Cities / Cairo / Cairo English School
Cairo English School
CES is a large British curriculum school in Mirage City, New Cairo, run by Esol Education and serving roughly 1,500 pupils from age 3 to 18.
In brief
CES is a large British curriculum school in Mirage City, New Cairo, run by Esol Education and serving roughly 1,500 pupils from age 3 to 18.
Esol operates schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Nicosia, and Lebanon, and CES sits inside that network with a familiar British model leading to IGCSE, A Level, and the IB Diploma. The school became an IB World School in 2009. The Mirage City campus has an Olympic pool, running track, football fields, gym, and equipped science labs.
Reputation is mixed in a way that matters. Many families rate the management, the activity programme, and the foreign teaching staff highly, and consider a place at CES a strong option in New Cairo. The IB cohort has drawn the loudest complaints, with families saying syllabus delivery and exam preparation can be uneven, particularly for pupils transferring in late. Younger years and the British stream attract steadier praise. Ask to meet IB subject leads and to see recent results before committing in upper school.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 | 3 | EGP 125,000 |
| FS2 | 4 | EGP 137,800 |
| Year 1 | 5 | EGP 169,700 |
| Year 2 | 6 | EGP 169,700 |
| Year 3 | 7 | EGP 169,000 |
| Year 4 | 8 | EGP 169,000 |
| Year 5 | 9 | EGP 169,000 |
| Year 6 | 10 | EGP 169,000 |
| Year 7 | 11 | EGP 191,000 |
| Year 8 | 12 | EGP 191,000 |
| Year 9 | 13 | EGP 191,000 |
| Year 10 (IGCSE) | 14 | EGP 191,000 |
| Year 11 (IGCSE) | 15 | EGP 191,000 |
| Year 12 (IB / A-Level) | 16 | EGP 191,000 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application / Assessment Fee | EGP 400 | |
| Transport (annual, New Cairo) | EGP 22,900 |
Reviews
- Reviews split sharply on the senior phase. One current student said most teachers had not read the IB syllabus and that students relied on private tutoring to fill the gap, recommending Al Hayyah Academy or New Village School as alternatives. Other reviewers praised the same school as one of the best in Cairo.
- Staff reviews number 42, and external commentary flags appalling staff turnover, weak management for the IB programme and concerns about employee wellbeing. Several parents echo this on directory sites.
- Primary and lower secondary feedback is more positive. Parents cite well-organised communication, weekly activity newsletters, supportive UK-recruited teachers and a focus on safety and conduct.
- BSO-inspected and CIS/BMSE-affiliated; admission is competitive and one parent described being lucky to secure a place.
- A recurring complaint from expat reviewers is the heavily Egyptian student body and Arabic-dominant social environment, which some families flagged as a fit issue.
- Online discussion is mostly inquiry rather than verdict; one teachers' thread categorises CES as a second-tier British school behind BISC and CAC.
Positives
- Primary phase. Well-organised, communicative, with UK-trained primary teachers parents speak warmly about.
Considerations
- Senior IB phase. Student review describes unprepared IB teachers, rushed curricula and reliance on private tutors.
- Staff turnover and management. Glassdoor and parent comments cite high staff churn and management concerns.
- Linguistic environment. Some expat reviewers note the predominantly Egyptian, Arabic-speaking student culture as a fit issue.
- Market tier. Teaching forums position CES below BISC and CAC in the Cairo British/IB tier.
Leadership
Rory McKeague
I feel deeply honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as Director of CES. In this the 20th anniversary year for the school, we are proudly celebrating what began with 130 students. A testament to our success is that we have grown steadily to now be the first-choice school to educate over 2200 students and are recognised as one of the top performing schools in Egypt. CES is a vibrant and dynamic school where learning and student achievement reinforce the school’s reputation for excellence in education. In recent external examinations, our students received achievement awards from the Cambridge Exam Board for outstanding student performance. These results exemplify the tremendous achievement of our students and the dedication and commitment of our families, teachers and students working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for each and every CES pupil. Our students study the British Curriculum from EYFS through to Key Stage 5 and have the option of undertaking the rigorous IB Diploma Pathway in their last two years at CES. Our school also offers a world of opportunity in the arts, sport, academics, underpinned by a philosophy of being of service to our community. Extra-curricular activities are a significant part of what makes CES a great school, and promotes the fact that learning happens inside and outside of the classroom. We strive to ensure that all our students are supported and challenged appropriately. We believe that our school is one of the very best in Egypt in terms of both academic achievement and pastoral care for our students. Our school vision highlights the need for us to ensure that all our students reach their full potential through full participation in the learning community. It is of the utmost importance to me that all our CES community feel welcome, enthused and excited about coming into school every day. In keeping with my vision for a collaborative and transparent educational model, I want to share with you our 3 strategic priorities we have constructed for this year.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 02
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 03
Academic results
- Result IB, A-Level, and IGCSE results for the Class of 2024 celebrated on official school campus banners.