The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar 2018

T 

H 

E 

December 2018 

NOWLEDGEREVIEW 

Education. Innovation. Success 

TM 

The 

10 


Best 

International 

Schools in 

Qatar 

ACS Doha 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence

Editorial 

reams are shaped as per the mould of belief it is filled into. It is quite 

Dsimilar to the ‘liquid’ filled in the ‘bottle’ of any soft-drink. While 

the liquid is packed inside, by-default it has the cylindrical shape of 

bottle itself, but the moment we take it out of the bottle and its shape subtly 

changes as per the shape of the item it is poured into. Once it is out of its 

bottled packaging, the liquid has a variety of options; it can acquire a shape of 

glass, a shape of cup, a shape of mug, a shape of bowl, a shape of tumbler, 

goblet or chalice. But how will the poor ‘liquid’ know about the availability of 

all these beautiful options if it is kept confined in the body of packed ‘bottle’? 

Paradigm Shift 

It is a prevailing mentality of the parents in our generation to try realising their 

own dreams by superimposing them over the lives of their children. It won’t 

be an exaggeration to state that majority of careers in our generation is vastly 

influenced by the wishes of parents. Today, an Engineer is an Engineer just 

because his parents wanted him to be the one. Though there are multiple 

exceptions, but we can often come across many Doctors, Bankers, Lecturers 

and Politicians who are in their specific professions either because their 

parents were also in the same profession or their parents wanted so. But, does 

anyone care about what they exactly are passionate of? 

As a child, we all are pretty naïve, circumspect and innocent to decide our 

fortunes. From shaping interests to deciding career-paths, we all are dependent 

on the directions shown by our parents and teachers. Our lives are directly 

analogous to the liquid-bottle relationship highlighted here. Our Dreams are 

bottled into the confinement of beliefs built around us. Children timidly 

believe in whatever they are made to believe. Childhood is an extremely 

crucial phase of one’s life. This is the stage when dreams are provided wings 

to fly. Primary Education is the process of un-bottling the dreams from the 

confinement. Schools should never focus on mere pouring the liquid-dreams 

into any shape of their desire, rather the thrust should be upon provisioning of 

plethora of opportunities and possibilities at school-level which may help the 

children build their own interests and passion. We are fortunate that this 

change in approach is already happening in schools across the world. Let the 

children be empowered enough to decide their fate and career. Let them be a 

Writer, Dancer, Footballer, Actor or Artist if they wish to be one. Let the 

liquid make the choice of its container once it is out of the bottle. 

This Paradigm Shift is going to become a landmark achievement for us and 

multiple generations to come. Let us all be the part of this shift! T R

T 

H 

E 

TM 



Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal 

Senior Editor 

Anish Miller 

Managing Editor Crescent Cu 

Executive Editor Stella Andrew 

Contributing Editors Aishwarya, Nupur, Ryan 

Visualiser David King 

Art & Design Head Amol Kamble 

Art & Design Assistant Asha Bange 

Co-designer Paul Belin 

Art & Picture Editor Sumit Lunawat 

Business Development Manager Phill Miller 

Marketing Manager Marry D’Souza 

Business Development Executives 

Phill, Amy 

Sales Executives 

Amy, Frank, John, Helen, Steve, Kevin 

Technical Head Jacob Smile 

Assistant Technical Head Swapnil Patil 

Technical Consultants Amar, David, Robert 

Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege 

Assistant Digital Marketing Manager 

SME-SMO Executives 

Rahul, Gemson, Swati 

Research Analyst Eric Smith 

Circulation Manager Tanaji 

sales@insightssuccess.com 

December, 2018 

Prashant Chevale 

Insights Success Media Tech LLC 

555, Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, 

OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 

th 

Off. No. 513 & 510, 5 Flr., Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, 

Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 

Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 

Email: info@insightssuccess.in 

For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.in 

Copyright © 2018 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted 

in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success. 

Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. The Knowledge Review is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.

C O N T 

20 

BLYTH ACADEMY QATAR 

Teaching community that brings together students in a 

harmonious, creative, supportive environment 

24 

COMPASS INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOL DOHA 

Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students 

towards Responsible Global Citizenship 

34 

DOHA ENGLISH SPEAKING SCHOOL 

A Beacon of Excellence in International Education 

30 

Article

E N T S 

40 

Cover Story 

ACS 

Doha 

INTERNATIO NAL 

SCHOOL 

A Path-breaking Leader in 

Educational Excellence 

46 

GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY QATAR 

An Institute Offering a Lot More than 

Quality Education 

QATAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

“Aspiring to Excellence, Building Futures, and 

Celebrating Diversity” 

08 

52 

Editor’s choice 

May the Force Be with You 

THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

GUILDFORD IN QATAR 

Helping Children to Reach their Highest Potential

THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 

IN QATAR 2018 

T R 

Redening Educational System with 

a Focused Academic Curricula 

T 

st 

here is no denial to the fact that wealth and prosperity are prominent distinctions of countries in 

21 century but it is equally correct to claim that the individual inhabitants of the country 

concerned are the real driving forces for the attainment of such healthy states. Any individual’s 

worth is primarily determined by their knowledge and any nation is valued only because of the worthy 

individuals inhabited therein. 

Qatar, a peninsular country on the coastal lands of Persian Gulf, is a nation having a small 

geographical size but a magnanimous reputation of having Highest Per-Capita Income across the 

globe. The credit surely goes to the people of Qatar. They are known to be one amongst the most 

adequately educated section of human population across the planet. On having a closer look on the 

country’s composition one can easily observe a very interesting fact that – Out of 2.6 million people 

residing in Qatar, only 0.3 million are Qatari citizens and balance 2.3 million populations is composed 

of expatriates. While accrediting Qatar’s educated inhabitants for the nation’s wealth, development and 

prosperity; the contributions of expatriates residing in the country are always talked with utmost high 

regards. And, this clearly hints towards the pristine quality of International Education being provided 

in Qatar. 

International Schools are main sources of education for non-citizens or expatriates in any country. To 

decode the secret behind Qatar’s prosperous development, to highlight the direct relationship of 

Qatar’s development and its educational framework, and to elaborate the role of global educational 

facilities available in Qatar; we have brought our special edition on “The 10 Best International 

Schools in Qatar 2018”. 

On the cover of the edition, we have ACS Doha International School: A Path-breaking Leader in 

Educational Excellence. 

Along with such an interesting Cover Story, we have enlisted various other institutions, which are 

creating major influence in the world of education. Among them, a few are Blyth Academy Qatar: 

Teaching community that brings together students in a harmonious, creative, supportive environment; 

Compass International School Doha: Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students towards 

Responsible Global Citizenship; Doha English Speaking School: A Beacon of Excellence in 

International Education; The Royal Grammar School Guildford in Qatar: Helping Children to 

Reach their Highest Potential; Qatar International School: Aspiring to Excellence, Building Futures 

and Celebrating Diversity. 

And to further keep the lamp ignited, our in-house editors have crafted masterly written article on 

“May the Force Be with You” 

It’s time to flip the pages and enjoy an edu-informational experience with a feeling of reading pleasure. 

T R

Cover Story 

ACS Doha 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence

THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

ACS Doha International 

School has established itself 

as one of the leading 

educational establishments in Qatar 

over the past seven years. Part of the 

ACS International Schools group, ACS 

Doha provides a world class 

international education to boys and 

girls aged 3-18 (pre-K to Grade 12). 

