Gulf English School vs New English School - Kuwait City
Gulf English School and New English School - Kuwait City are both in Kuwait City, about 4 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 1,733 - 4,430 at New English School - Kuwait City, which puts New English School - Kuwait City roughly 10% higher. Gulf English School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and New English School - Kuwait City from 4 to 18. New English School - Kuwait City is the larger school, with around 2,205 pupils to Gulf English School's 1,363.
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
2,205
Typical class size
Typical class size
25
Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1980
Opened
1974
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
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
The New English School is located in Hawalli, Kuwait. The address is P.O. Box 6156, 32036 Hawalli, Kuwait.
Stages
Stages
The school serves ages 3–18, from Kindergarten to Year 13.
Stages
Kindergarten to A level. Primary (KG & Reception; Years 1-6) and Secondary (Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5) with a Sixth Form.
School type
School type
The school is a private British international school.
School type
Private, co-educational day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
—
Additional learning support
—
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
The secondary day is divided into a registration period, five teaching periods, two breaks, and Co-Curricular Activities. 8.00–8.20am Registration; 8.20–9.30am Period 1; 9.30–10.35am Period 2; 10.35–10.55am First Break; 10.55–12.05pm Period 3; 12.05–1.10pm Period 4; 1.10–1.25pm Second Break; 1.25–2.30pm Period 5; 2.30–3.30pm Co-Curricular Activities. During Ramadan, the day is shortened in accordance with ministry requirements.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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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 / Registration fees
- No separate, fixed application or registration fee amount is published in the school's published fee schedule. The fee schedule notes that any advance payment or re‑registration fees paid will be deducted from the first instalment.
Annual tuition — fees by year group (tuition only)
- KD 4,430 — Year 12 & Year 13 (A Level). - KD 3,510 — Year 10 & Year 11. - KD 3,510 — Year 7 to Year 9. - KD 2,977 — Year 3 to Year 6. - KD 2,678 — Reception to Year 2. - KD 1,733 — Kindergarten.
Resources & Technology fees (charged in addition to the annual tuition)
- Year 10–13: KD 105 (class resources) + KD 75 (technology) = KD 180. - Year 7–9: KD 35 (class resources) + KD 75 (technology) = KD 110. - Year 3–6: KD 25 (class resources) + KD 75 (technology) = KD 100. - Kindergarten – Year 2: KD 25 (class resources; technology fee not listed separately for these years).
Billing schedule and instalment amounts (payment deadlines and amounts charged per instalment)
- Instalment schedule: three instalments are specified. - First instalment: due on or before the commencement of the new academic year. The first instalment figures shown include the first tuition instalment plus the Resources & Technology fee (where applicable). - Year 12 & 13: KD 2,658 (tuition portion) + KD 180 (resources & technology) = KD 2,838 due as the first instalment. - Year 10 & 11: KD 1,170 (tuition portion) + KD 180 (resources & technology) = KD 1,350 due as the first instalment. - Year 7–9: KD 1,170 (tuition portion) + KD 110 (resources & technology) = KD 1,280 due as the first instalment. - Year 3–6: KD 993 (tuition portion) + KD 100 (resources & technology) = KD 1,093 due as the first instalment. - Reception – Year 2: KD 893 (tuition portion) + KD 25 (resources & technology) = KD 918 due as the first instalment. - Kindergarten: KD 578 (tuition portion) + KD 25 (resources & technology) = KD 603 due as the first instalment. - Second instalment: due on or before January 1. The published second‑instalment tuition amounts are: Year 12 & 13 KD 1,772; Year 7–11 KD 1,170; Year 3–6 KD 992; Reception–Year 2 KD 893; Kindergarten KD 578. - Third instalment: due on or before April 1. The published third‑instalment tuition amounts are: Year 7–11 KD 1,170; Year 3–6 KD 992; Reception–Year 2 KD 892; Kindergarten KD 577. (Note: the instalment breakdowns are shown by year group in the published schedule.)
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. The New English School operates as a day school; no boarding fee schedule is published.
