Cities / Doha / Park House English School
Park House English School
One of Qatar's oldest British schools, founded 1994 by the Brennan family and now operated by International Schools Partnership. Around 1,000 pupils from Foundation Stage to Year 13 on a purpose-built Abu Hamour campus.
In brief
One of the oldest British schools in Qatar, founded in 1994 by the Brennan family and now operated by International Schools Partnership. Around 1,000 students from Foundation Stage through Year 13 on a purpose-built campus in Abu Hamour.
BSO, COBIS, CIS and BSME accredited. The 2024 BSO inspection confirmed standards across teaching, premises and safeguarding. John Smith has been head since August 2017, which gives the school a settled leadership profile by Doha standards.
The longstanding family voice is positive. Parents who have been there for several years cite a strong sense of community, dedicated secondary teachers and genuine investment in students. Sharper criticism shows up around expectations that students self-teach parts of the syllabus and around building maintenance, which BSO did note as good but parents grade more critically. The Brennan family also operates Northview International School in Umm Qarn, so families who want the British route stay at Park House while families opting for the American track are now redirected.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (age 3-4) | 3 | QAR 22,934 |
| Reception - Year 2 | 5 | QAR 31,651 |
| Year 3 - Year 6 | 7 | QAR 31,651 |
| Year 7 - Year 9 | 11 | QAR 37,684 |
| Year 10 - Year 11 | 14 | QAR 41,711 |
| Year 12 - Year 13 (Sixth Form) | 16 | QAR 52,423 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee (non-refundable) | QAR 230 | |
| Consumables (EY, per year) | QAR 576 | |
| Assessment fee | QAR 576 | |
| Consumables (Primary, per year) | QAR 921 | |
| Consumables (Secondary, per year) | QAR 1,727 | |
| Advance deposit (refundable) | QAR 2,302 | |
| Registration fee (one-time) | QAR 3,453 |
Reviews
One of the longest-established British schools in Doha, in the Abu Hamour district off Mesaimeer Road. Acquired by International Schools Partnership in 2016, with John Smith as principal since 2017. Park House sits near the top of the Doha British-curriculum shortlist in family conversations, alongside Doha College and DESS, and the 2024 BSO inspection from Penta International judged the school's overall provision good with many excellent features. Around 1,460 pupils across 70-plus nationalities, with a waiting list across most year groups.
Positives
- Reputation among British-curriculum families. When parents canvass for British schools in Doha, Park House comes back as a consistent recommendation, often paired with Doha College and DESS at the top of the list and explicitly contrasted with schools families warn each other off.
- Academic outcomes. BSO inspectors rated attainment excellent at the end of key stages and in external exams, with high progress at IGCSE and A-Level and most leavers securing their first-choice university. The school's own reporting puts A-Level pass rates at 100% and Sixth Form among the strongest in the city.
- Pastoral care and behaviour. Behaviour across the school was judged outstanding and pupils told inspectors they feel safe and enjoy being there. The PRIDE values (perseverance, responsibility, independence, dedication, engagement) are embedded rather than posted on a wall.
- Early years. Provision in the early years is rated excellent, which matters for families weighing the school against Newton Barwa, NIA and Doha British School for three- and four-year-olds.
- Diversity of intake. Over 70 nationalities on roll with British pupils around 18% and no single national group dominating. Families looking for an international rather than expat-bubble feel tend to land here.
Considerations
- Admissions pressure. Significantly oversubscribed with long waiting lists across year groups. Families arriving mid-year often find no places, which is the most common reason an applicant ends up at a second choice.
- Teaching consistency. Inspectors flagged that the quality of teaching is not yet as good as the best in every lesson, and that leadership could draw on a fuller suite of data to set progress targets and sharpen self-evaluation.
- Performing arts. Historically a sports-led school. Leadership has been actively building creative and performing arts in recent years, with competition wins in art and music, but families coming from drama-heavy UK schools sometimes feel the offer is still catching up.
Leadership
John Smith
John attended university in Liverpool before spending the first decade of his professional career working in Investment Banking with organisations including Charles Schwab, Barclays, and a joint venture between Merrill Lynch and HSBC. He later returned to the University of Birmingham, where he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and began his career in education as a Teacher of Geography at Hall Green Secondary School in Birmingham. During this time, he held a range of leadership roles while also completing a Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) at the University of Birmingham. In 2010, John relocated with his family to Qatar, joining a prominent British school where he served as Head of Secondary for just under four years. In 2015, he moved to Singapore to take up headship at Dover Court International School, a British curriculum school. He was awarded the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in January 2016 and the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) in January 2022. John joined Park House English School as Principal in August 2017. Alongside his school leadership role, he serves as the elected Honorary Treasurer of the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) Executive Committee and is a board member of the British Chamber of Commerce Qatar (BCCQ). He also acts as a Team Chair for the Council of International Schools (CIS), leading evaluation teams across Europe and the Middle East, and is a lead facilitator for the UK National Professional Qualifications programmes, including NPQLT, NPQSL, and NPQH. Outside of school, John is an avid reader and enjoys travelling with his family to experience different cultures and cuisines. He is also a keen follower of Rugby Union and football.
Accreditations
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 01
- Council of International Schools 02
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 03
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 04
Academic results
- A-Level pass rate 2025 100%
- IGCSE grades 9-7 (2025) 96% of students