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The English School - Kuwait City

Kuwait, Kuwait City

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KWD 1,741 - 3,435
Ages 3 - 15 years
Pupil numbers 678
Type Co-educational
Opened 1953
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum
Taught languages Arabic, French
Typical class size 23
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

The English School Kuwait City is a not-for-profit, British-curriculum school for ages 3 to 16. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (3–5) and the National Curriculum for England (5–16), with English as the language of instruction. Arabic and French are taught; Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1, and Arabic for non-Arabs begins in Year 3; Kuwaiti Social Studies is taught from Year 5. Founded in 1953 under the British Embassy, it was Kuwait's first British-curriculum preparatory school and remains owned by the Al-Bahar family. The school prepares pupils to transfer to UK and international schools and operates on a not-for-profit model. The campus hosts a Performing Arts Centre for productions and events, extensive arts, music and ICT facilities, three science laboratories, and a dedicated Science and Technology Building opened in 2024. The library houses about 23,000 items; Bedouin Tent and a broad ECA programme extend learning beyond lessons. About 53 nationalities are represented; roughly 30% are British and over 60% come from native English-speaking countries. The Upper School expanded in 2025 with over 715 pupils.

14-4 Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari St. 19 Ln, Salmiya, Kuwait

The Essentials

The English School - Kuwait City has 678 pupils, typical class sizes of 23, instruction in English.

Location
The English School is on Mousaed Al-Azmi Street, Block 12, Salmiya, Kuwait. It is located in the Salmiya district of Kuwait. Transportation is provided via a TES-supported bus service operated in partnership with Delta Star, serving most areas in Kuwait. Buses are CCTV monitored and include a female chaperone, with real-time tracking via BatOnRoute.

Stages
Pre Prep (KG – Year 2); Prep (Years 3-8); Upper School (Years 9-11)

Type
Not-for-profit

Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 30% of pupils are British, and over 60% come from native English-speaking countries.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
The school day begins at 7:25 am with gates opening at 7:10 am. Breaks are from 9:30–10:00 am and 11:30–12:00 pm. The KG day finishes at 12:15 pm and the regular school day ends at 2:30 pm (ECAs run until 3:30 pm).

Bus service
Bus services are run by an independent company. The English School partners with Delta Star bus services to provide a comprehensive bus service for TES families. Buses serve most areas in Kuwait and are available for pupils from KG to Year 9. All buses have CCTV and a chaperone; BatOnRoute provides real-time tracking.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is navy blue formal wear. Girls wear a navy blue skirt or trousers with a blue-and-white striped blouse; boys wear navy blue trousers with a blue-and-white striped shirt; in the Upper School a tie and navy blazer are worn. All uniform is purchased from the onsite uniform shop; footwear, socks and swimming kit are excluded.

Food Options
Lunch is brought from home. KG have two meal breaks (9:30–10:00 and 11:30–12:00). For Years 3–6, meals are eaten in the Dining Room and Years 7–8 in a Bedouin Tent.

House System
The school has a house system with house-based leadership opportunities; examples include House captain roles and other leadership activities.

Governance and Ownership
The English School Kuwait is not-for-profit and is owned by Mr. Emad Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar; Ms. Muneera Al-Bahar participates in leadership, and governance is provided by a Governing Committee and Leadership Team.
Fees

Annual tuition at The English School - Kuwait City ranges from KWD 1,741 to KWD 3,435 for 2026/27.

Application & Assessment Fees
- Assessment (application) fee: KD 75 per application; this fee is non-refundable.
- Registration (advance tuition) payment: KD 100 per pupil per academic year to secure a place; this is a non‑refundable advance payment that is credited against the invoice for the following academic year and must be settled by 1 April when completing the current academic year payment.
- Annual subscription charge: KD 75 per pupil, added to the September fee payment.

