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Ilse and Edwin Ball are the first expatriate family with English-educated children to share the British School of Bahrain’s vision … as parents of pupils at Al Ruwad School.
The family, pictured above, have had a roller-coaster ride as far as securing school places for their children on the island after being offered the opportunity of a new life in Bahrain.
They set the ball rolling from their home in Surrey where daughters Chantal, 10, and Eeva-Marie, six, were studying at the Rowan Preparatory School.
Keen to continue their children’s education within the British curriculum system, the couple contacted St Christopher’s School in January this year and met with admissions misery which faces so many expats new to the island.
Chantal sat an admission test in the UK in February and passed the test. On arrival in Bahrain in March, the couple were shocked to discover that even making it on to the school’s waiting list did not even guarantee a place in September.
On complaining to the school, Mr Ball, an investment bank’s chief operating officer, received a letter from Mr Ed Goodwin, Principal of St Christopher’s School, sympathising with the family’s plight.
“I felt cold shouldered by St Christopher’s, sick of their attitude and was very angry and confused,” said Mrs Ball.
Although impressed with the British School of Bahrain, Edwin and Ilse decided against registering their children there because of the distance from their home in Saar to Adliya.
In April, it was suggested that the Ball family approach Al Ruwad School. The school was closer to home, just off the Janabiya highway.
“The building was big and new. I was very impressed with the facilities, particularly the brand new equipment and books. It seemed like a very child-friendly school where everyone spoke English.”
They family felt it provided them with a lifeline until the matter of places with St Christopher’s School could be sorted out.
However, everything changed in May when news that Al Ruwad was merging with the British School of Bahrain was announced and the children could now continue with their English education without any move or disruption..
Mrs Ball said: “It is exciting to be part of what’s happening. I may be caught up in the noise and dust as the school expands when I drop off my children each day but I am happy about it. I’m sure it will be like doing up your kitchen and getting that wonderful feeling when the job is finally finished – thank God we did it.”
Her husband added: “The new ‘British School of Bahrain’ is excellently positioned to fulfil our needs and that of other newcomers from Britain.”
A spokesman for St Christopher’s School said the admissions staff did all they could for the Ball family but the matter of places available was beyond their control.
