Job Discussion Forums

stratford · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks for all the great info you guys have posted on Kuwait. I've read through most of it and learned a great deal.

I'm interested in any information you might have on Gulf English School. I couldn't find anything on them in this forum but did see a number of negative postings about their parent company, IPE. Most of them seemed to be about TESL contracts. Is the experience of teaching a subject at one of their high schools any different?

Any info on their housing and the surrounding neighbourhood would be appreciated. Also, what the kids are like, the administration, teaching staff, general safety situation in Kuwait right now, anything at all... Many thanks

souk · Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Posts: 12

IPE and IPETQ are different companies and it is the latter that mostly deals with EFL/ESL.

The Gulf English school has been around for some time and is moving to new premises (September I think).

There are several large schools in Kuwait (1200 plus) and GES is one of them. Difficult to give an honest opinion but both heads have been there a long time.

Fred Bilbo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 52 Location: Kuwait

True, IPE has nothing to do with IPETQ.
I know some of the teachers from GES, It seems to be a decent place to work. The school has a fairly good reputation. Certainly worth a couple of years if not more.

stratford · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

FifthColumnist · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Was reckoned to be a good school for many years. Still not a total disaster zone. But.......

New owner's corner-cutting and cost-saving has really bitten now.
Very high staff turnover this year - reportedly 60% plus.
Recruitment problems so many teachers not UK trained for next year.
Moving this summer to a new building in Salmiya (if it gets finished in time)
New building has tiny classrooms and almost no parking space.

C+, maybe B- at a push.