The first truly international British School in Doha just for Girls, and sister school of Durham School UK, will open its doors in 2019 to provide young women in Qatar with the very best British education available in the Region

Durham School for Girls Doha draws its inspiration from both the Qatari national and wider Islamic culture and traditions as well as Durham School’s 600-year heritage of outstanding British education

Durham School for Girls Doha, Qatar’s first truly international British school just for girls, and delivering a British curriculum, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vanessa Jane Whay as Founding Principal.

Vanessa Jane Whay has been a Head of School for over 13 years. Most recently, as the Founding Head of King’s College Panama, Vanessa has the experience needed for starting and establishing British schools of excellence.

Vanessa graduated from Cambridge and has since worked in both the UK and International markets. She has experience in both the IB and English National Curriculum and is a qualified International Schools inspector. She has furthermore led teacher training programmes with international government bodies for local teachers and has worked closely with various ministries and entities internationally for the design and building of new school campuses.

Speaking about her new appointment, Vanessa Jane Whay, Founding Principal of Durham School for Girls Doha, said: “I am delighted with my new appointment at Durham School for Girls Doha, and I am waiting in anticipation to welcome Doha families and their children when the school opens its doors in 2019. Durham School for Girls Doha was born out of need to educate the girls and young women in Qatar and provide them with the very best British education available in the region to empower them to become prepared for the opportunities and challenges of life across the world in the 21st century.”

“At Durham School for Girls Doha, we want our girls to develop into young women who are internationally savvy and broadly educated whilst being enriched by Qatar’s national and Islamic culture and heritage. Being a sister school of Durham School UK, Durham School for Girls Doha is anticipated to be the school of first choice for Qataris and expat families, offering a curriculum that is set in an international context whilst being deeply rooted in the Qatari culture and tradition and offering the girls a confidence for life,” concluded Vanessa.”

In her current position at Durham School for Girls Doha, Vanessa will be in charge of establishing the faculty, recruiting of teachers, preparing admissions, developing the programmes for academia, sports and arts and culture, as well as establishing partnerships with key stakeholders including government, corporate bodies and families. Vanessa will furthermore provide strategic direction in the school system, monitor student achievement, encourage parent involvement, revise policies and procedures and develop a plan that will foster the relationships and ensure all stakeholders including students, parents, teachers and staff are addressed based on the clear vision of the desired culture for the school.  

Vanessa combines her professionalism with a strong passion for education and learning. Her dedication, experience, empathy and sense of humor are her true characteristics that enable her to be a strong leader for her team and create a successful school.

Vanessa is also an advocate for establishing thriving learning communities, respecting the local culture, and embedding strong values into the school. Respecting the whole community is fundamental in her belief, ensuring that the students are well rounded both socially and academically which is key to the underpinning values of the school.

Durham School for Girls Doha is a sister school of Durham School UK that draws its inspiration from both the Qatari National and wider Islamic culture and tradition as well as Durham School’s 600-year heritage of outstanding British education.

Pupils of Durham School for Girls Doha will benefit from a governance overlap and shared co-curricular programmes with Durham School UK, as well as a provision of pastoral care that is to the same high standards in both Durham School UK and Doha.

Operating in full partnership with Durham School UK, Durham School for Girls Doha will deliver outstanding education with the aim to meet Qatar’s ambition for its young women in the areas of women empowerment, especially in education, and delivering a knowledge-based society while unlocking the human potential of the young women in Qatar.

Situated in Al Messila, Durham School for Girls Doha will open its doors in September 2019.  As part of its Phase 1 opening in 2019, the school will be open for the Early Years Foundation Stage Programme (EYFS) as well as for Primary Stage including Years 1 to 6. Starting from 2020, the school will be open for Secondary levels, and will be fully operational and open for all academic years by 2022.