Cardiff International School vs Oxford English School

	C Cardiff International School Doha, Qatar	O Oxford English School Doha, Qatar
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year QAR 19,000 - 31,630	Fees / year QAR 19,650 - 25,680
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 3 - 11 years
Type	Type —	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils 536
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 30
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service No
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 The Oxford English School is located in Al Gharrafa, Ar-Rayyan Municipality, Doha, Qatar. The campus is on Wadi Al Jaada Street in the Al Gharrafa area, offering access to main roads and nearby residential and local facilities. The site is positioned within a Doha suburb, convenient for families living in or commuting to central Doha.
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 through Year 6, organized as three Key Stages: EYFS, KS1 and KS2. The published age range is roughly 3 to 11 years, covering preschool to the end of primary schooling.
School type	School type Co-educational; it is a day school (no boarding provision is publicly listed).	School type The school is primarily co-educational in Early Years and Key Stage 1; Years 4–6 are gender-segregated. This arrangement applies to the higher primary years, with co-education in the earlier years.
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 Public information on pupil nationality mix is not published. The school describes an international community, but exact nationality proportions are not disclosed.
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 Explicit Additional Learning Needs (SEN) provisions are not published on the school's pages. The curriculum focuses on the National Curriculum of England with bilingual delivery (English and Arabic) and MOE-aligned Arabic Islamic Studies and Qatar History.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Located in Doha, Qatar, and follows the British National Curriculum.	Country affiliation No formal country affiliation is stated beyond alignment with the National Curriculum of England.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation No religious affiliation is publicly listed for the school.	Religious affiliation There is no formal religious affiliation; the school emphasizes traditional Islamic family values and incorporates Islamic Studies as part of the Arabic curriculum in line with MOE requirements.
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 The school day runs from 7:00 to 14:00 (2:00 pm) from Sunday to Thursday. Specific break and lunch timings are not publicly published on the school pages.
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 A transport service operates to select areas of Qatar. Buses are monitored by a bus assistant for safety. Availability depends on location and registration through the school's Registration Department.
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 / One‑time Fees - Seat reservation (حجز مقعد): QAR 2,500 (one‑time, payable to secure the place). - Registration/Enrollment (التسجيل): QAR 1,020 (one‑time). . Tuition fees — annual and inferred per‑term amounts by year group - KG1 (FS1): Annual tuition QAR 18,900 — Per term (inferred as equal split into three terms): QAR 6,300 per term. - KG2 (FS2): Annual tuition QAR 18,900 — Per term (inferred): QAR 6,300 per term. - Year 1 (Primary 1): Annual tuition QAR 19,950 — Per term (inferred): QAR 6,650 per term. - Year 2 (Primary 2): Annual tuition QAR 19,950 — Per term (inferred): QAR 6,650 per term. - Year 3 (Primary 3): Annual tuition QAR 22,050 — Per term (inferred): QAR 7,350 per term. - Year 4 (Primary 4): Annual tuition QAR 22,050 — Per term (inferred): QAR 7,350 per term. - Year 5 (Primary 5): Annual tuition QAR 24,150 — Per term (inferred): QAR 8,050 per term. - Year 6 (Primary 6): Annual tuition QAR 24,150 — Per term (inferred): QAR 8,050 per term. Note: the per‑term amounts above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three equal terms (this per‑term breakdown is an arithmetic inference, not a separately published line item). Other mandatory or annual additional fees - Placement / level‑assessment fee (تحديد المستوى): KG1 and KG2 — not applicable; Year 1 & Year 2 — QAR 357 (one‑time); Years 3–6 — QAR 408 (one‑time). - Book / learning resources fees (رسوم كتب): KG1 & KG2 — QAR 750 per year; Year 1 & Year 2 — QAR 1,020 per year; Years 3–6 — QAR 1,530 per year. Optional / additional annual charges - School transport (inside route): QAR 5,508 per year (optional). - School transport (outside route): QAR 7,344 per year (optional). - School uniform (الزي المدرسي): QAR 714 per year (annual amount shown). Boarding - Boarding is not applicable. The school operates for ages 3–11 (Early Years through Year 6) as a day school. Billing schedule and payment terms - The published fee schedule lists annual tuition and specifies which items are one‑time (e.g., seat reservation, registration) and which are recurring annual charges (tuition, books, transport, uniform). The published schedule does not show explicit term due dates or a detailed instalment plan; term amounts above were calculated by dividing annual tuition by three equal terms (inference). Parents should treat tuition figures as annual charges with separate one‑time and optional lines as listed. Refunds and cancellations - The published fee notice does not specify refund terms or an explicit refund policy on the fee schedule. No refundable amounts (for example a