The Guide
Mon, 15 June 2026

Cities / Sharjah / Providence English Private School (PEPS)

Providence English Private School (PEPS)

A British-curriculum school in Sharjah, founded 1999, running the English National Curriculum from FS1 through A Level for around 1,300 pupils.

Providence English Private School (PEPS) campus
Providence English Private School (PEPS), Sharjah. Photograph · School

Curriculum
British
Fees, annual
AED 14k–28k
Ages
4 to 18
Pupils
~1,300
Founded
1999

Operating under the British National Curriculum for England, PEPS serves students from kindergarten through A-levels with what appears to be a modest-sized school community. Parent testimonials available through limited channels describe positive experiences with the educational quality, school environment, safety measures, and overall care provided to students. The school maintains basic facilities and programming typical of mid-tier British curriculum institutions in the UAE region.

However, the school's reputation suffered significant damage in 2023 when a former head of English department became involved in a protracted legal dispute over unpaid end-of-service benefits. This case gained international attention within teaching communities and prompted warnings from educators about employment practices at the institution. The incident highlighted broader concerns about teacher rights and legal protections in UAE educational settings, with the school being specifically named in teacher forums as one to avoid for employment purposes.

Strengths

  • Parents report satisfaction with educational quality and school environment
  • British curriculum pathway from KG1 through A-levels
  • Described as providing safety and care for students
  • Follows National Curriculum for England standards

Considerations

  • Significant reputational damage from high-profile employment dispute
  • Teacher community warnings about employment practices
  • Legal case involving unpaid end-of-service benefits to foreign staff
  • Limited visibility and discussion compared to established Dubai British schools

Annual fees

Year level Age Fee
FS2 4 AED 13,890
Year 1 5 AED 13,890
Year 2 6 AED 14,985
Year 3 7 AED 15,015
Year 4 8 AED 16,710
Year 5 9 AED 17,270
Year 6 10 AED 18,715
Year 7 11 AED 18,740
Year 8 12 AED 20,900
Year 9 13 AED 20,900
Year 10 14 AED 23,340
Year 11 15 AED 24,540
Year 12 16 AED 24,480
Year 13 17 AED 28,320

One-time fees

Item Age Fee
Entrance Exam Fee AED 150
Admission Fee AED 500


  • A British-curriculum school in the Mowaileh area of Sharjah, founded 1999, KG1 to Year 13, with around 1,300 students; SPEA inspection rating Good (2023).
  • Public chatter is dominated by a 2023 case in which a US teacher and former head of department was detained in the UAE in a labour dispute with the school; the school was widely named, with one teacher writing that they were leaving "a digital print" warning others never to work there.
  • One commenter said a Google search of the school yields "glowing, perfect reviews," framing the public pool as inconsistent with the teacher-side picture.
  • Parent-side feedback is more positive on the everyday school: reviewers praise teaching accuracy, communication, discipline and the principal's accessibility, with one parent saying their daughter's IGCSE results exceeded expectations.
  • Reviewer split is sharp: warm parent reviews on the academic side, hard teacher reviews on the employment side, and inconsistent administrative experiences (rude reception, unanswered phones) on the parent side too.

Positives

  • Academic results. Parents say IGCSE outcomes are strong and the curriculum delivery is rigorous.
  • Affordability. Sharjah pricing positions the school as a budget-friendly British option for Dubai-area families.

Considerations

  • Teacher-employment dispute. A US teacher was detained in the UAE during a 2023 dispute with the school; r/Internationalteachers commenters explicitly warn others away.
  • Marketing-versus-reality. One commenters says public reviews of the school are uniformly glowing in a way they consider unrealistic.
  • Pastoral and principal. Some parents praise the principal as warm and accessible; others describe "shocking" administration and complaints over a child's medical condition.

Leadership

Marwa Diaa Youzbachi

Marwa Diaa Youzbachi serves as Principal of Providence English Private School in Sharjah, UAE, leading the institution under the British Cambridge International Curriculum.

Accreditations

  • Council of International Schools 01

  • PISA 2019 average score Higher than average
  • TIMSS 2019 Grade 4 Mathematics 592
  • TIMSS 2019 Grade 4 Science 566
  • TIMSS 2019 Grade 8 Mathematics 590
  • TIMSS 2019 Grade 8 Science 601

Muwailih Commercial, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

School website