St. Christopher's School

• Does anyone have any general knowledge about this school, or possibly know someone who works (has worked) there? A friend is applying, and I'm wondering what the general reputation is, for teachers and students, alike.

  21 May 2007, 10:20 Pete

Replies

• good choice

  HMC, one of the best schools in the Middle East. A job at the equivalent school in the UK would be top-class.

  Nils 21 May 2007, 10:22 - Report

• St. Christopher's School

  is it better then the british school of bahrain?

  suzy 03 Oct 2007, 03:24 - Report

• british school v St Chris

  St Chris is considered better than the British school. It is difficult to get a place as it is oversubscribed. It has its share of problems though and many parents are not too happy ATM. Problems with A level English last year - kids taught wrong curriculum. Same with GCSE science this year.

  ex-pat brit 23 Oct 2007, 07:18 - Report

• St Chris

  I used to go to St Chris and it is really good. When I came back to the UK I was at least 3 grades ahead of everyone else.

  Chaz 03 Dec 2007, 01:39 - Report

• st chris bahrain

  hi , i left st. chris about 2 years ago at the end of year 13(upper six) and i had been attending the school since year 7. if you are lookin for a school in bahrain to attend i would strongly recomend st. chris even though the british school is a good place, they lack in subjects to do at a level in in various other areas. st. chris also has a much much larger campuss and is better situated. also most of the buildinsg are purpose built. and when u leave st. chris u are more than prepared for any other educational facility if not the open world. the staff are by far the major asset that the school has, not only are they friendly and helpfull but they also inforce the school regualtions and definately make you learn. i dont want this to make it seem like i worship the school or anythin but i am slightly loyal to it as you would be and it is very diferrent to any other school i have attended or any of my friends have. but it is a good place to learn and attend. hope i have been helpfull

  p 20 Jan 2008, 06:47 - Report

• bris school vs st chris

  although st chris has a much bigger campus, they have still failen to teach the correct curriculum in ceratin subjects (sciencegcse and english a-level) for two years running.
  
  The BSB is alocating to a much bibigger campus. Our (british school) gcse results were better than st chris's. To add, there is generally more attention towards students at britsh school.
  
  Also, socially, st chris has been reputed for some bullying and other unacceptable social activiteis (not to mention regular fights and racial descrimination)

  AC 18 Mar 2008, 05:36 - Report

• St Chris

  I taught in St Chris for 3 years there was serious work place bullying going on .AlI reports of same fell on deaf ears,senior management corrupt & employed like minded peope in senior positions.! The current Principal Ed Goodwin is under the spotlight now. a teacher & parent have taken legal action against him ,his sins have finally caught up with him I hope
  Despite all that, I met some great people there & had good times as well as awful ones.

  Anslow 10 Apr 2008, 08:23 - Report

• international schools in bahrain

  There is a possibility that we may shift to bahrain in the summer.
  St christopher, British schhool of bahrain and one more school which has IB is what i have shorlisted. I am not sure if there are other schools (American school is very expensive) in bahrain.
  could anyone enlighten me on schools , on areas as curricullam, social behavior and teacher student relatioship. this will really be a help to me.
  thanks
  raj

  rajani 18 Apr 2008, 10:33 - Report

• international schools in bahrain

  Hi, the ib school is naseem international school.
  thaks
  raj

  rajani 18 Apr 2008, 10:36 - Report

• st chris

  i went to st chris for 2 years and the teachers were utter shit and all they care about was apperance the only asset to the school is the pupils who are all kind and friendly
  ayn way the few good teachers have all been sacked or left because of rude jokes beening told eg mrs mangin was sacked of telling a rude joke mr boner left because he didn't agree with mrs mangin being sacked is just one example

  will 19 Apr 2008, 11:31 - Report

• To Will:

  "the teachers were utter shit"
  
  Judging by the standard of your English, one can only assume that you are indeed correct.

  CoolDude 28 Apr 2008, 03:11 - Report

• British School of Bahrain

  I am moving to Bahrain shortly from Kuwait and am looking for a British school. St. Cs is always highly recommended but I am seriously concerned about the content of the posts that I am reading here. Teaching the wrong curriculum once is just about forgiveable, but twice? I think I have to reconsider our options. Anyone know anymore about BSB for primary school age?

  Caz 07 May 2008, 08:51 - Report

• schools

  Dear all, How mush does it cost per year?

  Amira 07 May 2008, 10:20 - Report

• Cost

  Look on the websites. The schools publish their fees but don't forget you will need to factor in the cost of uniforma dn any activites after school that are not for free.

