Below you will find answers to the questions we are asked the most about applying to Sherborne Qatar School for Girls.
How do I apply for places in the Girls’ School?
Details of the registration procedure are on the website and parents are invited to submit applications as soon as possible. We are currently testing for new admissions in January 2021.
When will the school open?
The school will open for the Academic Year 2020/2021 (in line with the dates announced by Ministry of Education).
What are the fees?
We anticipate that the fees will be the same as those of the existing Sherborne Qatar Schools.
Will the school accept MoE Vouchers?
An application is currently awaiting response from Ministry of Education.
Will there be a capital fee?
Because of the new and improved facilities at the Girls’ School, Sherborne Qatar has applied to the Ministry of Education to be allowed to charge a small capital fee.
Which Year Groups will open in 2020?
Pre-School to Year 6. Thereafter we will open a further year group up to and including Year 12.
What curriculum will the school follow?
The British National Curriculum.
What exams will the school offer?
IGCSE and AS Levels.
Can my daughter take A Level at the school?
Girls wishing to take A Level courses will have the option to join our sixth form centre at our new school at the Mall of Qatar. Some of these lessons may be taught in co-educational classes.
In addition to the British National Curriculum what subjects will be offered?
The school will be a STEM School. This means it will educate girls in four specific disciplines:
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics
Other subjects will include:
Art and Drama
Arabic
Islamic Studies
PE
Will I need to provide my daughter with a laptop or a tablet?
To support the STEM element of the curriculum we will be a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school and your daughter will need a suitable device. Advice on what this should be will be given nearer to the school’s opening.
In which language will lessons be delivered?
All lessons, except for Arabic lessons, will be delivered in English.
From where will teachers be recruited?
All teachers will be recruited from the UK or from other British schools overseas.
Will all the teachers be fully qualified?
All teachers will be female and will hold a teaching qualification and degree relevant to their subject. The Executive Team of Sherborne Qatar will help to support and lead the school.
What times will the school operate?
The timings will be similar to the other Sherborne Qatar schools (7:20am to 1:40pm, followed by Enrichment).
Will enrichment (after school) activities be offered?
Yes, there will be a broad and extensive enrichment programme similar to the one which operates at the other Sherborne Qatar Schools.
Will girls have the opportunity to compete in sport?
Yes, we are already discussing options with other international schools (for girls) in Doha.
Will there be a House System?
Yes, similar to the one which operates at the other Sherborne Qatar Schools.
Will the school have a School Council?
Yes, and pupils from each year group will be elected to it.
Will there be a uniform code?
In line with our other schools there will be a uniform code.
Will there be a School Counsellor?
No, but all staff will have pastoral responsibility for the girls and experienced staff will oversee pastoral issues.
Will catered food be available?
Catered food, similar to that which is offered at the other Sherborne Qatar Schools will be available.
Will there be a bus service?
Sherborne Qatar does not operate a bus service but Tri Logistics provide a service to and from the Sherborne Qatar Schools.
Will the school have its own medical team?
Yes, nurses will be provided by the same company which services the other Sherborne Qatar schools and they will operate in a fully equipped medical room.
Will my daughter automatically move from the Junior to the Senior part of the school?
The girls’ academic progress will be monitored throughout their time in the school and it is anticipated that all girls will progress smoothly through the school.
Which GCSE subjects will be compulsory?
All girls will be expected to take IGCSE examinations in English, Mathematics, Science and a language. Pupils will supplement these with choices from a range of other subjects.
Will fathers and brothers be allowed to visit the school for events and performances etc?
There will be opportunities for fathers and brothers to visit the school at certain times for events. Also, meeting rooms will be available at the front of the school so that both parents can have meetings with staff.
Will Music be compulsory?
Music will be a compulsory part of the curriculum in those year groups in which it is scheduled.
Will there be any joint events with the other Sherborne Qatar Schools?
Yes, periodically there will be events which involve one or more of the other Sherborne Qatar schools.
Will the school be finished on time?
At the time of writing the contractors and the school’s Qatari partners have assured us that the school will be completed and handed over on time.
What will happen if unforeseen circumstances prevent the completion of the buildings on time?
If there is a delay in the handover of the Al Ebb site, we will use Sherborne Qatar’s existing sites to begin teaching girls who are enrolled for the Girls’ School. We would aim to use a group of adjacent rooms at our existing sites to create a discrete unit, although parents should note that both existing sites are coeducational.
Dear Prospective Parents,
Thank you for your interest in Sherborne Qatar School for Girls. We believe this school will be an excellent addition to the Sherborne Qatar ‘family of schools’ and gives you, the parent, an additional and exciting choice between single sex or co-ed education for your daughter.
At Sherborne we understand that we are invited guests in Qatar, and we believe we have a responsibility to be supportive of the culture and the country. We have worked very closely with the Ministry of Education through the Outstanding Schools Programme for the last 10 years and we will continue to meet all expectations of the Ministry of Education, especially regarding the teaching of Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatari History.
Opening from Pre School to Year 6 in the first year, the new school will follow the same excellent curriculum that the existing schools follow and it will eventually culminate in the girls taking IGCSE at the end of Year 11 and AS level examinations at the end of Year 12. These examinations will allow the girls to gain their Qatari Certificate of Secondary Education.
Sherborne Qatar School for Girls will share the same values as our existing schools – Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Perseverance, Responsibility and Teamwork – but it will have a special focus on STEM subjects. We plan to develop the girls 21st Century educational skills and leadership through the teaching of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
Please note that IGCSE and AS levels are studied and examined in English. Therefore, most lessons will be taught in English and the language of the playground will also be English. We will ask for a commitment from all pupils to speak English in all areas of the school, with the obvious exception of the Arabic classrooms and the Prayer Room.
This website will also be in English, but we do not want this to deter Arabic speaking parents from applying to the school. Sherborne Qatar already employs many bilingual staff, including the Registrar, so please do not worry if you would prefer to correspond in Arabic, we would still love to hear from you and we can arrange for a translator or one of our bilingual staff to show you around the school.
The teaching staff will be 100% female and predominately British. Consequently, communication with individual teachers will need to be in English but regular notices and letters will be sent in both English and Arabic.
Please enjoy looking through the website and if you would like any clarification of the issues raised, or you would like to arrange a tour, please contact the school’s Registrar on registrar@sherborneqatar.org or complete your details by clicking ‘Admissions’.