Our School

Philosophy Aims Curriculum, Extra-curriculum and Homework National curriculum links
Fees Entrance and withdrawal School location Enquiry form

A word from our Headteacher

The British International School has quickly become renowned throughout Brussels, Europe and the world as a school that children enjoy coming to and learning in. Everybody associated with the school, parents, staff and governors, is very pleased by this and we know that the excellence in educational quality that the school offers lies in the commitment and professionalism of all of our staff. The welcoming atmosphere that they create is second to none and is one in which children are truly able to develop their full potential.

The school continues to enjoy a steady expansion and being the Headteacher of such a dynamic educational institution is both demanding and exciting, yet ultimately a very rewarding experience. There is such a vitality throughout the whole school that I am confident that once you have visited us you will understand why so many children join us as a result of a personal recommendation from our existing parents.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Stephen Prescott - Headteacher

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BISB Philosophy Statement

At the British International School of Brussels our children benefit from an enriching and challenging education as they follow a broad and balanced programme based on the British National Curriculum.

Within our welcoming and caring atmosphere each person is respected as an individual. We foster the essential human qualities of mutual respect, integrity, kindness, loyalty, self-discipline, independence, consideration and self-confidence, equipping our children to become internationally aware citizens.

We guide them to develop their full intellectual, emotional, aesthetic, moral and physical potential so that they learn, think and make responsible choices, expressing their feelings, thoughts and ideas with clarity.

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The Aims of the British International School of Brussels

We aim to:

• sustain a friendly, safe and interesting environment that stimulates and encourages the fascination of learning.
• treat everyone in our school community as an individual, valuing their contributions and accomplishments.
• develop good home-school interaction and together improve the quality of learning.
• ensure that our children follow a well planned and stimulating programme of study, with a wide variety of learning opportunities, that increases knowledge and promotes understanding.
• determine and improve the capabilities, proficiencies and talents of each child in all sections of the curriculum.
• work with the children to attain the high standards that we expect from them in all aspects of life in school.
• help the children develop a sense of right and wrong as the foundation for relationships, alongside consideration of the rights, feelings and well-being of all others.
• enable the children to make a positive contribution to our multicultural society and to enjoy life, appreciating and coping with its disappointments and triumphs.

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The Curriculum

BISB offers a high quality educational service which covers the full primary age range from Nursery to the end of Key Stage 2 (Ages 2½ - 11).

The education provided by BISB is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales with some variations in the Geography and History syllabus in order to encompass the widely varying needs and experiences of the pupil population and the geographical location of the school.

Within our Nursery children are given the opportunity to socialise with other children in a controlled situation in which they are encouraged to part from their parents for short periods of time initially, increasing to longer periods as they gain in confidence. A happy well-structured environment is provided to enable children to become more independent and secure whilst benefiting from play activities and social interactions which they would not normally encounter within the home. As they mature both physically and emotionally they are helped to develop pre-school skills which provide them with the firm grounding necessary to ensure a smooth transition to the start of their Reception class. These two groups together form what is termed the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum.

The next two stages are termed Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3,4,5 and 6). Throughout these two stages a combination of topic-based and subject-based approaches is used, with generally a different topic each half-term. Academic subjects covered are the core ones of English, Mathematics and Science, together with Information and Communications Technology, History, Geography, Design & Technology, Art, Music and Physical Education. Comparative Religious Education is introduced in the Key Stage 2 classes.

For Key Stage 2 pupils, a combination of topic-based and subject-based approaches is used, with generally a different topic each half-term. Academic subjects covered are the core ones of English, Mathematics and Science, together with the other required areas of History, Geography, Information and Communications Technology, Design & Technology, Art, Music and Physical Education. Comparative Religious Education is introduced in the Key Stage 2 classes.

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Religious Education

The school welcomes and respects children of all religious faiths, or of none. No "messages" from any particular religion are given at assemblies or elsewhere. However, religious education does form part of the primary school curriculum, the aim being to introduce children to the world's principal religions, their main features and beliefs, in order to broaden the child's education and enable them eventually to form their own opinions.

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Extra curriculum

As well as the normal curriculum our children have regular French lessons from Reception upwards, with a French mother tongue speaker.

From Reception upwards they also go swimming and have the opportunity to take part in a range of extracurricular activities, for example example ballet, karate, outdoor games, art and craft, musical instruments, sewing, chess and computers.

(Click here to visit the current clubs page)

We are keen to make use of the surrounding environment through educational outings and visits to local museums, farms and parks.

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Homework

At BISB we believe that the right amount and type of homework is very beneficial for children, fostering in them positive attitudes and habits. Homework facilitates the acquisition and consolidation of knowledge by giving opportunities to build on work undertaken in class, as well as helping to acquaint parents with content being covered in class.

We are also aware that current research indicates that too much homework has a detrimental effect on children, and runs the risk of overloading them to the point where they feel saturated and lose interest in learning. It is important that they have sufficient time for play, socialisation and relaxation.

We are very keen to get the right balance, both in the amount and the type of homework that our children are given. The various types of homework given include the following:

• Practising individually new skills which they have worked on in school
  e.g. reinforcing maths concepts through answering extra questions
• Reinforcing and extending knowledge
  e.g. learning vocabulary, memorising tables
• Developing understanding of new topics
  e.g. background reading and research, comprehension exercises
• Improving study skills
  e.g. reading, descriptive or creative writing

With regard to timing, we have the following guidelines:

We have not included reading time in these guidelines - reading (both alone and with parents) requires an extra allocation of time according to the level and interest of the individual child.

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Fees (Academic Year 2004-2005)

Entrance and withdrawal

Admittance
Children will be admitted to school on the basis of birth dates as follows:

September 2002 - August 2003: Pre-Nursery
September 2001 - August 2002: Nursery
September 2000 - August 2001: Reception
September 1999 - August 2000: Year 1
September 1998 - August 1999: Year 2
September 1997- August 1998: Year 3
September 1996 - August 1997: Year 4
September 1995 - August 1996: Year 5
September 1994 - August 1995: Year 6

New admissions are accepted throughout the year according to the above criteria.

Requirements: When a child enters school, parents are required to submit the following:

• a completed application form;
• health form;
• medical release form;
• permission form and emergency contact form.

In addition, parents may be asked to provide a record or report from the child's previous school.

Withdrawal: 90 days notice of intention to withdraw a child must be given in writing, otherwise the refundable deposit will be retained by the school.

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School location

Enquiry form

If you might be interested in applying for a place at our school, please contact us at the address / phone number above or fill in and submit the following

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