Gulf English School

The Gulf English School is a British school in Kuwait, following the British National Curriculum. The school teaches pupils from kindergarten up to A-level. Openings its doors in September of 1980, the school's first campus comprised of two villas, located in Salwa, a suburb of the Hawalli Governorate. Since, the school has relocated three times and is now located in the heart of Salmiya, just twelve kilometers southeast of Kuwait City.

chool Ethos

Providing the highest standards of British Education within an Arabic Culture and international environment.

The purpose of the Gulf English School is to provide a high quality education, meeting the educational needs of the international community in and around Kuwait City. In addition, it serves those members of the local community who wish to take advantage of the special strengths of the school and share in its bilingual, all-age school provision. The school offers a broad education, based upon the British National Curriculum, with high academic standards. Students are educated in the best aspects of European and Arabian cultural traditions and they enjoy the "best of both worlds". The school is committed to the promotion of international understanding and responsible citizenship in a multi - cultural context.

Mission Statement

The Gulf English School Mission Statement

Providing the highest standards of British Education within an Arabic culture and international environment.

GES History

G.E.S. – how times have changed!

The history of G.E.S. extends more than 25 years! Back in September 1980, Gulf English School first opened its doors to 150 students aged from KG to Year 8. Located in Salwa, the school comprised two villas, one of which was used as the teachers’ accommodation, and a sand pit for use as a playground. Along with locally-recruited Arabic staff, ten new teachers arrived from the U.K. to begin their new teaching posts.

However, the opening of the school was delayed by two weeks because the site was not ready for occupation. When the school did open, children, wearing their new yellow and brown uniforms, and teachers shared the villa with the builders who were still busy installing fire escapes, plumbing and A.C., fitting doors and painting walls.

Teaching proved to be a bit of a challenge! Basic stock had not arrived, so teaching resources consisted of several packs of plain paper, piles of pencils and a few reading books. Classroom furniture was limited to children’s tables (but no chairs), a blackboard and a few cupboards.

However, things began to improve! By half term, stock had arrived, the remaining holes in the walls had been filled and G.E.S. began to grow. At the end of that first year, the school roll increased, the sandpit playground had a new surface and the teachers had to move out of their accommodation, in the other villa, to make way for extra classrooms. G.E.S. was on the map, and the rest, as they say, is history!

Admission Policy

Before a student is admitted to GES the following formalities have to be adhered to:

*An appointment, for the student and parents to meet with the Key Stage Deputy, must be arranged by the school registrar.
*Having met the Key Stage Deputy, arrangements will be made for students to take English, Mathematics and Reading entrance tests.
*Parents must provide GES with their child’s last three school reports and a letter of good conduct from their previous/current school.
*Successful students are usually offered a place, subject to vacancies in the Year group, three days after taking the entrance tests.
*If successful, Parents and students are expected to sign a probationary letter which outlines the expectations of the school.

chool Staff

Gulf English School maintains a high level of professional qualified teachers. This allows the school to provide a high level of education from an English Curriculum. Recruitment of teachers is based in the western hemisphere; with a high percentage of teachers expatriate British.The elementary staff are responsible for the students from Kindergarten to grade six and the secondary staff from grade seven to twelve.

Curriculum

The Gulf English School is a co- educational, English Curriculum school providing for children from KG to 'A' Level. We provide a warm, friendly environment in which children learn to care for one another and appreciate the multi- cultural world in which they live. There is a great emphasis on understanding cultural differences, racial harmony and tolerance.

Our students achieve excellent results academically. Internationally recognized assessments and examinations are taken at the end of year two and six in primary and GCSE's, AS/ 'A' Level in secondary. The majority of students go on to further education, attending various universities around the world.Students are encouraged to achieve their full potential in all of their school endeavors and there are opportunities for students to excel in the arts and sports. There is also a wide range of extra- curricular activities available.

Primary School

At G.E.S. we try to create an environment in which children immediately feel welcome and a significant member of their class group. Teachers make every effort to get to know the students quickly as individuals and as learners. It is our belief that only when a child feels comfortable and secure can they give of their best academically.

