Departments | Academics | St. Christophers School | Isa Town, Bahrain

Arabic is a prestigious language with a long rich history! It is the language of the Quran and It is the first official language in all Arab countries. The Arabic department at St Christopher’s school aims to develop students’ understanding of themselves and their own culture and to encourage positive attitudes to the Arabic language, the Arabic civilisation and the Bahrain culture.
 

The Arabic department offers three subjects: Arabic, Islamic Studies and Bahrain Citizenship.

The curriculum is based on the local curriculum from the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the three subjects. To aid the development of thinking and language skills, supporting resources and suitable activities will also be used. This will help the students to enjoy their lessons and preparing them for the international qualifications offered in the department for Arabic and Islamic studies in GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and IB.

The Arabic curriculum covers all the language skills that are including:

• speaking
• listening
• reading
• writing and grammar

Through different texts that include informative texts, explanation texts, descriptive texts, narrative texts, guidance texts, persuasive texts, argument texts, and poetry.

Non-Arabic Students

Non-Arabic students have the opportunity to study Arabic as a second language. Topics studied in are aimed towards the GCSE Arabic as a Second Language syllabus, which prepare the students for a variety of skills in the language for communicative purposes. Skills gained include listening, speaking, reading, writing, comprehension and translation.

The Art Department develops student’s artistic skills through themed units of study. The formal elements are covered during Key Stage 3. Students have the opportunity to study Art to GCSE, A2 and IB Diploma level.

Students are taught in an open plan, well-resourced environment. The artwork is displayed around the school. All forms of Art are equally respected and students work in a wide range of media from:

• Painting
• Drawing
• Textiles
• Digital Media
• Sculpture

Annual Exhibitions of the Artwork of examination level students are cultural highlights for the school and the local community. Many students continue to pursue Art related courses at university level.

Extra-Curricular & Enrichment

Additional Art Clubs are run throughout the year to allow students access to specialist resources. Specialist Art Clubs run throughout the year and gives students the opportunity to be involved in a variety of productions and events school-wide.

The Art department supports the Enrichment Programme activities as well as charity and community events, affording students opportunities to apply their creative skills on a practical level.
 

Our Department offers the ability to study Economics and Business at GCSE, A-Level and IB levels.

You are an important builder of your future in a world governed by changing trends in business, trade, resources, interest rates, and international policy. Studying economics and business, helps you understand the nation's economy and business environment within a global context and gives you a solid understanding of the central role that economic and business thinking plays in all aspects of society. 

Studying Economics and Business besides broadening your knowledge, you sharpen your skills in critical thinking and effective oral and written communication. The ability to improve problem-solving skills and to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses is integral to our philosophy. We develop many of our student’s skills: decision making and planning, critical understanding of organisations and economies, communication and application of number. As a result, students are well equipped for their next step. 

Our Department combines solid academic training with relevant industrial experience and most members of staff are experienced examiners. 

There is a long-standing and consistently strong record of students going on to prestigious universities, and a significant proportion of St Christopher’s students choose to follow a social science degree course. 

We believe that it is vital to promote interest and enthusiasm for the subject beyond the constraints of the specification, to engender intellectual curiosity and to develop the capacity for independent thought. For example, we take part in Trade Quest, a competition for schools and universities in Bahrain which is operated as a competitive financial simulation and is geared to provide students with realistic experiences simulating the local and international financial markets. The school ranks amongst the highest achievers in the program.
 

Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for students to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products. At its core, is creativity and imagination, students learn to combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make a range of products.

The Design and Technology Department aims to encourage our students to understand and appreciate that we live in a world of rapid technological change.

Students are taught the skills to understand and analyse real design problems and to design and realise viable and realistic design solutions for the benefit of others. The subject now encompasses a wide range of skills and techniques that reflect advances in industrial manufacturing such as Computer-Aided Drawing (CAD), Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM) and the use of smart materials. 

