Cardiff International School vs Newton International School West Bay

	C Cardiff International School Doha, Qatar	N Newton International School West Bay Doha, Qatar
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year QAR 19,000 - 31,630	Fees / year QAR 17,700 - 28,620
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type —	Type —
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service —
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location The Cardiff International School is located at Villa 40, University Road, Al Dafna, Doha, Qatar, near Qatar University. The Dafna district sits along University Road in western Doha, close to Education City and other educational institutions. The campus is accessible from major routes and sits in a residential-educational area of Doha.	Location Located in the West Bay district of Doha, Qatar, Newton International School – West Bay sits in the central business area and is part of the Newton Group of Schools. It follows the English National Curriculum under British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation. The campus can be contacted at +974 5005 9697 or info.westbay@newtonschools.sch.qa, and public transport options in West Bay include the West Bay Shuttle Bus operated by Mowasalat, which serves the area with a circular route and multiple stops.
Stages	Stages The school provides Early Years and Primary education. It follows the British National Curriculum, aligning with UK educational standards.	Stages The school provides Early Years Foundation Stage (Foundation 1 and Foundation 2) and Primary (Year 1 to Year 6), aligning with Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Children enter the school from age 3 up to 11, transitioning from EYFS into primary education as they grow.
School type	School type Co-educational; it is a day school (no boarding provision is publicly listed).	School type The Newton West Bay campus is a private educational institution and operates as a day school within the Newton Group of Schools. It follows the English National Curriculum and holds British Schools Overseas accreditation. The group information confirms the broader network's focus on an international, English-language programme.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix There are pupils from over 42 nationalities represented at the school. Public sources do not provide a local vs international ratio.	Pupil nationality mix The West Bay campus does not publish its own pupil nationality mix data. The Newton Group describes an international community across its campuses, with campuses such as NIS Lagoon and NIS Muraikh reporting representation from many nationalities (examples include 57+ nationalities at some Newton campuses).
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Details on Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions are not publicly listed. No explicit SEN facilities are described in public sources.	Additional learning support Details on Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions specific to West Bay are not published on the campus pages. The curriculum includes Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History in addition to the English National Curriculum. For SEN arrangements, the admissions team should be consulted for the latest guidance.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Located in Doha, Qatar, and follows the British National Curriculum.	Country affiliation The school follows a British curriculum and is British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited, located in Qatar. This denotes curricular alignment with the United Kingdom rather than a formal country affiliation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is publicly listed for the school.	Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation stated for the school. Islamic Studies is included as part of the curriculum for Muslim students, in addition to a broad Arabic and Qatar History program.
School day structure	School day structure Public information does not publish the daily start/end times for Cardiff International School. Third‑party listings suggest typical school days in the region run Sunday–Thursday, but these timings are not official.	School day structure EYFS sessions run from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while Primary runs from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Office hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The schedule reflects a three-term year with three daily blocks for teaching.
Bus service details	Bus service details No in-house school bus service is publicly listed for Cardiff International School. Families should contact admissions to discuss transport options.	Bus service details There is no published Newton-run bus service for West Bay. West Bay residents can use public transport options, including the West Bay Shuttle Bus (operated by Mowasalat), which provides a public circular route with 36 stops and service from early morning to evening. Families may also use other public transport or private arrangements.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and assessment fees - Assessment / application fee: QAR 200 (one-off at the time of assessment). - Registration / enrolment fee (one-off, payable on acceptance of a place): reported between QAR 625 and QAR 681 depending on the published schedule. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term where published) - FS1 / KG1 (age 3): Annual tuition QAR 17,750. First-year charges including registration and resources/books are published as QAR 19,625 (breakdown: tuition QAR 17,750; registration QAR 625; resources/books QAR 1,250). - FS2 / KG2 (age 4): Annual tuition QAR 17,750. - Years 1–6 (Key Stage 1 and 2): Annual tuition commonly published as QAR 29,450 with a per-term split of QAR 9,817 (Term 1), QAR 9,817 (Term 2), QAR 9,816 (Term 3). An alternative published schedule lists annual tuition for primary year groups in the low-31,000 QAR range (e.g., QAR 31,630) in other fee lists; both figures appear in current publicly available fee schedules. Per-term examples - Where a three-term instalment is shown, Years 1–6 are invoiced as approximately QAR 9,817 / QAR 9,817 / QAR 9,816 for the three terms (summing to QAR 29,450 annually). FS/KS1 term breakdowns follow the same three-term invoicing pattern when per-term figures are published. