A. Housing & Rental

Finding a nice place to live is always difficult. Kuwait is no exception - getting the right accomodation can be hard, especially in large cities. Read our guide to room and flat rental. Check out the classifieds for available property and people looking to share flats

There’s a wide range of apartments and villas available in Kuwait, both within and outside enclosed compounds, but it should be noted from the outset that expatriates cannot own land or property in Kuwait and therefore you will have no choice but to rent.

Most accommodation is in urban or suburban areas; the desert is for camels and the Bedouin. Most visitors are pleasantly surprised when they see the cities of Kuwait for the first time, their modern architecture co-existing with traditional houses and ancient wind-towers. New buildings are often spectacular, as oil has provided the money for the best architects, builders and materials. Indeed, there’s competition between developers, who tend to be wealthy merchant families, to build the most impressive structure.

Many construction projects are under way and, when you’re choosing accommodation, you should check whether further construction is planned on surrounding land, as the resulting noise, dust and general inconvenience can be intrusive, sometimes for 24 hours per day. Although programmes are continuing, however, fewer lower priced properties are being constructed, as the demand for unskilled workers in the region is declining.

Relocation Consultants

Relocation consultants are most frequently used by multi-national companies and larger institutions moving into the region. Some consultants provide practical and cultural help to those new to the region. Culture shock is a real condition that affects many people unused to being outside their home country or culture. It can badly affect you in both your working and your family life.

Companies already operating in Kuwait don’t usually require the services of consultants. (In a region whose workforce is largely foreign and transient, many companies and workers have long experience of moving and setting up in a new location.) However, employers are generally aware of the danger of culture shock and are ready to help when required.

The sensible newcomer spends the first few weeks of his contract settling in alone and doesn’t commit his family to a move to Kuwait until he has obtained all the necessary permits, has completed his probationary period, if any, and is able to judge whether he’s going to enjoy the working and living conditions and whether his job is all that was promised. Note, however, that it can take three months or so to acclimatise to life in Kuwait, where it’s normal to feel somewhat disorientated for the first few weeks.

The indigenous and expatriate populations tend not to live together. The Arab culture of extended families calls for large houses, and affluent families usually own detached villas.

With up to three generations to accommodate, groups of two or more villas are common. The less well-off still prefer houses to apartments. The indigenous population in Kuwait is well provided with housing. Young newly-married couples are given low-cost loans and in some states these turn out to be gifts if the loans aren’t repaid within a particular time limit.

Foreign workers tend to live in either compounds or apartments. The rapid development of the economy and the sudden influx of foreign workers meant that accommodation had to be constructed quickly, which meant that apartment blocks rather than individual houses were built. The term ‘compound’ refers to a group of houses or small, usually low-level, apartment blocks within a walled enclosure, rather like a private estate.

Some compounds are huge, and accommodation is usually available because of the continual movement of expatriates. Different compounds have different combinations of nationalities. Some have a cosmopolitan mix, others contain people from one nation only or perhaps from one social group or caste.

Depending on the size of the compound, the facilities may include a communal swimming pool, a restaurant and shop, tennis and squash courts and a gymnasium. Children might be catered for with a play area and there might be a form of community hall known as a majlis – the traditional Arab meeting area for visitors. Many compound houses are built in majlis style, with an area opening immediately from the front door where the men meet visitors and sit with them. The rest of the accommodation is to the sides or rear. (In Arab houses, women aren’t seen unless the visitors are close relatives.)

In Kuwait there’s a mixture of villas and compound dwellings, the latter comprising mainly villas and townhouses, with a few low-rise apartment blocks.

Separate apartment blocks, which tend to be higher than those within compounds, usually contain a high proportion of expatriates. A disadvantage of these is that they generally lack the extensive facilities found in most compounds and there may be fewer English-speaking people to ‘show you the ropes’ than in a compound. On the other hand, compounds can be rather ghetto-like, with a claustrophobic ‘clubbiness’, isolation from the local community and a lack of privacy.

The exterior and interior quality of buildings is high throughout the region, and improving as prospective landlords vie with each other to have the most attractive buildings. The average property is also more spacious than its equivalent in Europe or the USA. Rooms are generally large in all types of accommodation. Villas normally have generous patios and/or gardens, while apartment blocks have a swimming pool and gymnasium. Homes normally also have a better level and quality of maintenance than in western countries, due to the wide availability of low-paid labour.

