English Modern School

Ines_pt :In EMS, prob max is 25 . Not sure that DBS takes more than that. Will clarify your point with my frens whom are at the school. To me , personally I have been to classes with 40 people. As long as the teacher is able to perform / teach, I don't see a problem unless your child's well being has been neglected fully. If that is so, then you will have the very right to complain as you are the payee. No objections to that. Did you noticed that there are more cars on the road compared to 2-3 years ago ? Tat means more & more people are coming to Doha to work & the current ones are not leaving the country. Many people in this forum actually acknowledge that there are lack of schools and the waiting list are huge.. It's more like take it or leave it.

From what I derive, your dissatisfaction on DBS is just only the headcounts and not the quality of the education / teachers ability. We as parents only hope for good education & the child progress in his work & do well.

That's true, but school insist that they know much about education claiming that in UK this is normal, particularly in yearly years.

Is really like this in UK?????

30 is far to many...in N.I.S the maximum class size is 25.

I think minie that you should inform yourself better. I am 100% positive of what is going on there... for sure teachers will not make any roaming otherwise their job will be lost... as for parents who will admit that is paying arround 30K per year for their kids to be at same class with 30 others?

I am actualy surprised by your comments. I don't hear other mothers whom their children goes to DBMS complaining about this. I know DBMS is expanding and by Sept there will be more new classes coming up. I also know that there is a teacher who has been teaching in tat school for more than 5 years. If it is a bad school , I am sure she must have pulled herself or her kids out of that school.

I did the same as others parents... but nothing done till now!

33 is far too many and if I do experiece this many in a class I will complain. What I will say about the school is the teachers are excellent mostly British and with very good academic backgrounds, I wouldn't keep my children there if I thought otherwise.

read this link

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/2650590

I am not the only one complaining about this subject!

Michelle, my son was there and I took him out of DBS because he was the number 31 in his class... and the fact is that in the beginning of 1st term they were 33.

Ines_pt....I have asked my children how many they have in their class....I have year 2, twins in year 3 (separate classes) and year 5 all have approx 24/25 pupils so I don't know where you have this info from as my experience of the school is far different to what you've stated.

Hi Michelle, I am amazed that you are not acknowledging nothing abnormal in DBS!!! Never before, in a "so called leveled" school, existed 30 pupils per class!

In UK this is considered a crowd class and management there (In UK) have to report the situation to their Ministry of education for a solution.

But here in Qatar... things are quit different... this very school (DBS) is comparing themselves - at all times - to poor public schools in UK trying to convince parents that in UK this is absolutely normal!!! Is that normal for you???

... but they forgot that:

- they are not a public School;

- They are in the State of Qatar;

- Most parents really want the private education they pay for.

This decision of crowd classes was made by new management, that usually is not free, maybe because himself is also teaching at school.

Ines_pt...Can I ask what you mean when you say Doha British School has gone down due to management mistakes and decisions, I am just interested to know as my children go there and I cannot fault it.

Hi, hate to say it and I heard this so many times when I was applying this very same time last year but you are too late for September all decent British Schools are full and do have very long waiting lists as you probably know all ready hence the reason why you're enquiring about English Modern School. My advice would be to try and get your childrens names down with the top 4/5 - Doha British School, Parkhouse, Dess, Doha College, Compass. Personally knowing Qatar I wouldn't send my children to any other schools and would go a far to say don't bring them out unless they have places in one of the schools I've mentioned. The reason for this is my children found the transition very hard and only for the school being so good they finally settled.

From experience I can't recommend DBS (Montessori), This school, this current year is in their way straight down due to management mistakes and decisions.

Parents commonly misjudge between good facilities and good education... so guess what... walls don't teach and their are not not willing to provide for your child a good care and a good education. In the end is all about fees and prepare your self for keep paying donations all time to help to improve the school facilities because fees are not enough.

To be fair, my kids go to that school. Obviously putting them into the listed school above has always been my preferred choice but sometimes when there's a job opportunity & the family have to move, they have no choice but to move.

To me, I am obviously praying & hoping to get into one of the listed one above. Meanwhile just be happy if you get a placing in the school. Due to the number of expats coming in also limitation of schools, don't think you have a choice. Moreover, the school is already full as of now and there's already a waiting list.

But not to worry, EMS is not a bad school to even begin with. Teachers always update me with my child's progress

( behaviour & workwise ). In terms of reading, they get a book everyday to read at home. SO it really depends on how fast your child can pick up & advance him / herself.

To answer your question

1. During my time in Nov 2011, not a very long list. I doubt this school has a very long waiting list unlike other schools which the list can go up to hundreds

2. Students are majority from Arab countries

3. Not really except arab students likes to play rough.. Hard to control at times. Teachers are good.. Doing their best. But I believe most of the time are students driving them nuts..

4. Facilities... They have a field, play area & swimming pool ( secondary only )

Overall is a good but not the best english speaking school. Education wise is not too bad. I believe is really up to the teacher & kind of students they accept.