Gulf English School vs Kuwait National English School

	G Gulf English School Kuwait City, Kuwait	K Kuwait National English School Kuwait City, Kuwait
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KWD 1,692 - 3,893	Fees / year KWD 1,494 - 4,862
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1½ - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, SEN focussed
Pupils	Pupils 1,363	Pupils 1,250
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1980	Opened 1991
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 Located in Hawally on Mousa Bin Nussair Street, Block 2, Hawally 32057. Postal address: PO Box 44273 Hawally, 32057. Phone: +965 2265 6904/5/6; Reception WhatsApp: +965 94048815.
Stages	Stages The school serves ages 3–18, from Kindergarten to Year 13.	Stages Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Needs. Age range 2 to 18.
School type	School type The school is a private British international school.	School type The school is a British International School.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 40+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Psychological and Assessment Unit; Social Work Unit; Speech Unit; Physiotherapy Unit; Occupational Therapy Unit; and on-site Nursing.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation UK/British	Country affiliation British; follows the National Curriculum for England.
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 Bus transportation is arranged via Emushrif; details are available on the Transportation page.
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 - Pre‑KG & KG1 - Reservation deposit: KWD 100. - 1st instalment (due 01/09/2025): KWD 577. - 2nd instalment (due 01/01/2026): KWD 508. - 3rd instalment (due 01/04/2026): KWD 507. - Total annual tuition: KWD 1,692. - Reception – Year 2 - Reservation deposit: KWD 100. - 1st instalment (due 01/09/2025): KWD 895. - 2nd instalment (due 01/01/2026): KWD 746. - 3rd instalment (due 01/04/2026): KWD 746. - Total annual tuition: KWD 2,487. - Years 3 – 6 - Reservation deposit: KWD 100. - 1st instalment (due 01/09/2025): KWD 1,014. - 2nd instalment (due 01/01/2026): KWD 836. - 3rd instalment (due 01/04/2026): KWD 835. - Total annual tuition: KWD 2,785. - Years 7 – 11 - Reservation deposit: KWD 100. - 1st instalment (due 01/09/2025): KWD 1,173. - 2nd instalment (due 01/01/2026): KWD 955. - 3rd instalment (due 01/04/2026): KWD 955. - Total annual tuition: KWD 3,183. - Supplementary fees for AS & A2 levels - Reservation deposit: KWD 100. - 1st instalment (due 01/09/2025): KWD 1,457. - 2nd instalment (due 01/01/2026): KWD 1,168. - 3rd instalment (due 01/04/2026): KWD 1,168. - Total annual tuition: KWD 3,893. Billing schedule and payment terms - 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 / registration fees - Re-registration / seat deposit: KWD 200 payable by January 15 to reserve a place for the next academic year; this deposit is applied against the pupil's tuition. - The registration fee is treated as part of the total school fees and is non‑refundable; students will not be registered for the new academic year until the registration requirement is paid. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts in KWD) - Kindergarten 1 (KG1 / age 3): KWD 1,494. - EYFS payment pattern: two installments (dates shown below). - Reception (age 4): KWD 2,289. - EYFS payment pattern: two installments (dates shown below). - Years 1–2: KWD 2,446. - Standard payment split for Years 1 and above: deposit + 60% / 40% installments (see billing schedule). Example per-invoice instalments shown below. - Years 3–5: KWD 2,765. - Years 6–11: KWD 2,926. - Year 12 (Sixth Form year 1): KWD 4,630. - Year 13 (Sixth Form year 2 / A‑Level): KWD 4,862. Per-installment examples (how each annual fee is collected for Years 1 and above) Payment structure for Years 1 and above: a seat deposit (KWD 200) is paid in the re‑registration window; the first installment due on August 31 equals 60% of the annual tuition less the KWD 200 deposit already paid; the second installment due on December 31 is the remaining 40% of the annual tuition. (All figures in KWD.) - Years 1–2 (annual KWD 2,446): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,267.60 (60% of 2,446 = KWD 1,467.60; less KWD 200 deposit = KWD 1,267.60). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 978.40 (remaining 40%). - Years 3–5 (annual KWD 2,765): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,459.00 (60% = KWD 1,659.00; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,106.00 (remaining 40%). - Years 6–11 (annual KWD 2,926): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 1,555.60 (60% = KWD 1,755.60; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,170.40 (remaining 40%). - Year 12 (annual KWD 4,630): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 2,578.00 (60% = KWD 2,778.00; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,852.00 (remaining 40%). - Year 13 (annual KWD 4,862): - First installment (Aug 31): KWD 2,717.20 (60% = KWD 2,917.20; less KWD 200 deposit). - Second installment (Dec 31): KWD 1,944.80 (remaining 40%). Early Years (KG & Reception) – per-term detail - Early Years (KG1 and Reception) tuition is payable in two installments: first payment due 1 September and second payment due 1 December. Example equal-split examples (school issues the official invoice/schedule at registration): - KG1 (annual KWD 1,494): two installments of KWD 747.00 and KWD 747.00 (due 1 Sep and 1 Dec). - Reception (annual KWD 2,289): two installments of KWD 1,144.50 and KWD 1,144.50 (due 1 Sep and 1 Dec). Billing schedule and payment terms - Re-registration / seat reservation: deposit KWD 200 due by January 15 (applied against tuition). - For Years 1 and above: first installment due August 31 (first-installment amount = 60% of annual tuition less the KWD 200 deposit already paid); second installment due December 31 (remaining balance). - For Early Years (KG & Reception): two installments due 1 September and 1 December. - Books, VLE access, school portal fees, uniforms and bus fees (if used) must be paid at the start of the academic year. - Students are not permitted to begin classes unless required advance payment/first installment has been received. - Fees must be fully settled by December for Early Years and by March for the other departments. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; the institution operates as a day school. Other costs and one-off charges - Books and course materials: charged at the start of the academic year (itemised separately from tuition). - VLE / School Portal access: charged at the start of the academic year. - Uniform: official school uniform must be purchased from the school uniform store; uniform charges payable at the start of the academic year. - School bus/transportation: bus enrolment is charged separately and parents must provide address/route details when applying; a seat reservation/deposit is required to secure bus enrolment (deposit timing follows the re‑registration schedule). - Examination and external assessment charges (IGCSE/A‑Level entries) and optional extracurricular activity fees may be billed in addition to tuition. Refunds and withdrawal - One term's notice in writing is required when withdrawing a pupil. If one term's notice is not given, the school is entitled to retain the term fees. - Paid term fees are not refundable for temporary absence, dismissal for non‑compliance with regulations, or if the pupil leaves without providing the required notice. - Pupil files and medical reports will not be released until outstanding tuition and any replacement/repair costs for books or materials are settled. Fee payment arrangements and common payment methods - All tuition and associated charges are administered by the school Accounts Department and must be paid in advance according to the published billing schedule. - Common payment channels used by schools in Kuwait include bank deposit / bank transfer (IBAN), K‑NET / local electronic payment gateways and in‑person card or cash payments; parents should use the Accounts Department to arrange the accepted method and obtain invoice details.
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 Kuwait National English School is a British International School delivering the British National Curriculum alongside Ministry of Education curricular requirements. In Years 7 to 9 (Key Stage 3) learners follow an extensive curriculum including English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Art & Design, Computer Science, French, Geography, History, PSHE, Sciences, Kuwait Social Studies (Ministry requirement), Arabic (Ministry requirement), Islamic Studies (Ministry requirement) and Qur'an (Ministry requirement). In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4) the content is based on Cambridge Assessment International Education, Edexcel and Pearson requirements, with a compulsory core and six option blocks leading to IGCSE examinations. Years 7-9 provide a broad foundation before Year 10 when students select options for further study, leading to IGCSEs. In Years 12 and 13 students study for AS and A Levels (UK international). The Languages Taught are English, Arabic, French and Spanish, and English is the language of instruction.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio EYFS 12:1; Primary 25:1; Secondary 15:1.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results First Term Examination results are released on 9 January 2025 and are available on the school portal for parents and students.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression University and careers guidance is provided to prepare students for university and beyond.	Higher education progression —
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 —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Omar Al Gharabally Scholarship (Presently Under Review). The Omar Al Gharabally Scholarship is named in memory of Omar Al Gharabally and aims to help the most able students achieve their full potential under the best possible conditions.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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