Sharjah English School

A group of British companies wishing to provide educational services of their employees' children opened the school in 1974 in downtown Sharjah. SES remained a primary school only until 2005, when the secondary school opened on a large, new site on Maleha Road, near University City.[4] The first GCSE cohort sat for exams in 2008, and the first A Level class graduated in 2010.

Growing in a gradual and controlled fashion, which has maintained the school's character, a new secondary block was added in 2011, and a new Foundation and Infants building was opened in October 2017. September 2019 sees the first three-form cohort start Year 7 in Secondary; the Primary school is now three-form intake throughout.

The senior library at SES

Admission to Sharjah English School is competitive and early applications are essential. The school is non-selective academically, but fluency in English is expected. Admission for students requiring Learning Support is dependent on the school's ability to provide the necessary staffing and support, in the context of other demands on the LS staff at any one time.

Priority is mainly given to UK nationals and families of the school's supporting companies and institutions (Petrofac, American University of Sharjah, Higher Colleges of Technology, etc.).[5]

The fees ranged from AED 23,000 (Foundation stage) to AED 66,300 (Sixth Form), as of June 2019.

Upper sixth (grade 13) common room

The school's campus next to Sharjah University City houses a range of facilities on one of the largest school sites in the UAE. Two secondary buildings have been complemented in 2018 with a new Studio for art and drama. There is a large Sports Hall and outdoor swimming pool. Outdoor grass playing areas are unequaled by other schools in the country.

Facilities also music rooms and a spacious auditorium which seats 400 people, and a range of specialist classrooms such as science labs and Design and Technology workshops.

Primary school consists of two specialist buildings, a separate Sports Hall, and spacious outdoor play areas.

The primary school, which was established in 1974 and now includes three form intake from Foundation to Year 6, currently has just over 500 pupils. These follow the EYFS and UK National Curriculum. The EYFS curriculum has been described as "outstanding" (BSO 2019).

Primary children learn in bright, stimulating, and attractive learning spaces, where common shared areas complement traditional classroom teaching, and where there are dedicated primary facilities for sports, music, etc. Over 90% of pupils transition from Primary to SES Secondary.

The secondary section caters for Years 7-13. In grades 10-11, students are prepared for their GCSE examinations. In 2018 GCSE results showed a 98% pass rate. 22% of students gained the new grade 9, and 56% of results were A*-A (grades 9 to 7).

A Levels are taken in Year 13. Historically the Sixth Form provision has been a strength of the school. Inspections have confirmed that the personalised learning experience and the academic achievement are enviable: in Summer 2018 SES boasted its 9th year with a 100% pass rate at A Level; 68% of grades were at A* to B. "All students have a very positive sixth form experience and attainment is high" (BSO 2019).

Sixth Form students are also supported throughout their university applications cycle and given help with personal statements, admission inquiries, university interview preparation and visa application procedures. The average teacher / student ratio at A Level is below 1:10.

As of January 2019 the school had 850 students.[4] These represented 55 different nationalities: 27% of students were from the UK, 21% Indian, 11% Pakistani, 15% US and Canadian and other nationalities accounted for 26%. The majority of students (52%) are Muslim.

• Sharjah English School's official website