Job Discussion Forums

[Incognito]

I am an American considering taking a position in Tabuk. One factor in the decision-making process is schooling for my children. I have seen here, on Dave's, that Tabuk has a British school. Does this school accept other nationalities? Also, can anyone provide me a list of other international schools located in Tabuk?

[aridion]

I am heading to Tabuk as well. Will be teaching at British International school Tabuk. it also has a British based Primary school and an Indian International School.

What will you be doing there~?

[darkside1]

I taught at the British International School attached to the NW Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk between 2001 and 2003. I remained in touch with somebody teaching there until 2010 and I am still in touch with a non-teaching member of staff at the hospital.

At that time the BIST was based on the English National Curriculum from ages 5-16 (i.e. SATs at 7, 11 and 14 and IGCSEs in about 7 or 8 subjects at 16). Class sizes were small, about 10 average, with just over a hundred pupils in a joint primary- secondary school. The school was located on 'Briga' compound, a rather basic residential compound housing both muslim and non-muslim staff (the former a majority), a couple of miles beyond the main hospital cantonement. As far as I know the location is the same, but I stand to be corrected on that one...

Staff were mainly UK qualified, with some muslim doctors' wives who had teaching qualifications also teaching certain subjects. Academic results were good, although facilities and resources were limited. About 80% of pupils were children of non-saudi muslims, many of whom had worked in the EU or N America and spoke English fluently. The rest were secondary aged children of Western hospital staff or BAe employees who worked at the nearby air base.

I believe that in years since I left pupil numbers expanded and so did numbers of non-western staff, not sure if the school departed from a UK style curriculum, although the recent job advert seems to suggest that it is now following one.

BAe had its own small primary school with UK qualified staff and very good facilities on a BAe compound on the other side of Tabuk. Pupils I taught at BIST who had previously attended the Indian International School were generally capable academically but weak in English, struggling at IGCSE level if the entered BIST at 11 plus years, but good at maths, science, etc. I don't know of any other International schools in Tabuk. Some kids I taught had been boarders while their parents worked there.

Socially both Western males and females could have a half decent social life around Tabuk back then...take my word for that. Since 2003 I believe there have been some (long overdue) upgrades to housing and facilities on Briga. You could also practice sports in the relatively mild climate. Saving potential good too.

I am still in touch with ex-BIST pupils on facebook who are either at Uni in the Gulf or UK or USA, or now have jobs. Most of them were a pleasure to teach. That may have changed if the school demographic has also changed radically. I will try to find out about that and post something here.

[aridion]

Thank you so much Darkside.That is exactly what I have been lookoing for: somone who works or worked at the school.

I know that they do the British Cambridge Curriculum now (in primary at least). The numbers at the school were 300, in primary. I was told that this would rise to 450 over the next 2 years.

I was also told that I would probably be at the Briga compound.

From yopur experience what did the western teachers do when they had free time. I am thinkign that it would be a good chance for me to get back into fitness and go to the gym.

[Incognito]

Hi aridion,

I will be doing a military contract.

[aridion]

Incognito, you know which compound you will at?

I know that there is a Primary School locate in Tabuk that follows a British curriculum as well. That and the British School of Tabuk are the 2 foreign curriculum schools there as far as I know.

There is also an Indian International School there, that caters for the Indian community.

[darkside1]

From my friend who left the NW Armed Forces Hospital School in 2010:

'There is a new Head who appears to be quite strict. The word was that they aimed for 400 sturdents from Reception to Year 12 or 13. Do not know if this is in effect as yet. The accommodation is much the same though teachers were supposed to move out to a building in town. The rec centre has changed and the old restaurant next to it has become the new rec centre. Things are quite strict with regards to activities, especially male female contact.'

So big changes since my time there.

[aridion]

Yes. Seems the new head is making sure to implement the rules.

A well, it will just make it more to adapt to. Keep me on my toes.

[Incognito]

aridion: I will be on Najrani.

[rainbowprof]

darkside, when you worked at BIST was there a school bus? did the girls wear abaya? is it segregated? I've tried to get the email address of the principal but have been unsuccessful to date. The email address on the BIST facebook page for the school doesn't work either.
Looks like there's a Bangladeshi and Philipino school in Tabuk as well.

[darkside1]

When I worked there 2001- 2003 the school wasn't segregated. Female staff and pupils wore abayas outside of the school perimeter. There were several buses taking staff and pupils to the main hospital cantonement and to BAe compounds. Some married staff and single male staff lived on Briga compound and could walk in 5 minutes to school. Other married staff (usually spouses of higher grade doctors) and single females lived on the main hospital cantonement.

A friend of mine worked at the school until 2010 and I am in contact with somebody else at the hospital now. It seems that the school has expanded greatly in the last few years (it was small back then, 100 pupils Years 1-11, 3-4x that now).

Any other info I will pass on via a PM.

[aridion]

That's some good info. Darkside. You PM me if you get any more info?

[rainbowprof]

most informative thanks, ds1. will pm