Compare SEN / Special Education International Schools in Dammam, Saudi arabia

ISG Dammam is located in the Al Noor (An Nur) district of Dammam, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The campus sits in a residential area of the eastern coastal city and is accessible by local roads. The mailing address is An Nur, Dammam 32445, Saudi Arabia.

ISG Dammam provides education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school serves a continuum from early years to high school, and is organized into three broad levels: elementary, middle and high school.

Independent, not-for-profit, coeducational international school. There are no boarding facilities.

The student body includes around 40 nationalities; the majority are international expatriates, with local Saudi students making up a minority. The exact local-to-international ratio is not published.

Language and learning support is available (including English as an Additional Language, EAL) but resources are limited. Admissions may be declined for students whose needs cannot be accommodated; ISG does not offer a gifted and talented program.

Located in Saudi Arabia; American-accredited with a U.S.-standards-based program and AP Capstone offerings.

No formal religious affiliation is stated.

The school day typically runs from about 7:30 to 15:00, with a lunch break; exact times may vary by division.

ISG Dammam does not provide school transportation; families arrange private transport or use transport offered by residential compounds.

ISG Dammam does not have a formal school uniform. The dress policy is outlined in the student handbook and is reviewed annually. Students wear school-branded PE clothing for PE classes and competitions, and PE uniforms can be purchased from ZAKS.

ISG Dammam has a cafeteria that sells warm lunches; families must place lunch orders in advance. There is also a Joffrey's kiosk on site offering coffee and snack items. The cafeteria opened in phases, with boxed lunches available from October 29, 2023, and daily lunch service planned to begin in early 2024.

ISG Dammam is part of the International Schools Group (ISG), a network of five American and British schools in Saudi Arabia. ISG is a not-for-profit educational organization.

ISG Dammam offers Pre-K through Grade 12 with an American standards-based curriculum and is American-accredited. In elementary, the program emphasizes literacy through Writer's Workshop and Reader's Workshop, with co-curricular offerings in art, technology and physical education and an annual Literary Fair. ISG Dammam Middle School (grades 6–8) follows a standards-based approach with English, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts and Arabic required by the Saudi MOE; electives in grade 6 include visual arts, digital citizenship and library, while grades 7–8 offer visual arts, graphic design, chemistry in the kitchen and the physics of toys. ISG Dammam High School provides math, science, language arts, social studies, physical education, information technology and art, and offers Advanced Placement courses including the AP Capstone Diploma. A robust extracurricular program runs alongside academics, including Student Council, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Debate, Drama, Music and Chess clubs.

ISG Dammam provides social and emotional learning through a middle-school counselor who works with teachers to offer guidance and social-emotional support to students.

Middle School describes support for students' particular needs, including opportunities to plan and manage activities, with counseling and academic support available through the school's counseling staff.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered, along with a Global Language program that includes Arabic and French.

A focus on mental health and wellbeing is emphasized across ISG, with pastoral care and counselors providing social and emotional support to students in ISG Dammam and Jubail.

ISG has a Child Protection Policy; all employees are required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or self-harm within 24 hours, with the policy grounded in international law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and reviewed annually.

The British International School Al Khobar (BISAK) is located at 3909 As Sadafah District, Al Khobar, 34215, Saudi Arabia. The campus sits in the As Sadafah district of Al Khobar. The address is used for visitor access and transport coordination.

Preparatory School covers Nursery to Year 6. Senior School covers Year 7 to Year 11. Sixth Form covers Year 12 to Year 13. The school provides education From Nursery through Year 13.

BISAK is a co-educational, not-for-profit school that follows the British curriculum.

The school reports representation of 50 nationalities. The most common nationality and the local-to-international student ratio are not published publicly.

The school provides Pastoral Support and safeguarding, with on-site nurses for medical needs. A dedicated SEN department or formal SEN policy is not published publicly.

BISAK follows a British curriculum and is accredited by British and international bodies (AoBSO/OBSO, COBIS, BSME).

There is no formal religious affiliation stated. BISAK promotes British values and internationalism.

Prep day timings run from about 7:20 to 14:00, with a first break from 9:25 to 10:10 and a second break around 11:40–12:00; lessons run through the morning with end-of-day at 2:00 for Prep, and 2:00 for Senior School and Sixth Form. After-school activities finish around 3:00, with Thursday arrangements varying.

A BISAK-operated bus service is not publicly listed on BISAK's site. For transport options, contact BISAK reception at +966-13-8317300 or receptionist@bisak.org.

Uniform is compulsory for BISAK pupils. From June 2023, uniforms can be ordered online via BISAK's partner, Zaks, or purchased at their Amwaj Mall store in Al Khobar. Younger pupils wear Velcro-fastened shoes, sandals are not allowed. A BISAK sun hat is required outside. Jewellery should be minimal and hair accessories should be black or navy.

Pupils bring snacks in a named lunchbox and a named water bottle; there is a nut-free policy. Years 3–6 may place canteen orders for cold options such as sandwiches and salads, with meals delivered to the classroom after Registration and before the first break.

Pupils are assigned to a house on joining BISAK. The four houses are Blue Oryx, Green Falcons, Yellow Caracals, and Red Barracudas, providing a focus for healthy competition and BISAK Points. Pupils elect House Captains and Vice Captains (usually from Year 6) and the Registrar allocates pupils to houses to maintain balance.

