International school

Its not just the distance, its the amount of time it would take in the traffic. On a Friday morning at school run time I could be in West bay in 20 minutes. On working day at the same time its more like 45 and sometimes an hour. I don't have any idea about the drive to Wakra. If it's geuninely a toss up between the two schools I would do the school run to each this week as a trial. I have a real thing about my kids spendinga s little time in the car on the school run though. I have three boys and they go nuts when cooped up too long (As do I to be honest)

<Waves at mrsw2> I'm very happy with SEK (my son goes there and it's the only school my daughter applied to). The parents I've spoken to are all very happy as well. No one knows anything about DBS Al Wakra of course. The established DBS has a very good reputation. Points to consider if choosing: - The curriculums (curriculi?)are different. Assuming your child is young I don't think there's actually a massive difference between IB and English. SEK is a worldclass IB school though and know what they're doing with the curriculum (this is always an issue with IB as there is considerable flexibility within the IB curriculum so it's not a great curriculum to be in if the school isn't hot on training teachers). - There is more of a language focus at SEK (Spanish and Arabic from the start). DBS didn't use to teach Arabic at all (this may have changed). - The majority of children at SEK are either Spanish speaking (Spanish/South American) or Qatari and then a scattering from here there and everywhere. My son doesn't fit into either of the dominant groups and hasn't had any issues though. I don't know if there is a dominant nationality/language at DBS. - I think DBS is probably less expensive (certainly the current branch is). - I don't know about the new school but the current branch of DBS has better facilities than SEK (SEK doesn't have a pool for example). - I think the class sizes are bigger at DBS (although I don't know about Wakra). Neither has massive class sizes. - SEK is probably a smaller school overall with around 30-40 children in a year (although I don't know how big DBS Al Wakra is starting out). - There is of course (theoretically) the possibility of transferring to the current DBS if you take a place at the new one which might be more convenient long term. - Both do sibling preference (this was actually our main reason for turning down Doha College). - Also consider school hours, after school clubs and uniform. The girls uniform at SEK is a great thing to inflict on your child <evil mother alert>.

I know it's hard if you are not here but also try to think about which area you want to live in. My friend's children go to SEK (I'm sure she'll be along shortly and comment) and she is happy with it. My children go to the current DBS and I am very happy with that. For me, becuase of where I live (near the current DBS) it would be quicker to get to Wakra than to where SEK is in West Bay. I drive to West Bay every day for work and although I would do the drive with my children if I ahd to, personally I would rather not.

I have heard good things about SEK so I would be happy to have my child there. We are currently in a good British school but have heard that the teaching style there is more along the lines with Australian and South African schools which I would actually prefer. Some of the regimented and uptight methods of teaching in these schools is so outdated. I think that DBS is one of the more progressive schools so that would also be good. Just be aware that your children will make their friends from school and you might find that it's easier to ferry them around for playdates in Doha rather than drive out to Wakra.

Purple violate I had a good felling when I went to SEK when I went for my kids assessment but I really don't know how the school is academically I didnt apply to doha british school and I don't have information about just what I read on web sites mixes reviews good and bad I suggest that u visit both and talk to parents then decide for buy I think doha british school has 25 pupils in class and SEK around 20 good luck

Marykar do you have any idea how much the fees might be even as an estimate? There is no information on fees on the website.

[b'>Purpleviolet[/b'>, if the location doesn't matter much for you, I can advise you another nice new school that is going to open in September. You will certainly have a chance to get places for the both kids as the school is new and they just start to enroll. Famous group GEMS will open its first school in Doha. It will be American curriculum. The school will be situated in AL Wakra. The opposite from West Bay but the accommodation is considerably cheaper there and there are plenty of brand new compounds and apartments. http://www.gemsamericanacademy-qatar.com/ Have a look. It will be a nice place to study.

Just to add in case people aren't watching the other thread. SEK may have space in the later grades. There is a lengthy wait list for early years though (I know this because I know a lot of people on it!). This will probably move quite a bit but I know a lot of people who wanted places who haven't gotten them.

SEK is a nice new school with IB curriculum. I'm sure they have places. It will be their second year and they increase the number of classes progressively. But they are in West Bay just near to Univerity patrol station. Not sure if the location is suitable for you as the accomodation is quiet exp here....My daughter is in preschool 3 there, ask me whatever you want. <em>edited by marykar on 12/05/2014</em>

We enquired Loydence about the possibility to admit our daughter, but they require the Residence Permit even fot accepting the applications and doing the assessment, so no hope if youe children are not yet resident in Qatar. &gt;Loydence is probably the one that's most hit by the recent shuffling so might be &gt;worth asking them if they have space.

Replied on your other thread :)

ASD is a good school. Again massively oversubscribed. I'm afraid I can't think of one school that isn't oversubcribed at the moment (although this may change on the first day of school). Loydence is probably the one that's most hit by the recent shuffling so might be worth asking them if they have space. SEK's admissions will open on 1 October for next year apparently. You should only be thinking about your 6 year old for this year btw (unless your 2 year old is three very soon!).

Have you got a place in an Indian school? My understanding is that they're also massively oversubscribed. Is cost a factor? The Indian schools are much cheaper. I can't comment on the quality of education. I believe ISLQ applications open in September. Sherborne applications open in September. At this stage what you need to decide is whether a) you need a school place immediately or b) you would prefer to homeschool for a bit and wait for the a place at the right school to turn up. There are homeschool groups in Qatar. That said, it is worth getting on every waiting list you can. There is a lot of shuffling going on in the schools this year (because of the new schools that have opened). I think a lot of schools are likely to find they don't have the students they think they do on day 1. Particularly for schools like the one my son will be going to which doesn't ask for a massive deposit and apparently will not require fees to be paid until October (!) Apart from wanting to do the decent thing, there isn't any incentive to actually tell the school your child won't be turning up most of the time.

Sorry to say but it's highly unlikely that ISLQ has any vacancies for those year groups. Most (if not all) of the British curriculum schools -- in fact most of the international schools in general -- are all oversubscribed. <em>edited by RachelA on 28/08/2013</em>

Hi purpleviolet, I know someone who works at the International School of London in Qatar (ISLQ) which is an IB school (PYP,MYP, IB). It seems to be a very nice school, with many nationalities and no passport preference.

Purple violet, there are many international schools that offer IGCSEs, not so many offer the IB although that's not anything to worry about yet as they don't start IB until 16. I teach at QIS and I know there is no preference for any nationality or passport. Places at schools are very limited, though, you need to visit as many as you can and put your kids on the waiting list. Good luck with your move!