Doha

[OhSoTotallyLost]

Husband has another job possibility near Doha and we’re currently trying to decide whether to progress it any further. We have two children, one who would start school next September. Does anyone have any positive/negatives/advice they could give? How easy is it to get a place in schools and are there nurseries?

Lots of friends with kids at DBS, most very happy there. Big school with international feel.

THANK you mamaduckling

I am thinking of coming for a weekend to check out park house school and Doha British School.
Do you know anyone who goes to park house
Which school would you recommend.
Thanks as usual

Both have a good reputation, DBS seems more popular now. Park House under new management which I'm not sure everyone likes as much as before.

A reccy is a v good idea. Any idea where you'd be living?

Hi
I think to start with at Ezdan and later on West way or pearl..

Looking at the results and other updates I am developing a liking for Park house.
The staff have been extremely polite over the phone.. very cold response so far by DBS 🤔🤔😌

How old are your kids? Is Doha College an option? Or DESS? Best reputations and def best location for West Bay. Compass might also be worth a look.

It's possible Parkhouse are being super friendly as they need the business.
It seems to have fallen from favour since the school was sold.

Oops

I will apply at DESS for my younger one.
My daughter will be in secondary next year. Doha College seems to be out of our budget. And I don’t really want to do two different school run. Thinking of coming for a weekend to look at the schools and compare it to grammar schools here. Don’t really want to mess around with my daughter’s education and her hard work 🙈🙈

Worth noting that DESS is building a new block for yr 7/8 but I'm not sure when it's due to open. Worth contacting them.

THANKS mamaduckling
I did contact them and they said that the building Is ready but waiting for all red tapes to be cleared. Can only confirm next year.
Apparently they have been waiting for sometime for the secondary school to open

So it looks like we will be moving at the beginning of April so I need to start applying for schools now. My son would be going into reception (he only turns 4 in August). What are the assessments like and does anyone know when they tend to have the assessments? I have no idea how I'd be able to get him over there before April as I have no holiday allowance remaining. Also worried about how young he will be compared to others trying to get a place. How many schools would you recommend applying for?

Doha College is the best. No idea how you apply as my son automatically got a place due to his dad's job.

I do know you have to pay to hold the place and for the assessment etc.

Thanks. That's one of the ones we would have priority at I believe so will start with the application for there tonight.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful, be prepared for a culture shock, I've been to many places in my life but I was still shocked with Qatar, especially as it's one of the richest countries in the world. Just don't get carried away with what you see in the mags etc as life there isn't quite what you are led to believe it will be. Good luck and take it steady on the roads.

Also take plenty of loose clothes and if you're taking dresses etc then make sure you take leggings so your legs are covered, stock up on bras, pants, socks etc as it's hard to get these things at a decent price. Buy school shoes here before you go as once again they do add about 20% onto uk prices. Of course you may not care about paying more but it was a thing a never got used too! 😂

I haven't looked too much into life there so other than it being expensive and the driving being crazy I'm not sure what to expect! Will just keep an open mind for now and see how it goes... I'll buy some schools shoes in a size up and hope my son grows (but not too much!) before September though - got some Clark's vouchers for Christmas so may as well put them towards something useful

I spent a few years of my childhood in muscat. Sorry, not useful. But thanks for the memory Jog!

It is a ok life, you need to be prepared to drive everywhere and just get in with it, life generally revolves around meeting friends, children's birthday party and such things, at Malls, usually near West Bay. If you are not going to drive then you can get a Karwa taxi but 9/10 you will need to direct so Uber may be the way to go.
If you like to drink you will need to get a booze license or go to 5* hotels, when I left (2017) a pint was 35QAR (£7) but cigarettes are dirt cheap. Cadburys chocolate taste crap, made in Egypt I believe! Food basics are beef mince, beef steak, chicken chicken chicken...eggs, pasta, pots and various veg. Plenty of fruits. Strawberries and all other berries are £££ unless they are in season. Don't bother with sandwich meat or those skinny cheap sausages as they are vile! For some reason they take a decent bit of cooked meat, mush it up and reform it in a sausage shape then slice it! 🤢

The assessment is just a play date, most schools are just making sure there’s no additional support needed, that they’ll be toilet trained and what their level of English is.
You can get school places without an assessment if you’re not in the country, maybe the company PRO could help.

For what it’s worth I loved our time there, you just need to find your people.
Get a big car (I mean BIG) and the driving is fine. Don’t sign a housing lease til you have a school place. I lived in Al Waab and unless going to IKEA, most journeys were ten/fifteen minutes. I didn’t have any friends on the Pearl though.
Join the rugby club if you like pub grub and beer or embrace the bbq/entertaining lifestyle.

Thank you! He's toilet trained just quite shy so fingers crossed.. will definitely be taking a defensive driving course and although I've only just started driving here I drive a big car so shouldn't be too difficult to get used to a slightly bigger one. Looking forward to going now but not so much the planning! Have emailed a whole list of questions to the company (although still have a lot more) but hopefully can start sorting some things out soon.

Good luck! I lived in Doha before there were shopping malls and we were never once bored. We spent a lot of time in the desert/camping/beach though.

Reception (FS2) is the 2nd Year of school in Qatar. Get your current Reception teacher to fill in the applications/provide a report for the schools you like and pay the application fee
Expat turnover is higher than ever atm .We have been in the region for many years and this is the first time I've seen supply of school places exceeding demand.

I don't find things that expensive really , I buy shoes and uniforms like trousers and skirts here at M&S. So no need to panic buy stuff from home, I do shop for myself a lot online though they tend to omit the VAT so actually it's a bit more cheaper than Europe.

Schools are actually good, DESS , Doha collage and Sherborne are very popular with expats , My only issue is that they are not close to where we live and driving can be crazy in the mornings,

yes to buying a big car! You NEED a big car.

Groceries at places like monoprix and sometimes even the local Co OP is good. and lately local organic markets are dotted across doha and although produce is limited to just veggies it's actually fine . my DCs love the tiny bitter cucumbers 😂,

I like living here , we are never bored. It's a great place for families,
My only complaint is the traffic and just how hot it gets in the summer!