hoofie2002

I spent a lovely year in Sharbatly in 91. It was ok I suppose once they removed the dead cat from the garden and dealt with the roaches. Oh, and I did manage to screw them out of some SRXXXX in overseas phone calls [they did never did find out who made all those calls to Glasgow].

I'm sure Sharbatly is lovely now - is the prison still next door ?

Jeddah_guy

Yeah, that prison is still there......

nottmbantam

We're on Sierra Village and my step daugher goes to the Jeddah Prep and Grammar School. The Conti School ( British International School ) is about the same distance away and the compound has a school bus going to both schools, straight from the compound directly to the school and return, which is a great service.

If you're interested in the American School at all, its right next door to Sierra and has an adjoining gate.

AS for horse riding, there is a resort called Durrat Al Arus ( have a look on Google Earth ! ) , which is about 30/40 mins away from Sierra Village, and I noticed they have an Equestrian Centre, that's the only one I can think of nearby. Othewise - make friends with some wealthy Suadi's, as most of them will have a farm of some description with horses and stables etc


Arabian Homes gets a small discount at the Al Bilad Beach, I think its around 60 SR at the weekends ( Thur & Fri ) and its a bit cheaper through the week.

AL Murjan Beach which is bigger and has more facilities, is just down the road from Al Bilad and is exclusive to Arabian Homes. They have now reduced the prices and its around 70 SR at weekends. Al Murjan also offers beach cabins for rentals if ever you fancied staying overnight.

nottmbantam

Y'know, I drove to Sharbatly the other day, and didn't realise I'd driven past a prison

Or was that the compound

No, seriously, I had no idea there was a prison there.

nikedge

nottmbantam

thank you for the response- I'll have a look into the American School- I have been assuming that the British School would be best for if/when we return to UK??

Thank you for the information Hubby speaking to employer today so will be giving Sierra Village as preference- I'm very excited think our little family will really enjoy being in Jeddah (once I've adjusted to not driving and wearing the abaya. Although not having to worry about parking and hiding my post baby muffin-top, need not be 'downsides' ).

Thank you

Nikki

nottmbantam

No problem, you're welcome. Yes, the two British Schools are probably better as they both follow the UK curriculum ( British COnti School and Jeddah Prep and Gammar School ) though they follow the Cambridge IGSCE syllabus, which is a bit tougher than the standard UK GSCE.

Don't worry though, this is highly regarded by UK educational esablishments, so its all positive. There are probaly more kids from the COnti School on Sierra compound, so the kids should be able to socialise quite well out of school hours.

THe US School naturally follows the US system and has the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Best of luck.

nikedge

Have emailed the Conti School today for more information?

Thank you every so muchfor all your help- I'm sure I'll be back to ask some more questions- going to sit in garden to catch some rays before it st5arts raining again! x

nottmbantam

Yes, its prob better to start the enrolment ball rolling as soon as possible. My wife is a teacher at Jeddah Grammar and step daughter is a pupil there. Its not long before they finish for the summer ( 3rd July ) and I think the Conti School also close around that time, so get your skates on and get the kids enrolled asap. Jeddah Grammar doesn't start again until very late Sept - almost a three month break.

I don't know how old your kids are, maybe you've mentioned it in a previous post, but you may have to make arrangments for them to sit an assessment test when before they are accepted at the school. This may depend on what year they will be entering.

Life is quite enjoyable on Sierra, its nicely located, near to some nice shopping malls, not too far from the beaches, the Corniche and the airport. AS its the biggest Arabian Homes compound in Jeddah, it also has some nice amenities and some nice social events.

nikedge

Hi

Eldest daughter to start reception this Sept so hopefully no tests.

Reallylooking forward to this now!

Nikki

nottmbantam

I really do think that for younger kids - Saudi is fantastic place to be. THe compound means they can run around in total safety, its all enclosed, so no fear of them wandering out onto the streets, the other kids just 'play out' all night long, the weather is great, swimming pools are plentiful, and they can just play all day long with a shed load of other kids.

When you're out, the locals will make a real fuss over them, as they do with all kids, very charming with children, and very family orientated.

For older kids ( teenagers ) its a different kettle of fish and can be quite frustrating. No comparable freedoms for teenagers that the UK has.

I spoken with a few people who were raised as kids in Saudi. One particular chap sept most of his childhood in Jeddah and loved it to bits. When he turned 15, his parents announced they were going back to the UK. He told me he just cried all night, didn't want to leave!