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed termly in three instalments (Autumn/Term 1, Spring/Term 2, Summer/Term 3). Term invoices correspond to the per-term figures above and are issued in advance of each term; termly invoices are payable at or before the start of the term. - Additional one-off first-year charges (registration, assessment, resources/books) are invoiced at enrolment and are payable when the place is accepted or at assessment/registration stages. Boarding fees - There is no boarding provision listed for Cardiff International School (the school operates as a day school for ages FS to Year 6). No boarding fees apply. Other costs and additional fees - Consumables, resources and book fees: a resources/books charge is published for early years (example: QAR 1,250 first year figure given for KG in one schedule) and higher consumables/book charges are shown for primary year groups (examples around QAR 2,180 in some published primary fee lines). These charges are invoiced in addition to tuition. - Uniform: uniform costs are not included in published tuition figures and are typically purchased separately by parents; uniform charges are invoiced or required separately where noted in school communications. - Examination / external assessment fees (where relevant), extra-curricular activity charges, school trips and some specialist resources are commonly invoiced separately as incidental charges and are not included in the headline tuition figures. Refund information - No publicly available, definitive Cardiff-specific refund policy was located in the fee schedules reviewed. Multiple local-school fee policies in the same regulatory environment state that registration and certain advance fees are non-refundable and that full-term fees are chargeable once placement is confirmed; however, a Cardiff-specific statement on refundable vs non-refundable items was not found in the published fee lines that were available. Fee payment options - Published practice across Doha international schools and the formats in which Cardiff publishes term figures indicate that standard payment methods accepted by peer schools include bank transfer, debit/credit card and cheque/cash at the school business office. Specific bank account details or the exact set of accepted card types for Cardiff were not found in the public fee lines reviewed. Sibling discount and other concessions - A sibling discount is reported in some public fee summaries: 2nd child 15% and 3rd child 25% discounts on tuition (applied to tuition only) are shown in summaries of the school's fee structure. Confirmed availability and application rules should be checked with admissions when arranging enrolment.	Fee details Application and Registration Fees - Entrance (non‑refundable) test fee for Years 1–6: QAR 210. - Non‑refundable registration fee for Foundation 1 & Foundation 2: QAR 2,162. - Non‑refundable registration fee for Years 1–6: QAR 2,101. - Seat reservation fee: QAR 2,000 (this amount is deducted from Term 1 fees when a place is accepted). Tuition and Annual Resources Fees (annual and per term by year group) - Foundation 1 (F1): Tuition QAR 16,700; Annual resources fee QAR 1,000; Total per year QAR 17,700; Total per term QAR 5,900. - Foundation 2 (F2): Tuition QAR 23,050; Annual resources fee QAR 1,000; Total per year QAR 24,050; Total per term QAR 8,017. - Years 1–6: Tuition QAR 25,620; Annual resources fee QAR 3,000; Total per year QAR 28,620; Total per term QAR 9,540. Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is organised in three terms. Tuition fees are payable in advance, prior to the commencement of the term to which they apply. - Admissions mid‑term billing: admission in the first half of a term is charged at a full term's fees; admission in the second half of a term is charged at a half term's fees. - Excursions, bus transportation and uniforms are charged separately and are not included in the tuition figures above. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable to this campus (the campus caters to primary‑age children aged 3–11 and does not operate a boarding programme). Other costs and typical extras - Annual resources fees are itemised above and are included in the total annual fee figures per year group. - Uniforms are purchased separately; sample uniform prices include items such as a unisex white shirt QAR 75, bermuda shorts QAR 95, and pinafore QAR 95. Uniforms are not included in the tuition and are charged on a per‑item basis. - Transport (school bus) and school excursions are additional charges; individual rates and routes for transport are billed separately. Refund and withdrawal information - Entrance test and registration fees are non‑refundable. The seat reservation fee is deducted from Term 1 fees when a place is accepted. Timely written notification is required for student withdrawal; formal withdrawal procedures must be completed with the school administration. Fee payment options and banking details - Online payment gateway (card) via the school's payments portal. - Point of Sale (POS) at the school accounts office (in‑person card payment). - Deposit or bank transfer to the school account. Bank details provided for transfers: - Bank Name: Qatar National Bank. - IBAN: QA08 QNBA 0000 0000 0011 010422 002. - SWIFT code: QNBAQAQA. - Beneficiary name: Newton International School. - Account number: 0011-010422-002. - For payment enquiries contact the school accounts team by email or phone as provided by the school.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Uniform is compulsory for all students. Uniform options include a white shirt for most year groups; KG girls wear tartan pinafores and KG boys wear tartan shorts; primary and older students wear white shirts with navy bottoms, with girls having options such as tartan skirts or skorts. Uniforms can be purchased through the Newton uniform shop at uniform.newtonschools.qa.
