Welcome Messages
Message from the Board of Directors
A very warm welcome to Gulf English School (“GES”). Nothing can replace a physical visit to our school, now in its 46th year of operation, but a virtual visit via our school website will certainly provide you with a wealth of information. You can find out more about our group of schools here:
GES is a private British international school providing an outstanding education to children aged 3-18 years. As per our school’s Vision , our priority is to provide a safe and happy learning environment for our students. This is based upon the understanding that children achieve their potential academically, socially and spiritually when they regard their school as their second home and all the school staff as extended family members.
The sign of any great school is the positive and purposeful climate within it, and you will certainly experience this if you have the opportunity to visit us in person.
The GES Board is committed to supporting the ongoing strategic development of our school. To this end we place the highest emphasis upon safer recruitment practices in line with UK standards as a British Schools Overseas (BSO) accredited school. We recognise that our greatest resource is our staff, in partnership with whom we deliver upon our stated Vision and Mission.
We hope that you enjoy exploring our school’s website, and you can also follow us on Instagram:
Thank you for your interest in GES!
Message from the School Director
Mr Leigh Hovey
Welcome to Gulf English School.
GES is a vibrant, ambitious and caring school community where we are committed to helping every student achieve their very best. We believe that education should inspire curiosity, build confidence and provide young people with the knowledge, skills and character they need to thrive both in school and beyond it.
At the heart of our school is a simple belief: every child deserves to feel known, valued, safe and challenged. We want our students to enjoy coming to school, to develop a genuine love of learning and to be supported by adults who believe in them and hold high expectations for what they can achieve.
Academic success is, of course, an important part of school life, but education is about much more than examination results. We place great value on developing confident, resilient, independent and thoughtful young people who are prepared to contribute positively to the world around them.
Strong relationships are central to everything we do. We believe the very best outcomes are achieved when students, staff and families work together in genuine partnership. Our teachers and support staff bring skill, commitment and care to their work each day, creating an environment in which students can feel secure, supported and inspired.
We are proud of our school community and equally committed to continuing to develop and improve. We celebrate what we do well, remain open to new ideas and continually ask how we can provide an even better experience for our students and families.
Whether you are a current member of our community or considering Gulf English School for your child, I hope our website gives you a sense of the warmth, energy and ambition that characterise our school.
We look forward to welcoming you to GES.
Mr Leigh Hovey
School Director
Gulf English School
Message from the Academic Director / Head of Secondary
Mr Israr Shah
I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the new School Academic Director at Gulf English School, and I am very excited to get to know all our pupils, parents, carers and staff.
I hold a degree from the University of Manchester, and I have been a teacher, senior leader across a range of settings in the United Kingdom including Headteacher in an international school in the Kingdom of Bahrain.I am acutely aware of the responsibility that my staff and I have in ensuring that the highest standard of teaching and learning is achieved so that our pupils leave GES with the best possible outcomes and start in life.
I believe in the importance of evidence based education and at GES we are currently implementing the Rosenshine principles in our Primary maths curriculum and at secondary Carol Dweck's Growth mindset and the Neuroscience of learning because we believe at GES every child can achieve.
I will ensure that every child in our school has a breadth of opportunities to provide them with the knowledge and experiences to achieve their very best in life in school and beyond.
As key educators in your child’s life, I feel that it is important that you have a voice and that, as a school, we are approachable and allocate time to listen to your concerns, worries or thoughts about the school. Soon I will be inviting parents in for an informal coffee morning. This will be an opportunity to meet other parents/carers, and chat with me.
I am committed to the success of the school and will strive to ensure all pupils receive the outstanding education they deserve. We have made some excellent appointments this year at senior leadership level as well as teaching staff. I am determined that the school will build on its excellent reputation and continue to flourish and maintain its position at the heart of our community.