A garage or covered carport for your vehicle is vital. With temperatures rising to 50oC (122oF) in the summer, a car left outside quickly becomes unbearably hot and the bodywork deteriorates if exposed to the sun for too long. Most new apartment blocks have underground car parking facilities and allocated spaces. Villas tend to have an attached or separate garage, or at least a carport.

Rented Accommodation

How to find a home in Kuwait

The majority of property is rented unfurnished, whether it be a grand villa or a modest studio apartment.

‘Unfurnished’ might mean only the barest of essentials but is more likely to include a kitchen unit, curtain rails and lighting fixtures, or it might mean semi-furnished, with kitchen equipment, a cooker, refrigerator and washing machine. In most cases, it includes a television aerial socket with access to local stations and probably BBC and CNN via satellite; you might also have access to other networks and movie channels, although you might have to pay for them. There’s also furnished property on the market, but it is harder to find and of course more expensive. Most people want a new property and there are plenty of them available.

Finding a Rental Property

Renting accommodation in Kuwait is a straightforward, well-established practice. Major international companies with trading links in the region often have housing arrangements in the form of long-term leases on properties for their staff. If you have to find your own accommodation, your sponsor and his staff will invariably help. There’s considerable choice in all price bands and it’s usually quite straightforward to find the type of property you want.

Having decided on a budget, you need to decide on the location of the property, weighing up the importance of access to your place of work, type and size of living space you want, whether villa or apartment, the number of bedrooms, etc.. Kuwait cities are small by international standards and driving times between home and work are short, usually without substantial traffic jams.

There are a number of ways to find a rental property in Kuwait, including the following:

• Consult your company’s human resources manager, work colleagues and friends. Word of mouth is usually the best recommendation in the region.
• Talk to members of any clubs and associations that you join.
• Check the notice boards outside accommodation blocks and look in the local English-language newspapers and magazines. Talk to porters or administration staff in the buildings that you like the look of. They will often know about the availability of accommodation.
• Consult estate agents. As well as having a wide knowledge of the market, area and costs, they generally provide transport and accompany you on viewings. Listen carefully to the proposed charges and in particular to the inclusions and exclusions, specifically the air-conditioning and utility charges. Ask for faxed confirmation before making a decision, and certainly before signing the contract. Estate agents are frequently the wives of sponsored expatriates, who have the time to get to know the area and the facilities on offer.
• Visit compounds, which frequently have an office of the company running it, and ask about availability and facilities.

Rental Contracts

What you need to know

It’s usual for the rental contract to be drawn up with the owner of the property using your sponsor as the principal.


There are a number reasons for this:

Inventory

Furnished apartments are equipped with a wide range of goods, usually of reasonable quality. A copy of the inventory will be provided with the contract and items checked when you leave, with charges made for damage or losses. The return of your deposit depends on whether or not the property is left in good order.

 B Transport

A well-developed network of around 2,000 kms of paved roads and expressways links all the towns in the State.

Buses :

A public bus service is operated by Kuwait Transport Company (KTC). KTC buses provide transport to passengers with fares ranging from 50 fils within the city to 300 fils for long trips to outlying urban areas. The express buses on certain routes have air conditioning, make fewer stops, and charge at least 150 fils.

Taxis :

There are three kinds of taxi services. The orange coloured private taxis are hailed from the roadside. Other orange taxis travel along set routes picking up several passengers at one time, and transport passengers from one area to another. The third kind of taxi service is the radio-controlled call-taxi which can only be used by contacting the company office by telephone.

There are also special taxis which transport passengers from Kuwait International Airport to various districts in Kuwait.

Car rentals :

Vehicles on daily and monthly rentals are available.

