The English School - Nicosia

Located in Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus. The English School sits on a 10-acre landscaped campus in the Strovolos area of the capital. The address is 0 Presidential Palace Road and Kyriacou Matsi, Strovolos 1082 Nicosia, Cyprus.

Primary and secondary education. The school broadly follows the British national curriculum, with I/GCSEs at the end of Year 5 and A levels at the end of Year 7. It operates a thirteen-year primary and secondary program.

Independent private day school

The English School is dedicated to inclusion and provides support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Cyprus; curriculum based on the United Kingdom national curriculum.

07:30–14:30, Monday–Friday.

The curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum. Years 1–3 provide a broad foundation across English, Greek/Turkish, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, ICT, Drama, Art, Music, a Modern European Language, PSHCE, and weekly Games. Years 4–5 begin the IGCSE programme with English Language and Literature, Mathematics and Greek/Turkish as core subjects, plus five additional subjects chosen from Humanities and Science, with at least one from Humanities and Science. Years 6–7 follow A-level programmes; most students take four IAS subjects in Year 6 and three or four A-levels in Year 7, with PSHCE continuing and an updated focus on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in line with Cyprus law. The Teaching and Learning Community (TLC) supports teaching and learning through staff development and collaboration. The school is inclusive of students with Special Educational Needs and those identified as gifted and talented.

Average class sizes vary by year and subject. In Year 4, English Language and Literature averaged 23, Mathematics 26, Greek 21, Turkish 17, and Physical Education 17; in Year 7, PSHCE averaged 18.

The school is an approved exam centre for Pearson/Edexcel, AQA and Cambridge International examinations. Exam statistics are published for A-Level, AS-Level and IGCSE. In 2024, students earned Pearson Learner Awards across 19 categories, including top honours in Cyprus and globally. Historical results include 95% of A-Level grades being A-C in 2019, 91% of IGCSE grades being A-C in 2019, 89% of IAL grades being A-C in 2024, and about 80% of graduates headed to Russell Group universities.

Year 7 receives the Apolytirion certificate; approximately 70% of students receive at least one university offer that includes the Apolytirion. The Careers and Higher Education Department provides impartial guidance and experiences to support university applications, including psychometric testing, university course search workshops, internships, and an Internship Support Programme. About 80% of graduates head to Russell Group universities.

The English School is committed to supporting all learners, including those identified as gifted and talented. The Maths Enrichment Programme supports high-achieving students with national and European competitions and the Mathletes Club, which won 33 national awards in 2023–2024. A Sports Programme for elite athletes launched in 2025, and a Super-Curricular Programme encourages engagement with university lectures, competitions, and other advanced study beyond the standard curriculum.

The school delivers social, emotional, and wellbeing education through the PSHCE programme. The PSHCE programme promotes wellbeing through practical tools and techniques for daily life. A full wellbeing support network is available within the pastoral system, including Form Tutors, Heads of Year, a professional Counsellor, and a School Nurse, with access to outside professionals when needed. The School Counselling Service offers Drop-In sessions and scheduled appointments, with confidentiality and referrals through form tutors, subject teachers, Heads of Department, or Heads of Year. The aim is to develop resilience, self-awareness, and healthy relationships across the whole school community.

The English School is dedicated to supporting all learners, including students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and those identified as gifted and talented. The inclusion process is coordinated by the Assistant Head in charge of Exams and Inclusion, Ms. Maria Rousou. When a student requires SEN support, relevant information and a Specialist's Report are reviewed, and the Inclusion Team coordinates involvement from Subject Teachers, Form Tutor, Heads of Year, Counsellor, Nurse, Exams Office, and Careers Office to ensure needs are met. SEND provisions are delivered by both specialist staff and mainstream teachers. Parents are invited to discuss needs and start the inclusion process.

Most pupils speak English as an additional language (EAL). The language of instruction is English for all lessons, with Greek and Turkish taught as modern languages. The curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum, aligning with a UK educational framework. A significant EAL population is noted among the pupil body.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing are addressed through a formal policy and the PSHCE programme, which promotes wellbeing through practical tools and techniques. The wellbeing support network includes Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Assistant Heads, the School Nurse, and a professional Counsellor; outside professionals can be connected when needed. The School Counselling Service offers drop-in and scheduled sessions with confidentiality, and staff can refer students for counselling; parental involvement is possible with consent for students under 18. If longer-term or specialist care is needed, the Counsellor guides families to external resources. The aim is to nurture resilience, self-awareness, and emotional wellbeing in every member of the school community.

The safeguarding policy is a cornerstone of the safe learning environment and is regularly reviewed and updated to align with the latest best practices and legal standards. The school invites all community members—parents, staff, and students—to familiarise themselves with the policy. The Safeguarding Team includes a Designated Safeguarding Lead (Ms. Elena Ignatiou), a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Dr. Eva Polyviou), and a Counsellor (Ms. Maria Papachristodoulou), with contact details provided on the safeguarding resources. Safeguarding Leaflets are available in English, Greek, and Turkish for visitors. The policy outlines clear guidelines and procedures to protect students from harm and to maintain a safe school environment.

1. Entry into Year 1: Students who have completed their primary education may sit The English School Entrance Examination for Entry into Year 1. The exam tests Mathematics and English/Greek/Turkish, plus Non-Verbal Reasoning, with language placement considerations based on paper-based assessments. 2. How to apply for Year 1: Applications can be submitted online from 20 January to 14 February, and all required documentation must be sent by 14 February at 2:00 PM. 3. Year 1 entrance exams and key dates: Registrations open 8 January; Special Access Arrangement deadline 26 January; registrations close 2 February; Entrance Exam begins 7 February; results released 9 February; Orientation Evening 11 February; Sports programme 16–17 February; successful candidates notified 19 February; registrations close 25–27 February; a diagnostic English/Greek exam occurs on 18 March. 4. Additional language diagnostics: Greek and Turkish paper candidates take an English diagnostic test if extra English help is needed, while English-paper candidates take a Greek diagnostic test to determine language placement. 5. Open Day and visits: An Open Day occurs in October; personalised tours are offered November to January; admissions staff can arrange visits and answer questions. 6. Mid-programme entry (Year 2, 3, 4, 6): Mid-programme entry exams take place in late May or as scheduled; candidates are assessed in English, Mathematics, and Non-Verbal Reasoning and may attend a short interview with senior leaders; entry is subject to space and performance in the exam. 7. Registration and outcomes for mid-programme entries: All candidates must register to sit the Mid-Programme Entrance Exam and upload required documents; results and offers are communicated by email, with instructions to accept or decline. 8. Entry into Year 6 (A Level): Admission is based on academic achievement, subject suitability, and space within A Level subject blocks; applications for 2026–2027 are highly competitive with very few spots available. 9.

The English School offers scholarships to entrants based on Entrance Examination performance: First Place receives 100% of Year 1 tuition fees; Second Place and Third Place each receive 50% of Year 1 tuition fees. No application is required for these scholarships; all candidates taking the Entrance Examinations are automatically considered. In addition, the Dr. Andreas Mavrides Distinguished Achievement Scholarship provides €5,000 annually towards tuition fees (renewable each year) and is awarded to a Year 2 student who demonstrates academic excellence and leadership; there is no separate application process. The Petros Markou Scholarship provides a 7-year bursary (no application process) to support students. Financial Aid offers bursaries for families facing economic hardship and requires an application form. These scholarships and financial aid options are detailed on the School Fees, Scholarships & Financial Aid page, including contact information for the finance team for assistance.