Yours faithfully
Mr Israr Shah
School Academic Director
Senior Leadership Team
Mr Leigh Hovey
School Director
Mr Israr Shah
Academic Director / Head of Secondary
Ms Azmat Ahmed
Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning
Mr Hamaad Shah
Deputy Head of Secondary - Academic
Ms Stacey Myers
Head of Primary
Ms Layla Smyth
Deputy Head of Key Stages 2
Deputy Head of EYFS & Key stage 1
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Ms Stacey Myers
Welcome to the Gulf English School’s Primary Department, a vibrant learning community where every child, staff member and parent is valued and welcomed.
As the Head Teacher, I am committed to creating a nurturing atmosphere where children thrive and develop the skills to become active, caring, productive and responsible members of society. We foster a love for learning and encourage lively and inquisitive minds that will last a lifetime.
Head of Primary
At our school, each child is encouraged to reach their full potential, recognising that they are unique individuals with valuable contributions to make. We provide an exciting, broad and challenging learning experience that sparks their curiosity and supports their growth.
Our dedicated and experienced staff members are committed to providing an enjoyable learning environment within a safe and stable setting. They work tirelessly to inspire and support the students throughout their educational journey.
We believe in the importance of fostering strong partnerships between the school and parents. We actively promote confidence and engagement, recognising the vital role parents play in their children's learning. Together, we work towards the shared goal of supporting and nurturing the development of each child.
At Gulf English School, we are dedicated to providing a high-quality education that empowers our students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. We invite you to join our community and be part of the exciting journey of learning and growth at our school.
Ms Azmat Ahmed
It is an absolute honour to serve as Deputy Head in charge of Teaching and Learning at GES. I am deeply passionate about creating an environment where both students and teachers can truly thrive and flourish. My commitment is to ensure that evidence-based practices guide everything we do, fostering a culture of growth, excellence, and innovation. Together, we are not just shaping students’ futures; we are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, and I am thrilled to be part of this journey.
Deputy Head of Teaching and Learning
Having qualified with a BSc (Hons) Mathematics and then a PGCE, I ventured out to Kuwait in 2016 as a Mathematics Teacher. I have been at Gulf English School since 2019; first as Head of Mathematics, and now as the Deputy Head of Secondary - tasked with developing academia at GES.
Mr Hamaad Shah
Deputy Head of Secondary - Academic
Hello, my name is Ms Layla Smyth. I am one of the Deputy Heads of Primary and the Head of Key Stage 2 which consists of Year 3, 4, 5 and 6.
After completing my BA in Development Studies at Middlesex University in North London, I started my PGCE in Primary Education at Nottingham Trent University in 2014 and qualified as a Primary school teacher. I worked in Nottingham city in several schools as a class teacher. I have gained experience teaching in Year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Ms Layla Smyth
Deputy Head of KS2
I arrived in Kuwait in 2019 and started working in GES. I was appointed Year Leader in 2020 where I was able to support students, teachers and parents. In 2021, I was appointed Deputy Headteacher and Head of Key Stage 2. In Key Stage 2, the teaching staff and I have high standards of teaching and learning. We ensure the British National Curriculum is fully covered in all subjects. Making sure the students are ready to move into Secondary School with a wealth of knowledge, confidence and resilience.
Ms Ruhi Prasher
My name is Ms Ruhi Prashar and I am the Deputy Head of EYFS and KS1. I have worked at GES for 10 years and have enjoyed every minute.
Our students are joyful, respectful and an absolute pleasure to be around. While they are with us in the EYFS and KS1 department, they receive a well rounded and balanced education that gives them the skills and academic ability to move on to KS2.
Deputy Head of EYFS & Key stage 1, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Here in the EYFS and KS1 department, we are happy to boast a fantastic staff of professional and well experienced educators. Our teachers go above and beyond for the children in their class and they cater to the needs of every single child. The result is that our students leave our department feeling happy and with a love of school and learning. They leave us with a great sense of pride and security within their own abilities and are able to continue their school journey with confidence.