St Christopher’s School Bahrain

Focus

Educating for a shared humanity

Day fees

$9,000–$22,000

Pupils

2,325

Ages

3–18

Academics

59 per cent of IGCSE results are 7–9 grades.

55 per cent of A-Level results are A* or A grades.

Average IB score is 36.

Spear’s Review

Achieving the ‘Gold Standard’ by British Schools Overseas (a UK governmental inspection scheme), St Christopher’s is a leading school among expatriates residing in Bahrain. It has close ties to the country’s government, with top students selected for HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s scholarship programme. 

The school believes in instilling in its students characteristics central to their future success: compassion, confidence, commitment, courage, creativity and curiosity. 

Established in 1961, St Christopher’s is one of the oldest schools in the country. It relies on metacognition and pedagogical strategies to ensure that students are equipped with the best tools to enhance their learning. 

School Profile

St Christopher’s School boasts an outstanding global reputation of being the stepping stone to the world’s top universities. Starting from modest beginnings 63 years ago, St Christopher’s has now grown to be Bahrain’s premier private British-curriculum school with almost 2,400 students ranging from Nursery to Sixth Form. 

St Christopher’s School is the only school in Bahrain that has been consistently placed among the ‘Top 100 Schools In The World’ since 2021 and has achieved the coveted ‘Gold Standard’ – the highest possible ratings in all school inspections. The school proudly boasts a multinational student body from 70 different nations, and alumni have gone on to have tremendous success in their tertiary education, careers and lives. 

St Christopher’s boasts exceptional facilities, including the latest-generation, FIFA Standard artificial grass football pitch as well as a fully shaded seven-a-side pitch. The heated and chilled air-conditioned indoor pool is the ideal setting for keen swimmers. 

St Christopher’s prides itself on empowering its young students to pursue their passions: academic and extra-curricular. Through providing an ‘Education for a Shared Humanity’, the notion that personal development is always possible is embedded in all that the school does. It strives to create ‘Role Models for the World’.

In addition to offering a world-class education, St Christopher’s firmly believes in an all-round education where academic pursuits are supported by expansive extra-curricular opportunities. The school’s wide-ranging programme of activities, sports, arts, societies, events, community service and overseas trips allows pupils to find alternative avenues of interest to explore and enjoy. By involving the pupils in this rich programme, it is hoped that their enjoyment of school life will be enhanced and personal skills will be developed.

Head teacher

Dr Simon Watson joined St Christopher’s School as principal in August 2018. This is his third leadership role, after Copenhagen International School and Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar (KTJ), one of Malaysia’s premier international schools. While at KTJ, he was chair of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia, the Asian equivalent of the British Schools in the Middle East. 

Dr Watson holds a BSc (Hons) in mathematics from the University of Warwick, a PGCE from the University of Keele and a PhD in mathematics from the University of Bristol. He began his career in 1993 as a teacher of mathematics at Gravesend Grammar School for Boys and has worked in international education since 1999, with a brief spell back in the UK. 

Dr Watson believes in providing the academic and pastoral framework that allows children to thrive, complementing this with a rich array of extracurricular activities. 

Admissions

According to the school:

Admission is subject to assessment criteria that will vary according to the child’s age. Those entering Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are, where possible, observed on the school’s premises in a play-based assessment. For Years 3 to 10, tests of English, mathematical ability and general ability will be given – becoming more formal with the increasing age of the child. Reports from previous schools will be assessed, as will any academic examinations already taken. Occasionally an interview will be held or previous schoolwork may be requested. 

University and college places

20 per cent of Oxbridge applicants are successful.

40 per cent of Ivy League applicants are successful.

Accessibility

Bahrain International Airport; 30 minutes

Location

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