BISAK is an independent, not-for-profit school. It operates as a standalone school and is not part of a broader school group.

British International School Al Khobar (BISAK) follows the English National Curriculum across all phases, from Nursery to Year 13, with English as the language of instruction and a structure comprising Preparatory School (Nursery–Year 6), Senior School (Year 7–11), and Sixth Form (Year 12–13). EYFS (Nursery and Reception) uses a play‑based Early Years framework with seven areas of learning, and Year 1–2 follow the National Curriculum with phonics, reading, and writing as part of the transition to more formal teaching. In Senior School, KS3 covers Years 7–9 and KS4 covers Years 10–11, with the English National Curriculum and school adaptations; Year 9 moves into iGCSE/GCSE options within a Core Curriculum (English Language and English Literature, Mathematics, and General PE) and optional subject choices. GCSE/IGCSE options include a Core Curriculum and an Optional Curriculum with subjects such as Arabic, Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Double/Triple Science, Economics, French, Geography, History, ICT, Music, Physical Education, Psychology, Sociology, among others; the GCSE/IGCSE Information Booklet details six‑option blocks and the Edexcel/Cambridge boards. Sixth Form offers AS/A Level courses across a wide range of subjects (e.g., Arabic, Art, Biology, Chemistry, English Language/Literature, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology) with university applications support (UCAS/BridgeU), enrichment, and university visits as described in the Sixth Form Prospectus.

SEL at BISAK is primarily supported through its Pastoral Support service. Teachers refer pupils for confidential pastoral support provided by BISAK staff, with meetings kept confidential unless agreed with the pupil and parent. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is kept informed of pupils seen by pastoral care, ensuring welfare concerns are followed up. The pastoral program includes small-group sessions to help pupils explore and set goals about treating each other well, building trust and positive communication. The school also provides medical health resources through on-site nurses to support overall pupil wellbeing.

BISAK recognises that pupils with additional needs can face safeguarding challenges and provides special consideration for SEN/additional needs within its safeguarding framework. The safeguarding policy notes that some pupils have SEN or additional needs and should receive special consideration in equality, highlighting BISAK's awareness of SEN within safeguarding. The policy identifies designated safeguarding leads and staff responsibilities for safeguarding, but it does not publicly disclose a dedicated SEN department or detailed, school-wide SEN services beyond safeguarding considerations.

The school does not publicly disclose a standalone EAL programme or dedicated EAL staff on the BISAK site. The safeguarding policy, however, notes that pupils who have English as an additional language should receive special consideration in safeguarding, indicating awareness of EAL within safeguarding contexts.

Mental wellbeing is supported via BISAK's Pastoral Support and on-site medical facilities. The school's pastoral care service provides confidential support for nominated pupils, with group sessions aimed at fostering respectful, positive communication. Nursing staff operate from a well-equipped medical room to maintain pupil health and safety, supplemented by first-aid trained personnel. These provisions work together to support pupils' overall wellbeing and respond to welfare concerns as needed.

Safeguarding and child protection are treated as a whole-school priority with aims to safeguard and promote welfare. All staff receive safeguarding guidance and annual training, and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) are part of the Extended Leadership Team with deputies available to cover when needed. The DSLs are responsible for child protection and safeguarding, with safeguarding embedded in school ethos and Safer Recruitment procedures. The policy outlines clear roles for the ELT and Board to oversee safeguarding, and references reporting to appropriate authorities as required, including the UK Embassy and the Ministry of Education in KSA. The Saudi Child helpline 116 111 is available for safeguarding concerns, and online safety is addressed within the policy alongside procedures for reporting and record-keeping.

1. BISAK accepts applications for Nursery (age 3) to Year 13 (age 18). The school operates an English National Curriculum and is a not-for-profit school. For placement, BISAK uses a priority system: British passport holders are given priority, followed by chronological order by date of registration. To begin the process, complete the Registration Form (via the form linked in Admissions) and BISAK will be in contact.

2. Availability is published by year group for each academic year. All children are added to a Waiting List and registration is not a guarantee of placement. For academic year 2025-2026, Pre-Preparatory (EYFS) Nursery has places available, Reception is on a waiting list, Year 2 has places available, Year 4 has places available, Year 6 has places available, Senior School Year 7 is on a waiting list, Year 8 has places available, Year 9 is on a waiting list, and higher year groups show some closed entries (e.g., Year 10-13 on lists). This provides current capacity information for planning.

3. If there is availability on the registration waiting list, complete the Registration Form and Pupil Medication Form. Registration documents and the capitation fee (16,000 SAR) are paid by appointment.

4. Registration is not a guaranteed place; families are kept on the Waiting List and BISAK will contact them if a place becomes available. This process emphasizes that entry depends on current availability and the waiting-list status.

5. You can learn more and engage with BISAK by attending Admissions – Open Day, which provides an overview of the school and its programs. Open Day information is accessible through Admissions, and is part of the formal process for prospective families.

Information on scholarships being offered is not published.

All applicants are placed on a Waiting List; registration does not guarantee placement. Availability by year group is published for each academic year, and some year groups show limited or no places at certain times. British passport holders are given priority when offers are made, followed by registration date, which influences progression from the waiting list.