refundable deposit) are shown on the published fees page. Accepted payment methods and instructions - The published fee schedule image does not list specific payment methods (for example: bank transfer, card, cheque). Payment channels and detailed payment deadlines or instalment options are not published on the fee sheet itself. Quick summary (figures in QAR) - Annual tuition range by year: KG1/KG2 QAR 18,900; Years 1–2 QAR 19,950; Years 3–4 QAR 22,050; Years 5–6 QAR 24,150. - One‑time fees: Seat reservation QAR 2,500; Registration QAR 1,020. - Annual additional fees: Placement (where applicable) QAR 357–408; Books QAR 750–1,530; Transport QAR 5,508 (inside) / QAR 7,344 (outside); Uniform QAR 714. Please use these figures as the school's published fee items for the current academic fee schedule. The document published with these amounts identifies which fees are one‑time and which are annual; per‑term amounts above were computed by dividing annual tuition by three (this per‑term split is an inference for convenience).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement Uniform is worn daily. The PE kit is worn on PE days. For safety, high heels or sandals are not allowed; black shoes are encouraged if available.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school operates an on-site cafeteria offering healthy snacks, juice, yoghurt, water and biscuits. In Early Years there are two snack times, and families are encouraged to provide nutritious meals from home. The Healthy Eating Policy bans fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolates, chips, and fast-food meals, and eggs are not allowed; the school is nut-free and will return any nut-containing items to home.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
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 The Oxford English School follows the English National Curriculum across three Key Stages: Early Years Foundation Stage (Preschool and Reception) and Key Stages 1 and 2 (Years 1 to 6), for ages 3 to 11. Core subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art, Physical Education and Information Technology) are taught in English, while Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History are delivered in Arabic. Year-by-year objectives are mapped to the National Curriculum, with year-level learning outcomes emphasizing knowledge application, communication, collaboration and independent learning. The curriculum emphasizes cross-curricular projects, differentiation and language support for second-language learners, supported by technology and resources from Pearson, Collins and Oxford Primary. The school offers Preschool through Year 6, and there is no indication of on-site external qualifications such as IGCSE or A-Levels, with progression typically toward secondary education outside the school.
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 Oxford English School maintains a Student Council for 2024-2025, providing student representation and opportunities for pupil voice.
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) The school differentiates learning and offers a range of support programs in English and Arabic to meet diverse learner needs, with no published information indicating a dedicated SEN department or specialist SEN provision.
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 Core subjects are taught in English and Arabic, and the curriculum is modified for second-language learners.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school does not publicly disclose information regarding mental wellbeing support, programs, or staff.	Mental wellbeing There is a full-time paediatric nurse at the school; nursing policies emphasize maximizing learning through health and psychological health and include an open-door policy for student concerns.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding and child protection policies.	Safeguarding Safeguarding is supported by nursing policies aligned with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Ministry of Public Health, with staff liaising with parents to plan appropriate care.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The library has been renovated and provides access to real books and an online reading application to support reading and information literacy. A science laboratory enables hands-on experiments and helps students visualize concepts while developing practical research skills. The ICT laboratory is equipped with desktop computers connected to fiber-optic internet and is used weekly by students from Reception through Year 6. On-site health services are available through a full-time nurse who follows nursing policies and provides care and first aid as needed. Art and Design education focuses on drawing, painting, sculpture and other techniques. The Physical Education Department delivers a high-quality PE curriculum and collaborates with external sports programs to broaden opportunities for students.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The library is newly renovated and provides real books along with an online reading application to support literacy and information skills. A dedicated science laboratory supports hands-on learning and helps students visualise and apply scientific concepts. An ICT laboratory is equipped with desktop computers connected to fiber-optic internet, used by students from Reception to Year 6.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities After School Activity offers a variety of clubs and activities, including English, Math, Science, Sports, Art, ICT, Quran and Drama.
