Gulf English School and Kuwait English School are both in Kuwait City, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Gulf English School also offers EYFS. Published annual fees are KWD 1,692 - 3,893 at Gulf English School and KWD 1,778 - 4,650 at Kuwait English School, which puts Kuwait English School roughly 15% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. Typical class sizes are 25 at Gulf English School and 28 at Kuwait English School.
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils
Pupils
1,363
Pupils
—
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
28
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1980
Opened
1978
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The school is located in Salmiya, Kuwait, on Al Dimnah Street (Block 4). The postal address is P O Box 33106, Salmiya, Kuwait. The school can be reached by telephone at +965 2575 7022 or +965 2575 7952.
Location
Salwa, Area 11, Street 9, Salmiya 22057, Kuwait (P.O. Box 8640). It is in the Salmiya district along the Kuwait coastline.
Stages
Stages
The school serves ages 3–18, from Kindergarten to Year 13.
Stages
Early Years (KG and Reception, 3–5 years); Primary School (Years 1–6, 5–11 years); Secondary School (Years 7–13, 11–18 years); Green Unit (Special Needs Education).
School type
School type
The school is a private British international school.
School type
KES provides a British-style education with English as the language of instruction. The English national curriculum is delivered with Kuwaiti ministry adaptations, and a Green Unit provides Special Needs Education.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
—
Additional learning support
Green Unit provides Special Needs Education.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
UK/British
Country affiliation
United Kingdom
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
The school day runs Sunday to Thursday, from 7:10 AM to 2:30 PM.
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
—
Bus service details
Extensive school bus service with routes across Kuwait. Morning pickups may start as early as 6:15 am. The service is managed by the Transport Manager; buses have seat belts and are equipped with surveillance cameras; rules cover safety and conduct.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / Reservation fee
- Reservation deposit: KWD 100 (paid to reserve a place). The KWD 100 deposit is non-refundable and secures the place until the first day of the school year.
Tuition fees (2025 / 2026) — amounts per term and total per year by year group
- Fees are billed in three term instalments. The published instalment dates are at the start of each term (first term due 1 September, second term due 1 January, third term due 1 April). The first instalment must be paid in full before the commencement of the new academic year. The KWD 100 deposit only secures the place until the first day of the school year. If a student attends during a term, the full term fee is payable for that term. Transfer certificates are issued only after all dues are settled and any school property on loan is returned. Application for withdrawal or cancellation during the school year must be made on the prescribed form at least 15 days before leaving.
Boarding fees
- Gulf English School operates as a day school and does not publish boarding fees; there is no boarding provision in the published fee schedule.
Other costs and charges
- Books, uniforms, extra‑curricular activities, external examination fees and school trips are not included in the tuition figures above and are charged separately. Uniform items are available from the school uniform store; exchanges require a valid receipt and must be completed within 15 days. The school operates a uniform store with published opening times and an internal ecommerce/tutorial process for uniform purchase via the school's Skoolee system. Exact prices for uniforms, books, exams and extra‑curricular activities are charged in addition to tuition and vary by item/service.
Refund and cancellation policy (fees)
- The reservation deposit (KWD 100) is non‑refundable. If a student attends school during a term, the full term fee for that term is payable regardless of days attended. Withdrawals or cancellations during the school year require submission of the prescribed form at least 15 days before leaving; transfer documents and certificates are issued only after all outstanding fees and obligations are cleared.
Fee payment instructions and contacts
- Tuition is collected by term instalments according to the dates shown above and must be paid in full by the instalment due dates. The school uses the Skoolee parent/management system for parent services (including uniform purchases).
Fee details
Application & enrolment fees - Registration / re-enrolment deposit: KD 100 (non-refundable; this amount is deducted from the tuition fees). - New-student evaluation fee: KD 50 (non-refundable). New-student re‑evaluation fee: KD 30 (non-refundable).
