papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 25, 2023 7:57:13 GMT
Assuming I pass all the background checks and visa process, I'll be moving to Dhahran Camp in Jan/Feb and ideally I would be joined by wife and kids (15/f and 12/m) in summer months. We are a Dutch/Indonesian family and our children have been in international schools all of their lives but with a child in grade MYP4 in an IB school (Yr10 British), it is vital that we continue with IB. Some British schools don't even allow IB students at this point in secondary school.
I've been looking for good IB schools in EP/Bahrain but cannot see many options, which is really worrying as it might prevent us from bringing the family into the region. Is anyone able to give any guidance or share any experiences? Thanks
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
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Post by tamsin on Oct 25, 2023 12:20:49 GMT
Assuming I pass all the background checks and visa process, I'll be moving to Dhahran Camp in Jan/Feb and ideally I would be joined by wife and kids (15/f and 12/m) in summer months. We are a Dutch/Indonesian family and our children have been in international schools all of their lives but with a child in grade MYP4 in an IB school (Yr10 British), it is vital that we continue with IB. Some British schools don't even allow IB students at this point in secondary school. I've been looking for good IB schools in EP/Bahrain but cannot see many options, which is really worrying as it might prevent us from bringing the family into the region. Is anyone able to give any guidance or share any experiences? Thanks American school of Dhahran do IB British school of Dhahran and Bisak both do iGCSE and A level. BSD do do iGCSE, same as you will find in an IB school. They do allow yr 11 starters. They share a campus with ASD (same company, ISG) so a switch would not be so difficult. But, having said that, many children do leave the kingdom after GCSE to go to boarding, including mine. |
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papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 25, 2023 12:56:09 GMT
Thanks tamsin, I have contacted ASD which I hope have a healthy diversity of cultures (I've been told that many have moved their children to Bahrain as an alternative) and decent quality education.
British curriculum is not an ideal option for IB students in higher years, in fact, in some British schools they reject IB students as curriculum changes in higher years are known to cause issues.
What options are available for boarding schools? I've asked SA but received no feedback.
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tamsin
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Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 25, 2023 13:09:17 GMT
Thanks tamsin, I have contacted ASD which I hope have a healthy diversity of cultures (I've been told that many have moved their children to Bahrain as an alternative) and decent quality education. British curriculum is not an ideal option for IB students in higher years, in fact, in some British schools they reject IB students as curriculum changes in higher years are known to cause issues. What options are available for boarding schools? I've asked SA but received no feedback. Well, some might, but BSD does not. My son is yr 11 and there have been starters this year from IB schools. He joined in 10 from Scottish, my eldest joined IB from Scottish at the same stage. It can be pretty fluid when class sizes are so small. Education is entirely on us to find, the RA are not in country. There are numerous schools, worldwide, and you can employ an agency to put together the best schools in their portfolio for you to look at. Anderson Education is one I see a lot here for UK schools. |
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Post by coyotep on Oct 25, 2023 13:33:26 GMT
I was an IB school brat in the GCC and I also spent time in GCSE O-level and American system before I joined IB. I did not see any issues with IGCSE translating to IB. In fact, the only acceptable curriculum for German universities was IB, as we had many German school students transfer to IB prior to university. Your concern for GCSE A-level is only applicable to SL level IB course. HL level IB courses to my knowledge are transferable to A-level course in the same discipline. IB > British system so I'm not sure there should be a concern here
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jodix1
Member
o, I am looking forward to connecting with families in KSA.
Posts: 14
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Post by jodix1 on Oct 26, 2023 0:47:15 GMT
Hi, This is something I have been wanting to find out about too!!! We are coming from Australia and have an 8f and a 14m and trying to figure out the best school system for them that gives them the best options for university down the track. Kids will probably go to university (maybe) in the future in either Australia, New Zealand or the UK.
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papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 26, 2023 7:56:35 GMT
Hi jodix1,
Currently trying to get in touch with BSD (off camp, British, but they allow IB students) and ASD (on camp, American, OK for IB students). Feedback from people so far has been mixed but I do realize that'll happen with any school you ask about. Key thing for us is not to keep changing schools, especially with a daughter who only has three more years to go until uni. I've also been in touch with schools in Bahrain and I know at least St Christopher doesn't allow students from other curriculums. Will try the American school as well, so far no feedback.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 26, 2023 16:46:35 GMT
Hi jodix1, Currently trying to get in touch with BSD (off camp, British, but they allow IB students) and ASD (on camp, American, OK for IB students). Feedback from people so far has been mixed but I do realize that'll happen with any school you ask about. Key thing for us is not to keep changing schools, especially with a daughter who only has three more years to go until uni. I've also been in touch with schools in Bahrain and I know at least St Christopher doesn't allow students from other curriculums. Will try the American school as well, so far no feedback. ASD is not on camp, both ASD and BSD share a campus near Canary Vista compound. The company provides buses. It’s the October break, so probably not many staff in until next week. |
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papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 26, 2023 20:09:36 GMT
Sorry, that should be SAES. ASD indeed shares a campus with BSD.
You're probably right about holidays leading them to be slow in response - I'll try to call them next week if no answer.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 27, 2023 5:45:43 GMT
Sorry, that should be SAES. ASD indeed shares a campus with BSD. You're probably right about holidays leading them to be slow in response - I'll try to call them next week if no answer. SAES only goes up to 14, people do need to be aware of that when coming in with older children. Some people send their kids off camp at 11, to start senior, particularly for British system, to reduce the amount of moves. |
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 27, 2023 5:47:09 GMT
Hi, This is something I have been wanting to find out about too!!! We are coming from Australia and have an 8f and a 14m and trying to figure out the best school system for them that gives them the best options for university down the track. Kids will probably go to university (maybe) in the future in either Australia, New Zealand or the UK. Most of the Australians I know opt for ASD and the IB option to cover those bases. |
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papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 27, 2023 12:23:01 GMT
Hi, This is something I have been wanting to find out about too!!! We are coming from Australia and have an 8f and a 14m and trying to figure out the best school system for them that gives them the best options for university down the track. Kids will probably go to university (maybe) in the future in either Australia, New Zealand or the UK. Most of the Australians I know opt for ASD and the IB option to cover those bases. I'd love to get some feedback about ASD as it seems to be the best option for our kids as well. |
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jodix1
Member
o, I am looking forward to connecting with families in KSA.
Posts: 14
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Post by jodix1 on Oct 30, 2023 9:46:26 GMT
I am just exploring the option of homeschooling ( my son really wants this) however I am concerned about the social aspect. Are there social groups which might help with this? He is into Art and badminton. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
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tamsin
Senior VIP Expat
Posts: 655
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Post by tamsin on Oct 30, 2023 9:56:39 GMT
I am just exploring the option of homeschooling ( my son really wants this) however I am concerned about the social aspect. Are there social groups which might help with this? He is into Art and badminton. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I’ve been told there is a thriving homeschool co operative. In addition to that we have an art group that does classes, badminton, tennis, swimming, most sports and martial arts you can think of. Scouts, theatre group etc etc. |
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papajoe
Member
Flying to KSA on 29th of December, 2023.
Posts: 46
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Post by papajoe on Oct 30, 2023 14:07:01 GMT
Have the school placement confirmed before you move the family here. This school year, I had a colleague whose children were denied placement in the Khobar schools. No support from the company. He's now on bachelor status because else is the family supposed to do.... Thanks - yes, we've moved to other countries before and schools are always a tricky one to tackle, especially with teenagers. Worst case they stay in Europe if we can't find a good one in KSA or Bahrain, we ideally want to avoid UAE because flying back and forth every weekend is exhausting. |
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