Tuition Fees by Year Group (2025/26 academic year)
- Kindergarten: Annual fee KD 1,741 — three instalments of KD 547, KD 547, KD 547 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Reception: Annual fee KD 2,735 — instalments KD 879, KD 878, KD 878 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 1: Annual fee KD 2,735 — instalments KD 879, KD 878, KD 878 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 2: Annual fee KD 2,735 — instalments KD 879, KD 878, KD 878 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 3: Annual fee KD 3,135 — instalments KD 1,013, KD 1,011, KD 1,011 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 4: Annual fee KD 3,135 — instalments KD 1,013, KD 1,011, KD 1,011 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 5: Annual fee KD 3,135 — instalments KD 1,013, KD 1,011, KD 1,011 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 6: Annual fee KD 3,135 — instalments KD 1,013, KD 1,011, KD 1,011 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 7: Annual fee KD 3,435 — instalments KD 1,115, KD 1,110, KD 1,110 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 8: Annual fee KD 3,435 — instalments KD 1,115, KD 1,110, KD 1,110 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 9: Annual fee KD 3,435 — instalments KD 1,115, KD 1,110, KD 1,110 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).
- Year 10: Annual fee KD 3,435 — instalments KD 1,115, KD 1,110, KD 1,110 (due 1 Sep, 1 Dec, 1 Apr).

Billing schedule & payment terms
- Standard instalment schedule: three equal instalments with due dates of 1 September (1st instalment), 1 December (2nd instalment), and 1 April (3rd instalment). The KD 100 registration payment is due by 1 April to reserve a place for the following year and is credited to the next year's invoice.
- Mid‑year starters: all tuition and fees for students beginning during the school year are payable at the time of offer acceptance. Students starting in September follow the standard billing arrangement above.
- Payment channels and conditions: tuition payments must be made exclusively through the school's mobile app; KNET and major credit cards are accepted for tuition payments. Payments submitted through other channels will not be processed. The onsite uniform shop accepts KNET or cash only (credit cards not accepted at the uniform shop).

Boarding fees
- The English School operates as a day school and does not have boarding provision; there are no boarding fees.

Other costs and typical extras
- Uniform: all uniform items must be purchased from the onsite uniform shop except footwear, socks and swimming kit; a 2025/2026 uniform price list is published for reference at the uniform shop. The uniform shop accepts KNET or cash.
- Textbooks and learning resources: books are included in the tuition.
- Extra‑curricular activities (ECAs): ECAs are offered each term; some ECAs and external coaches carry additional charges which are billed separately.
- Lunch Club (KG): KD 130 per term where applicable (charged if Lunch Club is approved).
- EDUcamp / holiday club and occasional camps: these programmes operate with separate charges by activity and term; fees vary by programme and session.
- Transportation: bus services are operated by an external contractor; bus fees depend on the family's neighbourhood and whether one‑way or two‑way service is chosen. Bus service is available for children KG–Year 9.

Refunds and chargebacks
- The KD 100 registration payment is described as non‑refundable when used to secure a place. The assessment (application) fee is explicitly non‑refundable. No separate, detailed published refund schedule for tuition instalments or other fees is provided in the school's published fee information and policy documents.

Fee payment options
- Tuition: payments via the school's mobile app only; KNET and major credit cards are accepted for tuition payments. Payments made through any other channel will not be processed.
- Uniform shop: accepts KNET or cash only; credit cards are not accepted at the uniform shop.
- Transport and many optional activities are billed separately by the relevant provider or the school and have their own payment arrangements; bus fees are dependent on route and service choice.
Academics

The English School - Kuwait City teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 15.

Curriculum
The English School Kuwait follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (3–5 years) and the National Curriculum for England (5–16 years), with additional features required for entry to future schools. The school operates within a British-curriculum framework and is the first British-curriculum preparatory school in Kuwait. The teaching staff, with the exception of the Arabic department, are British trained with British qualifications. Arabic and French are taught; Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1 upwards and Arabic for non-Arabs from Year 3; Kuwait Social Studies is taught from Year 5, as is French to all pupils. The language of instruction is English; the language of the playground is English, with around 30% of pupils British and more than 60% from native English-speaking countries.

Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 23.

Exam Results
TES runs a full suite of GL assessments from Year 1 upwards; this provides age-standardised scores to track progress. TES scores consistently exceed the globally standardised average. Sample scores include CAT4 108.4, NGRT 110.8, PTE 108.3, PTM 108.7, PTS 117.1, and TES value-added +1.9. As the school expands to Upper School, IGCSE results will be reported here when available.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The English School follows the National Curriculum for England and provides a high level of pastoral care for every child. From Year 1 to Year 8 a House System fosters community, teamwork and leadership opportunities, including roles such as prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl and School Council representatives. Weekly assemblies reinforce Personal, Social, Health, Education & Citizenship (PSHEC) aspects of learning. The school emphasises leadership and social development through leadership roles and a broad Extra Curricular Activities programme. The core values of positivity, respect, integrity, confidence and empathy guide daily life at the school.

