I have to compliment Newton British School on the excellence of their teachers, and currently (and for some time to come) they have a very good teacher to student ration (aiming at 1:20, currently as low as 1:10).
I had to move my kids from NIS in West Bay, the campus there is woefully small and under equiped. There were also a lot of behavioural issues, and little discipline. Hopefully the departure of the previous principal, and careful selection of her replacement will help, but it will remain a very cramped school unless they move to a purpose built campus. Lack of space will always cause conflict, among any group of people!
One of the Directors of Newton listened to my problems, accepted that I would not be satisfied with the campus as it stood, and assisted me in moving my kids to Newton British School in the middle of last term. Both my kids quickly made brilliant progress academically, I could not believe the turnaround. All the teachers there are formally qualified and experienced in the British Curriculum, and most have had several years in the Gulf, so know what to expect. The absolute opposite was the case at the NIS in West Bay.
I have since moved the kids to another (more affordable, better equiped) school, and they are settling well. The Newton management were accepting of my move, and didn't make a fuss re. short notice etc (I had reserved my rights in that sphere before accepting the move to NBS).
My experience has lead me to believe that it is the academic management that was poor at West Bay, rather than the upper level of management (i.e. the owners). They seem to be relatively "hands off", and perhaps overly trusting of properly qualified staff. They have installed a Director to provide better oversight of the principals and their systems, and I believe that this will bring about improvements.
I would reccomend any new arrivals in Doha to check out Newton British School as a viable alternative to the other, longer established good primary schools. Yes the fees are quite high, but the teacher ratios and experience compensates very well, especially if your employer is paying the fees! (Not so for us).
I have to compliment Newton British School on the excellence of their teachers, and currently (and for some time to come) they have a very good teacher to student ration (aiming at 1:20, currently as low as 1:10).
I had to move my kids from NIS in West Bay, the campus there is woefully small and under equiped. There were also a lot of behavioural issues, and little discipline. Hopefully the departure of the previous principal, and careful selection of her replacement will help, but it will remain a very cramped school unless they move to a purpose built campus. Lack of space will always cause conflict, among any group of people!
One of the Directors of Newton listened to my problems, accepted that I would not be satisfied with the campus as it stood, and assisted me in moving my kids to Newton British School in the middle of last term. Both my kids quickly made brilliant progress academically, I could not believe the turnaround. All the teachers there are formally qualified and experienced in the British Curriculum, and most have had several years in the Gulf, so know what to expect. The absolute opposite was the case at the NIS in West Bay.
I have since moved the kids to another (more affordable, better equiped) school, and they are settling well. The Newton management were accepting of my move, and didn't make a fuss re. short notice etc (I had reserved my rights in that sphere before accepting the move to NBS).
My experience has lead me to believe that it is the academic management that was poor at West Bay, rather than the upper level of management (i.e. the owners). They seem to be relatively "hands off", and perhaps overly trusting of properly qualified staff. They have installed a Director to provide better oversight of the principals and their systems, and I believe that this will bring about improvements.
I would reccomend any new arrivals in Doha to check out Newton British School as a viable alternative to the other, longer established good primary schools. Yes the fees are quite high, but the teacher ratios and experience compensates very well, especially if your employer is paying the fees! (Not so for us).