  Caz 08 May 2008, 03:10 - Report

• schools in bahrain

  hello,
  
  can anyone tell me pls if eithe St Chris' or the british school offer IB?

  Skud 08 May 2008, 09:13 - Report

• St. Christopher's

  St. CHristophers is one of the best mutlicutlral schools in bahrain. Although fees are a little expensive they are still sheaper then schools such as IKNS and Bahrain School. British school has a smaller campus. And has also had bullying problems. What school doesnt? St. Chritophers offers british curriculam and in the sixth form there is an option between IB and A-level. The facilities at St. Christophers are much better than that of the British school. Although the British school is moving to another campus it is sharing this with another school.
  Many teachers have moved from St. Chritophers to the British school and vice versa thefore if the teachers are sh!t then they are sh!t at bth schools.
  Also the results look better at the british school for GCSE and A-level as there are less students at the British school compared to that in St. Christophers so there are less people to take an average from.
  St. Chirtopher's school Bahrain is internationally known and is one of the best in the Arabian Gulf. Just below Dubai Collage, and Jumeriah College.

  Sushi 12 May 2008, 07:29 - Report

• true dat

  That is true...
  there are many example of when this is true..
  the moving of techers and students always happeneds between the two schools
  and the fees for BSB are also now going up

  sushi 13 May 2008, 07:25 - Report

• naseem international school

  How does naseem international compare to other schools?

  bud 14 May 2008, 09:09 - Report

• Schools.

  Fact: St.Christopher's is in the top 10 British Curriculum international schools in the world.
  
  Fact: British School of Bahrain isn't in the top 100.
  
  Lets face it. St.Christopher's has a better reputation for a reason. The teachers are better, the facilities are better and it is generally a much better school.
  
  If you are coming to Bahrain and want the best school for your kids. Choose St.Chris.
  
  And as for the bullying rumors going around. I studied at St.Chris for 10 years and i never saw any kind of bullying at all.

  SOV 15 May 2008, 08:22 - Report

• BSB

  If the students of bsb liked the school so much then why did they try to burn it down ?
  
  They destroyed a whole department!

  Bsb = SH!T 15 May 2008, 08:24 - Report

• Woody ....

  How much wood
  Could a wood chuck, chuck
  If a wood chuck could chuck wood ?
  
  Now theres a topic to talk about !

  British school = Shitish school 15 May 2008, 08:27 - Report

• hfgh

  ST CHRIS IS AMAZZINGGGGGG
  =]haha

  gob 19 May 2008, 06:02 - Report

• school

  Ha, is that a joke? St Chris is definitely not in the top 10 for the whole world! There are way better schools in the middle east particularly Dubai! I don't think it's very appropriate for one to wholly trust the Guardian's view. First off, they can't even get the examinations right, and now they're introducing IB. How ever will they manage combining both tasks? There are way better IB schools in Bahrain! Yes, some teachers are good, but most worth having tend to move on very quickly! It seems the school has a habit of employing some rather dodgy teachers in the rush of finding replacements. Check youtube if you need to. One instance I've heard of is of a teacher making his class do an assignment on 'gay pride'!? Very odd. I would advise prospective parents looking for a top quality British education to go with the BSB. Their new campus trumps that of St Chris'.

  T 19 May 2008, 06:11 - Report

• Canteen in st chris?

  Hello All,
  my name SUNDEEP,
  I like make question to you all on eating the food in St Pristophers?
  I hear they have a canting vere it is accepitable for the girl child to eat with boys in seating area?
  In my opinonion, this is bad practise and vill make way for the making of the love between the genders, mayve these vill ocult under the tuck shop food tablets?
  I have also regardid the girls vearing very short skirts in these school and sometimes their knees is also out for all the gentleman and teachers to regard, maybe it is school of the prostitute?

  Sundeep A 19 May 2008, 07:01 - Report

• bsb or st chris

  Well obviously st chris is way better than bsb the students in bsb are a lot meaner and ruder as far as i have seen them compared to st chris students. st chris offers a lot of activities unlike bsb and also has better education. There is no bullying unlike bsb.
  
  st chris is the better choice

  Josh 19 May 2008, 07:15 - Report

• bsb

  if you went to send you child to a hut with no education then go to bsb

  anon 19 May 2008, 07:26 - Report

• Sundeep

  What?
  school of the prostitute? be resonable.
  just because boys and girls can socialise and eat together at lunch doesnt mean that they are going to have sextual relations.
  It is a unisex school! so there is seperate eating areas
  St. Christohers has a dress code of a skirt at knee length so i have no idea what you mean by the knee point that you made.

  Sushi 20 May 2008, 04:50 - Report

• To Miss. Pickle.