Mental Wellbeing
The English School creates a happy, busy and purposeful atmosphere with a strong focus on student well-being. A high level of pastoral care is provided for every child, and Personal, Social, Health, Education & Citizenship is reinforced through the curriculum and assemblies. A House System and leadership opportunities support resilience and social development. The Behaviour Management Policy is based on positive reinforcement and the school has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. Parental involvement and regular feedback through consultations support the mental well-being of students.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is paramount at TES. The wellbeing and safety of every student is the highest priority, with safeguarding and child protection training for all staff. Safeguarding policies and procedures adhere to international standards, and concerns are acted upon immediately. Staff complete comprehensive safeguarding training on induction with ongoing refreshers, and a Safeguard Team is available across all sections. Students are taught about personal safety, wellbeing and how to seek help, and the school promotes respect, empathy and open communication to keep every child safe.
Parent Experience

History
TES was founded in 1953 under the auspices of the British Embassy, becoming the first British-curriculum preparatory school in Kuwait and one of the Gulf's earliest. It began as Shuwaikh School with nine pupils, run by volunteer expatriate parents and established as a non-profit. In 1970 it was renamed The English School, Kuwait, and moved to purpose-built premises in Al-Surra in 1973; ownership remains with the Al-Bahar family, now represented by Emad Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar and Muneera Al-Bahar. The school's community was strengthened by the inauguration of the Parents Association in 1973, and TES has since undergone major capital projects and developments. Recent milestones include BYOD in 2016, the opening of a Science and Technology building in 2024, and the launch of an Upper School in 2025 with over 715 students enrolled.

Community
TES describes education as a three-way interdependent partnership among parents, pupils and the school. Parents are a component part of The English School, and daily drop-off and pick-up times provide opportunities to connect with teachers. The school fosters a family feel and a sense of community through ongoing parent involvement and regular feedback from parental questionnaires. Historically, community life has included events such as the annual Sports Day (began in 1955) and a range of cultural activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent's Association is a long-standing part of TES and emphasizes the parent–school–pupil partnership. The school describes education as a three-way interdependent relationship among parents, pupils and the school, and the PA supports this through active involvement and communication. The PA Committee includes a Chair (Bahareh Azizi), Vice Chairs for Prep (Shamms Alnashie and Ola Daou), a Pre-Prep Vice Chair (Hyatt Al-Sayegh), a Treasurer (Ranjan Garg), a Secretary (Shiraz Ilhou), a Class Rep Coordinator (Parastou Mohajer), a Volunteer Coordinator (Latifa Benessa), a Sponsorship Coordinator (Afroditi Naoumi), and an LT Representative (Sam Howells). The PA has historically supported school life, including involvement in library development since the Book Evening in 1973, and maintains close connections with families through events and regular correspondence. The PA's aim is to foster a welcoming community and strong parent involvement in TES.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has facilities for art, drama, music, sport, ICT, design & technology, science, food technology and a well stocked library. There is space for play and socialising during breaks, before and after school and during the ECA programme. Classrooms are well equipped and resourced for teaching and learning, and the school continually upgrades in line with educational trends. A carefully planned building and resourcing development programme over recent years has updated TES facilities. The Performing Arts Centre seats over 600 and is used for assemblies, school productions, parent meetings, musical performances and local community use.

Sports Facilities
Gym is air conditioned with a sprung wooden floor and is marked for netball, tennis, basketball and volleyball. It has high ceilings with acoustic panelling, competition-level basketball hoops and backboards, a programmable electronic scoreboard and a glass-walled viewing gallery. Separate boys' and girls' changing rooms, toilets and showers have direct access to the gym and the adjacent swimming pool. The outdoor Sports Area is within the campus walls with rubberised surfacing and is multipurpose, marked for 5-a-side football, bench-ball, netball, tennis and running, and used during breaks, PE lessons and after-school ECAs.

