doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
A

Al Ain English Speaking School

United Arab Emirates, Al Ain

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1687
Type Co-educational
Opened 1978
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages Arabic
Typical class size 15
Strengths Global Citizenship, British Education, Community
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Lifestyle and Wellbeing, Arts and Creative
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) is one of the longest-established international schools in the UAE, founded in 1978. The co-educational school serves over 2,000 students from 60+ nationalities, following the British curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage through to A Levels. Principal Ian Temple was appointed in 2025. The school is part of the Cognita Schools network and has been rated Very Good by ADEK through the Irtiqa'a inspection framework. AAESS offers a house system, Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, and a range of sports and extracurricular activities. EAL and Learning Support services are available.

Etisalat - Khalid Bin Sultan St - Al Muwaij'i - Ugdat Al Mutawaa - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates

The Essentials

Al Ain English Speaking School has 1,687 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
AAESS is located in Al Ain, the second-largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, near the UAE-Oman border. Al Ain is known as the Garden City of the Gulf.

Stages
The school covers four stages: Early Years (EYFS), Primary, Secondary (GCSE), and Sixth Form (A Levels). This provides a complete British educational pathway from age 3 to 18.

Type
AAESS is a private co-educational day school following the British curriculum. It is part of the Cognita Schools network, an international group of schools.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 60 nationalities are represented among the 2,000+ student population, creating a genuinely multicultural community.

Additional learning support
EAL (English as an Additional Language) and Learning Support services are available for students who need additional assistance.

Country affiliation
British curriculum school, part of the global Cognita Schools network.

Bus service
Transportation services are available for students.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
School uniform is required for all students.

House System
A house system operates across the school, providing a framework for inter-house competitions, events, and pastoral care.

Governance and Ownership
AAESS is part of Cognita Schools, a global network of independent schools. Cognita provides governance, shared expertise, and resources across its schools worldwide.
Academics

Al Ain English Speaking School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The school follows the British curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to A Levels. Students take GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11 and A Levels in Year 13. Arabic and Islamic Studies are incorporated as required in the UAE.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral care is delivered through the house system. The school emphasises global citizenship and multicultural understanding.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support services are available for students with additional needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is available for students whose first language is not English.
Parent Experience

History
AAESS was founded in 1978, making it one of the longest-established international schools in Al Ain and the wider UAE. It has served the international community for over 45 years.

Community
With over 2,000 students from 60+ nationalities, AAESS is a large and diverse international community. The school emphasises global citizenship and multicultural understanding as core values.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus includes a swimming pool, science laboratories, creative outdoor learning spaces, and specialist secondary facilities. A licensed school radio station is a distinctive feature. The Early Years has dedicated spaces for creative outdoor learning.

Sports Facilities
A swimming pool and sports grounds support the physical education programme. The school competes in athletics, football, tug of war, javelin, and high jump among other sports.

Academic Facilities
Science laboratories and specialist secondary facilities support the academic programme. A licensed school radio station provides a unique media resource.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Multiple clubs and activities are available. The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme is offered. The house system provides a framework for inter-house competitions. Sports include athletics, football, and other team and individual sports.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Arts & Creative
The school has a licensed radio station where students develop media and broadcasting skills.

Cultural & Language
With 60+ nationalities, the school celebrates global citizenship and multicultural understanding. Arabic and Islamic Studies connect students to the local culture.

Community & Service
The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme develops community service, personal skills, and outdoor adventure. Global citizenship is a core value.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme develops leadership, resilience, and personal skills. The house system provides leadership roles.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports including athletics, football, swimming, and other activities are available. The pastoral care programme supports student wellbeing through the house system.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. Arabic and Islamic Studies are taught as required in the UAE. EAL support is available for students who need help developing their English proficiency.
Reputation

Accreditations
ADEK rating: Very Good (Irtiqa'a inspection).
Part of Cognita Schools global network.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Contact admissions at +971 3 7678636.
2. Applications can be submitted online.
3. Open Days are held throughout the year (Early Years and Secondary separately).
4. The school accepts students from Early Years through to Sixth Form.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Arab Emirates View all schools in Al Ain View all schools in United arab emirates British curriculum schools in United Arab Emirates Open days & tours in Al Ain What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools