Building the Future
by: BTM - Sun, 07 Jun 2026
As St Christopher’s School prepares to open its new Senior Campus in August 2026, Headteacher Simon Watson reflects on the evolution of the school, the opportunities created by the ambitious new development and the role British education continues to play within Bahrain’s international community.
St Christopher’s School has long been associated with British education in Bahrain. For Mr. Watson, that means balancing strong academic standards with a broader focus on character, wellbeing and opportunity. He explains that the school aims to prepare students not only for examinations, but for life beyond the classroom.
“We want students to leave us not only with excellent qualifications, but with the confidence, character and values to thrive anywhere in the world,” he notes. “Bahrain has always valued education and opportunity, and we are proud to play a role in that.”
Since joining the school in 2018, Mr. Watson believes St Christopher’s has continued to grow in both ambition and capability. Academic performance has strengthened while opportunities in sport and performing arts have expanded alongside investment in facilities and staff development. At the same time, he feels the school has maintained the sense of community that defines life in Bahrain.
“Leading an international school here has reinforced the importance of relationships, communication and community,” he reflects. “Families want to feel connected to the school and part of something bigger.”
Much of that ambition is now reflected in the school’s new Senior Campus, one of the most significant educational developments currently underway in the Kingdom. Despite recent geopolitical challenges across the region, Mr. Watson confirms the project remains on schedule for an August opening ahead of the 2026 academic year.
“We are now at the stage where most of the buildings and spaces are functionally complete,” he shares. “It will be a transformational moment, not just for St Christopher’s, but for education in Bahrain and the region more broadly.”
The scale of the new campus is expected to significantly expand what the school can offer students both academically and beyond the classroom. Facilities include a performing arts centre, specialist STEM spaces, digital media studios and extensive sports infrastructure.
Watson highlights the balance of the campus as one of its defining strengths.
“The performing arts centre, digital media studios and specialist STEM facilities will give students opportunities that are genuinely world-class,” he explains. “The sports facilities, including the 50m pool, climbing wall, athletics track and football pitches, will completely change what we can offer outside the classroom.”
He adds that the dedicated music and drama building will provide professional-level facilities for students and the wider school community. More importantly, he believes the campus has been designed to encourage ambition, creativity and independent thinking in everyday school life.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Mr. Watson says the new learning environment has been shaped around how students learn today. Flexible teaching spaces, collaborative areas and specialist facilities are intended to encourage curiosity and greater ownership of learning.
“The primary request of the current students was to create more space, which we have accomplished without question,” he recalls. “Students will have more opportunities to explore their interests, work across disciplines and take greater ownership of their learning.”
Mr. Watson also reflects on the wider relationship between Bahrain and the UK through education. He believes schools such as St Christopher’s help strengthen longstanding educational and cultural connections while remaining firmly rooted within Bahrain itself.
“British education has a very strong reputation internationally, and many families in Bahrain value the pathways and opportunities it provides,” he observes. “At the same time, international schools should never operate in isolation from the country they are in.”
That sense of connection has become particularly important during recent periods of uncertainty across the region. Watson says maintaining calm, stability and communication has remained central to supporting students, staff and families.
“One of the things I have been most proud of is how calm, supportive and positive our community has remained,” he points out. “Staff have worked incredibly hard to maintain a sense of normality for students, while also ensuring families feel informed and supported.”
He also praises the way staff and students adapted to digital learning during recent disruptions, describing the transition as remarkably smooth because of the commitment shown across the school community.
“It reinforced the importance of adaptability and showed that strong relationships between school and home matter enormously,” he adds.
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