KS3 

In KS3, students are given the opportunity to explore a range of ‘design and make’ activities, which encourage them to develop skills and knowledge which better equip them to solve real-life problems and make use of the equipment and facilities on offer.

GCSE

Students who then go on to study IGCSE Design and Technology have the choice of specialising in Resistant Materials or Graphic Products. 

A-Level & IB

Students have further choice on how they want to specialise Post-16. A-level Product Design offers students the chance to develop a broad view of Design and Technology and to really appreciate the relationship between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. It is more product-focused compared to the International Baccalaureate Design course, which takes a more scientific approach to design.

In the Senior School, Drama is available to every student from Year 7 to Year 13. At KS3 students take part in a double Drama lesson every week, giving them an opportunity to explore roles through improvisation, role-play and script work.

We are proud to achieve high academic standards in Drama combined with excellent public performance work, in an environment that is creative and encouraging.

They develop teamwork and co-operation skills – abilities which are vital for every area of school life and beyond. They learn about theatre, develop their creativity and explore ideas and issues through practical work. Thinking creatively and solving problems is an integral part of Drama, and the aim is for these skills to help develop students into thoughtful, well rounded and inventive young adults.

In Year 10, IGCSE Drama is a popular option and in the Sixth Form, the pupils can opt for A Level Drama and Theatre.

Drama Facilities

The Drama department has three spaces: a fully equipped Drama Hall with theatre lighting and sound, and two smaller studio spaces. These areas are used for teaching and the Drama Hall is also used for performances.

Extra-Curricular

Our extra-curricular drama provision includes a yearly whole school production and smaller KS3 performances. Over recent years these have included performances of:

• Hairspray 
• West Side Story
• Legally Blonde
• Grease
• Alice

There are also opportunities to take part in Drama and Dance Clubs.

Extra-Curricular Drama

English in St Christopher’s Senior School is taught by passionate, conscientious, experienced and mutually supportive teachers. We are all united by our love for English language and literature and dedicated to ensuring the best educational experience and outcomes for our students. We aim to challenge as well as inspire students, encouraging them to respond to that challenge with confidence and enthusiasm.

St Christopher’s Senior School English Department aims to foster an enjoyment for English language and English literature, as well as developing students’ appreciation of the significance of language and literature in society. Alongside the teaching the British National Curriculum in Years 7-13 as well as the IB Diploma in Years 12 and 13, students explore global perspectives and UN Sustainable Development Goals through a rich and diverse range of literary and non-literary texts.  
 

Ensuring that students become confident, articulate and well-informed communicators is vital and a focus for teaching and learning in all year groups. Debate and discussion allow our students to explore local and global issues, as well as share perspectives and challenge assumptions. 

The English curriculum aims to develop:

• imaginative
• convincing
• compelling
• and sophisticated writing

...and students become skilled in writing for a range of different audiences and purposes. Students’ literacy skills are consolidated and improved through a discreet and personalised literacy curriculum in Year 7; in Years 8-11, literacy skills are embedded into curriculum teaching, ensuring students become more confident and accurate in their use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. 

The English Department continues to promote autonomous reading through timetabled library lessons, wider reading and celebrations of reading, such as World Book Day.

In English lessons, students develop critical reading skills: recognising bias, comparing writers’ perspectives and evaluating meaning. Students have opportunities to study a range of different media texts, and can extend their understanding of media texts by opting for A Level Media.

Geography is concerned with promoting understanding of the character of places, the complex nature of peoples’ relationships and interactions with their environment and the importance of human affairs and activities.

The subject is taught in a wide variety of ways, depending on the topic being covered at the time. A wide variety of strategies are used to deliver the topics, ranging from whole-class teaching to small group work. Fieldwork, outside speakers, the internet, GIS and digital tools and resources are used where appropriate to supplement class-based work.

Careers Options

Geography is a stepping stone to a whole range of future opportunities. The skills our students develop will support their further studies and employment. For example, Biology, Geology, Environmental Science, Government & Politics, Economics, Travel & Tourism & Recreation all have close links with much of the material studied in Geography.

