Sharjah English School is a long standing British curriculum school for children aged 3 to 18, founded in 1974 and widely cited as the oldest private school in the emirate of Sharjah. It teaches the National Curriculum of England through to GCSE, IGCSE and A Level and is a recognised value alternative for families who work in Dubai but live or settle in the northern emirates. It features in our coverage of the wider Dubai international schools region because its catchment overlaps the city's northern commuter belt.
This profile sets out the curriculum and exam boards, the fee band, the admissions calendar and the community around the school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so what follows is an editorial reference rather than a promotion.
Sharjah English School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | National Curriculum of England, GCSE, IGCSE and A Level (Edexcel and AQA) |
|---|---|
| Stage range | Foundation to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18) |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Accreditation | British Schools Overseas (BSO) and the Council of International Schools (CIS); member of COBIS and BSME |
| Fee band | Value to mid tier relative to central Dubai (see Dubai fees guide) |
| Campus area | Sharjah, within the Dubai and northern emirates commuter belt |
Curriculum and academics
Sharjah English School follows the National Curriculum of England from the early years through to a full secondary programme, with GCSE and IGCSE examinations in Year 11 and A Levels in the sixth form, sat through the Edexcel and AQA boards. The school's external examination outcomes have been noted as a strength in its regulatory reviews, and most leavers progress to universities in the United Kingdom and beyond. Families comparing the English route with other systems can read our guide to the British curriculum, which explains how GCSE and A Level feed into university entry.
The school carries a substantial accreditation footprint for an institution of its age. It holds British Schools Overseas accreditation and Council of International Schools membership, and it belongs to the Council of British International Schools and the British Schools of the Middle East. These memberships give parents an external benchmark for governance and safeguarding beyond the local regulator.
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Sharjah English School fees
Sharjah English School sits in the value to mid part of the regional market. Published tuition for recent years has ranged from roughly AED 28,000 in the early years to about AED 73,000 in the sixth form, which is materially below the premium British schools of central Dubai mapped in our Dubai school fees guide. For families willing to live in or commute from Sharjah, it is one of the more affordable established British options in the region.
Budget for the line items that sit on top of tuition. Expect a registration charge, a deposit, transport if required, and examination entry fees in the GCSE, IGCSE and A Level years. Total cost of place is still well below the central Dubai premium tier even once these extras are added.
Admissions and intake
Sharjah English School runs an academic year from late summer to early summer and admits across year groups subject to availability, with the early years the natural entry point. Because the school is long established and well regarded locally, popular grades can carry waiting lists, so families relocating to Sharjah or the northern Dubai commuter belt should register as early as the published window allows.
Admission is based on prior school reports, age appropriate assessment and evidence that an applicant can access an English medium programme. Applications are made through the school and require recent reports, passport and visa documents and, for transfers, a leaving certificate. Continuity of the English curriculum makes transfers from other British schools relatively straightforward.
Location and who goes there
The school is in Sharjah, the emirate immediately north east of Dubai, and serves families who live in Sharjah itself as well as those in the northern Dubai communities within commuting distance. The catchment is broad, spanning British, Arab, South Asian and wider expatriate households, and the value fee position makes it a practical choice for families who do not need a central Dubai address.
For the full picture of how the British, IB, American and Indian schools sit across the wider region, including fee tiers and neighbourhoods, see the Dubai schools hub.
Sharjah English School reviews
No verified parent reviews of Sharjah English School have been submitted to GlobalSchoolGuide yet. We do not publish a star rating until we have enough verified first hand accounts to represent the school fairly, and we never fabricate ratings. If your family attends or has attended the school, please share your experience through our school reviews page to help other relocating families.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sharjah English School fees?
Published tuition has ranged from roughly AED 28,000 in the early years to about AED 73,000 in the sixth form, which places Sharjah English School in the value to mid band relative to central Dubai. Budget also for registration, a deposit, transport and examination entry fees.
Is Sharjah English School a good school?
Sharjah English School is the oldest private school in Sharjah, founded in 1974, and holds British Schools Overseas and Council of International Schools accreditation. Its external examination results have been noted as a strength. Suitability depends on whether a Sharjah location and the British route fit your family.
What curriculum does Sharjah English School follow?
The school follows the National Curriculum of England from the early years to A Level, with GCSE and IGCSE examinations sat through the Edexcel and AQA boards.
When do Sharjah English School applications open?
The school admits across year groups subject to availability, with the early years the main entry point. Apply as early as the published window allows because established schools in the region can carry waiting lists.
Where is Sharjah English School located?
Sharjah English School is in the emirate of Sharjah, immediately north east of Dubai, and serves families in Sharjah and the northern Dubai commuter belt.
