Al Ain English Speaking School
Al Ain English Speaking School
Al Ain English Speaking School (AAESS) is a private, co-educational British-curriculum school in Al Muwaiji, Al Ain, founded in 1978 (as The Balfour School in 1976) and the oldest UK-curriculum school in the city. It follows the National Curriculum for England from the Early Years Foundation Stage through Cambridge and Pearson IGCSE/GCSE to A Level (Years 12-13), and offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award. A member of BSME and rated "Good" by British Schools Overseas (2022), it joined the Cognita group of schools in 2024. Rated Very Good by ADEK (AY 2024/25), a sustained climb from Weak in 2015/16, it serves more than 2,000 students from over 60 nationalities, the largest single group Emirati (~25%), with distinctive facilities including a 25-metre heated indoor pool, a licensed school radio station and a 500-seat hall.
Fees for 2026/2027, per year group. Excludes registration, uniform, and transport.
ADEK approved fees for the 2026/27 academic year are unchanged from 2025/26. Fees are payable annually or in three instalments of 40, 30 and 30 percent. Cambridge and Pearson examination fees billed separately.
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ADEK 2024–2025 inspection
The English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), early literacy, numeracy and personal/social development through play.
The National Curriculum for England (Key Stages 1-2) with UAE MoE Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies.
Key Stage 3 then Cambridge & Pearson IGCSE/GCSE (Key Stage 4) across English, Mathematics and the three Sciences, with a broad options programme.
A Level study across the sciences, humanities, arts and languages, with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, leading to university entry.
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Science laboratories and two ICT suites.
A licensed school radio station.
A 500-seat hall (staging, lighting and sound) and a library.
A 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool plus a learner/trainer pool.
An indoor sports hall, a training track and a football pitch.
Creative outdoor learning and play areas.
A dedicated inclusion department with specialist staff and learning spaces.
A school bus/transport service.
Principal
Principal of Al Ain English Speaking School (30+ years in education, M.Ed., NPQH), leading the city's oldest British school.
Primary Principal
Secondary Principal
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Khalid Bin Sultan Street, Al Muwaiji, PO Box 17939, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