Other costs and routine additional charges
- Extracurricular / co‑curricular activities: some clubs and activities may carry nominal additional charges (for materials, cooking/baking supplies, etc.). Parents will be notified when such charges apply. - Uniforms: uniforms are provided via the school's uniform shop; uniform purchase costs are charged to parents directly through the uniform shop. The uniform shop contact is listed in the school's contact/finance information. - Examination, external assessment or optional subject fees (when applicable): such charges are not itemised in the published annual tuition table and would be billed separately where relevant (for example, examination entry fees or specific course materials). Parents should expect separate billing for external exam entries when applicable.
Refunds, cancellations and sibling discounts
- The published fee schedule does not provide a detailed refund or cancellation policy in the fee table. The schedule states that fees are set by the Ministry of Education and are subject to revision upon Ministry approval; the school's finance office handles payments and related queries. There is no sibling discount indicated in the published fee schedule.
Fee payment options and how payments are accepted
- Payments can be made through the school's online fees/payment portal. The school's published fee schedule directs parents to the online payment portal for fee payments. For specific accepted payment methods (credit/debit card or bank transfer), parents should use the payment portal or contact the Finance Office directly (Finance Office contact details are published).
Practical notes for parents (administration of fees)
- The first instalment must be paid on or before the start of the academic year; later instalments carry fixed due dates (January 1 and April 1) as listed in the instalment schedule. - Any advance payments or re‑registration fees already paid are deducted from the first instalment total.
(End of fee overview.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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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
Early Years (KG & Reception) follow the England Early Years Curriculum. Years 1 and 2 follow the 2014 National Curriculum of England. The Junior Department (Years 3–6) follows the English 2014 National Curriculum, adapted to suit the needs of the community. Arabic, Islamics and Quran are taught, with special provision for pupils whose first language is not Arabic; Kuwait Social Studies is taught in Years 5–6; English is the language of instruction.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
The school celebrates excellent results from its students.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University and careers guidance is provided to prepare students for university and beyond.
Higher education progression
Many Sixth Form alumni study at leading universities worldwide, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), Bath, London School of Economics (LSE), King's College London, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Melbourne and McGill, among others.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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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
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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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. Choose the correct application form based on year group and residency. Application forms are separated by department: Secondary Kuwait Resident, Secondary Overseas Applicant, Primary Kuwait Resident, Primary Overseas Applicant, KG Kuwait Resident, and KG Overseas Applicant. Fill the form for the year group your child would be joining, not the year they are currently in. If applying for more than one place, submit the relevant form for each child.
2. Read the Admission Policy & Fees. The policy sets prerequisites for joining NES and explains the assessment process. By submitting any application form, you agree to the policies, terms and conditions contained in the policy. There is a non-refundable assessment fee of KD 25 for all students.
3. Submit your application. NES receives a high volume of applications for a limited number of places, and completion of an application does not guarantee a place. Following submission, the administration team will be in touch with information about the next steps and interview dates.
4. Primary placement priorities. The school gives priority to siblings at NES, children of ex-NES parents, children from families new to Kuwait, and children from within Kuwait with an excellent current-school report (not applicable for KG). All applicants are assessed and interviewed before acceptance. The school does not admit students with specific learning or behavioural difficulties.
5. Primary assessment and eligibility notes. Applicants are assessed and interviewed before acceptance; ongoing eligibility is determined through the admission process. The school reserves the right to request additional documentation as part of the assessment. The policies outline the expectations and procedures for joining NES.
6. Secondary policy – Years 7–9. For Years 7–9, all applicants take a test in English and Mathematics to ascertain suitability for the courses. Overseas students with little knowledge of English receive support to acquire the skills necessary to study in English. Applicants must provide a copy of their previous school report, and if transferring from another school in Kuwait, the headteacher may be contacted for a reference regarding behaviour.
7. Secondary policy – Years 10–11. Students must meet the above requirements and their suitability for IGCSE courses will be ascertained, especially with regard to accelerated programmes.
8. Years 12–13 (Lower 6 & Upper 6). Students who have completed Year 11 in the British system must have achieved 5 passes at IGCSE with a minimum grade B in subjects they intend to pursue at AS and A level (exemptions possible in some circumstances). Where students come from a foreign education system, their results will be evaluated along with optional testing in AS/A level subjects if necessary.
9. Open Days. Open Days are planned for prospective families, with registration essential due to limited places. The form at the Open Day Registration page should be completed to secure a time slot, and a member of the Admissions team will contact you to confirm timings and provide further details. If you are unable to attend, contact the Admissions Registrar to arrange a visit.