  A typo is a typo.
  I personally know someone at the moment who is currently beng bullied at BSB.
  I would also like to say that, you have heard the 'Shitish school' from possible St.Chris students on here. But have you heard the 'St. Craptopher's' that comes from BSB students mouths? No! So to say that these students are bulling others is a prediction that may be wrong. Is 'St.Crapstopher's' proof enough of positive bullying at BSB for you??

  Sushi 20 May 2008, 05:08 - Report

• Sundeep?

  Was he being serious?
  I mean, "St Pristophers"?
  I've started saying OPINONION instead of OPINION now...

  Balty 20 May 2008, 09:01 - Report

• St christophers

  i keep reading all these comments about St christophers 'messing' up A levels and GCSE's. im not denying the fact the English A level was messed up, but i have no recolection of science going wrong.
  im currently a student in y11 and if anthing i think st chris has done the science right. this year 11 students at st chris will receive 3 gsces for science, some of us are learning extension science.
  at bsb only the double award is availiable for the students. so people who are saying st chris messed up in science are retarded.

  anon 21 May 2008, 03:56 - Report

• St christophers

  i keep reading all these comments about St christophers 'messing' up A levels and GCSE's. im not denying the fact the English A level was messed up, but i have no recolection of science going wrong.
  im currently a student in y11 and if anthing i think st chris has done the science right. this year 11 students at st chris will receive 3 gsces for science, some of us are learning extension science.
  at bsb only the double award is availiable for the students. so people who are saying st chris messed up in science are retarded.

  anon 21 May 2008, 03:58 - Report

• St christophers

  i keep reading all these comments about St christophers 'messing' up A levels and GCSE's. im not denying the fact the English A level was messed up, but i have no recolection of science going wrong.
  im currently a student in y11 and if anthing i think st chris has done the science right. this year 11 students at st chris will receive 3 gsces for science, some of us are learning extension science.
  at bsb only the double award is availiable for the students. so people who are saying st chris messed up in science are retarded.

  Anon 21 May 2008, 03:59 - Report

• St.Christophers

  I am an onlooker searching for school for my children, 13 years and 11 years. Both schools appeal to my expectations (BSB and St.Christophers) but I am more interested in St.Chris at this moment as i have been on the net and it looks a very international, multi-cultural enviroment. And it has lots of information so i can get in contact. If anyone could give me some tips on both schools would be very much appreciated.

  Clair 21 May 2008, 06:58 - Report

• To: T

  There may be better schools in the Gulf but not all are British Curriculum. And the Gardian is reliable as it does all of the UK Universities Ranks, therefore it is preety accurate. Yes there are better IB schools than St. Christopher's due to the fact that St. Christopher's haven't actually started IB yet and are planning to next year. Therefore 'T' I do wonder where you are getting this information from?? Also the fact that you have clearly never gone to St. Christopher's so you don't know first hand the situation that is going on with the IB. So until you go to St. Chritopher's or at least let them introduce IB for a year you cannot comment on how well it is doing or not!
  The comment about 'Doddgy teachers', well a teacher had to be replaced as she was leaving the country and this was a business studies teacher who set a task on gay pride. This did have to relate with what the children were studying in class. And this was Market segmentation. So don't jump to conclusions that just because a man set a task on gay pride it is because he is gay!
  The capus of our junior and infant school is very high quality with all the new equipment, astroturf pitch, halls for drama, music and PE. The Senior school with a HUGE comman room, pool and halls for drama, music and PE. The British school at the moment is our old school which then got burnt down. And when the British school moves campus they have to share it with another school. Do you not think these two schools will become very competitive and then this will lead to bullying.

  Sushi 24 May 2008, 12:28 - Report

• St. Christophers School

  There is no problem with the science GCSE's this year, that is just a problem with the entire edexcel science curriculum. There is no good throwing around opinions about how 'shit' either school is, the only aspect that is trustworthy are the facts, and St. Christophers delivers good results. End of. I attend St. Christophers and not only do i not witness ANY bullying at all, but i can also testify that students are polite and successful. The entire student body is urged to study and the quality of teaching is high. Look at the statistics - Yasmine.

