Sharjah English School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$8K-US$20K
Curriculum: British · IGCSE · A-Level · BTEC
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~900
Location: University City, Sharjah, Sharjah
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Sharjah English School is a well-established British curriculum school celebrating 50 years of education, known for its deliberately small student body and strong community feel. While the school maintains excellent BSO accreditation and serves over 50 nationalities, its Sharjah location creates practical challenges for Dubai-based families, and limited recent visibility suggests it serves a more niche demographic.
Founded in 1974 by British companies seeking UK-style education for expatriate children, SES has grown from 30 students in a single classroom to a respected institution under Principal Darren Coulson's leadership since 2021. The school follows the National Curriculum for England through to A-Levels, operating as a not-for-profit institution with strong British Schools Overseas accreditation that consistently praises its academic rigor and community atmosphere. Located on Meliha Road in University City, Sharjah, the campus features purpose-built facilities including a Secondary section from 2005 and Primary block added in 2017.
Parent reviews consistently highlight the school's exceptional teaching quality and intimate learning environment, with families appreciating the personalized attention that comes from deliberately small class sizes. The school's British character enables easy transitions to UK institutions, while its not-for-profit status appeals to families seeking quality education without commercial premium positioning. However, the Sharjah location creates logistical challenges for Dubai-based families, including cross-emirate commutes and border considerations that may limit its appeal compared to Dubai-based British curriculum alternatives.
What parents value
- –Exceptional teaching quality with experienced, qualified staff
- –Deliberately small student body enabling personalized attention
- –Strong British Schools Overseas accreditation with consistent praise
- –Not-for-profit status focused on educational excellence rather than commercial returns
- –Intimate, family-like school community across 50+ nationalities
- –50-year educational legacy with proven track record
- –Easy transitions to UK schools due to authentic British curriculum delivery
Points of consideration
- –Sharjah location creates commute challenges for Dubai-based families
- –Limited visibility in recent education discussions compared to tier-one Dubai schools
- –Cross-emirate logistics including border crossings may complicate daily routines
- –Smaller scale means fewer extracurricular options than larger Dubai institutions
- –Fee structure not publicly disclosed requiring direct contact with school
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| FS1 (Pre-KG) | 3 | 7,739 |
| FS2 (KG1) | 4 | 11,050 |
| Year 1 (KG2) | 5 | 11,285 |
| Year 2 (Gr 1) | 6 | 11,285 |
| Year 3 (Gr 2) | 7 | 12,193 |
| Year 4 (Gr 3) | 8 | 12,193 |
| Year 5 (Gr 4) | 9 | 12,193 |
| Year 6 (Gr 5) | 10 | 12,193 |
| Year 7 (Gr 6) | 11 | 15,534 |
| Year 8 (Gr 7) | 12 | 15,534 |
| Year 9 (Gr 8) | 13 | 15,534 |
| Year 10 (Gr 9) | 14 | 16,619 |
| Year 11 (Gr 10) | 15 | 18,290 |
| Year 12 (Gr 11) | 16 | 19,813 |
| Year 13 (Gr 12) | 17 | 19,813 |
Fees converted from AED. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee (non-refundable) | 109 |
| Security Deposit (refundable) | 1,361 |
Photos
Academic Results
| SPEA Rating | Very Good (2022-23) |
| Accreditation | BSO, CIS |
Key results: SPEA Rating Very Good (2022-23), Accreditation BSO, CIS.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group.
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
Sharjah's international schools draw families from across the UAE and beyond, with a mix of long-term residents and families relocating for work. Contact the school for current enrolment and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
Darren Coulson - Principal
Darren Coulson is an experienced headmaster and educational leader serving as Principal of Sharjah English School since August 2021. He previously served as Headteacher at Jumeirah English Speaking School from 2012 to 2021, with a long tenure in UAE British curriculum schools starting from 1999.