Al Ain English Speaking School
About 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 read from the school's published 2026-27 fee schedule; ADEK rating from its 2024-25 inspection report. Last checked 10 July 2026. How Talem verifies →
Annual tuition fees
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 Rating
ADEK 2024–2025 inspection
Stages & pathways
Foundation Stage
FS1-FS2The English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), early literacy, numeracy and personal/social development through play.
Primary
Years 1-6The National Curriculum for England (Key Stages 1-2) with UAE MoE Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies.
Secondary
Years 7-11Key Stage 3 then Cambridge & Pearson IGCSE/GCSE (Key Stage 4) across English, Mathematics and the three Sciences, with a broad options programme.
Sixth Form
Years 12-13A Level study across the sciences, humanities, arts and languages, with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, leading to university entry.
How to apply
Facilities
Science Laboratories
Science laboratories and two ICT suites.
School Radio Station
A licensed school radio station.
500-Seat Hall & Library
A 500-seat hall (staging, lighting and sound) and a library.
25m Heated Swimming Pool
A 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool plus a learner/trainer pool.
Sports Hall & Track
An indoor sports hall, a training track and a football pitch.
Outdoor Play Areas
Creative outdoor learning and play areas.
Inclusion Department
A dedicated inclusion department with specialist staff and learning spaces.
School Transport
A school bus/transport service.
School leadership
Ian Temple
Principal
Principal of Al Ain English Speaking School (30+ years in education, M.Ed., NPQH), leading the city's oldest British school.
Helen McCauley
Primary Principal
Zaheer Abass
Secondary Principal
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Questions & answers
Where we are
Khalid Bin Sultan Street, Al Muwaiji, PO Box 17939, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