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 Oxford English School provides learning opportunities for students aged 3-11 and follows the National Curriculum of England. The school was established in response to a community need for a skills-based education that is challenging, exciting and enjoyable. It seeks to enable students to become fully rounded individuals, aware of their traditional, historical and cultural heritage, yet able to explore Western culture and education. The school fosters a strong sense of community based on traditional Islamic family values, care for every individual, and a belief in childhood. It emphasizes a home-school partnership as a central aspect of development and encourages active parental involvement.
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 Oxford English School emphasizes the importance of the community to its operations and views parental involvement as essential to running the school. A formal Parent-Teacher-School relationship is pursued through the PTA, with parents invited to join and participate in activities and events that strengthen the partnership. PTA meetings are held once a term in the school year. Parent surveys and diverse communication channels are used to gather feedback and involve families in decision-making, with programs such as Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Go Green, International Day, and National Day.
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 Oxford English School's PTA aims to develop a viable and collegial Parent-Teacher-School relationship. Each year, parents are invited to join the PTA and take part in various activities and events that strengthen the parent–school–community partnership. PTA meetings are held once a term in the school year. The school uses parent surveys and a range of communication methods to pass information and gather feedback from parents. Parents have contributed to school programs and events such as the Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Go Green, International Day, National Day, the Parent-Teacher Meeting, and the Parents Forum. The Parent Engagement & Expectations page sets out mutual respect, support for parents as educators, and expectations to attend meetings and events and reinforce school policies at home.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Oxford English School offers a varied after-school program that includes both academic and non-academic activities, available in-class or online throughout the year. Examples of clubs and activities include English, Math, Science, Sports, Art, ICT, Quran and Drama, and language-support options such as Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, plus Islamic Studies and Qatar History. The curriculum emphasizes cross-curricular, project-based learning and hands-on activities to develop knowledge, communication, collaboration, and independent learning.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Arts and creative pursuits are supported through the Art & Design curriculum and after-school arts clubs. The Art & Design program emphasizes producing creative work, proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture and other techniques, and evaluating creative work within a historical and cultural context. Additional opportunities include Drama and Art clubs offered after school.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Cultural and language activities are supported by the Arabic Department, which emphasizes Arabic language and Islamic and Qatar History studies. After-school provisions include non-Arabic speakers lessons in Arabic, Islamic Studies and Qatar History to support language and cultural understanding. The school highlights immersion in Qatar culture and support for multilingual learners.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies Social and hobby-based activities include a range of after-school clubs in English, Math, Science, Sports, Art, ICT, Quran and Drama. The school also provides student-led leadership opportunities through the Student Council (2024-2025). Community and parent involvement is supported through the School Community Partnership and PTA events.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Oxford English School emphasizes community involvement through the School Community Partnership and the Parent-Teacher Association. Parents participate in various activities, and the PTA meetings are held each term to support school and community engagement. Notable events cited include the Science Fair, Spelling Bee, Go Green, International Day and National Day.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership opportunities are available through the Student Council (2024-2025). The Deputy Principal's Message notes that courses and workshops are organised with parents, external trainers, and the wider community to keep teaching practices current. The Principal's Welcome emphasizes encouraging students to take on active leadership roles and collaboration with external organisations.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Physical Education Department aims to develop competence in a broad range of physical activities and to promote healthy, active lifestyles. The department also states collaboration with external sports programs and clubs to provide competitive opportunities. After-school activities include sports-related options as part of the wellbeing program.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Arabic is taught; there is an Arabic Department. The school has EYFS, KS1 and KS2. The school serves students aged 3 to 11 (Preschool to Year 6). The curriculum follows the British National Curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Submit an online application through the online admissions portal. The online admissions portal is ready for use via the Apply Online Now option on the admissions page. Applicants begin enrollment by submitting the online form. The school serves ages 3-11 and follows the British National Curriculum. 2. Preschool and Reception undergo an interactive play session assessment with the Early Years team. The Early Years team greet you at the reception area and invite you to proceed to the classroom. Parents are welcome to remain in the room during the assessment to help their child feel comfortable. The assessment is designed to be age-appropriate and non-stressful. 3. KS1 and KS2 students have a written assessment according to their age and current year group. The tests assist the school in understanding the level of the students so they can plan and prepare for them effectively. This ensures the school supports a happy, healthy, and successful school career.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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