cultural delights.
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a sweet escape into the world of budget-friendly Mango Sticky Rice that's sure to satisfy both your cravings and your budget!
Celebrate World Vegan Day with our list of vegan food outlets offering an array of delectable options, spanning from colorful salads to savory shawarma and indulgent desserts.
Hi All
Can anyone put my mind at rest, i have just read an awful review of sherborne school on blacklistedschools.com about the inadequate toilets, children eating in the corridors etc please help is it a bad school, fellow moms please help
x
To be honest are not that good. They lack discipline and academia.
American/British schools of course have their faults...non are perfect at all but I do think they offer the chance to learn and understand what has been learnt rather than just 'sound clever and be able to pass exams'.
Sherbourne is an excellent school, one of the best in England and I happen to think the teachers are the best ;-) x
akaka22, I came from the US 5 yrs ago, with 3 children. The older was in 10th grade, and the youngest was 3 yrs old. So I talk from experience. They are all now in Qatar Academy (which is full, and the youngest was on waiting list for 3 years), and the oldest is in college. I am also of Arabic origin, and Muslim.
Simply, schools are full. The sooner you accept that, the better your search process would be. As I stated above, focus on academic quality of schools, which it includes arabic and islamic classes anyways.
Now, if you want to distance yourself from anything American/British, for your own reasons, then your choices regardless of the school, will include lowering academic performance of your children.
Stay aways from what is called arabic schools, also called government schools, or independent schools. It is a national experiment which is bound to failure, and you do not want to be part of that experiment.
The Sherborne school is a new British private school, with top academic quality, and they do teach arabic and islamic classes. Chances are they still have room for some or all your children.
This is how it goes, lower your expectations, relax your criteria, apply to all possible schools, you may end with the best available, and every child in a different school.
How bad are the "Arabic schools"?
Are the American/British schools "good" because
they're are "American" or "British" or because they're (indeed) good schools. I hope you understand my point!
Thanks,
Most schools offer Koran and Arabic if there are Arabic speaking/Muslim children in the school and there always are.
If you are coming from America and your children have been in that system, the American School would be my first port of call; it offers continuation of curriculum.
If you can’t get in there, I would suggest looking at British Schools as they do tend to follow teaching standards and practices of the American education system and vice versa. Although your children may struggle with the changes in some subject matter; e.g History for one.
A word of warning though, the British Curriculum is very prescriptive and some children find it very hard to integrate from another system but it is much better than say the Indian or Arab schools if you intend for your children to continue in a Western system.
Indian schools are very hot house and the focus is on passing exams rather than the art of learning and utilising the knowledge you have gained in a debating/ research way. I find a lot of Indian children struggle with the British System as they get the answer eventually (usually, sad to say when parents have done the homework from Wik or google) but when tested cannot tell you how they came to ‘that conclusion’ or show working out.
Arabic schools tend to focus on Koran and Arabic and lack discipline.
Only been working in the Middle East as a Teacher for the last 15 years but I am sure some smart arse will jump in and tell me (a) I am racist or (b) I don’t know what I am talking about lol
However, good luck x
Sean-C, try to keep your cool and your (biased) opinion for yourself; "mainsteam education"!? "Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive (!); rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct" (Wikipedia - not the best source, but I like the comment)
Does anyone have good or bad experience with Al-Arqam, Iqraa, or AL-Maha?
How about the one in the education city, I believe it's called Qatar Academy?
Thanks.
Apologies to the kith and kin of those killed by the reckless 12-15 year old drivers.
The Government school's management, fear to curb the enthusiasm of 12-15 year old local drivers.
Sean-C, your comment is uncalled for, and should refrain from stereotyping. Please help if you can, otherwise do not comment. Apology is requested.
and they build terrorists. Especially monsters that know no better then doing wheelies with LandCruisers.
Gov, any government school would not serve, as they teach high level arabic, which is too high for the new comers from the US.
Try out those guys:
[email protected]
Tel: 44362160 - 44361085
Fax: 44366198
To my knowledge, they are the best in Qatar in combining market-oriented education with proper and contemporary Arabic and Islamic teachings. No wonder their selection criteria is a bit competitive in terms of admission.
Al-Arqam, Iqraa & AL-Maha are the schools I know claiming to be Islamic.
Take care of the risk of having too many nationals on these schools!!!
i think you'll find what u want there in this school ... but it follows Cambridge ... they accept only girls
my girl is there in kg2 ...if u need any more info contact me
you wont find anything that will meet your criteria here
rabdulahed, what use of naming a school if it is full? hence the opinion expressed here in order to expand his options.
As they are coming from US. There is only one American School in Doha. Best they apply there!
Now the questions comes if there are only American Passport holders of Arabic back ground then they can apply to any Arabic school here!
The question is quite clear; akaka22 wants the name of school, not the advice on his decision.
Find "any" school which will accept your children, as many if not most, have waiting lists. Focus on academics quality of the school, as religious and cultural teachings can be supplemented, but not the other way around.
Here is the list of schools,
http://www.qatarliving.com/the-qatar-guide/education/primary-and-secondary-schools
(all 7 digit phone number require duplicating the first digit to make them 8, new numbering in 2010)
well sail Translator!
whats wrong with mainsteam education? Do you not wish that your children integrate seamlessly with society instead of isolating and polarizing themselves into radical right wing clans?