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence 

Founded in 1967 by Gordon E Speed 

and Emmanuel J Poularas to meet the 

needs of local and global families; the 

first ACS school opened in Hampstead, 

London with one division and 35 

students. ACS Currently educates over 

2,600 day and boarding students aged 

2–18 in the UK representing more than 

100 nationalities along with over 900 

students at its campus in Doha, Qatar. 

Discovering/Exploring the School 

“We are a dynamic IB 

World School for over 

900 students and 150 

expert faculties and 

staff from over 70 

countries”. 

The school offers a 

globally-recognized international and 

American curriculum. In Early 

Childhood (Pre-K3 to Kindergarten) 

and in Lower School (Grades 1-5) it 

follows the International Baccalaureate 

Primary Years Program (IBPYP). In 

Middle School (Grades 6-10) the 

school also offers the prestigious 

International Baccalaureate Middle 

Years Program (IBMYP), and the 

International Baccalaureate Diploma 

Program (IBDP) in High School 

(Grades 11–12). Students can also 

choose an American High School 

Diploma.

ACS Doha is an IB World School 

accredited by the Western Association 

of Schools and Colleges, with the 

membership of the European Council 

for International Schools and licensed 

by the Ministry of Education in Qatar. 

Introducing the new ACS school in 

North Doha – Opening August 2020 

After opening their first school in Doha 

in 2011 and rapidly growing the 

number of students due to strong 

parent demand for places, ACS Doha 

enters an exciting new phase in 2018 

as they start to build a new 

state-of-the-art campus for 2470 

students in partnership with Al Jaber 

Group. 

The new 60,000sq meter campus, 

located in Al Kheesa, north Doha will 

open in August 2020, which is almost 

three times the size of the current 

campus. It will feature world-class 

academic, outdoor and recreational 

facilities, from future-ready science 

labs and libraries to dedicated 

buildings for Lower, Middle and High 

Schools, and ample parking. 

Mr. Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador 

to the State of Qatar, was present to 

witness the official signing of the 

partnership at a special ceremony at 

Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Mr. Tim 

Cagney, Chief Executive of ACS 

International Schools, and Mr. 

Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman 

of Al Jaber Group, acted as signatories 

for the partnership agreement. 

The new campus will be just 10 

kilometers – or a 15-minute 

drive – from ACS Doha’s current Al 

Gharrafa campus. In addition, the new 

campus will benefit from a metro stop 

that will be built close by as a part of 

Doha’s growing public transport 

network. It will also provide an 

opportunity for ACS Doha to serve the 

educational needs of a significant 

number of growing neighborhoods 

including Lusail, the Pearl and Um 

Salal. 

Student Support Programs 

ACS Doha accepts students 

representing a wide range of 

nationalities and different academic 

abilities. The school offers various 

programs to ensure all students are able 

to flourish. 

The school’s Learning Support 

program is designed to help students 

with mild learning difficulties advance 

in a mainstream school environment. 

The goal of the program is to build 

students’ self-awareness, confidence, 

and independent study habits so that 

they can succeed in their coursework. 

The key support services are delivered 

via a combination of in-class inclusion 

for core academic classes, specialized 

small group instructional sessions in 

mathematics and literacy 

fundamentals. 

English as an additional language at 

ACS Doha serves the need of 

non-English speaking students from 

beginners to advanced levels, enabling 

them to reach a sufficient degree of 

proficiency in the English language to 

participate fully in the school's 

mainstream classes. 

ACS Doha Learning support team 

consists of an EAL teacher, Learning 

Support teacher and counselor in Early 

Childhood section. In Lower School, 

they have an EAL teacher, and 

Learning Support teacher for each 

grade level (1-5), as well as counselor.

In Middle and High School there are 

two Learning Support teachers, guide 

counselor and college counselor. The 

Learning support team works closely 

with other departments and the 

librarians to ensure an all-around 

program for the students. 

Maintaining Student Diversity 

ACS Doha currently offers fully 

funded bursaries equivalent to 

approximately 5% of students enrolled 

at the school to faculty staff. These 

bursaries help support their recruitment 

and retention of quality teachers. With 

ACS achieving charitable status in the 

UK, a number of new charitable 

programs have been initiated in the 

UK, including financial support and 

scholarships for eligible students. 

Similar programs may be rolled out in 

Doha in the future. 

ACS Doha International School is 

proud to serve a diverse population of 

international families not in their home 

countries by working on the following: 

• We engage in community; strong 

partnerships between students, 

parents, and staff create a genuine 

feeling of family 

• We drive positive change; our 

approach of learning and inquirybased 

style of teaching position our 

learners as ambassadors to the 

national, international and global 

communities 

• We promote excellence through 

learning; inspire all to be the best 

they can be through varied 

programmes across our divisions; 

Students Voice in Lower School and 

Counseling Programmes in Middle & 

High School ensure students leave 

with more than good grades 

• We enrich the international 

experience; through providing 

students with international 

educational opportunities and 

delivering an optimal environment 

for teaching and learning. 

Beyond the Classroom 

ACS Doha’s strong core academics are 

coupled with extensive co- and 

extra-curricular programs including 

arts, sport, cultural activities, clubs, 

social activities, local and international 

trips – all of which deliver a balanced, 

student-centered philosophy and ethos. 

Students need opportunities to 

socialize, learn new skills, and have 

fun together. The school offers various 

clubs and activities at differing times of 

the week and school year. They always 

welcome parent volunteers to further 

supplement their program. After-school 

activities are normally held after 

school day at 2.30 pm and onward. 

Ø Outdoor Education Program 

The program offers a range of 

camping trips for students of all 

ages. Getting students out into nature 

is not just fun, but also vital to their 

educational development. Things to 

do at camp differ and depend on the 

age of the participating students. 

Their approach is to first introduce 

the children to the basic skills and 

then build on these gradually. 

Ø Clubs 

The school offers clubs to students 

as well as parents during and after 

school day. Club sessions vary 

depending on interests and demand.

Robert Cody 

Head of School 

Torchbearer of the School 

“Hospitality and kindness are characteristics of the Qatari community and we try to instill them in 

everything we do as a school.” Robert Cody, Head of ACS Doha International school. 

American national Robert Cody was born in New York and grew up on Long Island, famous for its white 

sand beaches. Besides New York, he has also lived in other locations such as New Hampshire, Colorado, 

Cambodia, and Hawaii. This educator holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Keene 

State in New Hampshire and a Bachelors of Arts from Molloy College in Rockville Center, New York. 

With more than 20 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and community collaborator, 

Robert began his career teaching Middle and High School in New York and New Hampshire, before 

serving as a High School Assistant Principal in Vermont. He was appointed as the principal of Manitou 

Springs High School in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 2002. 

At ACS Doha, Robert led a successful WASC accreditation visit, resulting in an award of six years, the 

longest term possible for schools. 

“Our strong educational approach embraces the fact that every child comes to us with his or her own 

hopes and aspirations”. To meet these needs we believe it is important to encourage the pursuit of 

academic endeavor within a caring environment that finds and focuses on each student’s specific 

ability and learning style. We are proud of our vibrant and diverse international community, which is 

represented by our 900 students from more than 70 different countries. We are a truly international 

environment where the world comes to study and to develop a respect and affinity for the rich and 

varied cultures reflected in our families and staff”. 

- asserts Robert.

This year; parents and staff came 

together to start an ACS community 

book club with an objective to read, 

discuss, explore, learn, and grow 

together as a community. Another new 

club that was introduced this year is 

the Drama club that achieved great 

success with participation of more than 

70 students from all ages. 