  Yasmine 24 May 2008, 12:59 - Report

• St. christ vs BSB

  Hi,
  I am a mother of two students,one of them in the St.chris and another in the BSB and both refusing to leave their school coz of their friends. but as a parent i strongly recommend the St.chris for the following reasons:
  1-All the St.chris teachers are British or Australian but there are a couple of teachers in the BSB are indian,so that will affect the accent of the students especially in the first stage of the learning, and for non English student how get their accent from the school.
  2-The St.chris school teachers more responsible as if you the tell them any comments thay highly consider.
  3-Since the merger of BSB and Alrawad (do not know why the management of BSB chose this unknown school which is not teaching British curriculum) thay kept the teachers so their standard became so low.
  4-Six after-school activities in the BSB compared with thirty-five after-school activities in St.chris.
  5-St.chris provid ten swimming lessons per term but BSB only provid 4 lessons per term.
  6-The St.chris PTA are always informing us their latest news and always asking the parents to participate in their weekly meeting either in the BSB i heard about their existence but have not heard about any activities of them.

  neeha 25 May 2008, 09:09 - Report

• 7 reasons why st chris is better than BSB

  1) Facilities. St Chris has an olympic sized swimming pool,a stage with good ligh/sound facilities,3 huge school halls,a cantine with large seating area,4 outdoor quadrangles with good sports facilities,a gym,a huge garden area,state of the art ICT labs,an entire block dedicated to music-full of excellent equipment including an entire music suite with computers for editing and mixing music..need I go on?
  
  2) St Chris offers both IB and A-level, we also have more courses for A-level than the British school has EVER had.
  
  3) More parent to teacher contact. I go to St Chris and my mum is constantly informing a friend whose child is in British school as to what exactly is going on with GCSE's,Sats,Alevels etc...British school does not have half as many information evenings,talks,meet the parents etc. The PTA is also a major asset.
  
  4)GCSE options and A-level options. In St Chris students can choose anything they like for their options later on. However in BSB options are in blocks...so for example if you want to do art...you may also have to do DT as they are int he same block.
  
  5) Teachers. St Chris teachers are just generally better. Full Stop. They are mainly British and have all had a huge amount of experience. They are imaginative and the British school has a tendency to take up any ideas (summer ball,leavers lunch and assembly,art exhibition,prize day to name a few)and use them in their own school.
  
  6) Fees in both schools are almost the same...so you're paying the same for a school like BSB...as you are for St Chris? Interesting...
  
  7) School Trips. In St Chris students have the opportunity to partake in Duke of Edinburgh (off to Cyrpus), THIMUN (the hague), French language trips,Ski Trips to the Alps and a new community Service trip to Thailand which focuses on helping out with hill tribes. Sporting trips are also very popular and the level is far higher than in BSB...leading to St Chris winning just about every match with them there has ever been.

  Hello 28 May 2008, 12:38 - Report

• Which School

  I am a st. chris alumni (completed my a levels back in 99). I have rather fond memories of the school myself but would rather give you the full picture warts and all.
  Yes, bullying does occur (it is rarely physical, as the authorities clamp down hard on that). I myself never had a problem because I had a brother in the year above and one in the year below.
  Teaching wise i had a will to learn so the teachers helped me enormously. My younger brother on the other hand was not so inclined, so the teachers ignored him, or rather even told my parents that he's "not good enough". My parents were obviously worried because there were such differing tales from me and my elder brother (who also got into some trouble, for proving the science teacher wrong... she got upset).
  I guess what i'm trying to say in a roundabout way is that you know your child the best. If they are not academically inclined you might prefer to have them in a smaller class where they will get more teacher attention. Otherwise if they can study, and are confident, st. chris is the place to be.

  The Middle Brother 31 May 2008, 01:23 - Report

• St Chris v BSB

  Hi,
  We moved here a few of months ago. One of my children goes to St Chris one to BSB.
  Both schools are very British - good and bad parts sadly.
  The biggest problems were just getting in and at St Chris' not slapping the admin staff we dealt with. More than once they were patronising and treat us like idiots. Even if we are idiots, WE pay their wages, a little customer service would be very nice.
  Like the middle brother said, check the schools out, my oldest child is very acedemic and is best suited at St Chris - though the 'banter' can be annoying for him. My daughter is more rounded, loves every subject, and is thriving at BSB - the admin staff there we found lovely, a credit to the school, maybe's St Chris should ask them for tips.

  BritMum 05 Jun 2008, 07:50 - Report

• Is it worth the move

  Currently researching into schools for boys aged 3,6 and 8 and wondered are both St Christopher and BSB the only schools we should consider? Very worrying to hear the comments made about St Chris but equally bsb has its fair share too. My husband has been in Bahrain for the last 3 months and is set to stay for 1-3 years however I am wondering whether it is really worth moving my happy children from great primary schools here to the turmoil of bahrain? Your comments appreciated.