The school teaches the English National Curriculum. At the end of each Key Stage ( Year 2 and Year 6) the children take the same assessment tests as the UK, known as SATs.

Parents receive regular communication on what their child is learning in school.

Children are regularly assessed and targets set. Students take home targets which they are working on in Maths and Language. Parents are encouraged to help their children to achieve these targets. Children receive a formal, written report at the end of terms one and three.

All classes are mixed ability groupings. Class sizes are a maximum of 29.

Children in Pre-KG (aged from 3 years) followed by KG, undergo a school readiness programme which prepares them both socially and academically for the more formal work starting in Reception.

The school day consists of nine lessons with two breaks. All text books and equipment used in the school are imported directly from the UK and represent a cross section of the most up to date subject material available.

Written homework is given weekdays for all children in Years 1 – 6.

Specialist help is available for children joining the school who may need extra support. We also provide specialist support for children who are having difficulty keeping up with the study programme.

econdary School

The Secondary Department of the Gulf English School offers a high quality English curriculum taught largely by teachers with British qualifications and leading to IGCSE, AS and A level examinations.

Students are prepared for IGCSE examinations in Year 10 and 11 and AS and A2/A level examinations in Year 11 and 12.

Some students on an express programme of studies will complete their IGCSEs in Year 10 and may complete AS levels in Year 11.

The school day is divided into 9 periods. In Year 7 and 8 students take Arabic Language, Islamic Studies( for Muslim students), Science, ( Physics , Biology and Chemistry in Year 8), ICT, History, Geography, French, Music, Art, P.E., Personal and Social Education and the Social studies of Kuwait.

Students in Year 8 have taster programmes of Drama, Business Studies, Economics and Accounting. Students in Year 9 take Arabic Language, Islamic ( for Muslim students ) English, Mathematics and a selection of option groups.

Twice yearly formal examinations provide objective measures of students' progress followed by reports to parents. Parents also receive an additional 2 progress reports.

Year 11 students may wish to embark on a 2 year 'A'level programme or a 1 Year 'A' and 'AS' programme of study.

A limited mumber of IGCSE courses are ofered as a one year crash course. All courses are run subject to student numbers. Class sizes are restricted to 25 students.

Parents are invited to discuss their child's progress at regular parent/teacher meetings. Appointments to see individual teachers are welcomed at any time. Home work is set regularly by staff and is written into the homework diary. Parents are encouraged to use them to contact the teacher on minor matters of concern. It is important that parents check and sign the diaries each week. Student Representative Council (SRC)

Each year the student body elects a new student representative council (SRC). This is done by a ballot system, with two students being elected from each year group. At GES the SRC is very active, initiating social events for the students and working on projects to benefit the students day- to- day life. The SRC is concerned about the future of less fortunate young people. Recently, for example, the SRC have sponsored students in Uganda and Nepal. In addition the SRC have donated money to disaster relief when appeals are made. The SRC encourages the students to think not only about their own needs, but also globally, and the needs of others less fortunate. It aims to foster responsibility and caring.

Arabic Department

The Arabic Department plays an important role in the academic life of the school. Arabic and religion are taught to a high standard following the ministry syllabus. The Arabic department teaches reading, writing and spoken Arabic. There is a special programme of Arabic language for foreign students and another for foreign Students in Islamic studies.Arabic children have Arabic lessons from Reception. Non-Arabic speakers begin learning the language in Year One. All students are encouraged towards the GCSE/IGCSE Arabic language exams. Native speakers are prepared for the Ministry of Education High School Examination in their final year to facilitate entry to Kuwait and egyption Universities. The Arabic department also provides a one year 'A' level Arabic language programme for Year 11 students. Students are encouraged to join the demanding IGCSE first language Arabic course. GES Arabic teachers have been involved in an intensive training course with the inspectors from the UK.

Contacts

Gulf English SchoolP.O. Box 33106Al-RumaithiyaKuwait 25562

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web Page: www.ges.edu.kw

Courier Address: Al-Dimnah street (behind Laila Gallery), Block 5, Salmiya, Kuwait