Music is another integral club and 

one of the most popular; bands 

perform in national competition as 

well as in events taking place in the 

school. Reading with your child club 

is open to all the parents after school 

day with a support from the 

librarians. ACS Doha Morning 

broadcast club in its fourth year is a 

collaboration work among teachers 

and students. Aquatic club this year 

is expanded to include Mother-Baby 

swimming classes. 

Ø Social Activities 

A variety of social activities are 

planned for students and parents 

after and during school hours with 

the help of the PSO (Parent-School 

Organization) and the entire school 

community. 

A wide range of outdoor events with 

several performances and shows are 

presented by the students like 

“Picnic in the Park” Musical show, 

ACS Doha Got Talent Show, Family 

Fun Day, sports competitions. 

Workshops with various subjects; 

parenting, mindfulness are offered 

by parents with specialty in their 

fields. 

Day, International Mindedness day 

through a series of activities. 

Career Fair week is an annual event 

inviting parents from different 

backgrounds to offer grade10 

students advice for their future 

career journey. 

The students at ACS Doha obtain as 

many different academic and 

positive experiential learning 

opportunities as possible. The school 

promotes the expansion of the 

curriculum into the community. In 

addition to the trips offered as a part 

of the curriculum, ACS Doha also 

offers optional trips that are sports, 

culture, science and 

language-related. 

Traditional Platform of Success 

Having a history of brilliance and 

exceptional performance, ACS Doha 

has been nurturing its students for the 

ever-changing competitive world. 

With just three graduating classes since 

its inception, the students of the school, 

who are still in college, are choosing 

vibrant career paths. Starting from 

business, engineering, medicine, and 

psychology, these students are grasping 

every opportunity lying ahead of them. 

The willingness of the students in 

choosing non-traditional careers like in 

art shows the poise with which these 

students are fostered. Adding another 

success story under its wing, ACS 

Doha proudly boasts about students 

who want to study a major in 

animation (art). T R 

Celebrating all the universal and 

national days together ; National 

Day of Qatar, Peace Day, Reading

Words of trust 

“We have built our 

confidence, achieved 

many goals, reached 

important milestones and 

had a lot of fun along the 

way. My children have 

showed enthusiasm in all 

activities including the 

Creative Day, 

International Day and 

Sports Day.” 

- Pre-K3 parent 

“This year was an 

incredible long run, 

jumping over hurdles; I 

made it! I feel I have met a 

new me, met incredible 

friends and learned 

amazing things! 

- Aleethia, Grade 4C 

“ACS Doha is committed 

to making a significant 

contribution to the 

growth of Qatar. We are 

honored that this 

expansion resonates 

strongly with the human 

development goals of 

Qatar’s 2030 National 

Vision, and our own goal 

to make an ACS 

education available to 

more students around the 

world. 

- Mr. Tim Cagney, 

Chief Executive, ACS 

International Schools

READ IT FIRST 

SUBSCRIBE TO SUCCESS 

GLOBAL SUBSCRIPTION 

Name : 

Address : 

Date : 

Telephone : 

Email : 

City : State : Zip : 

Country : 

Check should be drawn in favor of : INSIGHTS SUCCESS MEDIA TECH LLC 

T 

H 

E 



TM 

CORPORATE OFFICE 

The Knowledge Review 

555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, 

Dublin, OH 43017,United States 

Contact No.: (614)-602-1754; (614)-472-4768 

Email: info@theknowledgereview.com 

For Subscription: Visit www.theknowledgereview.com

THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

Name of the Institution 

URL 

Location of the Institution 

ACS Doha International 

Schoo 

acs-schools.com/acs-doha 

Al Oyoun Street, Al Gharaffa, Doha, Qatar 

Arab International 

Academy 

aia.qa 

Al Ghadeeriyat St, Doha, Qatar 

Blyth Academy Qatar 

blythacademyqatar.com 

Doha, Qatar 

Compass International 

School Doha 

nordangliaeducation.com 

Building:34; 926 Al Baihaqi Street; 

Zone:32,Madinat Khalifa, Doha, Qatar 

Doha English Speaking 

School 

dess.org 

Al Fajr St, Doha, Qatar 

Encyclopedic Child 

International School 

encyclopedicchildpreschool.com/ 

IPC Ezdan 23, Al Wukhair, Qatar, Qatar 

GEMS American 

Academy Qatar 

gemswellingtonschoolqatar.com 

gemsamericanacademyqatar.com 

Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah Doha , Qatar 

GEMS Wellington 

School - Qatar 

Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Doha 

Qatar International School 

qis.org 

United Nations Street, Doha, Qatar 

The Royal Grammar 

School Guildford 

rgsgq.com 

Building No. 17, Street No. 631, Zone No. 

71, Doha, Qatar

BLYTH ACADEMY 

QATAR 

Teaching community that brings together students 

in a harmonious, creative, supportive environment 

20 02 

| December 2018 | 

T 

H 

E 

TM 


Education. Innovation. Success

THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

“We want to be a global leader in providing accessible, experiential, 

progressive learning experiences that prepare students for academic success 

at the primary, intermediate, secondary and post-secondary education 

levels.” 

Established in 2006, Qatar Canadian School, now Blyth Academy Qatar is a renowned international 

school that embraces diversity, celebrates differences in cultures and engages students in their learning. Blyth 

th 

Academy is a global leader in providing students from Junior KG to 12 grade with safe, transformative, 

experiential learning opportunities. 

Blyth Academy Qatar is known for its diverse educational environment with students from 51 nations 

enriching the experience for all students to function in a global society. Graduates of Blyth are equipped to 

pursue post-secondary studies in Canada and internationally. 

The Inception story 

After several years of exploring and expanding the Alberta Programs of Study, the school applied for 

accreditation from the Ministry of Education, Alberta Canada. In July of 2016, the school was acquired by 

Blyth Academy headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Blyth Education has been delivering quality education for 

over 30 years in Canada and abroad. In the session 2016-2017, Blyth received accreditation status from the 

Ministry of Education of Alberta, and in 2018-2019 Blyth was elevated to Tier 3 accreditation. 

Today BA continues to serve its learning community under the direction of the Ministry of Education, Qatar 

in addition to operations as an Alberta Accredited International School. With a current enrolment of 

approximately 390 students, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, the school’s vision is “To create, foster, 

maintain, and act as a learning environment that embraces the curricula, pedagogy, and interactions that 

develop compassionate, intelligent and creative problem solvers for our global future.” 

The facility is now filled with a diverse population with many students from employees of CNAQ and UCQ. 

However, the student body is becoming increasingly more diverse and includes a small number of local 

students. The school continues to grow in popularity and functions at capacity. 

A Rainbow of Offerings 

Using the Alberta Education Program of Studies that is modified and augmented by the programs mandated 

by the Qatari MoEd., BA offers academic programs to students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 to help 

them have an overall development. The complementary timetable addresses local programming requirements 

and options, including: Arabic Language studies, Islamic Studies and Qatar History courses coupled with 

specialized options for CTF (e.g. Academic Literacy, Business Literacy, Theatre Arts, Nutritional Literacy, 

and Digital Literacy) in the Junior High and a series of bundled CTS Modules for the options in the Senior 

High (e.g., Business Foundations, computer studies, French and many online options are offered). 

