Cities / Doha / Pearling Season International School of Doha
Pearling Season International School of Doha
British-curriculum school in Al Mansoura, opened in September 2014 and one of the faster-growing schools in Doha. Pre-school through Year 13 on a single campus with 50-plus nationalities represented.
In brief
British-curriculum school in Al Mansoura, opened in September 2014 and one of the faster-growing schools in Doha. Pre-school through Year 13 on a single campus with 50-plus nationalities represented.
Cambridge and Edexcel accredited, with BSO compliance status from the UK Department for Education and QNSA accreditation from the 2020 Qatar review. Most teaching staff are recruited from the UK and Ireland, with native-speaker French and Arabic teachers. Sports facilities are unusually strong for the price point, including two indoor heated pools, an AstroTurf football pitch and a multipurpose hall.
Parents speak warmly about the staff approachability, easy access from the ring roads and the trajectory of children settling in well. The harder criticism cluster is about administrative follow-through, with one family flagging a name correction that took three years to land, and concerns about bullying responses that some say need sharper handling. A solid mid-tier British option for families who want established staff and good facilities without the QIS or DESS price tag.
Reviews
A two-campus British school (Al Mansoura and Al Gharrafa) that draws families wanting a UK curriculum with a visible Islamic ethos and Arabic alongside French. Most of the warmth comes from the classroom: parents single out qualified teachers and steady academic progress, and the school is one of the more openly inclusive options in Doha for children with additional needs. The other side is the front office. Administrative friction comes up more than once, and teacher-side commentary on pay and management is unflattering.
Positives
- Teaching. Qualified British staff and small classes are the recurring praise points, with families describing real academic gains for their children.
- Islamic ethos and Arabic. Arabic and Islamic studies are taken seriously, and the culture of the school is described as respectful of Muslim families rather than ornamental.
- SEN and inclusion. Named locally as a mainstream school that genuinely accommodates ADHD and autism, with a dedicated learning-support strand.
Considerations
- Administration. Front-office handling of records and parent queries draws sharp complaints, including one account of a basic name error left unresolved for years.
- Teacher pay and working conditions. Staff-side commentary on compensation and management is poor, with low ratings on pay and benefits and complaints about how housing and salary commitments are honoured.
- Two campuses. The older Al Mansoura site and the newer Al Gharrafa campus operate side by side. Families weigh location against the longer history at the original site.
Leadership
Mr. Ryan
Mr. Ryan joined Pearling Season International School in 2018 after relocating from the UK. He has served in various leadership capacities for over three years, gaining expertise in safeguarding, pastoral care, and academics. As the newly appointed Principal of the Al Mansoura Campus, he emphasizes community-building and collaborative leadership. His vision centers on strengthening home-school connections and fostering an environment where students can reach their full potential.
Academic results
- Al Mansoura IGCSE 2021-22 78% A*-C
- Al Mansoura AS Level 2021-22 96% A*-C
- Al Gharaffa IGCSE 2021-22 64% A*-C
- Al Gharaffa AS Level 2021-22 73% A*-C