Kuwait English School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$6K - US$16K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~2,500
Location: Salwa, Kuwait City
Updated April 2026
In Brief
KES has a strong long-term reputation and genuine academic results, but ownership changes in recent years have prompted real concerns among teaching staff that are worth investigating before you commit. Visit, ask the hard questions, and weigh the current state against the school's history.
Founded in 1978, KES is one of the city's oldest British-curriculum schools and the first in the Middle East to implement Google Chromebooks at scale - earning Google Reference School status. The Salwa campus runs approximately 2,500 students from 60 nationalities through KG to Year 13, with an even split of Kuwaiti and international families. The Green Unit is the school's most distinctive programme - a dedicated SEN provision for students with speech, language, emotional, and autism-spectrum needs, offering ASDAN-accredited pathways that no other major British school in Kuwait matches.
Academic outcomes have historically been strong - BSO inspection reports and parent feedback cite 95-98% pass rates at IGCSE and A-level, with graduates entering Russell Group universities, Ivy League institutions, and Gulf-region universities. Average class sizes of 20 with a maximum of 25 are reasonable for a school of this size. The co-curricular offer is broad: robotics (ranked 6th globally in VEX competition), drama, music, Duke of Edinburgh, and competitive sport through both KFSAC and ISACK inter-school leagues.
Two Reddit threads from late 2024 raise concerns about what happened after the school changed ownership - staff describe reduced salaries and benefits, and one former student noted issues around teaching quality and behaviour. These are teacher-perspective comments, not parent data, and should be read with that context. But staff culture matters: it affects turnover, and turnover affects continuity for your child. Ask specifically at your visit about staff retention over the past three years and what changed under the current ownership.
What parents value
- –Dedicated Green Unit SEN provision - the most developed special educational needs programme of any British school in Kuwait, with ASDAN accreditation. For families with children who have additional learning needs, this is a significant differentiator.
- –Strong exam track record - historically 95-98% pass rate at IGCSE and A-level. Google Reference School status. Broad robotics programme with internationally competitive results. Fees from KWD 1,778 at KG.
- –Wide co-curricular programme: competitive sports (KFSAC and ISACK league), Duke of Edinburgh Award from Bronze to Gold, drama, music, and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre for Years 12-13. 60 nationalities on a single Salwa campus.
Points of consideration
- –Staff comments from 2024 raise questions about ownership changes, reduced compensation, and management culture. These don't necessarily reflect the parent or student experience, but they're worth testing directly. Ask the head about staff retention over the past two years - schools that are managing well will answer plainly.
- –With 2,500 students and a maximum class size of 25, KES is a large school. Some year groups and subjects may feel impersonal. Ask specifically about form tutor systems, how pastoral concerns are escalated, and what support looks like for new-joining students who don't have an established friendship group.
- –Registration and re-enrollment carry a non-refundable KWD 100 fee. Applications for September are accepted from January; popular year groups fill early. Check the current waiting list position before visiting - it's a common frustration for families arriving mid-year.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years KG | 3 | NaN |
| Early Years Reception | 5 | NaN |
| Primary Years 1-2 | 6 | NaN |
| Primary Years 3-6 | 8 | NaN |
| Secondary Years 7-9 | 11 | NaN |
| Secondary Years 10-11 | 14 | NaN |
| AS-A Level Years 12-13 | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from KWD. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration / Re-enrollment fee (non-refundable) | NaN |
Photos
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Kuwait City's international schools serve families from across the Gulf, South Asia, and beyond. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.