Destination overview
Kuwait is a small country and most international schools are within reach of Kuwait City and the surrounding suburbs. The expatriate teaching community is smaller than in Dubai or Doha, which many teachers find makes it easier to settle in quickly.
Several British-curriculum schools in Kuwait have been operating for decades, so the sector has depth as well as newer entrants.
The teaching environment
Schools vary in intake. Some serve a mainly Kuwaiti student body with English as an additional language for many pupils, others a more mixed expatriate population, and this shapes planning and language support.
Ask about class sizes, support staffing and the school's approach to English language learners, since these factors influence workload more than headline job titles do.
Types of international schools
- British-curriculum schools with IGCSE and A Level provision
- American-curriculum schools
- Bilingual schools with English-medium subject teaching
- Indian and other national-curriculum schools
Qualifications schools may seek
- A recognised teacher training qualification
- Qualified Teacher Status where required
- Relevant subject and phase experience
- References and safeguarding clearance
- Attested degree and qualification certificates
Lifestyle considerations
Kuwait is quieter socially than some neighbouring destinations, with much of life centred on family, community and the coast. Summers are extremely hot and the cooler months are the main outdoor season.
Local laws differ from the UK, including in areas that may not be obvious to newcomers, so read official guidance before travelling.
Preparing your application for Kuwait
Applications are stronger when the detail is easy for a head of school to verify. Keep your CV to a clear teaching format: current role first, curriculum and year groups taught, examination boards where relevant, and a short line on outcomes or responsibilities rather than a list of duties.
- A teaching CV that names the curriculum, key stages and subjects you have taught
- Scanned copies of your degree, teacher training and QTS documentation
- References covering your most recent school, with contactable school email addresses
- A short covering note explaining why this destination and this type of school
- Realistic availability, including your notice period and earliest start date
Relocation considerations
Moving to work overseas is a practical project as much as a career decision. Documentation, housing, healthcare cover, banking and schooling for your own children all need attention in parallel with the recruitment process, and the sequence is usually driven by the employer's onboarding team.
Offer packages differ from school to school and from year to year, so compare each offer on its own terms rather than assuming a regional norm. Ask the school to set out in writing what is included, what is reimbursed, and what you are expected to arrange yourself.
- Ask for the full written offer and contract before resigning from your current post
- Check what support the school provides for documentation and onboarding
- Clarify healthcare cover, dependants and any waiting periods
- Budget for the period between arrival and your first salary payment
- Plan document attestation early, because it is often the slowest step
Verify before you commit
Immigration rules, attestation requirements and school registration processes change regularly and vary by employer. Treat anything you read online, including this page, as background only, and confirm the current position with the school making the offer and the relevant official authorities before you commit to anything.
Related pages
Requirements and regulations change. Always confirm the current position with the school making the offer and with the relevant official authorities before you make any commitment.