Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about Durham School in Qatar? Check out our FAQs to find the answers you're seeking. If you can't find what you're looking for, we're here to assist - simply fill in the form on our enquire now page.

At DSGD, we place a strong emphasis on Arabic and Islamic studies. These subjects form a cornerstone of our educational philosophy because our school's core mission is to preserve and celebrate Qatari culture and heritage. 

At our private school in Qatar we believe that nurturing a deep understanding of the Arabic language and embedding Islamic values into the curriculum is essential not only for honouring our roots but also for shaping confident, culturally grounded students. Whether it’s through Arabic literature, Islamic studies, or daily practices that reflect Islamic principles, our students are immersed in a learning environment that respects tradition while preparing them for the future. 

It’s more than just curriculum—it’s a commitment to identity and legacy.

The academic level of students at DSGD is steadily rising, and that’s a direct reflection of the high-quality teaching and learning strategies we implement throughout the school. Our dedicated team of experienced teachers brings both passion and expertise to the classroom, ensuring that every student receives the guidance and support they need to thrive.

Through innovative instruction, continuous assessment, and a nurturing environment, we are seeing clear progress in students’ academic achievement across subjects. Our focus on active learning and critical thinking not only boosts performance but also prepares our students to be confident, well-rounded learners equipped for the future.

At Durham School in Qatar, the safety and well-being of our students are a top priority. To ensure this, we have a highly experienced Designated Safeguarding Team, who are fully trained to handle any safeguarding concerns with care, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Our DSL's play a crucial role in creating a safe environment for all children—closely monitoring students' welfare, working closely with staff, and responding swiftly and effectively to any issues that may arise. In addition, all our staff are aware of safeguarding protocols and receive regular training to stay informed and vigilant.

Your child’s safety is not just a policy—it’s a daily commitment embedded in everything we do.

At DSGD, we take bullying very seriously and have clear, proactive measures in place to prevent it and respond effectively if it occurs, as creating a safe and respectful environment is part of our core values. Our staff are trained to identify early signs of bullying and intervene quickly, while also offering guidance and support to both the student affected and the one exhibiting the behaviour, fostering growth and understanding. Our top international school in Qatar maintains strong anti-bullying policies that are clearly communicated to students and families, and we encourage open communication, empowering students to speak up and inviting parents to be active partners in the process. Our experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) plays a vital role in handling such cases with professionalism and care. Most importantly, we nurture a school culture rooted in kindness, empathy, and inclusion—because when students feel safe and supported, they truly thrive.

You can apply to Durham School for Girls, Doha by visiting our campus or submitting an inquiry online. 

  • EYFS 1: from 7:15am - 12:00pm 

  • Primary: from 7:15am - 1:45pm 

  • Secondary: 7:15am - 2:00pm 

No

  • EYFS1: 3 lessons/week (2 Arabic + 1 Islamic) 

  • EYFS2: 4 lessons/week (3 Arabic + 1 Islamic) 
    Primary & Secondary: 5 lessons/ week + 2 Islamic Studies + 1 Qatar History)  

  • From EYFS until Year 6 is 46200QR 

  • From Y 7 until Y 10 51975QR 

  • From Y 11 until Y 13 60000 

Yes Both

At Durham School for Girls, Doha, we strive to instill a sense of pride in each of our students. While our uniform is contemporary and practical, we request all students to come to school in uniform every day. To see our uniform,  click here. 

No

Yes 

We employ a very personalised approach to learning with our staff trained to ensure that the needs of all of our girls are catered for.  

Yes. Homework is set via Class Dojo or Teams to ensure that girls can be as organised as possible.  

We use the ISAMS Parent App for attendance, grades, and updates, along with weekly newsletters, emails, WhatsApp groups, and social media pages. 

Yes. Please contact the school for the latest list of activities.  

Our staff are very experienced in helping girls move from one curriculum to another. From our experience, however, the earlier a girl moves into the British Curriculum, the easier it is for her to really succeed.  

Yes, we partner with Fitlicious Catering to provide hot and cold meal options. Parents can pre-order meals online, or students may bring a packed lunch. Older girls can use our Grab and Go facility whilst primary girls eat in the school canteen,  

We have CCTV monitoring, trained security personnel, and emergency response protocols with regular drills for both fire and lockdown. ISP work with us to ensure that our staff and students are as safe as they possibly can be.  

We have a designated university counsellor who works individually with girls , with classes and arranges many university visits and talks, to ensure that our girls are not only informed about their university options, but are helped all the way on their journey. 

Whether applying to universities in Qatar, UK, US, or elsewhere, students are guided through the specific requirements and timelines of each system, ensuring a smooth and successful application process. 

Yes, we are part of the International Schools Partnership - ISP, a global network of over 105 schools in 25 countries, offering international learning opportunities. 

Our average class size. for our primary and secondary pupils is around 24. EYFS classes tend to be smaller. Our younger girls all have a teacher and a teaching assistant to help them in the classroom.  

Admission FAQs

British Curriculum, with IGCSEs, and AS Levels available in Year 12, as well as a certain number of A-Levels in Year 13 if required. 

  • Copy of Passport for student, Father and Mother.
  • Copy of ID of student, Father and Mother.
  • Health card of student.
  • Report card for the last completed school year and the term report card for the current academic year (for FS2 and above)
  • Copy of student’s birth certificate.
  • Student’s vaccination card.
  • A school health record document for your daughter (for EYFS & Y1 students only) / before the start of the academic year.
  • 3 passport photos of students

From 3 years to 18 Years.

Our teaching staff will carry out a very informal assessment with the youngest pupils; this tests their basic understanding of things such as numbers, colours and general social behaviour. 

In Years 3 and above, students will take overall tests to assess their reading ability, as well as written tests in writing in English, Arabic and Maths. In addition, those in Year 7 and above will take the global CAT4 test, which helps the school to understand their overall academic level and potential

You can apply to Durham School for Girls in Doha by either visiting our campus or submitting an online enquiry.

Once all documents and assessments are completed, the academic team reviews the application. Admission decisions are communicated within 48 hours.

Accreditations