Driving :

Kuwaiti roads are of good quality and have traffic signs in both Arabic and English. Cars are driven on the left side of the road. Citizens with a GCC driver's licence or travellers using an international driving licence can drive and rent cars.
Driving Licences: International driving licences are valid for the same period as the visitor's entry permit. However, international driving licences must be insured with either the Gulf Insurance Company, the Kuwait Insurance Company or Al-Ahliah Insurance Company SAK. This costs approximately KD 2 per month. Local driving licences can be applied for through the Traffic Department of the Police after formalities for a residence visa and work permit have been completed. Applicants who hold a valid driving licence from their country of origin will need the following documents when applying for a local driving licence;

• Valid driving licence,
• Four small photographs, Letter from employer verifying position held in the organization
• Passport,
• An electricity bill or contract of tenancy, showing applicant's address in Kuwait
• and Certificate of Blood Group

C Shopping

Though many of Kuwait's traditional souks (markets) still exist, the country has an abundance of modern supermarkets and shopping malls. Most areas in Kuwait have a large supermarket operated by cooperative societies. These cooperatives (Jameeyah) usually open early, work till quite late at night and stock a vast range of food and other household items. Some of the basic food items are subsidised. The prices of some other items are controlled.

There are also many private supermarkets. Of these, some are open 24 hours a day. The larger ones stock a range of goods such as toys, furniture, car accessories, clothes and accessories and perfumes.

Stocked with goods from all parts of the world, their prices are somewhat higher than the cooperatives, though prices of some basic foodstuffs are subject to control. Fresh food may be bought a bit cheaper in the markets. Most of Kuwait's shopping malls have been rebuilt since the looting and destruction in the 1990 Iraqi invasion. They range from the most exclusive (in price) to the ordinary. Many contain small shops which specialize in certain items, such as coffee and exclusive brand names.

Gold Souks

The Gold souks, for which Kuwait is famous, were prime targets for the Iraqi troops during the first days of the invasion in August 1990. Most of these souks are now back in business, with the exception of the old gold souk in Kuwait City centre, which has been shifted to a specially-built building. There are gold souks and gold shops, which both buy and sell gold, in most of the shopping areas in Kuwait. Jewellery styles are mainly Arabic, Indian (which is very popular in Kuwait) and Italian.

Gold is considered of immense value by many in Kuwait, whether Kuwaitis, Arab expatriates or those from the Far East, and not just an ornament. Most gold jewellery sold is 21 or 22 carat, or sometimes 18 carat too. All gold sold must be hallmarked and the gold shops are inspected by the Government for quality. An official receipt, clearly showing the purity and weight of the gold, should always be demanded. Any doubts about the gold content and weight can be then resolved at the government assay office.

Gold jewellery is priced per gram. Jewellery is always weighed and the price of the piece calculated from the weight. The price quoted includes a charge for workmanship, and the buyer is advised to ask the price of the gold content, which tracks world market prices and fluctuates daily. The price for the workmanship stays fairly constant but varies according to how intricate the design is.
Pure gold can also be bought in bar form, in 10 gm, 100 gm and in kg bars, hallmarked accordingly. In some countries these are classified as bullion and expatriates intending to take gold home should check the legal position with their embassies.

Traditional Open Air and Friday Markets

Despite the influx of modern supermarkets and shopping malls, some of the traditional markets are still flourishing. The souk area in central Kuwait City retains some of its labyrinths of covered streets and passageways lined with stalls and shops.

The central city souk is, in fact, made up of the remains of about 20 different interconnecting souks, some removed by development, others destroyed by the invasion in 1990. The shops in each souk used to specialise in particular items, such as clothing, hardware, spices, etc. Many of these stalls and shops are still open for business. In the Souk Al-Hareem, for instance, women selling everyday items sit with their wares on a raised pedestal running down the centre of the street. Shopping in the area is an interesting and cheap alternative to the modern supermarkets and shopping malls, though bargaining is essential to secure a good price.
Traditional souks still survive in Kuwait, notably in Fahaheel and Jahra. Many of these souks have been reformed and reorganised. Courteous bargaining is essential.

Several open air Friday markets (Souk Al-Juma'a) operate from early morning until evening on that day, selling everything from second-hand furniture and clothes to carpets and antiques, as well as livestock of various types. Major Souk Al-Juma'as are in Al-Rai just off the 4th Ring Road, in Jahra and in Fahaheel.

Fresh Food

Most food shops in Kuwait sell a mixture of chilled or frozen products, and canned and preserved foods. However, plenty of fresh meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are readily available. The main large souks for fresh foods (meat, fruits and vegetables) are in Shuwaikh and in Fahaheel. Though these are essentially wholesale markets the vendors welcome all buyers. Prices are cheaper than at the large private supermarkets.