T 

H 

E 

TM 



| December 2018 | 21 02

Teachers at BA are diverse, and most teachers are Canadian trained. They hold either an Alberta Teachers’ 

Certificate (interim or permanent) or a Letter of Authority from Alberta Education. The teachers who are an 

exception to this rule are those that are hired locally to teach Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, and these 

professionals are licensed by the authority of the Supreme Education Council (MoED). 

To Look Out for 

• Small class sizes 

• Educate students focused on academic success 

• Autonomy for the individual teaching structure and style to deliver customization of learning to students 

Impeccable Leadership 

Blyth Academy had adopted an inclusive leadership structure with the Head of School and Deputy Head of 

School overseeing the overall management of Blyth Academy. Included on the leadership team are Divisional 

leads, Guidance Counselors, Student Life Lead and Athletic Lead. These eight teachers alongside the Head’s 

work collaboratively to set the direction of the school to ensure students have excellent academic programs 

and an active and engaging extra-curricular program. 

To support the Leadership team, Blyth Academy has an active School Advisory Council that is made up of 

parents, students, faculty and staff. This group meets monthly, or as necessary, to discuss topics of interest 

and concern and provide the leadership team with guidance and suggestions with regards to school operation. 

Students are also included in school management through an active Student and Athletic Council. 

At Blyth Academy, all staff is required to contribute to the running of the school by being members of a 

variety of committees all of which are intended to enhance the academic program and extra-curricular life of 

the school. Through participation in these particular groups all members of staff, students and parents take 

ownership in the success of the school. 

In addition to the leadership team, the school has managers of finance, IT, facilities, and admissions who 

serve the parents and faculty. T R 

22 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM 




COMPASS INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOL DOHA 

Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students 

towards Responsible Global Citizenship 

24 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

The Nord Anglia Education School is built on quality teaching and recruits only the best teachers from 

around the world, dedicated to providing an exceptional education for every child. 

Ambition is the key that may be hard-wired into our 

DNA; however, it only becomes activated when 

properly stimulated. Ambition and positivity are 

features of human nature that are recognized in our parents, 

our teachers, and our peers. These attributes are nurtured in 

many children as they move through their formative years 

and drives them to greatness in their field. As part of the 

Nord Anglia family of international schools, Compass 

International School Doha drives the same ambition 

towards each student’s education. This British International 

school is located over three campuses with over seventy 

nationalities and provides global opportunities for all its 

students. 

Established in 2006, the 1600 strong school has links with 

over fifty-five partner schools across the world and a global 

campus of fifty-five thousand students. With the location in 

Doha, Qatar, it is an International School with campuses 

located in Gharaffa, Madinat Khalifa, and Rayyan. 

Gharaffa and Rayyan Campuses cater for children from 

Early Years 1 to Year 6 (3 to 11 years old) whilst Madinat 

Khalifa Campus is a Primary and Secondary School from 

Year 1 to Year 13 (5 to 18 years old). 

The school provides an excellent education for local 

families looking for a British style education. At Compass 

International School Doha, our philosophy is all about how 

teachers and support teams encourage children to Be 

Ambitious. This philosophy runs through the very core of 

school life preparing students for future success and 

encouraging them to be motivated in all areas of their life. 

The school strives to achieve the same ambition of 

developing lifelong learners in all its students. 

Accreditations and Associations 

Compass International School Doha has been awarded 

accreditation from The School Evaluation Department of 

the School Evaluation Institute, Qatar. As CISD is part of 

the Nord Anglia Education family of schools, its students 

benefit from unique partnerships with The Juilliard School 

for the performing arts, Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology (MIT) as it pertains to STEAM along with 

UNICEF to help the students become global citizens. The 

school does not stop there and offers a Masters Programme 

with Kings College London. 

Furthermore, the following associations accredit the school: 

• French Bilingual Immersion Classes – Rayyan Campus 

• Dutch Language – Gharaffa Campus 

• International Primary Curriculum – a thematic approach 

to learning with the English National Curriculum for 

English and Mathematics 

• IBDP –International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 

Compass International School Doha is an approved Council 

of British International Schools (COBIS) member. Being a 

Member is a clear mark of quality within the international 

school’s network and this association is something that the 

school community is proud of. The school is accredited by 

various others such as Edexcel, Cambridge International 

Examinations, LanguageOne, British Schools in the Middle 

East, The International Baccalaureate, and The Duke of 

Edinburgh’s International Awards. 

About the Resolute Curriculum 

The school provides a stimulating education in a welcoming 

school environment. Its curriculum is divided into the 

following programmes: 

Early Years 

With the power of two international programmes Early 

Years Foundation Stage curriculum (EYFS) and 

International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the student forms 

the base of successful and relevant learning and provide the 

necessary tools and challenges to support all children at an 

individual level, throughout their learning journey. 

Primary Years 

The classes allow young children to explore the wonders of 

reading and mathematics, as well as art, history, geography, 

music, sport, technology and science. The dedicated 

teachers also work tirelessly to create an environment in 

which every child feels supported and included, and in 

which they learn to respect others and open their eyes to the 

world. The classroom curriculum is complemented by visits 

and trips to locations in the local area and beyond. 

Lower Secondary - Key Stage 3 

The curriculum expands the student’s knowledge of a wide 

range of subjects while encouraging them to analyze and 

make connections between them. The curriculum at lower 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




secondary level builds childrens’ knowledge and gives 

them the tools and confidence to critique what they hear and 

see and to embark on their own learning outside of the 

classroom. 

Upper Secondary – IGCSE 

In Year 10, students at Madinat Khalifa, start studying for 

their International General Certificate of Secondary 

Education (IGCSEs) - an international version of the GCSE 

exams. The IGCSE exams are built on a number of core 

subjects. All students are required to take subjects such as 

mathematics and English, while they will also tackle 

biology, chemistry, and physics. 

These exams provide a solid bridge to further study such as 

the IB Diploma and give children more autonomy to choose 

the subjects that inspire them. 

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 

(IBDP) 

At age 16 and above (Years 12 and 13), students can apply 

to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma 

Programme (IBDP). This two-year course is a balanced 

academic programme, building confidence and leadership 

as well as broadening the students’ understanding of world 

cultures. 

Physical Education, Sport, After-School Clubs, and 

Expeditions 

The school’s PE and Sports programmes are an important 

and compulsory part of the curriculum and include games 

such as netball, football, basketball, gymnastics, athletics, 

dance and swimming among others. After-school activities 

vary from clubs to music, arts, and culture, through to 

sports. The school works with external companies to 

provide additional activities. School trips include local 

museums and attractions for year 1 to 6 students as well as 

international trips for year 6 and Secondary students. 

An Erudite Leader 

The school is led by a pioneering leader, one that has a 

wealth of experience from a variety of UK teaching 

positions to lead, mentoring and management experience in 

the UK and globally. Dr. Terry Creissen OBE, Executive 

Principal, worked in a variety of schools prior to joining 

Nord Anglia Education. Between 1994 and 1997, he was a 

founding Board Member of the UK Teacher Training 

Agency for Schools and Chair of its CPD Committee. A 

former Ofsted Inspector, Terry has been a consultant for the 

UK Government Innovation Unit and was appointed as an 

e-learning consultant for the British Educational and 

Communications Technology Association (BECTA). He 

was on the National Executive for the National Association 

of Head Teachers (NAHT) and chaired the Schools Funding 

Forum for three years. 

Terry received recognition and was awarded an OBE in 

June 1997 for “Services to Education.” Terry has been with 

Nord Anglia Education since 2007, spending over five years 

at The British International School Shanghai; two years at 

The British School Warsaw; and joined Compass 

International School Doha in 2014. Terry is fully immersed 

in the three campuses and enjoys being involved with daily 

school life. He is a keen musician, a Fellow of the Royal 

Society for the Arts (FRSA) and is often seen supporting 

the school’s band and orchestra. 

Students’ Life at Compass International School Doha 

The children at Compass International School Doha attain 

an international outlook, a strong community of friends 

from around the world along with social and academic 

success. The school provides an educational experience 

beyond the ordinary, where children exceed all 

expectations. From the first day of school, CISD treats 

every child as an individual and understands the relevance 

of its learning with the perspective of the world. At 

Compass, children make lifelong friends and achieve 

academic excellence. 

More than Just a School 

The school conducts various annual events at each campus 

to motivate students, which are as follows: 

Spring Fete – a gathering of all students and families to 

celebrate, before it gets too hot in the desert heat 

Arabian Night – A celebration of the country and area in 

which students live, dancing, wares, and Arabic cuisine 

International Breakfast –A celebration of over seventy 

nationalities of Compass International School. Families 

bring dishes from their native countries, dress in their 

national dress or colors and enjoy dancing, games, and 

community spirit. 

Rainbow Picnic – A family driven event at Rayyan campus 

with dancing, games, and positivity on a Saturday morning 

After-School Clubs – Ranging from Histories, Gymnastics, 

Mad Science, Legos and many more 

Steam Week – With challenges put together by professors at 

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the students have 

the unique opportunity to learn and explore 

Steam Week – Compass Curiosity Cubes- 2017/18 

Steam Week – Compass Possibility Pyramids- 2018/19 

T R 

26 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM 




MAY THE 

FORCE 

BE WITH 

YOU 

30 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



Editor's choice 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




The great physicist, Isaac Newton had very 

beautifully highlighted an amazing philosophy of 

st 

life in his 1 Law of Motion. It reads, ‘Anything at 

Rest will continue to be at rest and anything in Motion will 

continue to be in motion, until and unless it is acted upon 

by an External Force’. This law revolutionized the entire 

field of mechanics but its relevance in human lives is far 

deeper than what normally appears to naked eyes. 

Moments of Inertia 

When every single object on earth obeys this law, then how 

can the most amazing creation of nature be an exception to 

it. Yes, we human beings too are affected by it. No, the 

effect is not only physical. Inertia has its impacts way 

beyond the field of physics. ‘Phycological Inertia’ is a 

reality. We do feel it at every walk of our lives, but 

knowingly or unknowingly we tend to overlook it. Inertia is 

nothing but a resistance to change. And, our minds are quite 

aware of its significance. We can sense it every morning 

when we try to adopt a habit of morning-walk, as a Change. 

We can sense it every time we try to inculcate a habit of 

healthy eating by giving away the junk-foods, as a Change. 

Not only these, the effect of Inertia can be felt every single 

time whenever we think of changing a job, or moving to a 

new city, or opting a new course. Human mind tends to 

resist the change every time it senses ‘Any Eminent Change 

in the Way of Living’. As our societies, communities and 

countries are comprised of nothing but we individuals, 

inherently these too are not fond of radical changes, be it a 

deviation from their own culture and tradition or an option 

to adopt good practices non-native to them. So, what is the 

missing link here? It is the External Force. 

Beauty of Relativity 

A famous ghazal in Urdu language briefly translates to – “If 

it provides a cold comfort to your heart, the false thought; 

no matter how bad it is, is not bad at all”. It goes without 

saying that more often than not, we restrict our thoughts, 

our actions and our reactions on the basis of several ‘selfcomforting-fabrications’ 

that we have construed in our 

minds. Deep down even if we are aware that such notions 

are restricting our advancement at large, we timidly accept 

those as our fate. This is nothing but yet another seed of 

Inertia. While Relativity plays a huge role in its 

germination, the Frame of Reference acts as a catalyst to 

the entire process. Let’s have one simple example to 

understand this complex phenomenon. At some point of our 

lives or the other, we all have travelled in trains. Ever 

noticed how do we gauge the speed of a running train? One 

cannot judge the speed of a train while sitting inside any of 

its closed compartment. For appreciating its speed, either 

one has to look outside through the windows or has to get 

down from the train to have a look on it. The inability of 

making a judgement of speed is due to Relativity and the 

subsequent resolutions by looking out of windows or 

getting down from train are the acts of switching the Frame 

of Reference. 

Pursuit of Motion 

Phenomenon of relativity is applicable to our lives too. We 

all are travelling in our individual trains of life. The speed 

of train is analogous to the progress of our lives. If we keep 

ourselves settled in closed compartments (read selfcomforting-fabrications) 

assuming that our train (read life) 

is moving at nice and high speed (read progress), quite 

obviously we would miss-out on much needed efforts to 

enhance its speed. This becomes more dangerous if in 

actuality it is crawling at snail’s pace and we are unaware of 

it. So, to alter the motion of our lives, we are required to 

break the shackles of inertia. To break the shackles of 

inertia, we need to look out of the windows i.e. change our 

frame of reference and compare ourselves with changing 

and progressing world. But, why are not we readily doing 

the that. What is the missing link here? It is the External 

Force. 

Probing the Missing Link 

As a matter of fact, flora and fauna face extreme difficulty 

in accepting any form of change. They are highly inertial to 

alteration in their habitats, their surroundings, their food, 

and their climate. But, it is equally true that they do not 

need to pursue progressiveness for survival, as much as we 

human do. Human beings are slightly more flexible to 

changes as compared to other forms of life on earth. So, it is 

quite obvious to conclude that the difference lies in 

education and awareness that emboldens us with this 

perspective. 

The biggest problem that we are facing now days is the 

‘sense of denial’ inside our minds. Not only we love our 

state of ‘Rest’ but also, we keep convincing ourselves that 

we are actually moving at good pace and life is so good. All 

this is happening because we are missing the cue of 

relativity and getting trapped in our own frame of reference. 

The absence of requisite external force in form of proper 

awareness further adds to this conundrum. If we feel that 

life is so easy, quite possibly we are not challenging 

ourselves at all. State of Rest is not our destiny. 

Progressiveness shall be our way of life. All we need to do 

is to keep educating our minds and keep refreshing our 

thoughts with recent advancements happening across the 

globe. Education is the External Force that will help us 

getting rid of Inertia. Awareness is the External Force that 

will enable us changing our Frame of Reference. Let us 

embrace this Force and race on the track of selfimprovements. 

Let us seek new changes and run on the path 

of progressiveness. Let us be the individuals we are 

destined to be. T R 

32 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



DOHA ENGLISH 

SPEAKING SCHOOL 

A Beacon of Excellence in International Education 

34 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

“We provide a safe and happy environment as a 

basis for all of our school community to engage 

in learning” 

Located in Doha, Qatar, Doha English Speaking 

School (DESS) is an outstanding British Embassy 

sponsored primary school with over forty years of 

history where children aged 3-11 reach their full potential 

academically and beyond. DESS is proud to be one of the 

longest established schools in Qatar. 

The school started in 1971 when an English speaking 

primary school catering for British children was first built. 

The junior school was opened in February 1979 by Her 

Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Highness Sheikh 

Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. The school is in the process of 

expanding their facilities to provide a ‘state of the art’ new 

building where children will be educated to Year 7 from 

2019 and then Year 8 from 2020. 