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Newton International School West Bay is part of the Newton Group of Schools, a private network of schools in Qatar. The West Bay campus is described as a member of the Newton Group, indicating a group governance model across multiple campuses.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Cardiff International School Doha teaches in English and follows the English National Curriculum, applying the Early Years Foundation Stage framework for its youngest learners. The Primary phase (Years 1–4) uses discrete lessons for English and mathematics and a themed topic approach for other subjects, with regular assessments to monitor progress. The school operates on two campuses—a dedicated Early Years Campus and a Primary Campus for Grades 1–4—and is affiliated with the Round Square Foundation. Public sources indicate a British-style program centered on English-language learning across the curriculum. Details about senior secondary qualifications (such as IGCSE or A-Levels) are not clearly documented in public sources.	Curriculum details Newton International School West Bay follows the English National Curriculum, adapted for Doha, from Early Years through Primary KS1–KS2, with EYFS and Primary KS1–KS2 at the West Bay campus. EYFS (Foundation 1 and Foundation 2) covers ages 3–5 and centers on six Areas of Learning: Creative Development; Physical Development; Social, Personal and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; and Knowledge and Understanding of the World, delivered in a child-led, topic-based approach. In Primary (Key Stage 1 & 2, Year 1–Year 6), the curriculum includes English, History, Mathematics, Arabic 1st Language (Native), Arabic 2nd Language (Non-native), ICT, Science, Geography, Art/Design & Technology, French, Qatar History (Arabic/English), Islamic Studies (Muslim Students) or Citizenship, Philosophy for Children (P4C), Music and Physical Education. The English national curriculum is integrated with compulsory Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Qatar History, with Arabic A for native speakers and Arabic B for non-native speakers, and Qatar History taught in Arabic/English. The West Bay campus serves ages 3–11 and is British Schools Overseas accredited; secondary Key Stage 3–5 and related examinations are offered at other Newton campuses in Doha.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) provision, including any formal programs, staff roles, or initiatives.	Social & emotional learning Newton International School West Bay follows the SMSC policy, which embeds Social, Moral, Spiritual, and Cultural development across the school and places strong emphasis on character education and wellbeing. PSHE education and Character Education lessons focus on virtues such as honesty, integrity, resilience, respect, responsibility, empathy, and curiosity, and these themes are reinforced through assemblies and classroom activities. The school supports student voice and leadership through structures like Student Councils and peer mentoring, plus extra‑curricular and service projects that promote collaboration and a sense of belonging. Spiritual development practices include Philosophy for Children (P4C) and regular reflection to foster curiosity and respect for diverse worldviews. Mental well‑being and emotional check‑ins are integrated into the SMSC approach, with dedicated systems to monitor and support pupils' emotional health.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school does not publicly disclose information regarding Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, the types of needs supported, or whether it operates as a specialist SEN institution.	Special educational needs (SEN) West Bay's SEND provision follows the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and uses a graduated ‘Assess, Plan, Do, Review' approach to identify and support pupils with SEND. Needs are categorized into four broad areas: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; and sensory and physical needs. A SENCO coordinates provision with a Learning Support Team, and the school implements a three‑tier model: Universal (Wave 1), Targeted (Wave 2), and Specialist (Wave 3). Progress is regularly monitored, and pupils may be added to the SEND register with parental involvement in planning and review. The policy states that the school provides SEND within a mainstream setting and that English as a first language is not a sole criterion for SEND; where language is a barrier, separate EAL provisions apply. This approach indicates that the school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides inclusive SEND support through trained staff and pathways for external agency involvement as needed.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school does not publicly disclose information regarding English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision.	English as an additional language The SEND policy notes that a pupil's first language being other than English alone does not designate SEND, and separate educational provision is made for EAL needs. EAL staff participate in the SEND framework, collaborating with the SENCO and SEND staff (AESN) to support learners with language or related learning needs. Where appropriate, English language support is integrated into the school's inclusive practices rather than treated as SEND by default. The policy emphasizes coordinated working between SEND and EAL teams to plan targeted interventions when language proficiency affects learning.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing support, programs, or staff.	Mental wellbeing The SMSC policy at Newton West Bay recognises mental wellbeing as a core aspect of student development, incorporating emotional check‑ins and dedicated wellbeing support systems. Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development are designed to foster belonging, resilience, and social awareness, with strategies such as PSHE/Character Education, assemblies, and experiential learning contributing to wellbeing. The policy outlines that students develop self‑awareness and emotional intelligence through reflective practices and supportive classroom environments. It also highlights approaches to nurture belonging and connection to the local and global community as part of holistic wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.	Safeguarding The Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy defines safeguarding as proactive actions to promote welfare and protect pupils from harm, with safeguarding being everyone's responsibility. The policy designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies, with the Head of Primary serving as the DSL for the Primary school and named deputy DSLs for KS1/KS2; the EYFS Coordinator is the DSL for the Kindergarten, with a deputy for that section. Staff receive training on safeguarding and are expected to follow clear reporting procedures for disclosures, along with measures to manage visitors and online safety. Written records of concerns are kept confidential and secure, and the policy requires annual review and public availability, with ongoing liaison with safeguarding partners.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Cardiff International School Doha was founded in 2013 as a privately held institution. It began by offering Early Years and Primary education within a British-inspired framework. The school is described as following the Cambridge International Curriculum, adapting the British National Curriculum for an international context. The campus is located in Al Dafna near Qatar University, and the school has grown to serve a diverse student community.	History Newton International School West Bay is a British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited private educational institution in Doha, Qatar. It is a member of the Newton Group of Schools. The Newton Group traces its origins to the Newton International School network established in 2006. The West Bay campus forms part of a wider multi-campus Newton network in Doha, including Lagoon and D-Ring campuses. By the 2023-2024 school year, the West Bay campus was operating as part of the Newton Group, as indicated by a principal's message for that year.
