Kuwait National English School vs The International British School

	K Kuwait National English School Kuwait City, Kuwait	T The International British School Kuwait City, Kuwait
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year KWD 1,494 - 4,862	Fees / year KWD 1,545 - 3,690
Age range	Age range 1½ - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, SEN focussed	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils 1,250	Pupils 2,026
Typical class size	Typical class size 25	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1991	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	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.	Location Block 9, Ibn Taimiya Street, Fahaheel, Kuwait. The school is located in the Fahaheel area and accessible via local roads. It is part of the Al Rayan Holding Co. Schools network.
Stages	Stages Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Needs. Age range 2 to 18.	Stages Early Years; Primary Years; Secondary Years
School type	School type The school is a British International School.	School type British international school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 40+ nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Psychological and Assessment Unit; Social Work Unit; Speech Unit; Physiotherapy Unit; Occupational Therapy Unit; and on-site Nursing.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation British; follows the National Curriculum for England.	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Islam
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus transportation is arranged via Emushrif; details are available on the Transportation page.	Bus service details Transportation by bus is provided. Fees are charged per term and depend on travel area: Up to Fintas (round trip 310; one-way 250); Far Area (Up to Masayil) (round trip 350; one-way 275). Installments: 1st Inst. 125/140; 2nd Inst. 125/140; 3rd Inst. 60/70. New joining: pay the full term's transport fee for the term joined.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application & Registration Fees - Application (assessment) / process fee (non-refundable): KD 25. This amount is adjusted against the first tuition instalment once the student is selected and enrolled. - Registration advance payable at registration: KD 100 (adjusted against the first instalment after registration is completed). Tuition fees by year group (MOE / Annual (discounted) / Term 1 / Term 2 / Term 3) — amounts in Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) - KG: MOE KD 1,545 • Annual (discounted) KD 1,379 • Term 1 KD 460 • Term 2 KD 460 • Term 3 KD 459. - Reception: MOE KD 1,559 • Annual (discounted) KD 1,489 • Term 1 KD 497 • Term 2 KD 496 • Term 3 KD 496. - Year 1: MOE KD 2,010 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,008 • Term 1 KD 670 • Term 2 KD 669 • Term 3 KD 669. - Year 2: MOE KD 2,160 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,109 • Term 1 KD 703 • Term 2 KD 703 • Term 3 KD 703. - Year 3: MOE KD 2,400 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,319 • Term 1 KD 773 • Term 2 KD 773 • Term 3 KD 773. - Year 4: MOE KD 2,460 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,319 • Term 1 KD 773 • Term 2 KD 773 • Term 3 KD 773. - Year 5: MOE KD 2,505 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,319 • Term 1 KD 773 • Term 2 KD 773 • Term 3 KD 773. - Year 6: MOE KD 2,565 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,389 • Term 1 KD 797 • Term 2 KD 796 • Term 3 KD 796. - Year 7: MOE KD 2,730 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,389 • Term 1 KD 797 • Term 2 KD 796 • Term 3 KD 796. - Year 8: MOE KD 2,850 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,509 • Term 1 KD 837 • Term 2 KD 836 • Term 3 KD 836. - Year 9: MOE KD 2,933 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,509 • Term 1 KD 837 • Term 2 KD 836 • Term 3 KD 836. - Year 10: MOE KD 3,195 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,629 • Term 1 KD 877 • Term 2 KD 876 • Term 3 KD 876. - Year 11: MOE KD 3,216 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,629 • Term 1 KD 877 • Term 2 KD 876 • Term 3 KD 876. - Year 12: MOE KD 3,690 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,749 • Term 1 KD 917 • Term 2 KD 916 • Term 3 KD 916. - Year 13: MOE KD 3,690 • Annual (discounted) KD 2,749 • Term 1 KD 917 • Term 2 KD 916 • Term 3 KD 916. (Annual (discounted) totals equal the three term instalments listed.) Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition is payable in full prior to commencement of the academic year, but the school permits payment in three instalments as shown above. Instalment due dates are shown for the academic year as: Term 1 due 1 September, Term 2 due 1 December, Term 3 due 1 April. - The KD 100 registration advance and the KD 25 application fee are payable at the time of registration; the KD 100 is credited against the first instalment and the KD 25 is non-refundable but adjusted if the student enrolls. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the published fees schedule for the 2026/2027 academic year. The published fees cover day‑school tuition only and do not include transport, books or uniform. Other costs and typical additional charges - Books: not included in the tuition; charged separately. Uniform: purchased at the school shop; not included in the tuition. Transport: charged separately (transport fees listed separately from tuition). External examination or assessment charges, consumables and optional activities may be charged in addition to tuition. There is no refund for sold items such as uniforms or books. Refunds and withdrawal policy - Withdrawal during the first week of a term: parents pay KD 100 and no further tuition for that term is charged. - Withdrawal after the first week: parents are liable for the term tuition as invoiced (the policy assigns responsibility for the first term or remaining term fees once the initial week has passed). The school's policy states parents must pay the applicable term(s) according to the timing of withdrawal; sold items (uniforms, books) are not refundable. In case of dismissal, parents remain liable to pay fees for that term. Discounts, vouchers and concessions - Early-bird voucher: KD 75 voucher available for students enrolled or re-registered on or before 30 April 2026; voucher may be used for school inventory items (books & uniform) or toward the third-term tuition fee for the 2026/2027 year under the conditions published. - Sibling discount: 4% discount applies for the second child and beyond; the discount applies to the child(ren) with the lowest tuition fees and will be revoked if tuition is not paid by the due date. Fee payment options - Payments are processed through the school's parent online payment portal (Pay Online). The school issues invoices and the portal is the published channel for fee payments and parent account access. For billing or accounts enquiries use the school contact details (telephone and email shown on published materials).
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 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.	Curriculum details The school follows the English National Curriculum. Key Stage 3 (Year 7-9) and Key Stage 4 are offered. Arabic (First Language and Second Language), Kuwait Social Studies and French are part of the curriculum, and Islam is compulsory for Muslim students. The school uses diverse teaching styles and has four newly equipped science labs and a computer suite, with annual trips in Kuwait and abroad. A range of option subjects is available, including physics, chemistry, biology, business studies, history, geography, art, ICT and French.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio EYFS 12:1; Primary 25:1; Secondary 15:1.	Student teacher ratio —
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.	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression British qualifications are internationally recognised and can open doors to study at reputable universities worldwide, including England.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented The school challenges gifted and talented young minds and offers Masterclasses for Gifted and Talented students.
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 —	Admissions 1. Parents and students may request a campus tour. Tours can be arranged by contacting Reception. When contacting the school, the age of the child and their interests are requested so that a relevant tour route can be planned. The Admissions Team will assist prospective parents throughout the application process. 2. The Registrar requires basic documentation, including the personal details page of the child's passport and a copy of their most recent school report. Have those papers ready for the entrance test. For Early-Years: The KG test includes a parent interview (about 30 minutes) and tests motor-skills and basic English; if a KG class is available, the child will join a lesson and interact with other children. For Reception: The test includes a parent interview (about 30 minutes); motor-skills, basic Mathematics and English are assessed; if a Reception class is available, the candidate will join a lesson. 3. After testing has been conducted and the results processed, prospective parents are contacted with a decision by the Head of Department. The Head of Department determines admission decisions. If a place is offered, the process proceeds to Step Four. If not offered, the applicant's file remains in consideration for future opportunities where spaces arise. 4. For students offered a place, parents meet with the Registrar to complete the initial data entry required for the registration form. The Registrar provides guidance and collects the necessary information. 5. The next step is to visit the Accounts department to pay a registration fee (100 KD) and any fee settlement required. The Accounts department provides payment details and receipts. 6. The sixth and final stage of the process is for the parent to return to the Registrar to complete the required data entry for the registration form and receive final confirmation of admission. The Registrar confirms the completion of registration and admission status. Parents may contact the Registrar for any clarifications. 7. The Registrar will liaise with the Head of Department to confirm a start date for the student. On the first day of school, the tutor/class teacher will receive the student and introduce him/her to their new tutor group.
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.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist IBS uses a waiting list for entry to courses when places are not immediately available. Admission from the waiting list depends on meeting general requirements and achieving the required examination grades; admission occurs if spaces exist. For Year 12, a place may be reserved for students meeting general requirements and achieving the required mock grades; students on the waiting list may be admitted after final examinations if spaces exist, and if they continue to meet all general requirements.
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