British International School Al Khobar

What the school is

History, governance and curriculum

BISAK was established for Al Khobar’s British community. Its handbook describes community and British Embassy support, while published profiles describe a Board of Governors with embassy and parent representation. These institutional connections are part of its history and governance; the school’s admissions policy separately sets out priority categories.

The school moved to its purpose-built As Sadafah campus in September 2019. A recruitment brief values the project at SAR 20 million. BISAK appears in the UK Department for Education register under URN 132669. Published profiles identify Stephen Viner as principal, following his arrival as Head of Secondary in 2010 and appointment as principal in 2016. BSME, AoBSO, COBIS and IAPS memberships are separate from the BSO inspection judgement.

The Prep School covers Nursery–Year 6, followed by Senior School and Sixth Form. Early years follow EYFS, Years 1–9 the English National Curriculum, Years 10–11 GCSE/IGCSE courses and sixth form AS/A levels. A secondary review describes entry requirements of five GCSE grades at 5 or above, with at least 6 expected in English and mathematics. It also lists optional after-school Arabic for Prep pupils at SAR 9,200 annually; check the applicable timetable and price.

Academics in practice

The February 2025 BSO inspection — and the results behind it

Penta International inspected BISAK under the British Schools Overseas framework in February 2025 and judged it Outstanding in all areas. The report summary praises pupil behaviour and leadership. Development points include sharing effective practice more widely and giving senior pupils more opportunities to direct their own learning. The inspection judges BISAK against the BSO standards, not against other schools.

For 2024–25, BISAK reported 241 grades at 9–7 from 487 I/GCSE entries, approximately half of entries. It also reported that 85% of pupils achieved five or more grades at 9–4 including English and mathematics, compared with 94% the previous year. Entries and pupils are different measures. Cohort sizes and subject-level results are needed to interpret changes; the figures alone do not explain why they occurred.

The A-level list in the secondary review covers around 13 subjects, with no arts subjects or BTEC pathway listed. The review also says the Duke of Edinburgh International Award was not offered. Those descriptions may not capture later changes. Students with a particular arts, vocational or university requirement should obtain the current options list and discuss subject availability.

Admissions and cost

Fees, the Capitation Fee, and a published queue

BISAK’s Ministry of Education-approved 2026/27 schedule sets annual tuition at SAR 43,735.60 for Nursery, SAR 57,012.10 for Years 1–2, SAR 61,904 for Years 3–6, SAR 64,539 for Years 7–9, SAR 76,839.75 for Years 10–11 and SAR 79,023 for Years 12–13, before 15% VAT. With VAT the range is SAR 50,295.94 to SAR 90,876.45 a year. The fees cover 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 and exclude transport, uniform, trips and books.

On application the school takes a one-off Capitation fee of SAR 16,000 per child (SAR 10,000 to return within 12 months of leaving; the table also labels that row “second child onwards”, so ask whether it applies to siblings). It is not part of tuition and does not guarantee a place: it is refunded in full if no assessment takes place, less SAR 2,500 per assessment otherwise, and is non-refundable once a place is offered. The handbook lists no sibling tuition discount. Tuition is invoiced annually in advance on 28-day terms, and refund requests must reach the school by 1 August for autumn or 14 days before the preceding term’s last working day for spring and summer.

The published waiting-list policy prioritises British passport holders and then registration date. A June 2024 school notice described additional Year 1 and Year 4 classes, which shows past expansion rather than current availability. Ask the registrar about the intended entry year, assessment, offer deadlines and the position of your application.

The family experience

Campus access and school life

The campus is in As Sadafah. Ronda Compound advertises internal access to BISAK, which may be useful for families considering housing there. From other addresses, arrival and collection times shape the school run, and a quoted drive to the causeway leaves out the border crossing and onward journey.