Tuition fees (annual and per-term, by year group) - Early Years (KG): Annual tuition KD 1,778. Per-term (equal three instalments): KD 592.67 per term. - Early Years (Reception): Annual tuition KD 2,877. Per-term: KD 959.00 per term. - Primary Years (Years 1–2): Annual tuition KD 2,877. Per-term: KD 959.00 per term. - Primary Years (Years 3–6): Annual tuition KD 3,274. Per-term: KD 1,091.33 per term. - Secondary (Years 7–9): Annual tuition KD 3,670. Per-term: KD 1,223.33 per term. - Secondary (Years 10–11, AS/A-level): Annual tuition KD 3,670. Per-term: KD 1,223.33 per term. - Years 12–13: Annual tuition KD 4,800. Per-term: KD 1,600.00 per term. - Green Unit: Annual tuition KD 4,650. Per-term: KD 1,550.00 per term.
Books & resources (annual, by year group) - Early Years (KG): KD 82; Early Years (Reception): KD 123; Primary Years (1–2): KD 123; Primary Years (3–6): KD 127; Secondary (7–9): KD 150; Secondary (10–11): KD 225; Years 12–13: KD 170; Green Unit: not listed. These are charged in addition to tuition.
Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition is billed as an annual fee and payable in three equal instalments (one‑third of total tuition each instalment). Instalment structure: one third due each instalment. The stated instalment deadlines (school instalment schedule) are set as three instalment dates in the school financial policy. - The KD 100 registration / re‑enrolment deposit is deducted from the first instalment; parents are not entitled to a refund of the first instalment (the school may claim the first instalment if the student attends even one day). Payment by third parties requires an official employer letter confirming responsibility.
Withdrawal and refund rules - Registration fee: non-refundable under any circumstances. - Withdrawal charge schedule (tuition payable including the registration fee): - Withdrawal from first school day to October 31: pay 33.33% of tuition. - Withdrawal from November 1 to December 31: pay 50% of tuition. - Withdrawal from January 1 to February 28: pay 66.66% of tuition. - Withdrawal after March 1: full tuition is due. - Transfer documents and clearance are withheld until due amounts are settled.
Transport (school bus) fees and conditions - A school bus service is provided; transport fees are charged annually and may be paid in the same three-instalment schedule as tuition. A KD 50 reservation payment may be taken to reserve a transport seat; this KD 50 is part of the total transport fee and non-refundable. - Representative annual examples shown in the school financial policy: nearby-area round trip KD 400 (one way KD 320); remote-area round trip KD 420 (one way KD 320). Actual route pricing depends on the route and is subject to the transport schedule. Transport rules (boarding times, child safety, seat‑belt rules, adult collection at drop‑off) apply to all users.
Boarding - No boarding provision applies; the school operates as a day school only.
Uniforms and other compulsory costs - School uniform is compulsory. Uniform items are available for purchase from the school uniform shop on site (or via the school's uniform ordering service). Exact uniform prices are set by the school uniform shop. - Optional and extra charges (examples): individual music lessons, clubs and extracurricular activities may carry additional per‑term or per‑year charges as listed in the school financial policy. Transport and optional lunch services are charged separately.
Fee payment options - In-person at the school Accounts Department: K‑net cards accepted; specific bank credit cards accepted (credit cards accepted only from National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) and Kuwait Finance House (KFH)); cash payments are not accepted. - Bank transfer to the school's account (IBAN provided by the school). - Online payments via the school's parent payment portal (Edunation / the school's online payment system). - Payment deadlines and the requirement to clear prior-year balances before re‑enrolment are enforced.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school uses a British-based curriculum aligned with the English National Curriculum across Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. Key Stage 3 provides a broad foundation across core subjects, humanities, languages, creative arts, technology and physical education, with literacy, numeracy and oracy reinforced across the curriculum. Key Stage 4 follows English National Curriculum expectations with GCSE/IGCSE pathways and a broad range of core and optional subjects, plus exam preparation, careers guidance and pastoral support for post-16 study. Key Stage 5 offers an aspirational and flexible curriculum aligned with English National Curriculum principles and internationally recognised A Level qualifications, supported by enrichment opportunities, leadership roles and comprehensive university and careers guidance. Assessment and reporting are designed to support progress, with formative and summative assessments and four reports per academic year.