From the Leader’s Desk 

At DESS we deliver an education to our children through 

the British curriculum, a world renowned education system 

which will allow your child to continue their education 

internationally or into the British education system whether 

that be secondary education or through a seamless 

transition back to the UK. With virtually all of our teachers 

being British trained and facilities and grounds of the 

highest quality, we have a basis for learning which reminds 

our students and parents of a traditional British school, 

whilst still having a strong, multi-cultural and international 

feel. 

The children at DESS achieve academic results which are 

significantly above those demonstrated in the UK national 

average statistics and their sporting achievements are 

outstanding. Our wide range of extra-curricular provision 

also helps our children to become well rounded individuals 

but most importantly our children are happy and confident 

individuals who are a joy to work with. Students at the end 

of Year 6 leave DESS well prepared for UK independent 

schools, grammar schools and local schools they then go on 

to attend. 

We are very proud of our history in Qatar and many of our 

students keep in touch with us as Alumni which are 

remarkable for a primary school and a reflection of the 

fondness they feel for Doha English Speaking School. 

- says Sean. 

Sean Sibley 

Headteacher 

THE TORCHBEARER OF THE SCHOOL 

Sean Sibley is currently the Head-teacher at 

DESS (Doha English Speaking School) which 

was graded as Outstanding in May 2017 by 

the OFSTED accredited inspectorate, PENTA. 

Sean guides the staff to provide a happy and 

secure atmosphere so that the children are 

able to enjoy learning. 

Providing Blooming Opportunities 

DESS delivers the English National Curriculum through 

UK qualified teachers. The Curriculum is split into three 

different stages, according to a child’s age, Foundation 

Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. It is broad and 

balanced, and provides every child with the best 

opportunity to develop academically, socially, morally, 

physically and creatively. 

Foundation Stage - Each child is taken through the six 

areas of learning which forms the English National 

Curriculum Framework by being encouraged to learn 

through fun activities such as play and exploration. It 

ensures physical development, personal, social and 

emotional development along with literacy, and maths to 

help students understand the world and expressive arts and 

design that are all needed at this stage for the child’s 

development. 

Key Stage 1 and 2 - Children develop an all-round 

education based on the English National Curriculum and 

are taught core subjects (Maths, English and Reading) as 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




well as specialist subjects in Computing, Science, PE, and Languages. The curriculum has been adapted to deliver Arabic to 

every child at this level. 

School trips and extra-curricular activities as well as roles in the School Council, the DESS Environmental Group and class 

Technical Genius roles all add to a child’s development at this stage of their lives. 

The subjects taught at this level include: Art, Design and Technology, Maths, English, Reading, Arabic, French, Computing, 

Science, Music, PE, History, Geography, Drama, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). 

Quality with a Difference 

The school work to create an environment where children have respect and care for each other. There are opportunities for 

children to make friends across the school in their class and Year Groups, sports teams, extra-curricular activities and other 

opportunities that offer children leadership roles such as the DESS School Council. 

Health and well-being is a priority at DESS. The school has a dedicated nurse and a full-time Health and Safety Officer. 

Online safety is also very important; they raise awareness of online safety at school with both parents and children. DESS 

also provides lessons in PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) as a part of the core curriculum, in which children 

learn important social life skills such as what it means to be a good friend and how to take care of their health and their 

bodies. 

The school also offers something very unique at DESS, a dedicated mentor for parents and children to speak with. Their 

'Learning Mentor’ provides a link between the school and home, offering guidance on aspects which expats in particular may 

find challenging such as transitioning between countries or schools. 

Extra-curricular Activities 

Sport - DESS is well equipped to deliver a diverse physical education program to its students. Children of all ages are 

encouraged to take part in lessons as well as national competitions. DESS has a sporting prowess to be proud of having come 

second in the 2018 British International Schools Qatar Games, as well as winning many other national competitions. 

Technology - Technology is part of everyday learning at DESS and is used to enhance the curriculum program. iPads are 

used by its pupils from Years one to six. The interactive classrooms encourage children to become familiar with technology 

from an early age and are used to present to the pupils. Computing is a core subject taught at DESS, a syllabus complemented 

by a well-equipped, dedicated computing suite. 

Music - DESS offers music lessons across all Year Groups and opportunities in music outside of school hours. During school 

hours, music is a core subject taught to every child where pupils learn music theory, sing and play instruments as part of their 

lessons. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in instrumental lessons inside and outside of school hours. 

The school choir won the 2018 Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year Competition and is well known throughout the 

country, performing at high profile events, even at the British Embassy, other local events and national competitions. In 2017 

their choir was the first international choir to perform at ‘Choirfest Middle East’. 

Drama – DESS think it's important for children to have the opportunity to express themselves outside of the classroom in a 

fun environment. DESS is fortunate to have a fully equipped stage with lighting and sound equipment. Year 6 and Foundation 

Stage children perform imaginative and creative fully choreographed musical productions. Children who are keen on amateur 

dramatics can also attend an extra-curricular activity at DESS and work towards LAMDA (London Academy of Music and 

Dramatic Art) qualifications. 

Friends of DESS - Friends of DESS is the fundraising forum for DESS parents and teachers. Every year, the Friends 

organise fantastic events such as the Community Garden planting morning, Winter Fair, ice lolly days and bake sales for the 

children to enjoy. T R 

36 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM 




GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY 

QATAR 

An Institute Offering a Lot More than Quality Education 

40 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

“We firmly believe that education is about overall 

student development and, as a GEMS 

international school community, we promote 

growth through learning, global citizenship, the 

pursuit of excellence, and leadership through 

innovation.” 

Located at Al Wakra, Qatar, GEMS American 

Academy Qatar (GAAQ) is a state-of-the-art 

center of inspirational learning that enables 

students to make decisions independently, solve problems 

effectively, and interact positively with tolerance. This 

prominent school offers a rigorous American curriculum 

from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 to its 

multi-cultural student body. Along with U.S. core 

standards-based academics, it provides an Advanced 

Placement (AP) Program as well as a robust extra-curricular 

program to support the holistic development of a child. 

The major learning principles of GAAQ are: developing 

healthy connections, goal setting, authentic assessment and 

constructive feedback, effective use of time, and nurturing 

independence and inquiry. This institution empowers its 

students to attain their goals and to become successful 

citizens in the global community. The academy actively 

cultivates the values of respect, innovation, leadership, 

purpose, and tenacity in their scholars. 

Perfectly Tailored Curriculum 

Early Years Curriculum 

GAAQ’s early-years program is based on a creative 

curriculum revolving around five important developmental 

strands: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and 

language. These are integrated into themed units throughout 

the year using interest centers based around drama, science, 

literature, art, creative play, music, gross-motor, outdoor 

play, and other free-play choices. The curriculum also 

includes other daily activities to promote developmental 

skills in all areas. 

Elementary School: Grades 1 to 5 

The school has a solid curriculum in place for these 

students that emphasize basic skills in all subject areas and 

introduces higher-level challenges to students to stimulate 

their interests. The curriculum fosters the concept that 

learning is enjoyable and rewarding as well as providing a 

variety of provisions to support individual learning. In 

addition to the core subjects, GAAQ allows students to 

Mark Lentz 

Head of the School 

THE GUIDING LIGHT OF GAAQ 

Mark Lentz, the Head of the School, 

arrived at GAAQ in the spring of 2016. He 

defines the school as an amalgamation 

of top notch facilities, well-behaved and 

engaged students, dedicated teachers, 

and a positive, supportive learning 

environment. Under his leadership, GAAQ, 

as a young school, has grown quite a bit 

over the last few years. It has gone from 

820 students to nearly 1,100 students, 

adding competitive sports teams, 

increasing academic rigor and support, 

introducing advanced placement classes, 

developing a student support team, 

creating a school motto and mascot, 

maintaining the highest parent 

satisfaction rate, all while furthering the 

school's mission, “We are the Raptors 

and together we will soar to new heights!” 

says Mark. 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




have elective classes in physical education, music, art, 

Arabic language for native and non-native speakers, Islamic 

education for Muslims, library, and IT. 

