Doha school catering from pre-school to college? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Doha school catering from pre-school to college?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 03:04

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum and about to embark on a new adventure in Doha. We are a british family, though been living recently in New Zealand. We are in need of some help around schooling. We have a pre-schooler, one who'll be reception year, then one in primary and the eldest at secondary/college age. I cannot face over-complicating our life by having the children at different schools, so looking for advice on which schools will be able to cater for all ages (that we stand a hope of getting into). We're looking to get the children started in September, so keen to do the leg work now before everyone breaks up for summer hols. So far Doha College have given us zero chance of getting our lot in.... I believe Sherbourne House is another option, then Parkhouse - can anyone suggest any other schools we could look at that caters for all our ages???

Many thanks in anticipation.

7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 02:15
I guess, once we're there on the ground annoying school reception desks every other day they'll eventually give up and someone will take pity on us?!?!?... must be easier on the ground than from the other side of the world. I'm hoping still that husband's work can lean on someone to help us get a space somewhere. I'm just anxious that if nothing positive happens in the next 4 weeks then the shutters will be down - literally - until September!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 01:17
Had success with DBS last week (entrance test results permitting) so hang in there, I was on the verge of giving up. I applied for 4 schools and was told to contact them early June as they were awaiting feedback from existing students who may not require places in September. Good luck!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 00:30
P18PPS - what about Loydence Azizya - there is someone on this board whose child(ren) goes there who wrote positive things about it recently - might be worth searching for the thread and asking them for more details (I don't know what age they go up to). Best wishes, BG
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2012 - 00:19
thanks to you all for the information and advice. I've spent last night ringing up many schools in Doha and yes looked at splitting the children up and sending them all over the place - so far 8 schools contacted, only 1 could offer a space for 1 child!!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 23:44
I thought the OP was just looking for a school, I didn't read anything about it having to be a British school just that they were British. Either way although ACS stands for American Community School from my understanding they don't teach using the American curriculum in the primary part or the high school (their other 3 campuses are all in the UK too). There were some American teachers there but the majority seem to be from the UK or Ireland. I was told that they are trying to create their own 'International' curriculum that better suits the needs of an expat child and from what I saw it isn't too dissimilar from the British Curriculum mixed with a bit of PYP. As they are rapidly expanding you might have better luck getting your 4 kids names on the list. <em>edited by wildflower on 07/05/2012</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 23:20
P18PPS, as the PP said, the Sherbourne head indicated that they are growing through the school (though I don't know which year they are currently expanding into), so if your child got into Yr 10 this year, there would be a Yr 11 next year as that class would move up. Also, once you get one child into a school, in most schools your other children will get bumped up the list due to sibling preference. I've been told by a number of people that schooling appears to be a bit of a nightmare, but that it does seem to work out - which was our experience - but very stressful whilst you are trying to sort it out... Good luck, BG edited to add - we registered with 5 schools before getting places which is also what we'd be advised to do, so a number of these schools may have children on their lists who are registered with a number of schools... <em>edited by BerkshireGirl on 07/05/2012</em>
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 15:39
Most (all?) of the schools will offer school buses. Why not deal with your college aged 'child' (and perhaps the older primary one as well) separately and he/she can just get the bus? I think having all in the same school is a bit of a pipe dream to be honest. There aren't many places in the world where this would be possible.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 10:53
Thanks all for your help - this is proving a nightmare and almost seems to hard to achieve with 4 children!... perhaps we should stay in new zealand! I've now had Doha International and Parkhouse and Doha College all decline us based on roll is full..... my options are diminishing ! this is a deal-breaker, if all the kids can't get into a decent school then we aint coming!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 09:58
The OP had asked about British schools, and ACS is an American school. British schools that go the whole range include: Doha College Park House Sherborne Qatar International School Compass Doha British School Gulf English School Other schools that cater to the full range of ages and might have spaces (but aren't British): International School of London (IB) ACS (American/IB)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 09:39
I've just come across a new school called ACS that is in the Gharaffa area. I was quite impressed with their facilities when I was shown around. It's a new school (only opened in Sept) and is expanding all the time, I'm just not sure what age it goes up to at the moment. They have a good website that you might want to check out. I also know parents of kids who go to Compass and they love it. I believe it's a very expensive school and that the Gharaffa one is the one to go to as the others don't have the same facilities......yet. I could be wrong on this as it's just what I've been told by parents whose kids go to the Gharaffa campus. They have a website too. Doha College is supposed to be pretty good too but I don't know anything about it other than it has a good reputation and has long waiting lists. I know a lot of people tend to try and get into a compound that is close to where their kids go to school as traffic between 6-8 is an absolute nightmare, so this might be worth considering too. Most schools in Doha are very oversubscribed and therefore have massive waiting lists so my advice is to sort out your kids schooling as soon as possible! Maybe try getting their names on a few waiting lists to improve your chances of getting in? We left things too late when we arrived which meant my son had to go to a bridging school (Cedars) for a while.....it was dreadful!!! Hope I've helped a little :) Best of luck
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 08:23
I am also in the same boat, apparently Sherborne is only up to yr 9 this year and this group will be thier first yr 10 in Sept. I am under the impression that the school will grow with each year, ie 2014 they will add yr 11 etc
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 03:49
Hi BG Did Sherbourne indicate they had spaces available for you? I think Sherbourne is top of my list at the moment - the only thing I'm unclear on - perhaps you or someone can help - does it currently go up to year 10? it looks as if it's expanding all the time and increasing the ages it caters for - is this a year/per year ? or are we likely to get our eldest into year 10, only to have to move her next year to a different school that provides year 11 and upwards? I note the Doha British school too - I'm not really sure how/what the International Baccalauret is ?!?! all confused ! I've also found some others - if anyone can provide feedback/knowledge on these - Parkhouse, Compass, Doha International School thanks p18pps
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2012 - 03:31
Hi there, I saw your post on the britexpat site... We've been to Sherbourne, which is really impressive - though the wrong location for us. Doha British School also goes from primary through to secondary (though they do International Baccalaureat, so that may or may not suit what you are looking for). We haven't arrived in Doha yet (will do in the next couple of months), but schooling was something we were keen to sort early too... Good luck... BG