Employment opportunities where geographical skills will be particularly valued include:

• journalism and media
• the law
• engineering
• business management
• ICT
• environmental management
• teaching
• economic planning
• marketing
• leisure
• recreation
• tourism

The History Department aims to encourage all students to develop a genuine love of History. It is crucial that students are given the opportunity to evaluate historical sources, accounts, arguments and interpretations to explain and make judgements about the past.

Throughout the various History courses on offer at St Christopher's, students of all ages are encouraged to develop their critical thinking skills and to make connections between the available historical evidence. Students will analyse historical episodes from a variety of perspectives and standpoints. These essential life skills enable us to understand the world in which we live and how it has evolved from historical incidents of the past.

Our computing programmes of study allow our students to understand how computational thinking and purposeful use of common applications can improve problem-solving skills that will enable them to change the world around them.

Computational Thinking is a key learning strategy for our students and is a necessary life skill applicable far beyond our curriculum. We strongly believe our students must be equipped with the technical and thinking skills needed to become problem solvers and global citizens who one day may help solve the current and emerging international challenges that face humanity.

We are rightly proud of our computing curriculum which not only delivers outstanding examination results, but ensures that each and every student has access to the best possible teaching and learning resources available in order to support their journey in this fascinating subject.
 

Computer Science is focused on creating new applications for computers.

At the core of our computing curriculum is the science and engineering discipline of Computer Science, in which pupils are taught how digital systems work, how they are designed and programmed, and the fundamental principles of information and computation. This means that computer scientists must have a deeper understanding of:

• computers
• algorithms
• programming languages 
• theory

that demand tacit exploration of the unknown and development of imaginative solutions to problems that may not even exist!

ICT

Our computing curriculum also offers ICT (Information Communication Technology) which enables our students to apply information technology to create products and solutions using a variety of applications. It ensures that our pupils become digitally literate – able to use and express themselves through information and communication technology – at a level suitable for the future workplace and as active participants in a digital world.

The Mathematics Department aims to develop independent, determined, exploratory learners in the field of Mathematics whilst, at the same time, making the learning experiences enjoyable, challenging and relevant to each of our students’ needs. Students are provided with opportunities to ask their own questions, create their own solutions, think deeply and refine their ideas through individual and collaborative work.

IGCSE & Post 16

All students will take Edexcel IGCSE Mathematics, with some students taking Edexcel IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics at the end of Year 11.

The school runs Edexcel AS and A level courses, including Further Mathematics, for our Sixth Form students alongside Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation for our IB students.

Competitions

The department also encourages all our students to take part in a variety of competitions, providing them with opportunities to pit their wits against students from around the world. Each year, we enter the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenge competitions organised by the UK Mathematics Trust achieving excellent results. Many students are then invited to the next rounds such as the Olympiad. In Year 9 we also enter some students for World Class Tests.

The Mathematics Department has developed and continues to improve, their own website which contains everything that students and parents need to know, including:

• schemes of learning
• revision material
• support
• examination papers
• links to external websites

Mathematics Website

Media Studies is taught by a passionate team, as part of the English Faculty. We are all united by our passion for the media and are dedicated to ensuring the best educational experience and outcomes for our students. Media studies inspire students, encouraging them to respond to the challenge of the subject with confidence and enthusiasm. Media Studies is studied at KS5 and through extracurricular opportunities at KS3 upwards; providing students with the opportunity to develop their practical media production skills.  

Media Studies at St Christopher's Senior School encourages students to engage critically with media institutions, theories and practical work. Students develop analytical, evaluative and practical skills in media production. Studying CIE A Level Media Studies enables students to respond to a wide range of printed and moving image artefacts, analysing how meanings are produced and negotiated. We encourage students to explore the impact of the media within a range of cultures and evaluate how this influences social values. By creating their own media products, students explore production processes, developing independence in research skills, evidenced through their online portfolios. 