Middle School: Grades 6 to 8 

The school realizes that children in this age group are 

transitioning into adolescence and exploring the essential 

questions of identity, purpose, and meaning more deeply 

than before. Therefore, GAAQ complements the core 

curriculum by including a variety of exploratory classes that 

make the middle-school experience special. Students are 

given a choice of which classes to take while exploring 

personal interests and possible career choices. The classes 

offered have been specifically designed by inspired, 

credentialed teachers to engage students in learning 

opportunities that focus on creating, connecting, and 

collaborating. The institute has grouped the learning skills 

in three strands: Literacies, Competencies, and Character 

Qualities. 

High School: Grades 9 to 12 

GAAQ believes that the recipe for excellence in 

high-school classrooms consists of knowledgeable adults, a 

focus on classroom culture, and a passion for the 

development of self and others. Within this framework, it is 

moving forward in its pursuit to get every student to and 

through college. For high school, the institute offers a 

dynamic college and career preparatory education and 

support system that encourages student achievement, 

maturity, and independence. Its classrooms have fewer than 

25 students and it follows the norms of team and 

discussion-based learning. Alongside, all the teachers utilize 

technology to support and enhance their lessons and each 

classroom is equipped with CTouch technology. 

In addition to this, GAAQ hosts various annual events 

including United Nations Day, Qatar National Day, and 

Spring Festival. To motivate its students, it also conducts a 

bevy of extra-curricular activities including sports, music, 

athletic initiatives, tutoring, and enrichment clubs. 

Life at GAAQ 

At GAAQ, students enjoy an enriching student life 

experience through several outlets. The school has after 

school activity offerings such as sports, reading, art, yoga, 

chess, math, music and theater performances, service 

learning trips, girl scouts, volunteering, honors classes, AP 

coursework, and many more. Additionally, it has various 

student-led initiatives such as QINOCON, Yearbook Club, 

and monthly school spirit activities. 

Students also benefit from the diverse school culture. 

GAAQ is home to over 80 different nationalities. It is a 

representative of various multi-linguistic, multiethnic and 

multicultural parents, students, and school community 

members. In addition, GAAQ’s teachers have a similar 

diverse background, so students and teachers develop a 

trusting and genuine relationship. This international vibe at 

the school ultimately improves the quality of education, 

helps students feel safer, reflects the world, and challenges 

school administration to implement diversity programs that 

positively impact parents, students, and staff. 

Making the Students Future-Ready 

GEMS American Academy Qatar believes that all people 

have unconditional worth and potential. So, one of its goals 

is to cultivate a lifelong and engaged learning environment 

where students, parents, and teachers pursue learning 

long-term and appreciate curiosity and imagination. 

Moreover, the school teaches in diversified learning styles, 

where students learn through various approaches such as 

visual, auditory, and tactile instructions. Also, students are 

encouraged to participate in global academic programs such 

as Model United Nations or the International History Bee to 

explore their passions. Owing to the same, one of GAAQ’s 

students created his own youth business conference in Qatar 

called ‘QINOCON’ and recently did a TEDx talk on 

‘7 Precepts of Successful Event Organization’. The institute 

also supports student-led, teacher-supported initiatives, such 

as its AP Environmental Science class taking the charge on 

GAAQ becoming an eco-friendly, green school in 2019. 

Ultimately, the school aims for its students to learn in the 

classroom and apply the knowledge through real-life 

applications so that they can understand and remember the 

experience. 

Career Opportunities for Students 

This academic year marks the first graduating class at 

GAAQ. In fact, history was recently made as one of 

GAAQ’s seniors was recently accepted as an early 

applicant to George Mason University in Virginia, U.S.A! 

Prior to graduation, the senior students at the school have 

been encouraged to take up internships outside of the 

school. This has helped them explore various career options 

and become more informed about possible career pathways 

that will influence their collegiate course of study. At the 

conclusion of the school’s internship program, students 

create a presentation on leadership skills needed in today’s 

workforce and offer an honest reflection of their internship 

experience. T R 

42 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM 




QATAR INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOL 

“Aspiring to Excellence, Building 

Futures, and Celebrating Diversity” 

46 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

“We aim to equip our students with the 

knowledge, skills and capabilities to become 

self-reliant career managers, who are able to 

make the best possible educational, training and 

life choices.” 

Mr. Deane Baker 

Principal 

Qatar International School is a fully accredited 

British International School, located in the Dafna 

district of Doha. The school was founded in 1977 

making it one of the first British schools in Qatar. Just over 

40 years later and QIS is now one of the largest and most 

successful schools in the country, with 2,000 students on 

role. 

Conveniently situated beneath the impressive skyscrapers 

and business centre of West Bay, the school occupies a 

unique, purpose built campus. Here it has developed the full 

range of specialist school facilities, which more than meet 

UK standards. The school is blessed with almost 130 

classrooms, all equipped with the latest technology and 

resources. These obviously include more than 14 

well-appointed Science laboratories, numerous ICT suites, 

a swimming pool, playing field, and 2 large sports halls. 

Since 2013, when the current Principal, Mr. Deane Baker, 

took over, the school has embarked on a journey to be not 

only the best school in the country but one of the best 

British International Schools in the World. With more than 

20 years school leadership experience in the UK and a team 

made up entirely of British professionals, the Principal 

strives to maintain the highest standards of the current 

English Education system. 

Children are taught in Key Stages from Early Years through 

to KS5 and examinations are taken in GCSE, IGCSE and A 

Levels, using UK examination boards. In general, 50% of 

the sixth form students leave to universities in the UK but 

also the USA, Canada and elsewhere. All English 

Curriculum staff are UK qualified or experienced and the 

school prides itself on ensuring it keeps up to date with the 

very best international practice and training. In the last 4 

years the school has achieved more than 4 “Best in World” 

examination results at both IGCSE and A Level. 

TORCHBEARER OF 

THE SCHOOL 

The Principal, Mr. Deane Baker, 

took over the leadership of the 

school in 2013. Under his excellent 

guidance the school has embarked 

on a journey to be not only the best 

school in the country but also one 

of the best British International 

Schools in the World. The Principal 

strives to maintain the highest 

standards of the current English 

Education System. He has over 27 

years’ experience of leadership and 

teaching the English Curriculum of 

which 23 years were in the UK. His 

entirely British leadership team 

brings the best the UK has to offer 

to this outstanding international 

school in Qatar. 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




Complementing these achievements have been no less than 15 awards for results that were “Best in Country” 

and “Best in Region,” firmly establishing its reputation as one of the leading British Schools in Qatar and the 

Middle East. 

In 2015 QIS received the highest possible grading from the Qatar National School’s Accreditation programme 

and was certified for 5 years. The following year the school was awarded full BSO status (British School 

Overseas) by the UK Government following an excellent inspection in October 2016. Since then the school has 

continued to renew its accreditation as well as becoming the only provider in the region for the prestigious 

Olevi International Teacher Training Programmes, becoming a designated Centre of Excellence in 2018, one of 

only 8 schools in the world to do so. This very much reflects the QIS commitment to the highest quality of 

teaching learning. 

