British School Bahrain achieves IB world school

British School Bahrain (BSB) has become the newest member of an ever growing global community of schools offering the International Baccalaureate in 147 different countries.

Students will be able to take the IB Diploma Programme at the school, with the first cohort commencing their studies on 28th August 2016. 

The IB has a positive impact on students, schools and their wider communities with learning going well beyond the classroom. Its unique and innovative approach to learning means both students and teachers are genuinely engaged with the programs and benefit from being a part of an unparalleled global network. Students are able to participate in international conferences and educators work with their peers internationally to ensure that the IB remains at the cutting edge of international education. 

Mr Khalil Ahmed, Head of Secondary School says: 

“We wanted to offer our students a more holistic education which will instil in them the skills, knowledge, and outlook to succeed in the 21st century, both in their local community and in the wider world. At the same time, we wanted give our teachers the opportunity to be a part of an international network of experts leading the field in education. We are delighted to become an IB World School and we look forward to reaping the many benefits of the programme. 

Mr Dan McHugh, IB Coordinator says:

“I am personally thrilled that the BSB has gained authorisation as an International Baccalaureate World School as it validates the immense work that our teachers have done planning and preparing to deliver this great curriculum. Offering the Diploma Programme, alongside our existing A-level and BTEC offering, means the BSB now offers the broadest curriculum offering for 16-19 year olds in Bahrain. The school has invested heavily in staff training and resources, and in August 2016 we can boast that 100% of our staff delivering the IB Diploma Programme will have completed accredited IB training. But just as importantly, we have spent two years helping to prepare our first cohort of IB students for the challenge of their final two years of school, and we continue to do so for our younger students. In fact, everyone at the school cannot wait for that first lesson in August; it marks the end of a successful chapter in the school’s history and the start of a new, and I believe even more successful, one.”

Adrian Kearney, Regional Director IB Africa, Europe, Middle East says:

 “The IB is recognized across the world for its innovative approach to education. We strongly believe that it is important to place an equal focus on academics and other, transferrable skills, in order to best prepare students for success beyond secondary school. 

 “That British School Bahrain has now successfully completed the authorization process and can now start offering the IB marks an exciting time for British School Bahrain and more importantly, for the students who will benefit from an IB education.”

When contacted Marya Abdulkarim, Year 11 student said: 

Why did you choose the IB Diploma Programme?

I chose the IB because I don’t want to be limited to doing just three or four subjects - I have an interest in so much more! Even though I’m taking History, Geography and English at Higher Level I think that Biology is so interesting and the IB Diploma gives me a chance to do that too. Plus, I get to learn a language while still doing other subjects. Also, the IB doesn’t restrict me to just traditional academic subjects. For instance, we have CAS and after all these years at school, sometimes feeling like I’m a machine, the chance to develop as a person really excites me.

What are you looking forward to most?

I’m looking forward to everything honestly, mainly the Theory of knowledge course because I’ve obviously never done that before but it sounds great! Also, I can’t wait to start the extended essay because I will get to do in-depth research into a topic I really like!