  pokemon lives on 10 Jun 2008, 09:57 - Report

• not really turmoil in schools here

  I have just seen this board and read through all the posts, sadly it seems appear that the schools are rife with troubles. My kids have been in school at St Chris for 8 years and we are nothing but happy with the school. Good results and support for the kids. I also know a number of people with children in BSB and would say that parents and students are happy there as well.
  It seems that often when people post on these types of boards they like to have a strong (positive or negative) view to push upon others. Of course, there are always unhappy people everywhere, but what you need to know is that the majority are happy. And I would say that they are pleased with the schooling here.
  http://www.expatwoman.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?s=8b93abea0f71f3f34eb500acb209ce51&forumid=16
  is a good information board on Bahrain as well. (Expatwoman.com
  Pokemon lives on, please take what you have read in this forum with a grain of salt.

  pikachu 11 Jun 2008, 09:48 - Report

• It's really not that bad

  Seriously, I and my 3 siblings all go to St Chris and are spread out throughout the infant school, the junior school and the senior school.
  Yes, there may be the occasional bit of name calling etc, but be realistic, this will occur in any school, especially one of this size!
  From what I can tell bullying is dealt with very seriously if it ever occurs! Even in my year there have been instances of people being suspended for a week, having their parents called, having responsibilities (eg prefects etc) taken away from them because of some moderate 'bullying'.
  And seriously, there's no need to base your options on which school to choose for your kids on an online bulletin board! Most of the people writing on here are probably either students with the Brit school or St Chris and are just being extreme to try and push up their school's reputation, especially since Brit school and BSB are possibly the only two British curriculum schools for older kids on the island!

  wa 14 Jun 2008, 08:52 - Report

• bsb v stc

  st chris has been reputed for bad behaviour,racism and bullyinh. they did make a mistake with the science gcse this year and british school had the better results.
  Teachers have been reputed for racial descrimination and bias which is a part of their "big" school. Teachers are very ignoran at st chris.

  dja 15 Jun 2008, 10:32 - Report

• St' Christophers

  I went to st' Christophers school from the age of 3 till i was 11. I loved every bit of it. i was there from about 1983 till 1990 and it was ace. All schools have problems its how you deal with them that counts. And as for bullies any school that says they are bully free is lieing. love Bahrain altogether and wish i was still there sometimes

  Sooz 15 Jun 2008, 11:24 - Report

• how difficult is it to get in these two schools?

  hello, i am moving to Bahrain this summer and i would like to know how difficult is it actually get addmission in these two schools(st' chris and BSB ) my kids are 6 and 3 , would there be some kind of test? please help me out !!

  worried.. 16 Jun 2008, 08:54 - Report

• for worried

  There are usually waiting lists, I think also entrance exams but not too sure. Best to call schools and start process ASAP though..

  sun 17 Jun 2008, 08:14 - Report

• DJA? What?

  Yes what are you trying to prove? SO far 2 teachers have been fired for being 'racist'. Neither of these teachers was actually that, they made a mild racist joke and were out. That proves how the school tackles these issues and does not show anything baout quality of staff.
  Brit school gets better results what? Where on earth did you hear that? I'm pretty sure you just made that up but never mind if you have any figures feel free to show me.
  We did NOT make a mistake with our science GCSE this year, there was a problem with EDEXCEL and it didn't even effect the school at all, I'm 100% sure of this since I did my science Gcses last week.
  And 'reputed' by who? BY you? I suppose everyone here should trust some British school kid who just wants to make their own school sound above another without having any proof etc.
  Grow up

  qq 17 Jun 2008, 04:03 - Report

• what? dja..

  Yes what are you trying to prove? SO far 2 teachers have been fired for being 'racist'. Neither of these teachers was actually that, they made a mild racist joke and were out. That proves how the school tackles these issues and does not show anything baout quality of staff.
  Brit school gets better results what? Where on earth did you hear that? I'm pretty sure you just made that up but never mind if you have any figures feel free to show me.
  We did NOT make a mistake with our science GCSE this year, there was a problem with EDEXCEL and it didn't even effect the school at all, I'm 100% sure of this since I did my science Gcses last week.
  And 'reputed' by who? BY you? I suppose everyone here should trust some British school kid who just wants to make their own school sound above another without having any proof etc.
  Grow up

  qq 17 Jun 2008, 04:04 - Report

• What about Nadeen School

  None of you have mentioned Nadeen School who I understand are the other British School in Bahrain. Any views on this school?

  nadeen? 17 Jun 2008, 04:05 - Report

• Nadeen

  I used to go to Nadeen school and it was fine in my opinion
  teachers all all british and american however the problem is that although it goes up to year 6 or so the higher years do not have such a good reputation.
  Most kids go to Nadeen until year 2 and then transfer to St Chris or Brit school...

  qq 17 Jun 2008, 04:07 - Report