SENIOR SCHOOL
WELCOME HANDBOOK
Dear Parents,
I wish you a very warm welcome to the British School of Bahrain. We are committed to ensuring the very best for our students in terms of their academic, emotional and social development.
Our aim is always to support every student as they settle into the school, become familiar with daily routines and start to make new friends. Our dedicated Support360 Team and student ambassadors are ready to support this at every step.
The first day of school for new students and all sixth form students is Thursday 27th August, where all new students in Years 7 to Years 11 are expected to attend from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This day should make the transition a little easier, as this will give your child a chance to ask any questions they may have about starting school, as well as familiarise themselves with the campus.
Sixth form students will follow a slightly different schedule, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, where they will finalise subject choices and timetables.
The BSB is a vibrant learning community in which all students are challenged, stimulated, cared for and supported. This is underpinned by respect: respect between groups of students, groups of staff and respect between staff and students. Full attendance and punctuality are key elements of student respect and we set high standards in these areas. We will always endeavour to reward good behaviour and seek to ensure students enjoy school as well as achieve the very best they can.
The form tutor is the first point of call for enquiries and you should keep up to date via the school's weekly newsletter, sent to all parents every Thursday evening at 6:00 pm.
I look forward to working with you and your child. We take pride in our friendly and supportive school environment, and we hope that you and your child will enjoy playing a full part in enhancing the quality of the school community and the international ideals of the school.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any queries; I wish you and your child all the best as you join us here at the British School of Bahrain.
Kenneth Winstanley Head of Senior School
Admissions Checklist Reminders
Please ensure the following items have been completed before your child commences at the British School of Bahrain.
Submitted the following documents to the Admissions Office by email:
Passport copies of child, father and mother Bahrain CPR or Saudi Iqama (once available) Fill the Emergency Contact Form. Click here
Update us with your Bahraini or Saudi contact numbers Paid the Registration Fees. Paid Term 1 invoice for Tuition Fees.
First Day of School for New Students
Year 7 to Year 13
First day of school For New Students Will Be Thursday 27th August 2026
Starts at 8:45 AM Ends at 12:00 PM. Starts at 8:45 AM Ends at 12:00 PM (Students must bring their laptops with them)
Please make sure your child is wearing their school uniform and has a snack and a water bottle with them.
Drop Off
Please make your way to our Reception Area, where the Academic Team will be available to greet you and your child for their orientation on the first day.
Pick-up
For pick-up, parents must collect the children from the Reception Area at 12:00 PM.
School Routine
Times of the School Day – Sunday 30th August
Starts at 7:45 AM & Ends at 3:00 PM.
Drop Off
The site opens at 7:00 AM for early drop-off, including some extracurricular sports and academic support sessions. The main doors open at 7:30 AM Classroom doors open at 7:45 AM and lessons begin at 8:00 AM. Students are dropped off at the main doors of the Senior School Building and the children must make their way to class. Parents are not allowed to enter the school building at drop-off.
Pick-up
For pick-up, parents must collect the children any gate at 3:00 PM
If your child has registered for after-school ECAs, then you can pick them up from the main doors of the Senior School Building at 4:00 PM
We also offer study support sessions for all examination subjects in Years 10-13, and in core subjects for Years 7-9. They take place before school, at break times and after school.
School Information
Settling In Week
Timetables
A class timetable, indicating the timings of specialist lessons is available on the isams Parent Portal. (You will receive your login details from the IT Department before your child starts school)
On PE days, children should come to school wearing PE kit. They will wear this throughout the day, There is no need to change.
Extra-Curricular Activities
At the start of each term, parents of children in Year 7 to Year 13 will receive a list of extracurricular activities offered. Please follow the sign-up procedure sent separately, to reserve a space in your child’s preferred activities.
Please note that spaces are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Popular activities tend to fill up very quickly when the sign-up opens.
