A new super-premium international school is set to open on Qetaifan Island North, Qatar, in September 2026, thanks to a partnership between Aplomado Investments & Fenton Whelan Real Estate (AFW) and Global Schools Management (GSM), which owns over 165 schools and educates over 45,000 students globally.
The school will offer both the UK and IB pathways and cater for up to 1600 students. Qetaifan Island North, located off Lusail City, is designed to be Qatar’s future iconic destination, featuring waterfronts, pedestrian-friendly streets, living gardens, luxurious hotels, and entertainment attractions that make it a modern community inspired by the rich culture and nature of the region.
The island, owned and developed by Qetaifan Projects Co., is set to become a symbol of the vision for the future of Qatar and has already seen the soft opening of its new Waterpark – Meryal – and the Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North Hotel. The neighboring districts on the mainland near Qetaifan Island North are also experiencing a significant rise in the relocation of residents and commercial entities, making it an ideal location for GSM’s new international school.
The school will be built on a 30,245 sqm plot and will set the benchmark for world-class facilities in Doha. It will include a 700-seat auditorium linked with the school’s Performing Art Hub, a 50-meter Olympic size swimming pool, watersports accessible from the school to the canal, and a range of community facilities. The school is also committed to energy conservation, reducing water usage, and minimizing its carbon footprint, seeking LEED accreditation.
This launch aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which sets out the long-term vision for economic, environmental, and human capital development in the country. According to Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Head of Business Development at Qetaifan Projects, “This strategic step is expected to stimulate investments in Qetaifan Island North significantly. We are excited about this development, which perfectly aligns with our master plan goals for Qetaifan Island North and prioritizes the interests of owners and investors by delivering a project that comprehensively meets all their needs.”
Jeremy Bussey, CEO of Aplomado Investments, stated, “Through our partnership with GSM, we strongly believe that we are positioned to contribute towards the realization of Qatar’s vision with our plans to establish a high-quality, premium international school on Qetaifan Island.”
The school will be chaired by Professor Ralph Tabberer, former Director General of the UK education sector and now Vice Chairman of GSM Middle East. He stated, “We look forward to establishing a leading British curriculum school in Doha that challenges young people to step out of their comfort zone at every opportunity. Our approach and ethos will enable young people to develop the character traits required to be successful in a dynamic world that demands agility and an entrepreneurial mindset.”
According to Shaun Robison, CEO of GSM Middle East, “Our school will become the destination school of Doha. With our track record of academic excellence and knowledge of the region, we see this school as an opportunity to shape the next generation of Qataris and expatriates.”
The announcement follows GSM’s expansion strategy in the GCC region and their recent acquisition of BBD Education, a premier provider of professional education services and management for the growing schools’ market in the GCC. The group also recently acquired Crown Private School in Ajman, a UK curriculum school that has seen a healthy growth of students since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school will bring the expertise of GSM, which owns the International School of Berne, the premium international school in Switzerland that offers the IB Curriculum, to Doha. According to Ron Packard, CEO and Founder of GSM, “Our school will blur the boundaries of learning as we blend industry specialists with highly qualified teachers and collaborate with our partners on Qetaifan Island so that our children get real-world experiences as part of the curriculum.”
About GSM: Dedicated to preparing young minds for the future, GSM strives for excellence in every educational endeavor. Their vision is to provide world-class education across the MENA region. www.gsm.education
About Aplomado Investments: An innovative investment company, Aplomado Investments is driven to invest in the development of cutting-edge projects with the most promising futures and original opportunities. www.aplomadoinvest.com
For media inquiries, please contact Pr@aplomadoinvest.com.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.