Doha, Qatar, 10 November 2026: King's College Doha, one of Qatar's leading British international schools, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special Garden Party, marking a decade of educational excellence, growth and community. Since opening in 2016 with just 183 students, the school has grown to almost 2,000 students across two campuses, offering British education from Pre-School through Sixth Form.
The celebration was attended by H.E. Sheikh Mansoor bin Jassim bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of King's College Doha, Mr Justin Chippendale, Director of International Schools for King's College UK, and Mr Darren Gale, Managing Director GCC, alongside founding families, alumni, staff, parents and members of the wider school community.
The Garden Party featured student and staff performances, traditional games, family activities and reunions celebrating the people who have shaped the school's journey. A particularly special moment was the return of founding Headmaster Nick Gunn and the recognition of 90 founding families who still remain part of the King's community.
Over the past decade, King's College Doha has evolved from a school serving Pre-School to Year 4 students at its original Al Thumama Campus into an all-through school for children aged 3 to 18. The opening of its purpose-built Mesaimeer Campus expanded its educational offering to include iGCSE, A Level and BTEC pathways. Throughout this growth, the school has maintained strong ties with King's College UK, combining its educational values and traditions with Qatar's rich culture and heritage.
The school's development has been accompanied by strong academic achievements. In the 2025–26 academic year, 43% of A Level grades were awarded A*–A, alongside a 100% GCSE pass rate. The school also received the highest possible rating of Highly Effective in the Qatar National Schools Accreditation. Beyond the classroom, for the third year running school teams have qualified and won at the World Scholar's Cup Tournament of Champions at Yale University, while student team TaqaTrack won Best Marketing Plan for schools in Qatar at the INJAZ Al-Arab Mubadara Competition in 2026. The school was also recognised with the Edarabia Parents' Choice Award in 2026.
Kate Jackson, Principal of King's College Doha, said: "When we opened in 2016 with just 183 students, we believed we could create something special here in Qatar. Today, we are a community of almost 2,000, and what makes me proudest is not simply our growth or achievements, but the relationships we have built. We have combined British education with Qatar's rich culture and heritage to create a school where everyone feels they belong."
Beyond academic achievement, King's College Doha places strong emphasis on character development and student wellbeing through the five pillars of The King's Identity: Confident, Creative, Committed, Caring and Curious. This approach is complemented by enrichment opportunities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Model United Nations and an Electives Programme covering subjects such as entrepreneurship, photography and forensic psychology.
The school's King's Pathway programme also provides Senior School students with insights into business and career opportunities in Qatar and beyond. Through its focus on education, innovation and preparing young people for the future, the school's approach aligns with the human development ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Mr Justin Chippendale, Director of International Schools for King's College UK, said: "Looking around the vibrant celebrations, seeing so many founding families and staff still at the heart of the school, reconnecting with alumni and welcoming back former colleagues, I was reminded just how special this community has always been - it is such a joyful place. The first ten years have brought wonderful growth, achievement and excellence, and we are so proud to be deeply embedded in the everyday life of the school: in the past, the present and for the exciting future of King's College Doha."
As King's College Doha enters its second decade, the school aims to build on its academic achievements by expanding opportunities in STEAM, innovation and future-focused learning, strengthening pathways to leading universities worldwide, and continuing to invest in sport, performing arts and student wellbeing. The school also remains focused on developing leadership, character and global citizenship, while strengthening partnerships with families and the wider community and preserving the sense of belonging that has defined its first ten years.