Some sports team training takes place before school, from 6:30 AM and 7:30 AM
School Information
The BSB House System
On joining the BSB, all students will join one of the four BSB Houses. Houses are automatically allocated on joining and as a general rule students will remain in the same House throughout their BSB journey.
Where possible we ensure that siblings are assigned to the same House. Students will be able to join the many House competitions and activities throughout the school year to earn House Points. House Points are also used to reward positive effort, progress and for demonstrating the BSB values in action.
School Information
School Information
Uniform
The BSB school uniform is designed to be comfortable, smart and practical for the local environment.
BSB School Uniform Policy
Uniforms are available for purchase at the BSB Uniform Shop, located near the school's main entrance.
BSB Uniform Shop Opening Hours:
Summer Break
Sun to Thurs (8:00 AM - 3:30 PM) Sat (8:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
School Days
Sun to Thurs (7:30 AM to 3:30 PM) Sat (8:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
To ensure that lost items can promptly be returned to the rightful owner, please label all clothing with your child's full name and class.
Contact the Uniform Shop: +973 1761 0824
School Information Healthy Snacks
There are two break times during the school day. We promote healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle and we ask parents to ensure that the snacks children bring to school are healthy and nourishing. We encourage individuality and celebrate our cultural diversity at snack time.
Children will also need a water bottle, clearly marked with their full name, to stay hydrated throughout the day.
We ask that parents do not include sweets, chocolates or nut-based products, including Nutella. Although we appreciate that nuts are a healthy food, we do have children in school who have severe allergies to nuts.
We are therefore a ‘NUT FREE’ school.
Canteen
You may register for our Canteen using the Spare App to access our daily menu of fresh food and beverages.
Please note that our canteen operates a cashless system. All purchases will need to be made through the student’s ID Card, which can be topped up with credit from the Spare App.
School Information
Communication
Parents are very welcome at the BSB, and we actively encourage parents to get involved with the education of their children.
Parents are invited to a class Welcome Talk at the beginning of the academic year to meet the teacher and discuss important information about your child’s education.
Coffee Mornings
At the beginning of each academic term, the school hosts a coffee morning for parents to meet with academic staff and other parents. This date will be shared with you as the academic year starts.
Weekly Correspondence
Each Thursday, all BSB families will also receive the Sway Newsletter from the Executive Head. This is a celebration of the week’s successes and has a link to the whole school calendar for the week ahead.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are held each term for different year groups. Parents will be invited to two conferences for their child during the academic year. These conferences provide parents with an on-going account of their child’s progress and next steps. If parents seek an additional meeting with a teacher, these can be arranged easily via email.
End of Term Reports
Written reports are sent home three times a year, at the end of each term.
School Information
Mr. Andrew Rogers
Deputy Head: Senior School
Ms.
Christine Downey
Deputy Head & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mr. Martin Prinsloo
Deputy Head: Senior School
Mr. Max Patrick
Director of Pastoral Care
TERM DATES 2026-2027
Term 1
Thursday 27 August 2026: New Students Only
Sunday 30 August 2026: All Students Return
Sunday 25 - Thursday 29 October 2026: Half Term Break
Sunday 1 November 2026: Student and Parent Conferences
Tuesday 15 December 2026 (Early Finish): Last Day of Term
Term 2
Sunday 3 January 2027: Start Term 2
Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 February 2027: Half Term Break
Sunday 21 February 2027: Student and Parent Conferences
**Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 March 2027**: Eid Al Fitr
Thursday 25 March 2027 (Early Finish): Last Day of Term
Term 3
Wednesday 7 April 2027: Start Term 3
Saturday 1 May 2027: Labour Day
**Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May 2027**: Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha
**Saturday 5 June 2027**: Islamic New Year
**Tuesday 15 June and Wednesday 16 June 2027**: Ashoora
Thursday 24 June 2027 (Early Finish): Last Day of Term
**Subject to changes based on confirmation of Islamic Holidays
BritishSchoolBahrain
British School of Bahrain
British School of Bahrain