The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar 2018

THE
10
BEST
INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOLS
IN QATAR 2018
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
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TM
NOWLEDGEREVIEW
Education. Innovation. Success
| December 2018 | 53 02