Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi,

After living in the UAE for 11 years we are thinking to move to North Cyprus(we own a house here).

We already had a tour at Necat school, which I really liked. In the spring break we are having a school tour at English school of Kyrenia and GAU.
My children are 15, 8 and 7.

Does anybody have any experience with any of the school? Is there a waiting list? Do they need to a assessment? How is the teacher/children ratio in the classrooms?

Thanks,
Kisie

I can only speak of ESK.

We are pleased with school, although everywhere here is very reactive, i.e. you find out information for the next day, instead of getting a few days notice of things, that is quite common but not always the case.

In terms of teaching, we are pleased and feel the kids are in a better environment than many countries. Teachers seem enthusiastic and all are approachable.

Our eldest is now deciding her options, and even at this stage, the school is advising on the matter in relation to Uni choices 5 years down the line. They are planning ahead for the kids futures.

IGCSE's followed by 'A' levels or IB.

Plenty of after school activities, not all free.

The feedback we get on school lunch is that it is often not great.

Uniform items from the school shop are expensive on top of fees, but kids all look smart. 6th form do not have to wear uniform but must be appropriately dressed for school environment.

Car park can be a little chaotic, with people often trying to drive and phone at the same time, and of course having the desperate need to park no more that 1m from the gates if that is possible, but this is Cyprus! There are parking wardens in operation.

All over, we would say that although ESK is probably the most expensive option, it suits us and the kids best. That is not to say that more expensive is better, just that our kids are happy there. The children being in a good and comfortable environment is more important, so other factors may come into play making another school a better option for you.

Well if you have already had a tour of Necat British College good. Both my children have attended that school (in secondary) now for about 18 months and both very happy there. Class sizes are are small in secondary, but I have no knowledge of Primary (it is much bigger). They previously went to ESK where my daughter was very unhappy due to constant bullying. This is not something that is tolerated at Necat, and the children are very involved in anti-bullying projects from an early stage. My son also had his hand broken at ESK by some older boys and was too afraid to say how it happened. I think some children get away with things depending on who their parents might be, but that is my opinion. It is the most expensive school in the North.

I was happy with the ESK primary school, but a school is really only as good as the teachers that they employ at the time. When my children were in primary there was one excellent teacher who since moved on to Oman. I have to say that she was the best primary teacher I have ever come across and my son thrived with her, but such teachers are few and far between. Remember the wages are much lower here than in the UK, so there has to be some other attraction to come and work in the TRNC.

ESK is a much bigger school and yes they do have a lot more facilities and after school clubs etc, but I did not find it easy to resolve issues. Indeed both my children left under a smoke screen and fees that I had paid never refunded to me. Thankfully I had not paid too much in advance.

I am very happy with Necat. It is approachable and friendly. They have added a large new building as you will have seen, to cope with an increasing demand and so as more students can move up from Primary. The teachers appear to stay there and their staff list is published. Most of them I describe as London Cypriots so this is also their home so maybe that is why they stay. They do not have many older students but it is growing. They are transparent about their GCSE and A Level results, and they do have some decent grades published by subject on their website, and so clearly if a child is able, they can do well, as long as they apply themselves.

You mention one child being 15 now. I am assuming they finish their GCSEs this year? Obviously it would not be good to move them midstream. There is a 6th form at Necat, but a much bigger one at ESK.

Your other two children will go to Primary. Like I said I had no issues with Primary at ESK. The headmistress of Primary rules with a firm hand, but I did have issues with Secondary. I have not had the same issues at Necat, and to see my daughter "wanting" to go to school has been a godsend. She is now almost 13.

There is an excellent secondary school in the South of Nicosia, and there are quite a few able children going to that school from the North. The English School of Nicosia. Ranked the best in Cyprus and entrance by examination in English, Maths and NVR. It would also be ranked in the top 1% on results if it were in the UK. Their results are outstanding and their fees comparable to ESK. They also have entry for 6th Form so I would look at that too. Getting in to that school is easier at the beginning of secondary as they have a lot more places (140 I think), but very difficult past Year 1 of secondary as the places only come up when someone leaves (except for 6th form), as I found out to my cost last year, and a lot of children are after those places from Year 2. Both my children failing to make the grade in the Maths entrance exam last year, but their curriculum is a year ahead in that subject. My son would likely fair better at that school as he thrives on competition and being the centre of attention on the stage (always taking lead roles in productions at ESK when he was there), so his final crack will be for entrance this September having now covered the first year of GCSE Maths outside of school with a tutor. I just feel he would do better at that school as he is very able (scoring A in NVR) and learns quickly, and I have discussed this with Necat, who also realise his potential and lack of effort at their school is perhaps down to its small size, whereas my daughter will do as well as she can whichever school, and her happiness is paramount to me. My son was very let down at ESK, albeit I now understand they have finally got their AG&T program going, this was not so 18 months ago when a plethora of new teachers arrived at the start of a new academic year, who did not know my son from Adam, and neither had they been briefed about what had been agreed for him either, given his low boredom threshold. What happened then was simply shocking, but as the head at Necat said to me a few months ago, it was their loss and our gain. She also listened to some of my suggestions about some improvements to teaching, and I was delighted to find those suggestions implemented..... being spelling tests! Well done Necat.

Anyway, you are right to do what you are doing. Hopefully you now have a few things to look out for. I did visit GAU as well after my children left ESK, but bar a short chat in an office I was not given a tour, neither a follow up call. Not impressed, and on digging around for exam results, not impressed with those either. They shine in Sports and neither of my kids are sporty. The other thing is that they have different holidays. ESK & Necat have a Christmas break and a few days off over Easter.