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be bought at several vegetable souks, such as the vegetable souk near the Hawalli Immigration roundabout in Salmiya. Most areas of Kuwait have a souk selling fresh vegetables. Bargaining is expected.

The main fish souks are on Arabian Gulf Street (just east of the Seif Palace), in Shuwaikh and in Fahaheel. The variety of fish and crustaceans, much of it from the Arabian Gulf, is superior to anything found in the world. Sold by the kilo or by the bucketful, prices are reasonable but seasonal. Fresh mutton is a traditional part of Kuwaiti cuisine. Fresh chicken shops are also found in most neighbourhoods.

Small bakeries are found in many areas of Kuwait. The bread, often Iranian style, is baked on the spot and presented in large rounds which can be easily carried away.
Modern shopping malls have become popular. There are many opportunities in Kuwait to buy clothing, household goods, cosmetics, perfumes, and other items imported from all over the world. There are numerous modern facilities with spacious walkways and attractive shop displays, such as the Salhiya Complex in the city, Al-Watiya behind the Sheraton Hotel, the Zahra Complex and Laila Galeria in Salmiya, the Muthana Complex across from Le Meridien, and the Al-Othman complex in Hawally. In addition, there are many major shopping areas, or souks, in districts such as Salmiya, Fahaheel, Hawally, and elsewhere. These offer not only consumer items but may also include opticians, travel agents, and amusement centers for children

D  Schools in Kuwait

Education plays a pivotal role in Kuwait’s development programmes. The government has been quick to realise the importance of improving the educational infrastructures, and oil has provided the money to do so.

There are a number of international schools in Kuwait. Most have come from the number of ex-patriots in Kuwait, who have moved to Kuwait mainly due to the infrastructure that depends on oil-related companies and investors.

Education and International Schools in Kuwait

The development of the educational system in Kuwait can be mostly attributed to the wealth that oil has brought to the country.
Oil production picked up in the post-World War II era and the government began investing large sums of money in social services, and education was one of its top priorities. In the 1960's there were several advances in education namely the Constitution of 1962 stipulates that education is assured thus reflecting the belief that education is a fundamental right of all citizens. Schooling was first made compulsory in 1965, and in 1967 a private school system re-emerged with the help of considerable government subsidies.

Education in Kuwait Today

Today, Kuwait's education system is larger than ever. There are currently close to 500,000 students enrolled in Kuwaiti schools, constituting approximately 30 percent of the entire population.

There are three levels of education in Kuwait – elementary, intermediate, and secondary. Each level involves around four years of study. Schooling usually begins at age six. Pre-school is available for four to six year olds, and students who complete their basic education can continue on to higher education. Students in all Kuwaiti schools study English beginning in the second grade.

Many people choose not to send their children to the government schools, but to private schools instead. There are many private schools in Kuwait, many of which have foreign sponsors and are coed. The Bayan Bilingual School, the American School of Kuwait, the American International School, the British School of Kuwait, and the French School are several of the many prestigious private schools available to the Kuwaiti population.

That isn’t to say that education had previously been unavailable in Kuwait, but limited resources, an insular attitude and the desire to retain the status quo meant that education had been basic and only the brightest pupils went on to higher education, and then only if their families could afford it.

The vast influx of foreigners into this formerly secluded region emphasised the need to ‘catch up’. Kuwait’s government realised that there was a need to provide a well-educated, resourceful local workforce for the future, displacing the continual need for expatriates to undertake even basic maintenance of state utilities. Major programmes for building schools and colleges of higher education were undertaken and continue to this day, and standards of education have been raised significantly. Arab students are now found in the world’s most prestigious universities, particularly in the UK and USA, where their skills equal those of their counterparts from other countries. The old view of the backward, ill-educated Arab has largely vanished, and the literacy rate in Kuwait is 79 per cent.

There’s a fairly wide choice of schools in Kuwait, although state (i.e. government-funded) schools aren’t usually an option for foreign children. These are attended by local and expatriate Arabs, who share culture, language and religion. The private sector provides for the expatriate communities, and its schools are generally of a reasonable standard, especially for primary education. However, a child’s secondary education is sometimes better provided for in their home country. The Ministry of Education controls standards in the state schools and have some influence over the establishment, legitimacy and running of those in the private sector, in some instances stipulating that school hours and days match those of the state schools.

