Celebrating 35 years of British excellence in the Middle East
BSME offers teachers and leaders in schools the highest quality professional development available
British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) is the largest dedicated network of British international schools in the region. This year, BSME celebrated its 35th Annual Conference in Bahrain, with 100 principals and head teachers from 108 schools and 150 exhibitors in attendance; the largest to date.
British international schools are served through services, which include Continuing Professional Development (CPD), student events, support for principals and head teachers from a designated country representative, a full-time team of staff based in Bahrain, free recruitment services and marketing opportunities for individual schools, to mention a few. In addition, their Associate Members offer schools products, equipment and services. If you would like an opportunity to exhibit and promote your company at the BSME Annual Conference and Exhibition, you may wish to consider an associate membership with BSME.
BSME Leadership
This year, BSME bid their longstanding chairman from 2005 to 2017, Ed Goodwin, OBE, farewell. Ed’s vision for BSME was one of high quality British schools belonging to a globally recognised brand with influence regionally and with the U.K. government. This was certainly achieved with the implementation of BSME accreditation, and the introduction of British Schools Overseas (BSO), both overseen by U.K. approved inspectorates. He also established BSME as a limited company with seven full-time staff.
In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the organisation, BSME membership bestowed on Ed the title of Honorary Fellow, and also instituted The BSME Ed Goodwin Award for Exceptional Service for students making a contribution to their local or global community.
BSME membership elected Eddie Liptrot as the new BSME Chairman. Eddie has been with the International Schools Group (ISG) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 2013 and is now the Superintendent and CEO. He has previously held substantial headships in the U.K., Moscow and the Middle East. He has also worked extensively in building school leadership capacity, both through The University of Manchester and the former National College for School Leadership.
Eddie is now invested in working with the BSME membership in developing networks with other accrediting bodies and international school associations to the benefit of the students in member schools.
Continuing Professional Development
BSME offers teachers and leaders in schools the highest quality professional development available in today’s market. To meet the needs of the diverse member schools, the CPD calendar is varied and includes conferences, face-to-face courses for career progression, online and digital CPD at discounted rates for member schools as well as CPD brokering services, to mention a few.
Events
BSME provides access to the largest inter-school student events programme in the Middle East. From sport and academia to creative and performing arts, over 3,000 students participated in this year’s events. They actively encourage students to showcase and cultivate their talents, while demonstrating the importance of teamwork, determination and adaptability.
BSME’s student events include prestigious and high profile competitions like Young Musicians of the Gulf, where over 100 young musicians from across the Gulf region participate in three days of competition.
The BSME Games are the pinnacle of their sporting calendar, and is the leading inter-country multiple sport competition in the Middle East. The games provide a learning experience in sportsmanship and teach students the value of healthy competition, whilst offering the opportunity to develop friendships with fellow competitors.
The BSME Games are the pinnacle of their sporting calendar, and is the leading inter-country multiple sport competition in the Middle East. The games provide a learning experience in sportsmanship and teach students the value of healthy competition, whilst offering the opportunity to develop friendships with fellow competitors.