Curriculum details
The Kuwait English School provides Early Years, Primary and Secondary education within a British-based curriculum. In Early Years, the English National Curriculum is followed with seven areas of learning: Communication and Language; Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design. In Primary, the department follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, with all subjects taught in English except Arabic and Islamic Studies, which follow the Ministry of Education's Arabic and Islamic programs. In Secondary, the language of instruction is English; Years 7-9 follow the English National Curriculum, Years 10-11 work toward Cambridge IGCSE and Edexcel/Pearson GCSE, and Year 12-13 offer Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced Level courses with subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature, Geography, History, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, ICT, Design Technology, Art, Drama, Music, Spanish and French. Arabic and Islamic Studies follow MoE curricula.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
Latest published external examination results (2023) show IGCSE: A*-A 40%, A-C 76%, A*-G 96%; IAS: A 29%, A-C 67%, A*-E 90%; IAL: A*-A 56%, A-C 91%, A*-G 100%.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University and careers guidance is provided to prepare students for university and beyond.
Higher education progression
100% of graduates gain entry into higher education institutions worldwide, including Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, New York University, Harvard University, Brown University, Georgetown University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Toronto and other well-recognised institutions.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
—
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
—
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
—
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
—
History
—
Community
Community
—
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
—
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
—
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
—
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
—
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
—
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
—
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit the application form, available at the school and on the GES website.
2. Book an entrance test appointment.
3. After approval, you will receive an approval letter to submit to the previous school so that transferring documents can be obtained.
4. If there is no previous school, you will be directed to a governmental clinic to create a health file for the child.
5. Reserve a place by paying a 100 KD deposit, which is non‑refundable and secures the place until September 1.
6. Age requirements: Pre-KG must be 3 years old by September 15; KG must be 3 years 6 months by September 15; Reception must be 4 years 6 months by September 15; Year 1 to Year 12 registration is based on the student's reports and attendance certificates.
7. Required documents include 3 passport‑size photos, birth certificate, civil IDs for guardian/father/mother/student, nationality copy for Kuwaiti nationals, passports for all members, residency page for non‑Kuwaitis, last academic reports (Reception to Year 3) or three years of school reports (Year 4 to Year 12), a reference form and transfer certificate from the previous school (for Years 7–12), fees clearance, student's academic file, and a School Health card. For students coming from outside Kuwait, the last academic report and transfer certificate should be stamped by the Kuwaiti Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
8. An enrolment form is also available for completion as part of the process. The school emphasises a structured pathway from application to enrollment, with opportunities to complete steps in English or Arabic and clear guidance on documentation and health requirements.
Admissions
1. Applications for places are accepted from January for the following September. Online registration is strongly recommended due to high demand. The Green Unit provides support for students with specific learning difficulties; mainstream entry testing applies. Students are tested before entry.
2. New registration and assessments: Newcomer parents submit the online registration form on the school website. After submission, the school contacts families with further instructions and schedules an interview assessment date. The entrance test assesses concentration, academic level, thought process and communication skills; a copy of the previous school report may be requested and discussed with parents. Entrance test fees are non-refundable. The Head Teacher's decision determines acceptance and no student is admitted unless they meet entry requirements.
3. If the student passes the assessment, an acceptance letter is issued. The acceptance letter, together with the required paperwork, is taken to the Accounts Department where a non-refundable deposit is paid to complete registration. All required paperwork must be provided before registration can be completed; this paperwork must be brought to the interview.
4. Students are placed into the correct class and year group; there is an age guideline for each year. Occasionally a student may be admitted into a year below chronological age if maturity or English level requires it.
5. Re-registration: Reminders of the re-registration deadline are issued mid Term 2, typically in the first week of April. If a parent fails to re-register by the deadline, the school cannot secure a place. Re-registration should be completed as early as possible to avoid losing a seat.
