I strongly agree with your views, as I my self had a terrible experience of find schooling for my 8 year old son. I did manage to get a place for my 4 yr old daughter even she was assessed after paying an assessment fee at one of the leading British schools. I had to teach my son home for over two months before I managed to get a place for him at EMS. I tried all the leading British schools but with no luck as he we arrived mid year and the limited school places in Doha were taken and there was a long waiting list.

So all newcomers with Kids please beware of the many problems facing western Expats which Schooling is among one of the major issues here in Doha.