The assessment process varies depending on the year group your child is eligible to enter.
Assessments for Entry
Foundation Stage: Applicants sit an age-standardised one-on-one evaluation which measures language skills, motor skills and conceptual understanding. On successful completion of the evaluation, your child will be invited to attend a classroom visit. To be successful in their application, children must pass both stages of the assessment.
Key Stage 1: Applicants sit an age-standardised series of tests in numeracy and literacy. On successful completion of the age-standardised tests, your child will be invited to attend a classroom visit. To be successful in their application, children must pass both stages of assessment.
Key Stage 2: Applicants sit an age-standardised series of tests in English (reading and writing) and Maths. On successful completion of the age-standardised tests, your child may be invited to attend a classroom visit. References may be requested from current schools. Overseas candidates may take the test at an approved testing centre. Please contact the Admissions Office for further details regarding remote assessments.
Key Stage 3 and 4: Applicants sit an age-standardised series of tests in English (comprehension and essay writing) and Maths. Overseas candidates may take the test at an approved testing centre. Please contact the Admissions Office for further details regarding remote assessments. References will be requested from current schools. Pupils will also be required to attend a face-to-face or online one-to-one interview with a senior staff member as a matter of course.
Key Stage 5: To be considered for entry into the A level course, there is an expectation that candidates will have gained a minimum of five grade 5s or five B grades in their (I)GCSE exams, including the subject they intend to take at Advanced Level. Prior to the release of official (I)GCSE results, students need to provide an official copy of their predicted grades and may be required to sit a series of tests in, or related to, their chosen A level subjects. If the candidate does not study an (I)GCSE curriculum in their chosen A level subject, they are required to complete a series of tests in, or related to, their chosen subjects. References will be requested from current schools. Pupils hoping to commence AS and A level studies at BSD will be required to attend a face-to-face or online one-to-one interview with a senior staff member as a matter of course.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the difficulties of moving school in the middle of the (I)GCSE or the A level programme, it is highly unlikely that students will be accepted directly into Year 11 and Year 13.
Selection Criteria
British School Dhahran is an academic school where we also believe passionately in a rounded education. Selection for entry is not solely based on academic criteria. We also consider the character traits, personality and potential of every child. The admissions process is designed to identify a child’s academic ability while offering a platform to showcase their individuality.
Criteria for admission to BSD include: age, completion of all required application documentation and entrance assessment, full review of previous school records, English language proficiency, overall learning potential and availability of places. BSD can only accept children who have successfully passed the complete assessment process. Admissions decisions are made after careful review of the application file and assessment results by BSD Admissions Committee. Siblings of current students will have first priority in placement upon successful completion of the entrance assessment requirements.
All BSD teachers differentiate their instruction and support individual student needs to the best of their ability. Unfortunately we are unable to accept students who require significant special education support or services. This also includes students whose reports indicate significant behavioural, social, emotional or academic needs. BSD does not offer a gifted/talented programme.
Year and Class Placement
The BSD Admissions Committee makes the final decision on appropriate Year group and class placement. This decision is made after careful consideration and is based upon all application documentation, assessments and individual student needs.
Joining Mid Year
Students may enter BSD at any time during the year; however, students joining BSD after Term 1 from a southern hemisphere school (i.e. where the school year ends in November, December or March) may only be admitted to the same Year they have just finished. In general, they cannot advance to the next Year because they would be missing the first half of that academic year.
Senior School students, joining after the spring enrolment period, are not guaranteed their first choice of courses.
Admission Status
After the assessment process is completed, the applicant status will either be:
- Offered a place.
- Admission declined.
Applicants who are not offered a place may fall into one of the following categories:
- Applicant successfully completed the assessment process, but due to demand we are unable to offer a place in BSD at this time. The applicant will be offered a place in a wait pool.
- Applicant did not successfully pass the assessment process. If this is the case, you can apply for reassessment after six months have elapsed (a new application fee will be applicable).
- BSD is unable to meet the needs of your child and so cannot progress with the application.
Wait Pool Information
Please note that an admissions assessment does not guarantee that a seat is available, nor that a child will be admitted, as availability of seats may be contingent on withdrawal of current students. If a year group is full, we will maintain a wait pool of accepted applicants. The wait pool is maintained for the applying school year (August-June) only. Applicants interested in the next school year will have to update the required documentation and re-apply.
When a seat becomes available, the Admissions Committee will review all candidates in the wait pool to consider each one in context of one another for placement, according to, but not limited to, the following factors: good academic and behavioural standing as evidenced by prior records, attendance, teacher recommendations, BSD admissions assessment results, gender, English language proficiency and a BSD sibling.
Timeline for Primary School Wait Pool
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0-6 weeks (from the first day of the academic year): an applicant may remain in the wait pool for 6 weeks and be admitted (when a seat becomes available) without documentation of continued schooling.
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7-24 weeks (from the first day of the academic year): an applicant may remain in the wait pool for a maximum of 24 weeks and be admitted (when a seat becomes available) with documentation of continued schooling.
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25+ weeks (from the first day of the academic year): at 25 weeks Admissions may require the family to update the application(s) and to reassess.
Timeline for Senior School Wait Pool
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0-4 weeks (from the first day of the academic year): an applicant may remain in the wait pool for 4 weeks and be admitted (when a seat becomes available) without documentation of continued schooling (conditions may apply).
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5-24 weeks (from the first day of the academic year): an applicant may remain in the wait pool for a maximum of 24 weeks and be admitted (when a seat becomes available) with documentation of continued schooling.
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25+ weeks (from the first day of the academic year): at 25 weeks Admissions may require the family to update the application(s) and to reassess.