A key decision for expatriates with school-age children (particularly those at secondary school age) is whether to send them to boarding school in their home country and, if so, at what age? First, do you want to be separated from your child(ren) for months at a time? Do you feel it important that your children are brought up exposed to and aware of their national culture and environment by being educated at home?

 On the other hand, Kuwait is a wonderful environment for children, being safe and clean, with plenty of opportunities for exercise and sports, and with sunshine, sea and beautiful beaches; do you want to deprive them of all this by packing them off to boarding school in a country which may lack these advantages? You’re advised to listen to advice from other expatriates who have made these difficult decisions.

When deciding on the type of education best suited to your child(ren)’s needs, you should also ask yourself the following questions:

• Are Kuwait’s educational system and examination qualifications recognised in your home country, the country in which your child will probably eventually have to make his way?
• When your child returns to your native country, will his education be ahead of or behind that of his peers?
• What is the academic record of the school you propose to select?

State or Private School?

How to make the right choice ?

Note that in many cases state schools aren’t an option, and that the vast majority of non-Arab expatriates send their children to private schools.

• If you’re non-Muslim, you might not be allowed access to state schools. Even if you are, local Arab children and children of Arab expatriates are likely to have priority over other foreigners for places, which might be scarce.
• How long do you envisage staying in the region? If you don’t know, assume it will be for two years, in which case you should opt for a private school. If you think that you will be in the region for many years, you might consider a state school to teach your child the local culture, although very few expatriates send their children to state schools even in these circumstances.
• Will cultural differences cause problems? Sending your child(ren) to a state school will to a large extent remove them from the expatriate community.
• What about religion? Islam is the fundamental way of life in the Arab world and pressure might be exerted for your children to convert. Muslims believe that all of us are born Muslim, some people moving away from the ‘truth’ later.
• If your work prospects indicate a long-term future for your family in Kuwait, you might see your child’s integration into the local community as important. A later switch to private education, however, might prove difficult and stall your child’s development.
• Note also that naturalisation and citizenship are very rarely granted to foreigners, even in the long-term, so your child(ren) are unlikely ever to be assimilated fully into the local culture.
• An obvious obstacle is the use of the Arabic language in state schools. The curriculum is entirely Arabic-based (English is taught only as a foreign language), although with very young children this isn’t a problem, as they adapt so easily.
• Will you be able to help your children with their education, particularly in view of the language barrier?
• Is special or extra tutoring available in Arabic?
• What are the school days and hours?Are they similar to the hours you do at work? Will school holidays align easily with your periods of leave?
• Do you want your child to attend a co-educational or single sex school? In the Arab state system, schools are single sex, whereas most private schools are co-educational.
• You should also consider the advantages and disadvantages of private schools in the Gulf. If you decide to educate your child(ren) in the state system, you must visit the Ministry of Education offices for information about availability, qualifications and procedures.

International Schools in Kuwait

http://www.kuwaitiah.net/schools1.html#Tahreer%20English%20School

expatriates, the British Council is a useful source of information about educational establishments. Enrolment in private schools usually involves an interview with parent and child, and might also involve an examination (only for the child, you will be relieved to know!).

Hours & Holidays

There are many different types of school in Kuwait, offering different curricula to children of various cultural backgrounds, and school hours and holidays vary accordingly, although a school day running from around 8am to 2.30pm is common, from Saturday to Wednesday inclusive. Some schools – particularly those catering for children of Asian workers – operate from early morning to evening, in two shifts.

Fees

The cost of private education can be high, but in some cases the fees are paid by your employer as part of your contract. It’s vitally important to be aware of the cost of private schooling over the course of a child’s education, particularly if this will include university. What might begin as a manageable expense can quickly become a major financial encumbrance if there are regular increases in fees, as there often are.

Choosing a Private School
What to take into account ?

The following checklist is designed to help you to choose a private school:

          Does the school have a good reputation and how long has it been established?

