The British School of Kuwait (BSK)

Context

The British School of Kuwait (BSK) traces its origins to 1978 when Madam Vera Al-Mutawa MBE and Mr Sadiq Al-Mutawa established a small kindergarten which became known as The Sunshine School.

Steady growth took place through the 1980s and, having recovered from the disruption of the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, by 1992 the school accommodated 550 Kindergarten and Primary age students. The decision having been made to serve the community at both Primary and Secondary levels, a move to the present site in Salwa took place and in September 1993, newly renamed, The British School of Kuwait opened to 900 students.

BSK currently provides a quality British curriculum education to students from Reception to Year 13. Our students come from more than 70 countries and follow the National Curriculum of England through to GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A Level qualifications. The school provides a structured, caring and happy environment for learning with excellent resourcing and a qualified, highly-trained and well-motivated staff.

BSO Accreditation

Our school has been inspected by teams from Penta International, an inspectorate approved by the UK Department for Education (DfE) to inspect British international schools.

British Schools Overseas (BSO) accreditation is a voluntary inspection system, monitored by the UK Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) which informs parents of students in British international schools how well the standards in these schools measure up against the standards that apply to independent schools within Britain.

In March 2013, March 2016, May 2017 and again in March 2023, BSK was awarded British School Overseas (BSO) status, enabling the school to mentor Early Career Teachers through their induction years. The latest BSO inspection report has been published on the UK Department for Education website and can be viewed here.

BSK is a founding member of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and a founding member of British Schools Overseas (BSO). The school is committed to Continuing Professional Development for all members of staff.

Mission

The mission of The British School of Kuwait (BSK) is to provide its students with the Best of British Education, an education that is rigorous, rounded and relevant.

Values

We are rigorous in setting and ensuring the achievement of high standards in all areas.

Our hard working students benefit from a rigorous approach to the optimisation of their academic and pastoral progress and are ambitious in the pursuit of the highest standards in their academic attainment and progress, attitudes to learning, personal and social development and extracurricular pursuits. Our dedicated teachers are rigorous in the planning and preparation of their teaching, in the assessment of their students’ work and in their reporting to parents. They are supported in their pursuit of excellence through a robust system of performance management and professional development.

We have long demonstrated a commitment to the breadth and balance that underpins the British education system. With respect to the curriculum, as well as teaching English and Arabic, Islamic Studies, Mathematics, Sciences, Geography, History, Modern Languages and PSHE, BSK also stresses the importance of disciplines such as Music, Drama, Art and Physical Education. Our extensive extracurricular program also ensures that our students have access to a wide range of enriching opportunities outside of the classroom.

The current and future relevance of the education students receive at BSK is paramount, and our efforts are geared toward ensuring that when they move on, our students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence they require to be well-prepared in ever evolving and increasingly competitive environments. The curricular, pastoral and extracurricular programs on offer in order that they remain current and continue to bring additional value to the experiences enjoyed by students at BSK.

Aims

Our curriculum is based upon a clear set of aims which reflects our mission and values:

• to develop self-awareness, a positive self-image, and the confidence to take advantage of opportunities to develop their own talents and personalities in order to live as independent and self-motivated members of the community
• to develop lively enquiring minds, including the ability to question and argue rationally and to approach the solution of problems in an imaginative and methodical way
• to develop the skills necessary to work confidently and sensitively in collaboration with others
• to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding relevant to adult life and employment in a fast-changing world
• to be able to comprehend information sensitively and communicate effectively
• to acquire a reasoned set of attitudes and to be able to respect other backgrounds and lifestyles
• to recognise, evaluate and learn from human achievement and aspirations
• to acquire an understanding of social, economic, political, scientific and technological issues, and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations
• to appreciate a variety of aesthetic, creative and imaginative forms and to express themselves creatively
• to promote their own health, development and wellbeing
• to heighten their awareness and understanding of the environment and environmental issues and to encourage a sense of personal responsibility for environmental stewardship on local, regional and global scales