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BY JEREMY NEWTON, Director of Schools, British International School Riyadh (BISR)
GULF TIME
A Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 1979, the British International School Riyadh (BISR) stands at the heart of the expatriate experience in Saudi Arabia. As the largest and most established British international school in Riyadh, BISR is renowned for academic excellence, strong values, and a welcoming, inclusive community.
With over 2,900 students from 91 nationalities across seven campuses, and a governance model including a British Embassy representative, BISR maintains close ties with the Embassy and partners like BAE Systems, offering the best of British education in the Kingdom—nurturing both intellect and character.
Our accreditations reflect our commitment to quality: we are a CIS Internationally Accredited School, a BSO Inspected & DfE Accredited school, and a proud BSME Accredited Member. In 2025, BISR was honoured in the Spear’s Schools Index — Top 100 Private Schools in the World — a testament to our deep roots and global reputation.
Regional Benchmarking: How BISR Compares
In a region full of educational innovation, BISR stands alongside the Gulf’s leading COBIS and embassy-connected British schools, such as Dubai College, Doha College, and St Christopher’s Bahrain. Like these institutions, BISR offers a rigorous British curriculum from Early Years to post-16 pathways, guided by a faculty rich in international experience.
What sets BISR apart is our holistic approach. United across seven campuses, we foster a vibrant student experience, enriched by over 200 co-curricular opportunities per term, 50 learning journeys annually, and more than 20 sports teams encouraging resilience and teamwork. Where others may prioritise selectivity, BISR champions inclusion, enrichment, and wellbeing. Our diverse, globally mobile community is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and shared purpose. Here, every child is encouraged not only to succeed, but to flourish.
A Look Back: From 1979 to Today
BISR’s story began in 1979, a defining year in Saudi Arabia’s history. Amid social and geopolitical shifts, a small international school opened in a Riyadh villa, welcoming expatriate families seeking continuity and high-quality education. From those early days, BISR has grown alongside the Kingdom. Today, with 7 outstanding campuses (Al Sharq, Al Saqr, Al Hamra, Al Waha, Diplomatic Quarter, Tabuk & Taif), we remain true to our core purpose: to inspire, include, and empower.
The newly opened Al Waha campus marks our next chapter. On a 50,000-square-meter site, this purpose-built campus offers dedicated zones for Primary and Senior students, a sixth-form centre, STEAM facilities, drama and music studios, auditorium, library, swimming pool, and sports grounds, a world-class environment for learning and personal growth.
A Kingdom Transformed: Vision 2030 and the New Saudi Arabia
Vision 2030 marked a historic turning point for Saudi Arabia. As King Salman said: “Our goal is to be a pioneering and successful global model of excellence.” This vision places education at the heart of transformation, calling on schools to raise aspirations, equip future leaders, and celebrate diversity.
Education funding and reform have followed: in 2021, SAR 186 billion was allocated to education, representing 18.79% of government expenditure. Saudi Arabia is moving decisively towards its ambitions.
A Changing Expat Landscape
Today’s expatriate families in Riyadh are more diverse and globally mobile. As Saudi Arabia opens up, their needs are changing—they seek schools offering academic rigour, well-being, creativity, character development, and community.
At BISR, we meet their needs with robust academic and vocational pathways (IGCSE, A-Level, IB, BTEC), emphasis on student voice and leadership, strong pastoral care, proactive safeguarding, and programmes fostering ethical thinking and global citizenship.
Realigning Heritage with Vision: Why BISR Must Evolve
BISR is not just a school with a strong past, but a powerful purpose. We are realigning our heritage with new aspirations, ensuring students are well-educated, confident, kind, and courageous contributors.
This evolution is underway: cultivating reflection, resilience, and responsible risk-taking; embracing diversity; encouraging learning from challenges; and grounding all in
dignity, sustainability, and civic engagement.
My Role: Leading BISR Into the Future with REACH 2030
As Director of Schools from August 2025, I introduce REACH 2030—our strategic vision:
• Respect
• Excellence
• Accountability
• Challenge
• Happiness
REACH 2030 will personalise learning, invest in well-being, grow staff leadership, and ensure our school remains a model of excellence, inclusion, and purpose-driven education. Town hall meetings will invite students, parents, staff, and partners to shape our future together.
A School of Legacy and Impact
For 45 years, BISR has been a beacon of British education in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom rewrites its future, we are proud to play our part—preparing students for life, not just tests. With a focus on Learning, Enrichment, Well-being, and belief in human potential, BISR is where young people thrive, belong, and lead.