Across the course, students are given a range of opportunities to develop their critical understanding of international media. Through case study approaches at both AS and A2, alongside their online portfolios, students are equipped with independent research and production skills. Students are encouraged to engage with media and social theories of identity, representation, audience, and production which shape the construction of media texts. These theories underpin the course and support student understanding of the business and psychology of the media.

The primary aim of the Modern Foreign Languages Department is to develop students’ intercultural understanding. MFL is offered as a core subject that all students study through to GCSE. Students are also offered an opportunity to pursue their study of French or Spanish to A-level and IB.
 

We strongly believe that learning a foreign language is essential to everyone, for personal fulfilment...

The approach​ to teaching Modern Foreign Languages is communicative; we aim to provide our students with the linguistic skills to deal with real-life situations in the countries where the target language is spoken. A strong emphasis is placed on grammar with a view to improving accuracy in the use of languages.

Examinations

All students have the opportunity to sit the DELF examinations, and be awarded a DELF Certificate; accredited by the French Ministry of Education, and recognised worldwide.

Trips & Events

Annual trips to France and Spain are organised by the Department, offering students opportunities to practise their conversational French or Spanish in situ.

Our annual French Day and Hispanic Day invite students, staff and parents to celebrate the cultures surrounding the languages we teach. We strongly believe that learning a foreign language is essential to everyone, for personal fulfilment, but also in preparation for an increasingly competitive job market where proficiency in a foreign language can make all the difference.

St Christopher’s Senior School has a thriving and very successful Music Department with a large team of Music staff including 3 full-time curriculum teachers and 9 full-time instrumental teachers. 

Curriculum

We are proud to have over 600 students involved in curriculum Music each week. Our KS3 students receive one double lesson per week, and we have over 20 students at GCSE level and 9 students studying A-Level. In addition, our instrumental programme provides expert tuition to approximately 155 students, including those students on the Advanced Performers Scheme.

Extra-Curricular

Outside of lessons, things are exceptionally busy! We have over 25 extra-curricular activities featuring a wide variety of bands, ensembles, orchestras and choirs; and numerous performance opportunities throughout the year in events such as the Whole School Winter Concert, Unplugged concerts and Musical Interludes.

We collaborate with the Drama department every other year to produce shows of a very high standard and, in recent years, our students have performed in West Side Story, Grease and Les Miserables.

Competitions

We are particularly proud to host the annual Young Musicians of the Gulf competition which has featured St Chris winners in both the Overall Young Musician of the Gulf Solo and Ensemble categories in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Our department also organises the St Christopher’s Musical Festival.

In both competitions, we are pleased to see young musicians from all over the region showcasing their musical talent.

Religious Studies enables students to respond to personal, spiritual and moral questions that face us all as human beings. The department aims to engender mutual tolerance, understanding, openness and an appreciation of diversity.

Our subject deals with the deeper issues of life and helps students to become more adept at independent thinking and encourages them to think critically, creatively and with sensitivity. As such, it has a fundamental role to play in creating rounded students who will be part of future societies.
Religious Studies is currently delivered to all non-Muslim students in the school.

KS3 & KS4

Key Stage 3 has a detailed scheme of work designed to prepare them for the topics and skills required in Key Stage 4 where all students study the full Edexcel IGCSE Religious Studies curriculum. 

KS5

At Key Stage 5, students can opt to study AQA Philosophy. Students are expected to examine a range of viewpoints in relation to a selection of questions and then must evaluate the validity of their claims. They have to be able to write persuasively and clearly, and evidence of logical and systematic thinking is a key requirement. Debating and discussing is also a crucial part of this course, and students learn how to articulate their views with confidence and clarity.

The Physical Education Department aims to provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum in order to meet the needs of our students. Through exposing the students to a wide variety of activities, each is encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards their personal health and fitness for current and future lifestyles.

