Moving to Doha with young family

[HZAH1984]

Hi guys

I was wondering if I can get any advice for my potential move to Doha. I have three girls (1,3 and 6) and currently living London. My husband will be working for PHCC so if any advice??? I have heard schools are a nightmare to get into so have been emailing but it seems like there is a waiting list 😲 this is stressing me out as my kids love school and moving is one thing but not going to school is going to upset them. Does anyone know is it worth going on the waiting list ??? From research DESS is my first choice will I ever be able to get the kids in ?

Also what shall I bring in terms of clothes stuff for the kids crafts ??? We will be living in a hotel apartment for a few months then hopefully moving to a villa.

Gosh I’m stressing and would be grateful for any help x

We decided against applying for DESS due to distance from our compound so no idea about it but their website tells you which year groups are open for waitlist and which are completely full. There are plenty of other schools that aren't DESS though. Kids round here are at Compass (all 3 campuses), park house, Doha British school, Doha college, Sherborne and ASD. My son is very happy at his school and I'm glad we live so close to it. I would definitely try and find somewhere to live close to the school rather than close to your husbands work (although great if you can do both obviously).

My boys live in shorts and T-shirts. It's 46 degrees today so thin things for summer! They wore trousers for about 2 weeks in January and oldest wore a school jumper for a couple of weeks but it was always taken off before first break. Just lots of summer stuff for most of the year and then maybe a couple of things to layer up with for the winter and for when you're in the malls where it can be cold with air con. Plenty of places to buy clothes from as there's so many malls! I would try and bring shoes including in the next couple of sizes up though.

Bring any toys you think you might want and I'd buy birthday/Christmas presents to bring with you as toys are so much more expensive here. Wrapping paper and birthday cards too as they aren't cheap and there's not much choice. They do sell plenty of craft stuff but if you can bring it I would.

Thank you for replying

I will check out the other schools if you don’t mind what school do your sons go to?? As we don’t know exactly where we will be staying makes it difficult to see what schools are close 😩

I've sent you a PM.

We are recently back in London having been in doha for a few years, kids were at DESS and it's lovely, in my opinion, worth a drive - but yes, try to live close.

I'd apply, there's so much moment, one or two kids per year per term I'd say, so worth a shot. It's the foundation stages that fill up as most expats in doha are there with younger kids.

Good luck, pm me if you want to know more.

We've been here a long time and have first hand experience of the good the bad and the ugly .
100% would choose DESS or Doha College over any other British schools. They, ASD and the French and German School have Community Status which means they are somewhat exempt from the meddling and whims of the local ministries and are not for profit.

The higher fees charged by for profit schools are not reflected in their staffing, facilities or resources.

Some schools claim to be Swiss or Finnish but the reality is they are muddled local interpretations.

Traffic and travelling times are negligible nowdays due to major road infrastructure upgrades.
I would put the school at the top of my list and find housing second.