UK schools in Qatar face calls to withdraw over controversial textbooks

British private schools are generating millions of pounds by using Qatari textbooks at their Middle East outposts, which whitewash the Holocaust, as The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

The schools, including Sherborne School, King’s College Taunton, and Royal Grammar School Guildford, promise the “best of British education” at their Qatari franchises.

However, under Gulf state law, they are required to teach Arabic, Islamic studies, and Qatari history using state-approved textbooks.

In the 2025 editions examined by The Telegraph, the Holocaust is not mentioned in a chapter about Nazi Germany and the Second World War.

The chapter encouraged students to read Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and vaguely referred to his “racist ideas.”

The book stated: “Hitler’s aims could be summarised as follows: to establish a national army, unite the Germans, and reclaim German colonies.

“Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, became the official mouthpiece of the government. The government emphasized Hitler’s racist ideas.”

The Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), which supported Holocaust survivors, described the schools’ use of the textbooks as “morally indefensible” and an “insult” to the memory of Holocaust victims.

Sherborne School, which counts Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Bafta-winning actor Hugh Bonneville as alumni, has earned at least £3,703,000 since its Qatari subsidiary, Sherborne Qatar, opened in 2009.

The Dorset-based school had stated its Qatari branch followed a British curriculum designed to foster a “love for learning” and “build confidence” among pupils.

However, Qatar’s decree requires all schools to uphold the “national identity” and “religious values” of Qatari pupils, with plans to introduce non-Muslim students to Islam through their curriculum.

An Islamic education book, used to teach pupils aged 13, suggested Jews are “evil” for rejecting Islam in the 7th century.

The chapter said: “The Children of Israel described the Holy Quran as blatant magic. There is no one more evil or misguided than one who turns away from Islam.”

Under the law, the textbooks should be provided to all students “without exception,” and school libraries hold the latest editions in stock.

The same textbook for older pupils would teach students to reject peace efforts with Israel and not to concede “any part of Palestine” as it is an “Islamic land.”

In a letter sent to Qatari parents shortly after October 7, Sherborne Qatar stated it was “proud” to support Palestine and encouraged students to wear Keffiyeh scarves to class.

The school, which charges up to £14,500 a year, also displayed a banner across its playground wall that read “The martyrs of Al-Aqsa are in paradise.”

The Campaign Against Antisemitism described the material as “outrageous” and called for the schools to withdraw from Qatar.

It stated: “These textbooks would never be allowed in the UK – indeed, it could even be criminal.

“These schools should withdraw from the Qatari branches. Any failure to take action would amount to an endorsement of what is being taught in their name.”

The schools are closely collaborating with Middle East companies, involving regular visits, exchanges, and teacher training.

One teacher, who worked at a different British school and requested anonymity, claimed she had to review children’s Western fiction books and cross out the word Jew.

Some Arabic students would even “glorify” Hitler and write praise for him in their textbooks, she added.

She stated: “We are not allowed to mention Jews. The genocide didn’t happen to them. It is like brainwashing.”

“Israel does not exist over there. To suggest it does would get you in a lot of trouble. Parents or teachers would call the police.”

King’s College Taunton made about £1,808,029 since its Qatari outpost, King’s College Doha, opened in 2016, according to the school’s trading subsidiary accounts.

The company, King’s College International Ltd, also opened a school in India in 2016 and in Saudi Arabia in 2021. The Qatari branch charges up to £13,400 a year in fees.

It remains unclear how much profit was made from each branch. It did not respond to a request for comment.

Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGSG) had made £350,346 since opening Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar in 2016.

The Qatari branch had stated it is committed to promoting “Islamic values” and charges up to £12,000 a year in fees.

RGSG stated: “As with all British schools operating overseas, RGS Guildford schools operate within different legislative contexts that we are required to observe.

“We are proud that our school offers pupils in Qatar a broad, holistic British curriculum and character education.”

Sherborne School stated: “Sherborne Qatar is a British curriculum school in Doha and is part of the Sherborne Group.

“It follows a UK-based curriculum that aims to foster a love for learning, encourage curiosity, and build confidence among pupils.”

Michael Newman, chief executive of the AJR, stated: “The Holocaust is intrinsic to learning about Nazism. By omitting this, it is an insult to the memory of victims and their families, and dangerous for future generations.”