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Doha English Speaking School

Qatar, Doha

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees QAR 38,120 - 49,500
Ages 3 - 13 years
Pupil numbers 832
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 22

Al Fajr St, Doha, Qatar

www.dess.org
Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Doha English Speaking School has 832 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
DESS is located at P.O. Box 7660, Al Maarri Street No. 940, Fereej Kulaib, Zone 35, Doha, Qatar. The campus sits in the Fereej Kulaib district along Al Maarri Street, with access via nearby roads in central Doha. Gate opening times for drop-off and pick-up are published to aid planning. The address and location details are publicly listed in the school's materials.

Stages
DESS is organized into three levels: Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. It offers education from Foundation Stage 1 (age 3) through Year 8 (age about 13) under the English National Curriculum.

Type
DESS is co-educational and not-for-profit. It operates as a preparatory school delivering the English National Curriculum in Qatar.

Pupil Nationality Mix
DESS describes its student body as diverse with international families. No official public breakdown of nationalities is published. External listings have cited around 45 nationalities with approximately 62% of students being British, but these figures are not published by the school itself.

Additional learning support
The Learning Support team provides in-class support and small group work to maximise each student's learning. A dedicated Learning Mentor supports children from FS1 to Year 8 for social and emotional development, with interventions such as Friendology, social-emotional skills sessions, and Sensory Circuits.

Country affiliation
The school follows the English National Curriculum and maintains links with the British Embassy in Qatar, reflecting United Kingdom affiliation in its curriculum and standards.

Religious affiliation
Not stated publicly.

School day structure
The academic year runs from September to June. Autumn term 2025 begins 31 August 2025; Spring term 2026 starts 4 January 2026; Summer term 2026 begins 29 March 2026. Gate opening times show morning drop-off windows (07:00–08:00 for Gate 1; 07:00–07:25 for Gates 3, 4 and 5), afternoon pickup (13:25–14:15 for Gate 1 and Gates 3,4,5), and after-school activity gates (15:00–15:30).

Bus service
A formal school bus service is not publicly listed by the school. For transport arrangements, prospective families should contact the school directly at +974 4459 2750 or via admissions@dess.org.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Doha English Speaking School ranges from QAR 38,120 to QAR 49,500 for 2026/27.

Application and assessment fees
- Registration fee (one-time, non-refundable): QAR 2,750.
- Seat Reservation Fee (SRF) (non-refundable; payable in advance to reserve a place): QAR 2,000. The SRF is offset against the Autumn Term tuition fee.
- Assessment fee (payable only if an entrance assessment is required): QAR 300 for FS1–Year 6; QAR 275 for Year 7 and Year 8.

Tuition fees (per term and per year group)
- Foundation Stage 1 through Year 6:
- Termly: QAR 12,706.
- Yearly (annual): QAR 38,120.
- Year 7:
- Termly: QAR 16,166.
- Yearly (annual): QAR 48,500.
- Year 8:
- Termly: QAR 16,500.
- Yearly (annual): QAR 49,500.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The academic year is billed by term; invoices are issued for one term's school fees (and the registration fee) upon acceptance of an offered place. The invoice must be settled in full by the due date shown on the invoice to secure the place.
- Published term due dates for the 2025/2026 schedule are: Autumn Term due 31 August 2025; Spring Term due 4 January 2026; Summer Term due 29 March 2026.
- The Seat Reservation Fee is charged in advance for children reserving a place for the Autumn Term and will be offset against that term's tuition. Registration and SRF are non-refundable.

Boarding fees
- Doha English Speaking School operates as a day preparatory school; boarding is not offered.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Uniform: Official school uniform is supplied through the authorised uniform shop (Zaks). Uniform items and their prices are available from that supplier; the uniform shop accepts payment by Visa and Mastercard.
- External invigilation and courier charges for entry assessments to other schools are additional to the tuition fees and are payable by the parent/guardian.
- Lost or unreturned library or classroom books will be invoiced for replacement value and must be settled with the Finance Office.

Refund information and withdrawal notice
- Registration fees, the Seat Reservation Fee (SRF), and assessment fees are identified as non-refundable. The SRF will be offset against the Autumn Term tuition when applicable.
- When withdrawing a child, the school requires written notice: a minimum of one term's notice in writing before the pupil's last day (excluding holidays) for all year groups except at the end of Year 8 (end of the Summer Term). Failure to provide the required notice will affect fee liability.
- Additional refund specifics (circumstances and any refundable deposits) and any late-payment penalties or detailed refund procedures are covered in the School Fee Policy and the published fee schedule for the academic year. Payment deadlines and consequences for unpaid fees are set out in the school's published fee policy.

Fee payment options
- School fees may be paid by bank transfer, cash, or cheque as part of the accepted payment methods for fee settlement. The authorised uniform shop accepts Visa and Mastercard for uniform purchases. Parents remain ultimately responsible for fee payment even when a company or sponsor pays directly.

Notes on invoicing and securing a place
- Upon acceptance of an offered place the Accounts Office issues the invoice for one term's fees plus the registration fee; payment of that invoice by the stated due date is required to secure the child's place.

(Figures and procedures above are taken from the school's published fee schedule and associated admissions/fee policy documents for the current academic year.)
Academics

Doha English Speaking School teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 13.

Curriculum
DESS delivers the English National Curriculum from early years through Year 8 for students aged about 3–13. Foundation Stage 1 and 2 (FS1–FS2, ages 3–5) use play‑based learning to develop literacy, numeracy, communication, and social skills. Lower School (Years 1–2) focuses on building core literacy and numeracy in a nurturing environment with small class sizes for personalised support. The prep‑school model emphasizes a broad, engaging curriculum supported by subject specialists to foster curiosity and independent learning. Upper‑year progression is framed within the English National Curriculum to prepare students for potential progression to GCSE/IGCSE, A Level, or the International Baccalaureate.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Learn about DESS and assess fit. DESS provides English National Curriculum education for children aged 3 to 13 (Foundation Stage 1 to Year 8) in Doha, Qatar. The school is not-for-profit and emphasizes a British-style preparatory education with UK-trained staff. Fluency in spoken English is important to support a dynamic English-speaking learning environment. 2. Review prospectus and admissions information. A downloadable prospectus is available; to obtain it, complete the form on the Prospectus page. The prospectus provides details about the curriculum, community, and programmes offered at DESS. The site notes a simplified admissions process and directs families to the Admissions section for further guidance. 3. Submit application and engage with the admissions team. The admissions process is selective, and fluent spoken English is essential for joining the school's English-speaking environment. The admissions team works closely with families to guide them through each step and help students find their place within the school community. Documentation and specific steps are outlined in the Admissions materials and FAQ. 4. Visit the campus. Tours and Open Days are available, typically on Mondays at 10 AM during term time. The visits provide an opportunity to observe classrooms and school life.
School Events
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