Using a variety of teaching styles, students will develop skills in planning, performing and evaluating. Opportunities are given to compete in individual and team sports to build character and help to embed values such as fairness, respect and resilience.

KS3

The Key Stage 3 curriculum provides students with the opportunity to explore a number of areas:

1. Use a range of tactics and strategies to overcome opponents in direct competition  through team and individual games including: 
    
   • Badminton
   • Volleyball
   • Basketball
   • Cricket
   • Football
   • Netball
   • Rounders
   • Ultimate Frisbee
   • Water Polo
   • Short Tennis
2. Develop their technique and improve their performance in other competitive sports, like Athletics and Swimming.
3. Perform dances using advanced dance techniques within a range of dance styles and forms in Dance and Synchronized Swimming.
4. Take part in outdoor and adventurous activities like Kayaking, Life Saving and Personal Survival, which present intellectual and physical challenges and be encouraged to work in a team.
5. Analyse their performances compared to previous ones and demonstrate improvement to achieve their personal best.
6. Exercise to improve health and wellbeing in Health-Related Fitness, Aerobics, Yoga, Weight Training and Circuit training.

KS4 & KS5          

During Key Stage 4 and 5 students are able to select from a range of options where they can decide what sport they would like to develop and pursue to a higher standard. Students are also more involved in their learning, developing Sports Leadership skills.

The department also offers GCSE Physical Education and BTEC Sport to students who would like to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. There is a continual emphasis in all our teaching to teach the students how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Students should leave St Christopher’s School with positive attitudes towards physical activities and be able to adopt a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle.

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour; how we think, feel, act and interact individually and in groups. This stimulating subject combines fascinating content with a rigorous and scientific approach to investigation.

Over the years, Psychology has seen a huge growth in popularity, as a choice at Advanced Level study and within the IB Diploma Programme. The courses aim to develop an academic understanding of the subject and an appreciation of its impact on people’s daily lives. Many of our students go on to study Psychology at University.

During both courses, you will come to realise that there is no one recognised way of explaining human behaviour and, perhaps, there never will be. Consequently, psychologists have to consider a diverse range of approaches in which to explain the complexities of the mind and behaviour. The IB, AS and A2 courses reflect this diversity.

AS & A-Level

For AS and A Level, the specification followed is currently CIE Psychology 9990.

Although there are no specific entry requirements and do not need to have studied Psychology at GCSE to study Psychology Post 16, it is advised that you have a good standard of achievement in Biology and English in order to fully appreciate the content of this subject.

The Science department comprises sixteen full time teaching staff and four dedicated laboratory technicians.

KS3

At Key Stage 3 in Year 7 and Year 8, each Science class is taught by one Science teacher. A topic-based approach is used to cover key aspects of the content. From Year 9 onwards, subject specialists teach the separate sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

KS4

At Key Stage 4, students choose to follow a three GCSE or two GCSE programme. Many students elect to carry on their Science studies into the Sixth Form. The department offers both the AS/A-level course and the International Baccalaureate.

Science Facilities

As Science is a practical subject, we are fortunate to have the facilities of twelve fully equipped laboratories. We have up to date data logging equipment, so all students will experience using up to date measurement and analysis equipment as part of their normal science studies.

Extra-Curricular

Science offers a range of extra-curricular activities. For the younger students, the Science club allows enthusiastic junior scientists the opportunity to plan and carry out exciting practical work based on their area of interest. For the Senior students, the department runs a lecture programme on a wide range of interesting topics. In the past, these have included:

• Flying
• The Science of Chocolate
• The Theory of Evolution
• Medical Ethics

Popular Science trips in the past few years have included the Hidd Power Station and the Cardiac Department at the BDF hospital where the students have the opportunity to observe open-heart surgery.

Results

Science students at St Christopher’s are enthusiastic and committed to academic success in the subject. The excellent results at GCSE, AS/A-level and IB are a testament to the students’ hard work and the dedication and expertise of the Science department’s teaching staff.