About British School Dhahran
The British School Al Khubairat Dhahran is an international British curriculum school in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, for children aged 3–18. As an international school, tuition fees apply. Entry is via assessment appropriate to the year group. The school follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales and prepares pupils for IGCSE and A-Level qualifications.
British School Dhahran provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum.
About Admission to British School Dhahran
British School Dhahran (BSD) is a British international school in Al‑Khobar, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, and one of five schools in the not‑for‑profit International Schools Group (ISG). Founded in 1981 (formerly Dhahran British Grammar School) and rebranded in 2021 on a new shared campus, it follows the National Curriculum for England for around 700 pupils from over 60 nationalities. This is not a UK state grammar school: there is no GL Assessment 11+, no local‑authority Common Application Form and no National Offers Day.
BSD is an all‑through school from Foundation Stage (around age 3) to Year 13, delivering externally assessed (I)GCSE and A‑Level qualifications. Admission is by the school’s own registration and assessment appropriate to the year group, and families — expatriate and local — apply directly to the school/ISG. The school is accredited by British Schools Overseas (BSO), British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), COBIS and others.
This guide explains how entry works, the key steps, results and school life. Always confirm the latest details on the school’s official admissions pages before applying.
British School Dhahran Admissions Guide
How Admission to BSD Works
Entry is managed directly by the school for families relocating to or living in the Eastern Province. Places depend on availability in the relevant year group, and applicants complete an age‑appropriate diagnostic assessment.
- ✓Register your child with the school’s admissions team for the year group you need.
- ✓Applicants sit an age‑appropriate diagnostic/entrance assessment (for older year groups this includes English and Mathematics).
- ✓Entry points run from Foundation Stage (around age 3) through to the Sixth Form (Years 12–13).
- ✓Fees are charged in Saudi Riyal (SAR); sibling discounts may apply. There is no UK Common Application Form.
Key Steps & How It Works
| 📌 Enquiry & registration | Year‑round (subject to availability) |
| 📌 Assessment | Age‑appropriate diagnostic (incl. English & Maths for older pupils) |
| 📌 Offer | Following assessment and a place check |
| 📌 Start | At the agreed entry point |
How to Apply to British School Dhahran
Step 1 — Enquire & register
Contact the ISG/BSD admissions team about availability and complete the registration for your child’s year group.
Step 2 — Assessment
Your child completes an age‑appropriate diagnostic assessment (English and Maths for older year groups).
Step 3 — Offer & enrolment
Following assessment and a place check, the school confirms an offer and start date.
What the Entry Assessment Covers
For Year 7 and older entry, the assessment focuses on core English and Mathematics (with a diagnostic element), helping the school place each child appropriately within the English National Curriculum.
Entrance Assessment Practice (English & Maths)
BSD sets its own age‑appropriate entry assessment. These practice papers build core English and Maths skills useful for any school‑entry test — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the British School Dhahran 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at British School Dhahran ((I)GCSE & A‑Level)
BSD places a strong emphasis on high achievement, and its results compare favourably with the very best National‑Curriculum schools in the UK and worldwide.
| 📈 (I)GCSE — A*–C | ~95% (recent) |
| 🎓 A‑Level — A*–C | ~95% (recent) |
| 🎓 Destinations | leading global universities (e.g. Yale, Stanford, MIT, LSE) |
(Figures are the school’s published results and vary year to year; confirm the latest with the school.)
Pastoral Care, Sport & Co‑curricular Life
BSD puts student wellbeing and character development at the heart of education, within a happy, diverse community drawn from more than 60 nationalities.
Sport & activities
A broad sports programme includes volleyball, football, basketball, badminton, track and field, cross country and swimming, with teams competing in Saudi Arabian inter‑school activities (SAIKAC), alongside a wide arts and activities offer.
International outlook & campus
As part of the not‑for‑profit International Schools Group, BSD reinvests in its facilities and education, on a modern purpose‑built campus that supports international‑mindedness and high academic standards.
British School Dhahran Admissions — FAQ
How do I apply to British School Dhahran?
You apply directly to the school / International Schools Group (ISG) — there is no UK Local Authority Common Application Form. Register for the year group you need, and your child completes an age‑appropriate assessment. Entry is year‑round, subject to availability.
Is British School Dhahran a UK state grammar school? Does it use the GL Assessment 11+?
No. It is a British international school in Saudi Arabia following the English National Curriculum. There is no GL Assessment 11+, CAF or National Offers Day — admission is by the school’s own assessment.
What curriculum and qualifications does it offer?
BSD follows the National Curriculum for England from Foundation Stage to Year 13 and is an accredited centre for externally assessed (I)GCSE and A‑Level examinations.
What does the entry assessment involve?
An age‑appropriate diagnostic assessment. For Year 7 and older entry this focuses on core English and Mathematics, helping the school place each child correctly.
How good are the results?
Results compare favourably with strong UK schools — in a recent year around 95% of (I)GCSE entries were graded A*–C, and leavers have progressed to leading global universities including Yale, Stanford, MIT and LSE.
What ages does the school take, and how big is it?
BSD is an all‑through school for roughly ages 3 to 18 (FS1 to Year 13), with around 700 pupils representing more than 60 nationalities.
Where is the school?
In Al‑Khobar, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, on a modern purpose‑built campus shared with the American School Dhahran.