Our student body is truly international, with over 60 different nationalities represented within the current 

cohort. Throughout the year they participate in numerous events, both inside and outside of the school, 

including a wide variety of Sports, Model United Nations, International Award and World Scholar’s Cup. The 

school calendar is packed with other activities to celebrate both the local and international nature of its work. 

National Day, International Day and School Fair are all major events involving the whole school community 

coming together to celebrate success and diversity. 

While the teaching staff is predominantly British and the curriculum is taught in English, the school is adept at 

integrating students from varied cultural and academic backgrounds. Qatar International School prides itself in 

the care it takes of its students and the school family is a warm and welcoming one. It knows that only by 

making sure that its children feel happy and safe can they really learn and develop to their full potential and 

ability. T R 

48 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM 




THE ROYAL GRAMMAR 

SCHOOL GUILDFORD 

IN QATAR 

Helping Children to Reach their Highest Potential 

52 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



THE 


BEST 

INTERNATIONAL 

SCHOOLS 


T R 

“We want to be a community which is 

internationally recognised for the quality of 

learning, where our pupils can excel and develop 

into caring and confident individuals who are 

well prepared for the challenges ahead”. 

Located in Qatar, The Royal Grammar School 

Guildford, in Qatar (RGSGQ) is the first 

international branch of the UK’s prestigious, 

500-year-old Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGS), 

which has retained a worldwide reputation for academic 

excellence. The School’s facilities are first class and their 

plans for the future are ambitious, which will see pupils 

aged 3 to 18 receive an RGS education in Qatar. 

The School currently has pupils from over 30 countries and 

will continue to expand its global endorsement. The 

School’s multi-cultural education aims to instill a lifelong 

love of learning and a determination to excel for their 

multi-national community. 

Inception Story 

In 2015, the now owner and Chairman of the RGS 

Guildford in Qatar, Mr Hamad Al Qamra, first approached 

the Governors of the RGS, UK with his aim to establish a 

school in Qatar that would offer the highest standard of 

education, for which the RGS is renowned. 

Following months of negotiations, it was agreed that the 

RGS would open a brand new school, offering a first-class 

education to boys and girls, in Doha, in September 2016. At 

the core of the RGS’ mission and values are tradition, 

innovation and diversity, whilst creating a place where all 

pupils can learn within a happy environment. 

Mr Hamad Al Qamra provided the location and funding for 

a brand new school building to be constructed on the site of 

a previous school in Umm Salal Mohammed. Many 

challenging months of construction works took place, 

alongside the recruitment of a highly-qualified and 

experienced team of staff led by the current Head of School, 

Mr. Alistair Downs. A specific marketing plan was created 

to promote the School’s reputation to parents in Qatar. 

Phase 1 of the RGSGQ for boys and girls Early Years and 

Alistair Downs 

Head of School 

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 

Bringing a well-established School from the 

UK to Qatar required hiring a high-calibre 

individual with a strong sense of commitment, 

significant experience and specific knowledge 

of setting up an educational establishment 

from inception. Mr. Alistair Downs, the Head 

of School at RGSGQ has a proven track-record 

of such an assignment. 

From the onset, Mr Downs has set a 

precedent whereby the needs and safety of 

the pupils are, above all else, the utmost 

priority. Whilst the Head of School has high 

expectations from all the pupils attending 

RGS, his message to staff and parents is that 

every child must feel safe, respected and 

happy in order to fully realise his/her potential. 

The Head of School’s achievements are 

clearly visible, having created a nurturing 

environment where the whole school 

community, pupils, parents and staff all 

benefit from the support of each other's 

efforts. 

The Head of School’s continuous 

collaboration with the UK Governing body and 

the Chairman, to maintain the ethos and 

values of the RGS, has achieved a successful 

transition of a top-class educational 

establishment in the UK, to adapting and 

fulfilling the requirements of a newly opened 

school within the international market: and 

without compromising the traditional RGS 

academic standards of excellence. 

T 

H 

E 

TM 




Primary, enrolled its first pupils in 2016; whilst work continued on Phase 2, the Senior School, for Years 7 and 8, which 

opened for the 2018/19 academic year. Plans to complete the final Phase of the Senior School are in place for 2019/20. 

Throughout initial negotiations it was conditional that the School’s facilities must compliment the high standard of education 

offered at RGSGQ. This is prevalent with the School’s state-of-the-art resources, spacious classrooms, first-class sports 

facilities, a swimming pool and fully-equipped playground; and where specialist subjects benefit from a Science lab, IT Suite 

and Music Technology room. 

The determined efforts of all parties concerned which include the Chairman, the Governing Body and the Head of School, 

serve to maintain and preserve the RGS’s educational expectations of all round excellence. 

Academic Programme and Extra-Curricular Activities 

The School follows a bespoke British Curriculum, which includes the RGS enhanced Learning Habits. These Learning Habits 

include the ability to learn with creativity, to work effectively with others, to be reflective and to take responsibility for a 

pupil’s own learning and organisation. 

From this, pupils achieve the outstanding academic progress for which the School is renowned, and equips them with life 

skills for the challenges they will face beyond life at the RGS. They will have the know-how, the ability, social skills and 

confidence to achieve their ambitions. 

At the RGS, learning extends beyond the classroom. An extended day is available to all pupils. Each term offers a wide range 

of Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) across the whole school, from Early Years to Key Stage 3. Parents and pupils are 

encouraged to provide input as to the kind of ECAs they would like the School to offer and currently they include: 

Science Club; Mindfulness; Music Technology; Football (Boys & Girls); Creative Writing; Art Club; Gymnastics; Book 

Club; Cooking; Drama; Sensory Play; Variety Sports; Ukelele, Guitar & Keyboard Club; Maths Club; Sewing Club, Singing, 

Arabic; French and more. 

ECAs are varied throughout the academic year to inspire and motivate pupils’ interest; as are the RGS whole school events 

which involve parents and pupils participating together in a vibrant setting for International Day, Qatar National Day and the 

Annual Spring Fair, among others. The RGS aspires to bring families together. With the commitment and dedication of an 

active Parents’ Association, alongside an army of enthusiastic parent volunteers, regular weekend picnics, monthly coffee 

mornings and whole school events allow for a strong bond to develop amongst pupils and parents alike. 

Whole School Community and Achievements 

The RGS offers a diverse range of initiatives to encourage the academic and personal growth of its pupils. Displaying and 

celebrating pupils’ work is essential for building self-confidence. The weekly Thursday ‘Achievement Assembly’ recognises 

and praises those pupils who have excelled during the week and demonstrated one or more of the RGS Learning Habits, such 

as teamwork, independence and reasoning. Superstar Certificates are presented for academic achievement and excellent all 

round behavior. Trophies are presented to the ‘Class of the Week’ for attendance and punctuality. Good manners and healthy 

eating are rewarded with an invitation to join the Head of School for lunch at the Top Table. The highly effective rewards 

system acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and successes of all RGSGQ pupils. 

Throughout the year, awareness days and specific topic weeks are held to promote areas of learning; such as Health Week, 

Book Week, Art Week, Maths Week and more. While regular Parents’ Workshops are offered to encourage an understanding 

and involvement in their child’s learning and include Early Years Phonics and Early Years Writing Workshops; Parents’ 

Maths Workshops and a Reading Comprehension Workshop. Each contributing towards the development and collaboration of 

the whole school community. T R 

54 02 


T 

H 

E 

TM 



T 

H 

E 

TM

The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar 2018

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?