Over 29 Years of Delivering Premium Education
Our school delivers outstanding education on a single, purpose-built campus and is divided into three sections: Infant School, Junior School, and Senior School. Each section is led by a Head of School and overseen by our Executive Headmaster. A BSB education is designed to nurture the characters of young individuals by fostering values and developing their academic, sporting and artistic talents.
The BSB's Vision Statement
The British School of Bahrain will continue to be the leading school in Bahrain, utilising the Inspired Group network of premium schools to offer a world-class education, rooted in character-forming values and a student-centred ethos.
We Achieve Excellence
Through doing as well as knowing;
Through constantly challenging ourselves to do better;
Through our determination to succeed;
Through our perseverance in the face of challenge; and
Through our enjoyment of learning.
We Embrace Responsibility
For our own learning.
For our words and actions.
For our local and international community.
We Celebrate Individuality
By ensuring a variety of approaches to teaching and learning.
By showing respect for other people’s opinions, beliefs and traditions.
By exploring different approaches to solving problems.
By promoting team spirit and diversity.
Hear From Our Headmistress
A very warm welcome to the British School of Bahrain. I am proud to lead this distinguished and successful school where happy, confident students, inspiring teachers, and a beautiful modern campus combine to create an innovative, ambitious, welcoming, vibrant, and nurturing environment for your children.
Our ‘family first’ approach ensures that BSB maintains its long-standing heritage as the leading community school of choice in Bahrain. BSB is a friendly, inclusive, tolerant, and diverse international community where our unique 360° approach to wellbeing ensures that people are always the key focus. It is our privilege to build an active and open partnership with you and your children. We are a school that listens, and your voice will be heard.
Our students are motivated to enjoy a wealth of new, exciting, and stimulating opportunities every single day. We encourage our students to become increasingly independent in their learning and develop their thinking to challenge and be challenged in return. We challenge our students to surpass expectations, whatever their ability. We celebrate achievements and pride ourselves on the personalised learning and individual attention we give to every child.
Our pioneering approach to learning ensures that academic outcomes are exceptional and that BSB students progress to pursue their further studies in some of the world’s leading universities. With that being said, we know that our students are not defined by qualifications alone. We uncover hidden talents and strive to bring out the best in everyone. We deliver a broad and holistic curriculum, underpinned by an extensive enrichment offering culminating in the exciting Beyond BSB programme.
BSB students leave school fully equipped with the skills, creativity, emotional intelligence and courage to lead, inspire and impact global change in the path that they choose. This website gives you a first glimpse into the BSB adventure, but our school is best experienced in person. We encourage you to visit the school for a personal tour and I look forward to welcoming you and your children.
- Mrs Liz Stanley, Headmistress
Leadership at Our School
Mrs Liz Stanley – Headmistress
Ms. Liz Stanley current serves as the Executive Head of the British School of Bahrain. Having raised standards in schools and delivered outstanding outcomes for over 20 years, she joins the British School of Bahrain following five years as Executive Principal at KGIS in Oman, also a member of the Inspired Education Group. It was clear from the very beginning of her journey at KGIS that the school had great potential to flourish and grow into a vibrant, creative and successful community of learning. KGIS is now a successful school of choice in Muscat and has seen an impressive 32% growth in the student body during Liz’s tenure as a result of its growing reputation for strong academic results that are consistently amongst the highest in the country. The development of the curriculum and extra-curricular provision mean that students now have access to the broadest range of subjects and opportunities in Oman. The School is now fully accredited by COBIS and BSO and is proud to be one of only two schools in the entire country to be fully COBIS and BSO accredited – a testament to the high standards and quality that have been instilled under Liz’s leadership.
Before moving to Oman, Liz was a Principal at GEMS Wellington Academy (WSO) in Dubai, a highly successful school of almost 4,000 students consistently rated as ‘outstanding’ by BSO. Recognised as one of the most forward thinking and innovative schools in the world, WSO was a pioneer for digital pedagogy, new technologies and blended learning long before the days of Covid-19! A key focus for her time at WSO was the personalisation of learning pathways, and this resulted in the development and implementation of the broadest Post 16 curriculum offering in the UAE, including IBDP, IBCP, A Level and BTEC qualifications providing a wide variety of routes to university for all students.
