Kuwait English School vs Kuwait National English School
Kuwait English School and Kuwait National English School are both in Kuwait City, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels programmes, and Kuwait National English School also offers EYFS, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and SEN. Published annual fees are close, at KWD 1,778 - 4,650 for Kuwait English School and KWD 1,494 - 4,862 for Kuwait National English School. Kuwait English School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Kuwait National English School from 1.5 to 18. Typical class sizes are 28 at Kuwait English School and 25 at Kuwait National English School.
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
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Pupils
1,250
Typical class size
Typical class size
28
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1978
Opened
1991
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Salwa, Area 11, Street 9, Salmiya 22057, Kuwait (P.O. Box 8640). It is in the Salmiya district along the Kuwait coastline.
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
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).
Stages
Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Needs. Age range 2 to 18.
School type
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.
School type
The school is a British International School.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
40+ nationalities represented.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Green Unit provides Special Needs Education.
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
United Kingdom
Country affiliation
British; follows the National Curriculum for England.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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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.
Bus service details
Bus transportation is arranged via Emushrif; details are available on the Transportation page.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
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.
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
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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 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.
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
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Student teacher ratio
EYFS 12:1; Primary 25:1; Secondary 15:1.
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%.
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
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.
Higher education progression
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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
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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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
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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
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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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
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Community & service
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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
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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. 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.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
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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.