Community	Community The school community is described as active, with regular school-wide gatherings and cultural activities. There is a weekly assembly program, and the school hosts an annual production for the school community in the summer term as well as an annual talent show. Arts and sports are emphasized as part of the community experience.	Community Newton International School West Bay hosts a range of student events and activities throughout the year. The campus supports a Student Council and other programmes that engage students in leadership and school life. Regular events include Internewton Gifted and Talented Event, Odd Sock Day, Crazy Hair and Class Colour Day, International Day, World Teachers Day, Spelling Bee Competition, and KS1 activities.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Cardiff International School Doha's PTA details are not publicly documented in the sources consulted. However, in international schools generally, PTAs operate as volunteer groups with an executive committee and meet regularly. Common activities include fundraising events, school fairs, and volunteer support for school events. PTAs often coordinate cultural activities, teacher appreciation initiatives, and support for co-curricular programs. Membership usually includes all parents and teachers, with officers such as chair, treasurer and secretary in many schools.	Parent teacher association The PTA has been formed and meets on a monthly basis. Its purpose is to facilitate communication between parents and the school and to support activities through volunteering, fundraising and events. The PTA encourages each year group to appoint Year Representatives who feedback to the PTA and help build social networks within the school. The PTA can be contacted with concerns, suggestions, or positive responses. The PTA can be contacted at pta.ptanbsmuraikh@gmail.com.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school is a British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited private educational institution in Doha, Qatar for children aged 3 to 11. It delivers a high-quality education based on the National Curriculum for England, tailored to the Doha context. The curriculum integrates the English National Curriculum with Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Qatar History. The school emphasizes academic excellence across abilities and fosters critical thinking and a lifelong love of learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Arabic language is taught as part of the curriculum. Islamic Studies and Qatar History are included in the program. The school is part of an international community of learners dedicated to excellence. The school fosters cultural awareness through its local and international context.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The campus runs student events and activities. Examples include Internewton Gifted and Talented Event, International Day, World Teachers Day, Spelling Bee competitions, and KS1 activities. These activities support learning beyond the classroom and promote student engagement.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school has a Student Council. It offers opportunities for student leadership and involvement in school decisions.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. The curriculum emphasizes development of communication, social, and emotional skills.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school serves children aged 3 to 11 at Newton International School West Bay in Doha, Qatar. The curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum and integrates Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Qatar History. The curriculum structure includes EYFS (F1–F2) and Primary (Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2). The school is a British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited private institution and is part of the Newton Group of Schools. Accreditations include CIS member, BSME accredited member, MOEHE, Cambridge, Edexcel, and Sapere Bronze/Silver.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations The school has accreditations from Cambridge, CIS, BSME, SAPERE Bronze and Silver, and MOEHE.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions Step 1: Admission is based on past school records, an entrance assessment, and in some cases an interview and an English proficiency test. Qualified students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Final placement depends on the results of the entrance assessment. Step 2: The child's previous school report must be attested by the home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatar Embassy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar. Attestation confirms authenticity for admission. This attestation is required for consideration. Step 3: Applicants must submit four recent passport-sized photographs and copies of the applicant's passport and QID, as well as copies of both parents' passports and QID. A report from the previous school, immunization records, a completed medical form, and a signed Fee Regulation form are required. A copy of the child's birth certificate must be provided; all documents must be submitted before the entrance exam date. Step 4: After the documents are submitted, you may apply for a test date by appointment and pay a QR 204 non-refundable entrance exam fee. Testing is conducted by appointment. You will be notified of the results by telephone or email. Step 5: The school does not guarantee or reserve places; places are guaranteed only when the required fees are paid. To confirm acceptance, pay the non-refundable Registration Fee at the Accounts Office.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
	View full profile →	View full profile →