Doha English Speaking School

Here’s a glimpse of Doha English Speaking School (DESS)—showcasing a welcoming entrance bathed in greenery, giving off that warm, friendly vibe the school is known for.

Doha English Speaking School (DESS) — Overview

Heritage & Identity

• Established in 1971, DESS began as a primary school serving British expatriates in Qatar and remains the country’s only not-for-profit preparatory school.

• The school holds a distinguished place in Qatar’s educational history: in 1979, it was formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II alongside His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. Its alumni even include the current Emir of Qatar.

• DESS maintains a special affiliation with the British Embassy and is governed by a Board of Governors, reinforcing its close ties to the UK educational system.

Academics & Curriculum

• Delivers the English National Curriculum from FS1 (age 3) up to Year 8.

• Consistently audited as “Outstanding”, including by British Schools Overseas (BSO), placing DESS among the top-performing UK and international prep schools.

• Academic results are exceptional:

  • Year 6 SATs consistently in the top 2% of UK schools.

  • Early assessments also rank in the top 5%.

Size & Community

• Student population ranges between 700–900, mostly British (around 97%), though the school now hosts around 28+ nationalities.

• Small class sizes strike a balance between personalised attention and healthy peer interaction:

  • FS1–FS2: max 20 students

  • Years 1–6: up to 24 students per class, with multiple teaching assistants shared across classes

Facilities & School Life

• Campus is compact and well-equipped, featuring:

  • A 20 m swimming pool, two gymnasia, tennis courts, basketball/netball courts, a grass football pitch, and more.

  • Indoor amenities include a library, IT suite, dedicated science, technology, and cookery rooms.

• Known for its homely and inclusive atmosphere—staff and parents often refer to DESS as a “home away from home.”

• The school embraces value-led education: Responsibility, Kindness, Perseverance, and Respect are woven into formal lessons, assemblies, and daily school life.

Enrichment & Community Engagement

• A rich array of co-curricular and community initiatives includes story-based theme days, eco-projects, choirs, artistic activities, sports competitions, and even international trips for Year 6 students.

• Active Parent Council and Friends of DESS (FOD) work closely with school leadership to enhance facilities, such as installing an eco-garden, climbing trail, and organizing community events.

• Sustainability is a focus: DESS earned its first “Green Flag Eco-School” award for campus sustainability efforts like energy reduction and community gardening.

• Students also engage in meaningful outreach, such as their longstanding partnership with Orbis, raising significant funds for global blindness prevention.

Admissions & Fees

• DESS maintains a selective admissions process, emphasizing spoken English fluency and readiness for an English-medium environment.

• Key leadership figures include Principal Sean Sibley and Head of School Charlotte Molloy.

• Tuition for 2024–25 is in the range of QAR 38,100–49,500.

Community Feedback

• Parents frequently highlight DESS’s nurturing teaching environment, close-knit community, strong academics, and comparatively modest fees.

• Some quotes include:

  “A good place to learn… I made lots of nice friends.”
  “Probably the most reasonably priced prep school in Doha… a strong sense of community.”edarabia.com

Summary at a Glance

In essence, Doha English Speaking School is a distinguished, close-knit British preparatory school with a rich heritage, academic excellence, and a warm community spirit. It offers an ideal foundation for Year 8 graduates heading into secondary schooling in the UK or internationally.