St Christopher’s School Bahrain

Focus

Educating for a shared humanity

Day fees 2024/25

$12,200–$22,800

Pupils

2,400

Ages

3–18

Spear’s Review

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 the latest pedagogical strategies to ensure that students are equipped with the best tools to enhance their learning. 

Academics

58 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

53 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A. 

Average IB score is 36.0.

School Profile

St Christopher’s School in Bahrain has earned an exemplary global reputation as a gateway to the world’s top universities. Celebrating over six decades of excellence, the school has evolved from its humble beginnings into Bahrain’s foremost private British-curriculum institution, now serving nearly 2,300 students from Nursery through Sixth Form.

Since 2021, St Christopher’s has consistently ranked among the ‘Top 100 Schools In The World’ and has secured the highest ratings in its previous four BSO inspections. It proudly hosts a diverse student body from 70 different nations, with alumni achieving significant success in higher education and their professional careers.

The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including a FIFA-standard artificial grass football pitch and a temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool, providing an ideal environment for sports enthusiasts.

Looking ahead, St Christopher’s is excited about the upcoming opening of a new state-of-the-art senior school campus in September 2026, which will further enhance its educational offerings and facilities. The New Senior School is on a plot of 100,000 square metres, with a 50m pool, three outdoor pitches, 750 seat auditorium and many more first class facilities.

St Christopher’s is committed to nurturing its students’ academic and extracurricular passions. The philosophy of providing an ‘Education for a Shared Humanity’ underscores its belief in continuous personal development, aiming to cultivate ‘Role Models for the World’.

The school offers a comprehensive education that extends beyond academics to include a broad spectrum of extracurricular activities. Its extensive programme of sports, arts, societies, events, community service and international trips enables students to discover and pursue diverse interests, enhancing their school experience and fostering personal growth. This holistic approach ensures that students not only excel academically but also develop into well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive impact in the world.

University and college destinations

St Christopher’s School Bahrain has a strong track record of its graduates gaining acceptance to prestigious universities globally. Alumni have been accepted into top UK institutions, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and UCL. In the US, graduates have gone to universities including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia and John Hopkins to name a few. Canadian universities such as McGill and the University of Toronto are common choices, as are Australian institutions such as the University of Melbourne.

Head teacher

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

Watson holds various qualifications including a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard and a PhD in mathematics from the University 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. His career has taken him from the UK to the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Denmark, Malaysia and now Bahrain.

Admissions

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. 

Accessibility

Bahrain International Airport: 30 minutes

Location

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