Prior to her time in Dubai, she held the position of Assistant Principal at Chobham Academy in London – a flagship school built on the 2012 Olympic Park. Chobham Academy was awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted in all areas. Chobham Academy held a specialism in Performing Arts, and during her time there, Ms. Stanley introduced a unique programme that allowed every student from FS1 to Year 13 to benefit from instrumental tuition.
Liz is hugely proud to lead the British School of Bahrain. She stated, “my core belief is that every learner is entitled to quality teaching that challenges, engages and inspires them – every lesson – every day. I strongly believe in the importance of nurturing individual talents and developing the ‘whole-child’ whilst being always mindful that student outcomes are at the heart of what we do. I pride myself on being an open, approachable leader who listens to ensure that every member of our school community is empowered to achieve our shared vision. I know that in order to deliver outstanding provision, schools require strong leadership which is, rightfully, uncompromising in its ambition to raise standards and this is exactly what I aim to deliver.”
She grew up in the UK and began her career in education as a Music Teacher. She has a wealth of experience in educational leadership gained in the UK and internationally. She holds the prestigious NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) from UCL (University College London), as well as a degree from the University of London and PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) qualification from the University of Reading.
Awards & Accreditations
The BSB Student Profile: Leading by Example
Across all ages, students lead by example and are committed to community action and philanthropy. They are encouraged to have a solid ethical drive and effect positive change in their environment. Our students are happy, courageous, innovative, determined, honest and kind. Importantly, they have a passion for learning and possess a clear understanding of the world they want to live in.
UK Curriculum with a Global Outlook
Our high-quality curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and has been adapted to meet the needs of an international community within a British school environment. English is the medium of instruction; however, Arabic, the mother tongue of Bahrain, is a core subject taught in sets according to children's prior experience. Students learn in a diverse, welcoming environment and show mutual respect for the cultures, backgrounds, religious practices, and beliefs of all people in the school community.
A Fulfilling High School Experience
From Year 7 onwards, students are welcomed into our friendly High School community. In Years 10 and 11, we offer a choice between the GCSE, the IGCSE, and the BTEC to guide pupils towards success in their chosen areas of study and equip them with international qualifications. Our Sixth Form division continues to offer British education with A Levels. Towards the end of the year, students sit formal international examinations in preparation for university entrance.
In addition to exemplary academic tuition and unrivalled pastoral care, learners enjoy a vast range of extracurricular activities and several free weekly clubs. Currently, the school offers many excellent enrichment options, including drama lessons, music tuition, sports coaching and debate team membership. We encourage learners to take pride in their schooling, excel in their chosen activities, and become the best version of themselves possible.
Our History
In the summer of 1994, George Hawkins took on the roles of Consultant and Headteacher for what would become the British School of Bahrain. At that point, the school had no students, and Mr. Hawkins had the daunting task of convincing parents in Bahrain to enroll their children in our new school. He also had to recruit a team of teachers and lead them in preparing for the school's first term starting in January 1995.
Mr. Hawkins had been given the challenge of ensuring that we had at least 60 students at the outset, and by January, we had exceeded that goal with 90 students. In reality, we began teaching three students, all girls, in December 1994, even though our official start date was not until January 8th. On that day, we opened our doors with seven classes: KG/R, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5/6, and Y7, each with its own teacher. Four of these teachers had been appointed by the Head from the UK, while three were local hires.
Seven months later, our school had grown to include 14 classes spanning Key Stages 1-3. We had two Coordinators (Assistant Heads) overseeing KS1 and KS2/3, in addition to specialist teachers, support staff for students with individual needs, six teacher assistants, and various other team members.
When Mr. Hawkins and some of the staff eventually returned to the UK, our school had more than 200 students from over 40 different countries and a staff representing five different continents. The dedication and hard work of the initial team laid the strong foundations for the successful school we have today, 27 years later.
Meet Our Heads of School
At the British School of Bahrain, we offer an Outstanding education for students from 3 to 18 years of age, all within one purpose built campus. Our school is divided into three sections, each led by a Head of School and overseen by our Executive Headmaster.
Mrs. Julie Anne Gilbert
HEAD OF INFANT SCHOOL
Mr. Rob Howe
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Mr. Wayne Ridgway
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Testimonials
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Discover how we can nurture your child's talents and abilities with rewarding opportunities, a child-centred approach, and extensive curriculum options.
