The English School - Kuwait City

The English School is on Mousaed Al-Azmi Street, Block 12, Salmiya, Kuwait. It is located in the Salmiya district of Kuwait. Transportation is provided via a TES-supported bus service operated in partnership with Delta Star, serving most areas in Kuwait. Buses are CCTV monitored and include a female chaperone, with real-time tracking via BatOnRoute.

Pre Prep (KG – Year 2); Prep (Years 3-8); Upper School (Years 9-11)

Not-for-profit

Approximately 30% of pupils are British, and over 60% come from native English-speaking countries.

United Kingdom

The school day begins at 7:25 am with gates opening at 7:10 am. Breaks are from 9:30–10:00 am and 11:30–12:00 pm. The KG day finishes at 12:15 pm and the regular school day ends at 2:30 pm (ECAs run until 3:30 pm).

Bus services are run by an independent company. The English School partners with Delta Star bus services to provide a comprehensive bus service for TES families. Buses serve most areas in Kuwait and are available for pupils from KG to Year 9. All buses have CCTV and a chaperone; BatOnRoute provides real-time tracking.

The English School Kuwait follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (3–5 years) and the National Curriculum for England (5–16 years), with additional features required for entry to future schools. The school operates within a British-curriculum framework and is the first British-curriculum preparatory school in Kuwait. The teaching staff, with the exception of the Arabic department, are British trained with British qualifications. Arabic and French are taught; Arabic for Arabs and Islamic Studies are mandatory from Year 1 upwards and Arabic for non-Arabs from Year 3; Kuwait Social Studies is taught from Year 5, as is French to all pupils. The language of instruction is English; the language of the playground is English, with around 30% of pupils British and more than 60% from native English-speaking countries.

Average class size is 23.

TES runs a full suite of GL assessments from Year 1 upwards; this provides age-standardised scores to track progress. TES scores consistently exceed the globally standardised average. Sample scores include CAT4 108.4, NGRT 110.8, PTE 108.3, PTM 108.7, PTS 117.1, and TES value-added +1.9. As the school expands to Upper School, IGCSE results will be reported here when available.

The English School follows the National Curriculum for England and provides a high level of pastoral care for every child. From Year 1 to Year 8 a House System fosters community, teamwork and leadership opportunities, including roles such as prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl and School Council representatives. Weekly assemblies reinforce Personal, Social, Health, Education & Citizenship (PSHEC) aspects of learning. The school emphasises leadership and social development through leadership roles and a broad Extra Curricular Activities programme. The core values of positivity, respect, integrity, confidence and empathy guide daily life at the school.

The English School creates a happy, busy and purposeful atmosphere with a strong focus on student well-being. A high level of pastoral care is provided for every child, and Personal, Social, Health, Education & Citizenship is reinforced through the curriculum and assemblies. A House System and leadership opportunities support resilience and social development. The Behaviour Management Policy is based on positive reinforcement and the school has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. Parental involvement and regular feedback through consultations support the mental well-being of students.

Safeguarding is paramount at TES. The wellbeing and safety of every student is the highest priority, with safeguarding and child protection training for all staff. Safeguarding policies and procedures adhere to international standards, and concerns are acted upon immediately. Staff complete comprehensive safeguarding training on induction with ongoing refreshers, and a Safeguard Team is available across all sections. Students are taught about personal safety, wellbeing and how to seek help, and the school promotes respect, empathy and open communication to keep every child safe.

1. Online Application. Applications are welcome up to one year in advance of enrollment. The online form introduces the child to TES and helps determine the approach for the assessment process. Allow up to one week for the application to be processed, and the admissions team will confirm receipt by email with next steps. Assessments are offered based on space availability in the relevant year group, and submission of an application does not guarantee an assessment. 2. Assessment Fees. The assessment administration fee is 75 KD per child and covers administrative costs. The fee is requested once the child has been selected for an assessment and is non-refundable, irrespective of the assessment outcome. Once payment is received, the admissions team will begin scheduling an assessment for your child. 3. Admission Assessment. An assessment will be scheduled after the application and assessment fee are received. The assessment process varies by residency and age. Local applicants have onsite Pre-Prep (KG-Y2) or Prep (Y3-Y10) assessments on campus, including two GL tests and, for Prep, a copy of the latest school report. Overseas applicants have KG assessments coordinated on arrival in Kuwait, and Prep assessments involve two GL tests conducted at the current school; the admissions team will liaise with the current school to provide instructions. Outcomes are delivered as either accept or decline, and detailed feedback is not provided due to volume. 4. Acceptance of Offer. After the assessment, the admissions and assessment teams discuss the outcome and contact you by email with the result. If accepted, a registration pack with a letter of offer is issued and a 100 KD Registration Fee is due to hold the place (non-refundable if the place is not taken). Enrollment requires submission of all required paperwork, including passport and residency documents, civil IDs, three passport-sized photos, immunization records, a Transfer Certificate, and signed Terms & Conditions; documents may be submitted in hard copy or scanned form depending on location.