The British International School Al Khobar (BISAK), founded in 1977, has made history by becoming the first British school in Saudi Arabia to receive an “Outstanding” rating in all areas of inspection by the UK Department for Education’s British School Overseas (BSO) program.

The inspection took place in February 2025, and the report has now been officially published.

This prestigious recognition highlights BISAK’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional education while fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment.

The BSO inspection evaluated the school across several key criteria, including the quality of education, pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, as well as welfare, health and safety, and the quality of leadership and management.

According to the BSO report, “BISAK provides an environment where pupils thrive, due to the positive commitment of staff to develop them as confident, compassionate learners.”

Stephen Viner, Principal and CEO of BISAK, said the achievement reflected the entire school community's dedication and effort.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire school community,” Mr. Viner said. “We are thrilled to be recognised for our excellence and will continue to strive for the highest standards of education and care throughout our school. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the General Administration of Education in the Eastern Province for their ongoing support and guidance. Their collaboration has been vital in helping us achieve this historic milestone.”

T. Naidoo, Head of Prep, commended the commitment of both pupils and staff, noting the emphasis placed on holistic development.

“I am very proud of the effort of all our pupils and staff during the inspection period and throughout the year,” said Miss. Naidoo. “Our dedicated prep staff have worked extremely hard to enhance pupil learning. Our focus on pastoral care and enrichment of the curriculum have also been highlighted as strengths. Overall, this inspection report reflects the high-quality provision in the Prep School.”

L. Marsh, Head of Senior, emphasized the consistent quality of teaching and student conduct witnessed by inspectors.

“Our pupils and staff could not have done more to showcase how special our school is,” Mr. Marsh said. “The inspection team saw what we do every day, which is hard work, excellent manners, and great teaching and learning. A massive thank you to everyone involved in Senior School and Sixth Form. We will continue to strive for further improvement.”

S. Barton, Bursar, expressed pride in the school’s broader development strategy and the recognition it has now received.

“I am overjoyed to be part of this excellent team effort in getting BISAK to where it is today,” said Mr. Barton. “Gaining external recognition for the hard work and improvements made in school is a fine testament to the staff and the extended team that work with us as part of our improvement strategy. The hard work starts now in preparing for the next inspection.”

Positive response from parents and pupils

The inspection outcome has been met with widespread praise from both parents and pupils. One parent shared their thoughts on the school’s impact: “BISAK has always been a place where my children have been encouraged to reach their full potential. This recognition is well-deserved.”

Living the vision and motto

Building on this milestone, BISAK remains dedicated to its guiding vision: “Empower our pupils to become confident, compassionate learners and proactive global citizens prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world.” The school’s long-standing motto, “Let there be peace on earth,” continues to serve as a source of inspiration for the entire community in its pursuit of academic excellence, character development, and global citizenship.

For access to the full BSO inspection report, visit: www.bisak.org