Academic Facilities
The Library houses 23,000 books and periodicals and has separate Pre-prep and Prep spaces with desks and chairs, computer access to the library catalogue and internet. ICT Labs comprise three labs containing around 60 PCs, two network printers and two color printers, with latest HP 23” touch screens, bespoke furniture and a school-wide fibre backbone network. Science Labs comprise three labs with an adjoining prep room, well resourced to cover Physics, Chemistry and Biology and used by Years 1 to 9. Science Garden provides an external nature environment to study plants and wildlife and includes a shaded outdoor classroom. Pre-Prep & Prep Classrooms are approximately 78m2, air conditioned with carpeted and tiled areas, interactive whiteboards and projectors, network points and wifi, and UK Kite-mark tables and chairs. Science and Technology Building is part of the campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) are part of the school's programme. The ECA programme is diverse and varied. ECAs are offered during break times and after school. The Bedouin Tent is used by Years 7 to 9 during breaks and is also used by parents after the school day.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The English School follows the Foundation Stage and National Curriculum for England, with well-qualified, experienced and caring staff who recognise that every child is unique. Upper School offers a broad, challenging curriculum to prepare students to thrive. Pupils move on to excellent schools in Kuwait, the UK and around the world. The English School has served Kuwait's English-speaking community as a not-for-profit institution for 70 years.

Arts & Creative
The school has a Performing Arts Centre that seats over 600 and is used for assemblies, school productions, parent meetings, musical performances and local community use. Specialist facilities include art, drama, music, ICT, design & technology, science and food technology, complemented by a well-stocked library. An extensive Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) programme supports creative expression beyond lessons.

Cultural & Language
710 students are enrolled representing 53 nationalities. The school's core values are Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Confidence and Empathy. Students are encouraged to become fully involved in school life and to always try their best.

Social & Hobbies
An extensive Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) programme is offered. Life at TES emphasizes involvement in school life and trying one's best. Pre-Prep and Prep stages foster active participation in class and play.

Community & Service
The Performing Arts Centre is used for local community events. The school facilities support community engagement through school events and performances.

Leadership & Professional
The English School Kuwait was founded in 1953 under the auspices of the British Embassy, the first British-curriculum preparatory school in Kuwait. It is owned and guided by the Al-Bahar family, with leadership supported by a Leadership Team and Governing Committee. In September 2024, TES opened its new Science and Technology building, expanding the STEAM provision. In 2022, the school was awarded the GL International Centre of Excellence.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
There is a happy, busy and purposeful atmosphere at The English School, with core values at the heart of all we do. Children are encouraged to become fully involved in school life and to always try their best. The school provides pastoral care for every child, with Pre-Prep and Prep environments fostering well-being and a nurturing atmosphere for growth.
Languages

Language Provision
Arabic and French are taught. Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1. Arabic for non-Arabs is taught from Year 3. French is taught to all pupils.
Reputation

Awards
In 2022 the school was awarded the GL International Centre of Excellence.”

Accreditations
The English School Kuwait is affiliated with Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and is a member of IAPS, BSME, COBIS and British Schools Overseas (BSO). ISI has inspected the school, with reports available for 2025, 2022 and 2019. The affiliations indicate adherence to UK-based inspection and British education networks. The school is an ISI-affiliated BSO member and part of the IAPS, BSME and COBIS networks.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Online Application.
Applications are welcome up to one year in advance of enrollment. The online form introduces the child to TES and helps determine the approach for the assessment process. Allow up to one week for the application to be processed, and the admissions team will confirm receipt by email with next steps. Assessments are offered based on space availability in the relevant year group, and submission of an application does not guarantee an assessment.

2. Assessment Fees.
The assessment administration fee is 75 KD per child and covers administrative costs. The fee is requested once the child has been selected for an assessment and is non-refundable, irrespective of the assessment outcome. Once payment is received, the admissions team will begin scheduling an assessment for your child.

3. Admission Assessment.
An assessment will be scheduled after the application and assessment fee are received. The assessment process varies by residency and age. Local applicants have onsite Pre-Prep (KG-Y2) or Prep (Y3-Y10) assessments on campus, including two GL tests and, for Prep, a copy of the latest school report. Overseas applicants have KG assessments coordinated on arrival in Kuwait, and Prep assessments involve two GL tests conducted at the current school; the admissions team will liaise with the current school to provide instructions. Outcomes are delivered as either accept or decline, and detailed feedback is not provided due to volume.

4. Acceptance of Offer.
After the assessment, the admissions and assessment teams discuss the outcome and contact you by email with the result. If accepted, a registration pack with a letter of offer is issued and a 100 KD Registration Fee is due to hold the place (non-refundable if the place is not taken). Enrollment requires submission of all required paperwork, including passport and residency documents, civil IDs, three passport-sized photos, immunization records, a Transfer Certificate, and signed Terms & Conditions; documents may be submitted in hard copy or scanned form depending on location.
School Events
The school has not added events
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