waiting lists for schools??
Could anyone give me any information on waiting lists for schools?? How they make their decisions?
We move out with our 3 girls all with British passports, however they are currently in New Zealand education. I am most concerned regarding my eldest (11) as we phoned Doha College and it seems she is missing the entrance exams. Has anyone secured places before they arrived? What do people think of the Ceders Bridging School? I would value peoples opinions and comments. Thanks.....in anticipation
Dear eviloops,
Yes, maybe there are some pretty dreadful things happening in Al Jazeera, but I still believe that it is unprofessional to make public your criticisms while you are still working at the school. If it really is as bad as you claim, why did you not not pick up any warning signs before you signed your contract? And if you hate being in the school so much, why are you still there?
As for the original poster's question about waiting lists, I have heard of schools "closing" their waiting lists and refusing to add any more names. (Maybe soon there will be waiting lists for the waiting lists!)
In this forum there conflicting stories about whether or not certain schools give priority to parents who are British passport holders and to parents who are working for Shell. It all seems a bit unclear, but you can be pretty certain that the more popular a school is, the longer the waiting list.
eviloops...can you elaborate on your experiences at Al Jazeera? I must make a decision this week to take my kids out of Al Jazeera. They don't want to leave because of their friends but I really can't stand the school and you're right, education comes first...
Please please please parents...whatever you do...take this for an experienced well qualified teacher....don't send your kids to Al Jazeerah Academy.
You will live to regret it. No curriculum, limited resources and god forbid I say anything about the management.
Ps. I am currently a teacher at AJA and am on my way out - I hope that says it all!
Home schooling would be more appropriate, especially as I've heard that 'unqualified teachers' are actually teaching at AJA(one year 5 class) - beware, query what you can and make sure you teach your children well - make the right decision for them please.
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
When we moved over from the UK our kids did the Doha College entrance exams at the school they were attending before the move. We paid for courier post and the papers had to be taken under exam conditions....not sure if they still allow this but worth a try.
I am in a similar position as you Scottish5, I have 4 scottish children with british passports and we are coming to Doha in 2 months. Presenlty my kids are being homeschool here in Oman but with my husband future employer(QP) paying for the schooling I want them to get back into normal schooling asap esp as my eldest is 14 years old. I too am very concerned about the waiting list and was also looking at the Cedars website thinking it might be a stop gap option. So any opinions would be great.
Hi,
We enrolled our six year old at Doha English Speaking School four weeks a go. We were told there were no places at that time. However children with British passports get priority and we were offered a place last week, starting after Easter.
The school looks very good, with excellent facilities and extra curricular events.
www.dess.org
Good luck.