P R I M A RY SC H O O L P RO S P E C T U S
2 02 5 - 2 02 6
“Excellent”
The British School of Bucharest has been rated consistently as ‘excellent’ in all areas by the UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in 2018 and 2022. This is the highest possible rating that can be achieved after being inspected by ISI.
Message from the Head of Primary School
Dear Parents and Students,
We are delighted that you are considering joining our BSB family and are so clearly invested in ensuring that your child receives the best that British education has to offer.
We are completely committed to the holistic development of our students and structure our programmes such that each individual is looked after on an academic, social and emotional, and physical level. Our teaching staff are held to extraordinarily high standards and ensure that every child is appropriately challenged, enthusiastic about learning and is an outstanding representative of our school values and ethos. We know that excellent teaching and learning requires high levels of engagement and support and our low student to adult ratios, creative and exciting delivery of the curriculum and emphasis on enjoyment of school allow our students to cultivate positive relationships and exceptional work habits, as well as to make outstanding progress.
We hope that you find this prospectus informative and would be more than happy to invite you into school for a tour of our beautiful campus. I am delighted by the possibility of welcoming your child and family into our close, caring community.
Kind regards,
Mrs. Smith, Head of Primary School
About BSB Mission & Aims
We are the British School of Bucharest (BSB), a leading international school, providing a comprehensive international education based on the National Curriculum for England and offers EYFS, Primary and Secondary schooling, with IGCSEs to A-Levels.
We are a well-established school that has offered, since the year 2000, a British education in Bucharest for children aged 2-18. It is a richly diverse learning community, with more than 700 students represented by over 65 nationalities. They benefit from an impressive pupil-to-teacher ratio and small class sizes, ensuring a personalised and highly supportive learning environment.
We tailor our educational programme individually to your child’s requirements providing a positive, stimulating, secure and caring environment that encourages the fulfilment of their potential and the growth of their self-esteem and selfconfidence in academic, social and personal areas. Your child will have the opportunity to innovate, create, collaborate and become an active learner.
The British School of Bucharest is committed to developing confident, motivated, self-disciplined learners who can realise their full potential and make a responsible contribution to the world.
The British School is committed to providing excellent education and a caring environment to encourage the overall development of our pupils.
British Curriculum for Primary Schools
Primary School at the British School of Bucharest is the perfect environment to provide pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum at the start of the academic journey.
Our Primary School is for children aged 5 to 11, and the National Curriculum for England for Primary children is taught as:
• Key Stage 1
(Years 1 & 2, for children aged 5-6)*
• Key Stage 2
(Years 3, 4, 5 & 6, for children aged 7-10)*
*the age of the child on 31st August for a September start
The Primary programme we teach offers a comprehensive and well-balanced curriculum that provides children with many opportunities to develop positive attitudes to learning from the beginning of their education.
Lessons are delivered entirely in English, with native Englishspeaking teachers, and emphasise Literacy and Numeracy throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.
Our thematic approach to teaching allows learning to be integrated across subjects through extended topics. Topics are launched through exciting problem-solving events which stimulate high levels of engagement and bring the themes to life for the students.
Key Stage 1
Years 1 & 2
For children aged 5-6, (the pupil’s age on 31st August for a September start)
Key Stage 1 provides pupils with a varied and stimulating curriculum. Our classrooms are full of activity within an atmosphere that is calm, caring and conducive to learning. We focus on creating a respectful and close rapport between pupils and staff.
English and Mathematics have priority in terms of teaching time and are taught daily within the British Curriculum for primary schools. In Science, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology, Computer Science, Drama, PSHE and Music, children learn about the world in which they live and develop their creativity, physical expression and skills in both enquiry and socialisation.
Pastoral care is given high priority and pupils are looked after and supported by teachers in all aspects of school life. There is always time to listen, talk and help.
The KS1 curriculum is enhanced by a robust co-curricular programme which includes CCAs, as well as day trips and visitors to the school.
Key Stage 2
Years 3, 4, 5 & 6
For children aged 7-10 (the pupil’s age on 31st August for a September start)
As pupils move on to Key Stage 2, they develop increased independence as learners. Their strengths are supported by teachers who ensure a dynamic and rigorous delivery of the curriculum while creating a positive and nurturing environment. The development of high self-esteem and respect for others are essential aspects of the curriculum and we encourage the children to take more responsibility, both for themselves and for others.
English, Mathematics and Science are the core subjects within the British Curriculum for primary schools. They receive priority and are taught daily. Students are also taught Computer Science, History, Geography, Art, Design Technology and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education by the Class Teacher. Specialist Teachers teach Music, Physical Education, Modern Foreign Languages and Drama. The Modern Foreign Languages on offer are Spanish, French, German and Mandarin.
We enhance the Key Stage 2 curriculum with an extensive extra-curricular programme, including the BSB University
courses, and with co-curricular activities, school field trips and many inter-school events and activities which allow students to explore their interests and talents, as well as to develop key skills.
