Interview with Anna Power, School Principal
At the helm of the British International School Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter Campus is Anna Power, who has recently taken on the role of principal. DQ Living had the pleasure of speaking to her about her perspective and commitment to the learning environment in BISR-DQ and the importance of connecting with the community.
Anna has been an educator for the last 22 years. She has a broad range of international experiences in Australia, England, Malaysia, Philippines and most recently as the founding Head of Primary at the British International School Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter Campus.
At Garden International School (GIS) Anna catered to a privileged and high-achieving demographic. She led innovation and change by implementing the integration of ICT throughout the school. She was recognised as an Apple Distinguished Educator and helped GIS become a leader in the use of technology in education across Asia. As a senior leader at the British School Manila, she set up a range of year groups in order to develop a deeper understanding of teaching and learning with the aim of identifying and delivering excellence across the whole school. Anna believes her time at BISR so far represents the culmination of all her previous experience and a period of significant personal growth.
Anna was instrumental in the start up and opening of the DQ Campus during the pandemic, initially acting as the Head of Campus in the absence of a Principal, leading the DQ campus team.
What inspires you to lead?
I see my role as inspiring and collaborating with the leadership team, with the aim of instilling the vision and mission of the school into every aspect of its life. Leading by example, I inspire my team to use their experiences and values to shape and deliver the holistic educational experience I want to see at the DQ Campus.
The ability to develop and nurture positive relationships is central to my effectiveness as a leader. I make it a priority to lead and act calmly and respectfully, instilling these traits in my team to allow them to use their full potential to add value to the BISR organisation. I am a visible leader with high expectations and I work hard to create a positive culture both of challenge and support. I build strong teams and lead by example in all aspects of my work.
What curriculum does BISR Diplomatic Quarter offer and how does it benefit your students?
We follow the English National Curriculum, and we’re very concept driven. We promote a very holistic approach to education that is reflected in our three pillars: Learning, Well-Being, and Enrichment. BISR prides itself on helping our students become well-rounded individuals, with equal focus being placed on each of the three pillars. Although providing a world class education is at the forefront, we want our students to be complete. We want them to finish their time with us as positive, productive global citizens.
We run different programs for different age groups, utilising the IB curriculum for many year groups, but it’s really all about conceptual understanding, global competency, and real life, authentic experiences. We want children to learn how to be reflective, learn from their mistakes, and have a growth mindset. I want our students to be able to understand perspectives, have empathy, and know that they can contribute, whether it’s here or in their home country.
What sets the Diplomatic Quarter campus apart from BISR’s other campuses?
The Diplomatic Quarter Campus is only a three form entry school. The small nature of the school ensures the community is at the forefront. I am confident that as the principal, I can get to know every student’s name and engage them in meaningful discussions about learning and daily life in Saudi Arabia. Our diverse range of events offer all members of our community the chance to establish connections and experience a strong sense of belonging within our close -knit school.
Academically, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). As an organization BISR, we want to offer pathways for different children. Our Al Hamra Campus offers A Levels, and here at the DQ we run the IBDP. BISR hopes to start offering a vocational pathway for August 2024. We earned our authorization to be an IB World School in June 2022 and will have our first graduating class this academic year.
Are there any new upcoming programs that you plan to introduce in the next school year?
The programs we offer have been ever increasing since our campus opened and of course, we’re taking into account the evolution of Saudi Arabia in the last couple of years. It’s something that we are continuously trying to take advantage of. As of the moment, this year alone, Hamilton Swimming have come on board, we have a strong partnership with the French Football Federation, and are developing a paddle court partnership. The DQ community is ever growing and we would like to show the community what it is that we do so they can see how they can benefit from it as well.
This year we are introducing the REACH Week initiative. It’s an opportunity for our students to embark on an unforgettable adventure of their choice, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
At BISR, we firmly believe that challenge is an integral aspect of our REACH motto. We embrace learning both within and beyond the classroom. With over 20 exciting destinations to choose from, our students can immerse themselves in diverse experiences.
What can you tell us about the team of teachers in BISR – Diplomatic Quarter Campus?
We always seek to employ the best teachers, who are dynamic and committed to developing their practice. We are proud to have a diverse teaching staff in terms of age and nationalities and all of them are UK-educated or equivalent . Our teaching staff is comprised of singles, teaching couples and families, many of whom have strong experience in the international education sector.
We place a significant emphasis on investing in professional development for our teachers to ensure that their practices are grounded in research, leading to success both inside and outside the classroom.
We ask our teachers to reflect on their contribution to the school community with regards to the legacy they want to leave behind. As a leadership team we have worked hard to cultivate a culture and climate that is supportive and allows for people to flourish.
This year, we are focusing on empowering others and what we want to achieve while we are here. It’s really about the culture and climate that we create as educators because, ultimately, we are dealing with students and they deserve the best opportunities in order to succeed.
Where do you see BISR Diplomatic Quarter in five years?
In the next five years, I aim for our community to be aknowledged as one that genuinely cares and is committed to attaining excellence. I look forward to achieving outcomes that mirror our dedication, relentless effort, and unwavering passion.
Inaugurating the campus in 2020, with just the Primary School, and now, in our first year with a complete range from FS1 to Year 13, my focus lies in sustaining this stability and fostering growth. It’s imperative that we offer opportunities that are pertinent to our students, equipping them for whatever challenges lie ahead, be it in another country as a six-year-old or at a university as a 19-year-old.
Being situated in the Diplomatic Quarter, where children often join us from various locations, especially for shorter durations, it’s of utmost importance to me that they experience a strong sense of connection during their time here. This sense of belonging is fundamental to the learning process. Our aim is to provide our students with a deep-rooted connection within our community, shaping the culture and environment to ensure their success.
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The BISR-DQ Campus offers a comprehensive educational environment. In the Foundation and Primary sections, you’ll find an open-plan indoor area dedicated to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Program, along with 12 primary classrooms and a spacious outdoor play area designed for children’s engagement. Furthermore, the campus boasts a well-equipped library and a spacious multi-purpose hall. When it comes to sports, there’s an indoor gym with a basketball court, an outdoor AstroTurf, a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor basketball court. Additionally, these facilities are available for hire for external community use. They have a diverse student population of over 40 nationalities who are enjoying the breadth of academic, cultural, and sports activities of the school.
The demand for a British education in Riyadh is on the rise, and BISR is experiencing significant popularity, evidenced by a full waiting list throughout the school and only a limited number of vacancies in Foundation 1 and Year 12. As BISR expands with new campuses and programs, the primary goal remains to offer an optimal learning environment for their students.
British International School in Riyadh – DQ Campus
3586 Alradaef St, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12512, Saudi Arabia
Contact No. +966 11 520 9050
Website: bisr.com.sa
Social Media: @bisriyadh
