Sharjah English School is recognised as one of the UAE's leading British Curriculum schools, combining high academic standards with the ethos of a small school which has a strong community feel. It is one of the longest established private, not-for-profit, coeducational schools in the UAE, offering a broad and inclusive education with fees that are more affordable than equivalent quality schools in Dubai. With current enrollment of only 850 students across primary and secondary, it remains an intimate and inclusive school. The student cohort are English-speaking expatriate children, with UK passport holders being the largest national group. Outside of Arabic and Islamic Studies departments, all teaching staff are UK qualified and experienced. SES has been inspected most recently in March 2019: it emerged as "an outstanding school", described as being "very effective" with "high standards across all areas". Students are prepared for British GCSE and A Level qualifications, and alumni have continued their education in the top universities of the world, including Cambridge, Oxford, Russell Groups Universities such as Imperial College, University of London, Royal Holloway, as well as Ivy League colleges such as Brown University etc. The school's strengths include the courteous, articulate and self-disciplined children, outstanding leadership and management, a supportive and pleasant working environment that supports learning, and a recognition of the essential virtues of extra-curricular activities like music, art and drama. SES has been included among the top British schools in the UAE by The Telegraph among the likes of Repton School and Jumeirah College and has been described as being the top choice for British expats in Sharjah, while Khaleej Times acknowledged the school as "one of the leading educational institutions in the Emirates". It has been credited by WhichSchoolAdvisor as enjoying unusually high levels of parental approval. The school is under the auspices of Sharjah Private Education Authority and is accredited to British Schools Overseas and British Schools of the Middle East.
History
A group of leading 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. 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.
Admissions
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. The fees range from AED 23,000 to AED 66,300, as of June 2019.
Campus
The school's impressive 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.
Primary education
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". 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. 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". 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.
Student body
As of January 2019 the school had 850 students. 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 are Muslim.