Assessment
We assess Primary School pupils’ progress continuously through Teacher Assessment. Children are assessed against the age-related expectations outlined in the National Curriculum. Alongside this, Assessment for Learning ensures differentiated learning opportunities in line with next-step targets identified by the Class Teachers.
Students in Year 2, upwards, participate in annual, external assessments in both English and Maths and students in Years 3 and 5 (as well as new applicants) take the CAT4 test offered by GL Assessment.
Twice a year, we invite parents to meet their child’s Class Teacher to discuss their education and development. Our Class Teachers and Specialist Teachers write a mid-year and end-ofyear report to describe the child’s progress in all subjects.
Homework
Weekly homework is at the discretion of the Class Teacher and includes work on spelling, Mathematics and a language activity, as well as an expectation of daily reading. In addition, children may be required to complete other activities more suited to the home environment, such as collecting information to support project work. Further optional homework extension tasks are made available.
A general guideline for homework expectations per day is:
2 & 3
Enrichment Activities
Co-Curricular Activities
Our extensive programme of more than 140 Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) provides students with the fantastic opportunity to try new sports and activities and pursue a variety of interests or service opportunities which may, in time, develop into lifelong passions.
Through this after-school CCA programme, which runs from Monday to Friday between 15:00 and 17:00 at the British School of Bucharest, pupils can build on a multitude of interests.
Co-Curricular activities include arts and crafts projects, cooking, music, academic extension classes such as language learning, writing support and computer skills, as well as mathematical games and sport. We encourage students to enrol in at least two activities every term.
Our rolling sports programme continues throughout the year according to the season but aims to give balanced opportunities for pupils on our football and basketball school teams to train together and for non-team members, to enjoy a wide variety of activities. Alongside the standard sports provision, pupils can enjoy Table Tennis, Dance, Gymnastics, Fencing, Climbing, Karate and Athletics. Younger children can take part in mixed sports.
BSB University Programme
The Primary University programme, unique to the British School of Bucharest, is designed to personalise our Primary pupils’ learning through skills development, reaching beyond the National Curriculum for England expectations. The BSB University programme enhances and enriches the quality of education which our students receive.
Key Stage 2 pupils can choose from a range of exciting extracurricular courses led by teaching staff and supported by parents and volunteers during school time. Pupils receive a certificate at the end of the year in recognition of the specific skills learned from the three courses they selected. All courses fall under the following three categories:
• Arts and Creative Development
• Self-Development and Personal Challenge
• Service and Community Enrichment
The BSB University provides a unique period in the timetable where children can work with students and staff from different year groups, focusing upon common areas of interest.
Some of the courses are designed to help children develop worthwhile personal skills, such as enterprise, film-making, public speaking and debate. Others enable children to explore existing curriculum subjects at a deeper and more challenging level, supporting the needs of our able, gifted and talented students. Such courses include Art Masterclass and Advanced Coding, as well as those which focus on the performing arts, sport, science, technology and various other academic areas.
The BSB University programme also encourages our children to participate in service opportunities and appreciate the importance of community.
Journeys
Pupils’ experience at the British School of Bucharest is significantly enhanced through ‘BSB Journeys’ (school trips), as pupils learn best when they are highly engaged in authentic experiences. These journeys represent an essential component of pupils’ education, allowing for a broader experiential learning. Through ‘BSB Journeys’, pupils discover places and people, build bridges with new cultures and acquire new life skills.
The aim of ‘BSB Journeys’ is to enhance pupils’ experience at the British School of Bucharest by wrapping their personal growth experience in a context which is both academic and informal.
Fun, socialising, discovery, exploration, personal development, unique experiences, memories for a lifetime… this is what ‘BSB Journeys’ are about.
KS1 pupils enjoy visiting and exploring local attractions and learning through hands on experiences. Year 2 students also have the opportunity to participate in a camping sleepover within the school grounds. Children from Year 3 upwards will enjoy Expeditions Week towards the end of the academic year, with Years 3 to 6 venturing outside of Bucharest on residential trips.
Book A Visit
Thank you for considering the British School of Bucharest as the right choice for your children’s academic journey. We are delighted that you want to find out more about admissions to the British School of Bucharest.
Parents who wish to apply to the British School of Bucharest can do so at any time. We enrol new students throughout the year and many join us partway through an academic year.
Our hugely diverse international community is what makes the British School of Bucharest so unique. As a nonselective school, entry is open to any community member of any ability and from anywhere in the world. We are excited to share with you what our school offers and look forward to meeting your family.
You can contact the BSB Admissions Team on +40 728 133 433 or send us an email admissions@britishschool.ro.
Use your artistic flare to bring life to our school mascots! It’s time for fun!
Use your artistic flare to bring life to our school mascots!
Use your artistic flare to bring life to our school mascots! It’s time for fun!
British School of Bucharest
Early Years Foundation Stage | Primar y | Secondar y
42 Erou Iancu Nicolae Street, 077190, Voluntari, Ilfov County, Romania