• Does the school have a good academic record? What percentage of its pupils obtain examination passes and go on to higher education?
• What does the curriculum include?
• Which country’s curriculum is followed?
• Which examinations are set? Are the examinations recognised overseas, particularly in your country of origin? Do they fit in with your child’s future educational plans? Ask to see a typical pupil’s timetable to check the ratio of academic to non-academic subjects.
• Check the number of free study periods and the level of supervision.
• How large are the classes and what’s the teacher/pupil ratio? Does the stated class size tally with the number of desks in the classrooms? Many schools provide a senior pupil to take prospective parents around the school and this can give a valuable insight into what the actual conditions are like.
• What standard of teaching equipment is in regular use, e.g. projection and visual aids, computer hardware and types of software?
• Is computer training available?
• Which countries do most of the pupils come from?
• Does religion play a part in the school?
• Are intensive English or Arabic lessons provided for children who don’t reach the required standard. (Arabic is unlikely to be mandatory in foreign schools).
• What language lessons are available?
• What is the pupil turnover?
• What are the qualification requirements for teachers? What nationalities are the majority of the teachers? Ask for a list of the teaching staff and their qualifications.
• What is the teacher turnover? A high teacher turnover can be a bad sign and sometimes suggests poorly paid teachers and/or poor working conditions, although staff turnover in the region is rapid in many professions.
• What kind of discipline and punishment are applied and for which offences?
• What type of school reports are provided and how often?
• What sports instruction and facilities are provided? Where are the facilities located?
• What sort of school trips are organised? Are they always properly supervised?
• Is transport to and from school provided? Is there teacher supervision on the buses?
• What security arrangements are in place? What about the pickup of children at the end of school?
• What medical facilities are provided? Where are the nearest clinics and hospitals?
• What are the school terms and holidays?
• What are the fees and when are they payable?
• What extras must you pay for? These can include food, art supplies, sports equipment, excursions, uniforms and clothing, health and accident insurance, text books and stationery.
• What are the withdrawal conditions, should you wish or need to remove your child? A term’s notice is usually required. You’re likely to have paid some form of financial deposit when your child begins at the school and this will cover the school in the case of withdrawal.

Having made your choice of school, you should monitor your child’s progress and listen to his views. Compare your findings with those of other parents. If something isn’t right, see if there are grounds for complaint and take action if necessary. You or your employer are paying for your child’s education and you should ensure that you’re receiving value for money.

Private schools are common in Kuwait, mainly to cater for the large expatriate communities.

Take Indian Schools List from Embassy site

The majority are managed by and run for English-speaking western expatriates, although many local families choose to send their children to these schools, perhaps in the belief that the tuition will be better and also because of the international importance of the English language.

There are schools for the children of Americans, British, French, Germans, Egyptians, Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Japanese and many other nationalities, as well as international schools catering for a variety of nationalities. The vast majority of private schools teach in English, including the Indian and Pakistani schools. Minority expatriate groups such as the Japanese, French and Germans tend to send their children to international schools, at which the main teaching language is English.

Some private establishments restrict enrolment to pupils of the relevant nationality, e.g. a British government-aided school. Others might have rules concerning religion. International schools tend to have fewer restrictions.

Most private schools are co-educational and provide tuition to children from pre-school nursery groups through to university entrance examinations, preparing them for a variety of examinations – often British A levels or the International Baccalaureate, which can be taken in the Gulf. There are also plenty of private pre-schools, including play groups, nurseries, kindergartens and infant schools. These schools are voluntary, but widely attended, partly because they allow expatriate mothers to socialise. Restrictions on wives securing work visas mean that they can feel isolated at home.

In general, standards at private schools are high, with small class sizes and modern facilities, but some parents find that their children have some catching up to do when they return to their home country. Some schools catering for pupils from India and Pakistan face heavy demand for places, due to the large number of workers from those countries. There can be severe overcrowding, pupils sometimes being taught in shifts.

Private foreign and international schools tend to have more relaxed, flexible regimes and curricula and to be less formal in terms of dress, behaviour and pupil/teacher relationships than their equivalents in Europe and North America. Some see this as a good thing, others as a negative. A drawback of private schools in the region is their high staff turnover. Like other expatriates, teachers tend to change jobs and locations quite frequently. This can lead to a lack of continuity in children’s education and be a disruptive influence.

Structure

The school structure varies between different types of school in Kuwait, but those catering for American, British, Indian and Pakistani pupils tend to be either primary (for children aged 4 to 11) or secondary (11 to 18). Those catering for children of other nationalities are usually divided into four categories, as follows:

Enrolment

Applications to private schools should be made as early as possible, particularly to international schools, which sometimes have waiting lists. You might need recent school reports or a previous headteacher’s letter of appraisal. For UK and other western