Cities / Riyadh / British International School Riyadh
British International School Riyadh
BISR is the long running anchor of the British circuit in Riyadh, multi campus and embassy heavy, and the default for UK curriculum families who want depth of community over a newer brand. Founded in 1979, BISR runs seven campuses across Riyadh including the Diplomatic Quarter site that opened in 2020.
In brief
BISR is the long-running anchor of the British circuit in Riyadh, multi-campus and embassy-heavy, and the default for UK-curriculum families who want depth of community over a newer brand.
Founded in 1979, BISR runs seven campuses across Riyadh including the Diplomatic Quarter site that opened in 2020. Around 3,000 students follow the English National Curriculum to IGCSE and A Level, with the IB Diploma also on offer. CIS accredited. Around 40 to 50 percent of students at the DQ campus come from embassy families, which sets the tone of the parent body.
Parents praise the multicultural mix, swim programme, and academic outcomes, and the school has been named best in Saudi Arabia in industry awards in recent years. Common gripes centre on admin responsiveness and the cost of tuition. Families often pick between the main DQ campus and the older Salwa or Hamra sites by neighbourhood and class size rather than by reputation.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation 1 | 3 | SAR 49,095 |
| Foundation 2 | 4 | SAR 66,494 |
| Year 1 & 2 | 5 | SAR 69,082 |
| Year 3 to 6 | 7 | SAR 76,130 |
| Year 7 to 9 | 11 | SAR 83,625 |
| Year 10 & 11 | 14 | SAR 101,414 |
| Year 12 & 13 | 16 | SAR 107,933 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | SAR 575 | |
| Assessment Fee | SAR 1,150 | |
| Resource Deposit (refundable) | SAR 1,500 | |
| Seat Deposit (refundable) | SAR 5,000 | |
| Capital Development Fee | SAR 11,500 | |
| Registration Fee | SAR 11,500 |
Reviews
- Teachers and Riyadh expats consistently put BISR alongside the American International School of Riyadh as the city's strongest two options for English-medium families.
- A mid-2025 teacher describes a posting where Saudi parents and leadership wear staff down even when the children themselves are fine; another long-serving SLT figure called BISR the British school in Riyadh with the least racism on staff.
- A 2025 parent says her son is in Year 1 at BISR and that the experience has been great so far; a Year 13 alum said the school required student laptops and ran a normal British-curriculum routine.
- A 2023 allegation cited discrimination in hiring, and a separate 2022 claim alleged the school employs admin staff (often teacher spouses) without independent work permits.
- Among the most expensive schools in Riyadh; current fees in the SAR 95k–220k range across the year groups put it in the same bracket as AISR.
Positives
- Tier in Riyadh. Named with AISR as the top two international schools in the city.
- Recent parent voice. A Singaporean parent in 2025 reports a positive Year 1 experience and a more relaxed feel than other Riyadh schools.
Considerations
- Teacher experience. Some teachers describe BISR as the least racist British school they have worked at in KSA; others warn about Saudi parents and SLT culture across the country.
- HR and hiring complaints. Threads in 2022 and 2023 raise concerns about hiring practices and discrimination.
- Cost. Listed as among the more expensive Riyadh schools, on par with AISR.
Leadership
Mr Wayne Orr
Jeremy Newton serves as the Director of Schools at the British International School Riyadh, having joined the institution in August 2025. He previously held the position of Senior Principal at Misk Schools from August 2022 to July 2025. His professional background includes extensive international leadership experience at King's College School in Madrid, Spain, and significant roles with the British Council in both Venezuela and Egypt. He is recognized for his expertise in the English National Curriculum, IGCSEs, A-Levels, and the IB Diploma Programme, focusing on academic excellence and student well-being.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
Academic results
- GCSE A-C 93%
- A-Level A-C 84%
- IB Average 33 pts