Principal’s Message: A Year of Transformation and Vision
As I look back on my first year as Principal of The British School of Brussels, I feel great pride at the progress we have made together as a community. The 2024-2025 academic year has been one of considerable transformation, defined by substantial campus development, the launch of our inspiring new Vision, and continued commitment to delivering exceptional educational experiences.
Campus Development and Modernisation
This year has seen remarkable progress in our ongoing campus development programme. Following the success of our Jacques Rogge Sports Centre, which opened in 2016 with its world-class facilities, including our 25-metre swimming pool, multi-purpose sports hall, gymnasium, and fitness suite, we have continued to invest strategically in our physical infrastructure. In collaboration with VDL De Meeuw, we completed an impressive new modular school building spanning 794 square metres. This state-of-the-art facility was delivered in just eight months and opened its doors to students in September 2024. The building features nine modern classrooms, a staff room, medical facilities, and wide corridors designed to support our dynamic learning environment. With a ceiling height of 3.10 metres and individual climate
control units in each classroom, the building exemplifies our commitment to providing comfortable, sustainable learning spaces. The contemporary design, with its vertical green steel panels and rhythmic wooden accents, seamlessly integrates with our existing campus aesthetic. This transitional building forms part of our comprehensive masterplan for campus renewal and demonstrates our forward-thinking approach to facilities development. The modular construction method minimises disruption during the academic year and provides us with flexibility for future campus needs.
Our outdoor facilities continue to be among the finest of any international school in Belgium, featuring recently renovated sports pitches, tennis courts, and Europe’s largest freestanding bouldering wall in a school setting. Our campus, situated beside tranquil woodlands in Tervuren, provides a safe and stimulating environment where our students can thrive.
A New Vision for BSB
Perhaps the most important development this year has been the creation and launch of our new school vision: “Learning today, to lead tomorrow, as a force for good.” This vision emerged from extensive consultation with our entire school community – students, staff, parents, and governors – and embodies our collective aspirations for BSB’s future.
The Vision is underpinned by five strategic priorities that guide every aspect of our work:
• True Belonging We nurture a culture where everybody feels safe, understood, and valued, based on trust, inclusion, and meaningful relationships.
• Empowered Learning We emphasise learner agency, voice, and responsibility, inspiring personalised growth through individualised feedback and the celebration of success.
• Transformative Learning We provide authentic, relevant, and connected learning experiences that have a positive impact on self, others, and the wider world.
• Intercultural Connection We foster intercultural engagement that deepens understanding across cultures, celebrates multilingualism and identity, and builds local and global connectionss.
• Environmental Stewardship We demonstrate intentional sustainability as we strive to be good ancestors.
These priorities represent more than aspirational statements; they form the foundation of our strategic planning and inform our daily practice. We have been integrating these principles into our curriculum, pastoral systems, and operational decisions throughout this last year, and the response from our community has been extremely positive, with students, staff, and families supporting this common sense of purpose and direction.
Going forward, as we move into our next chapter, BSB is exceptionally well-positioned. Our modern facilities, combined with our inspiring new Vision and the continued dedication of our outstanding staff, create the ideal conditions for educational excellence. The achievements detailed in this report–from exceptional examination results to impressive student enrolment and sound financial health–demonstrate that BSB continues to be a school of first choice for international families in Belgium. I am grateful to our entire community for their backing during this transformational year.
Together, we are building on BSB’s strong legacy while boldly shaping its future. Our students remain at the heart of everything we do, and I believe that the education they receive here will empower them to become the caring, confident, and courageous leaders our world needs.
James Penstone Principal & CEO
The British School of Brussels
Exam Results
Mean IB Diploma Points
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Table 1: IB Diploma Results 2024-2025
Our IB Diploma students achieved an impressive average score of 35.4 points, significantly above the worldwide average of 30.6. Over 93% of our students scored 30 points or more, and 55% achieved 36 points or higher–nearly three times the global average. Our 97% pass rate substantially exceeds the 80% worldwide pass rate.
A Level Results
Table 2: A Level Results 2024-2025
BSB A Level students delivered outstanding results, with 35% achieving A* or A grades–significantly above the UK national average of 27.6%. An impressive 66% of grades were awarded at A*-B, compared to 55.3% nationally. These results rank among our best in the past decade. More than 25 different A Level subjects were offered, with our highest-achieving students securing three A* grades and one A grade.
Level 3 BTEC
2
IGCSE Results
Grade 9-7
IGCSE Results Grade 9-4
BTEC Results
Level 3 BTEC
Table 3: Level 3 BTEC Results 2024-2025
2024-2025
Level 2 BTEC
Table 4: Level 2 BTEC Results 2024-2025
Our BTEC students achieved exceptional results with 100% pass rates across both Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. At Level 3, 60% of students earned Distinction* or Distinction grades, while Level 2 students achieved an impressive 72% at the highest grade bands.
IGCSE Results
Table 5: IGCSE Results 2024-2025
Over 50% of all IGCSE grades awarded were at the top levels of 7, 8, and 9 (equivalent to A and A*). In addition, 90% of grades were awarded at grade 4 and above, ensuring the vast majority of students secured strong passes to facilitate their onward educational journey.
Music and Drama Results 2024-2025
Table 6: Music and Drama External Examination Results 2024-2025
Our students continued to excel in music and drama examinations across multiple examination bodies, with excellent pass rates and high percentages of Distinction and Merit grades.
University Destinations 2024-2025
Geographic Distribution
Table 7: University Destinations by Region 2024-2025
Our Class of 2025 graduates have secured places at leading universities worldwide. The geographic distribution shows 35% heading to the United Kingdom, with strong representation in the Netherlands (18%) and across the rest of Europe (16%). A significant proportion (18%) have opted for gap years, military service, or employment before continuing to higher education.
Notable University Placements
Our graduates have been accepted to prestigious institutions including:
• University College London (UCL)
• Cornell University
• École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
• Technical University of Munich (TUM)
• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• KU Leuven
• University of Edinburgh
• King’s College London
• University of Manchester
• University of Glasgow
Students have secured places across diverse disciplines including Medicine, Engineering, Business, Law, Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, reflecting the breadth and depth of our academic programmes.
University Destinations by Region 2024-2025
Outside of Europe Gap Year/ Military/Work
Rest
of Europe
United Kingdom
The Netherlands Belgium
Notable University Placements
Student Numbers
Table 8: Student Numbers (as of 1 September, excluding Early Childhood Centre)
Enrolment for 2024-2025 stands at 1,308 students, representing over 70 different nationalities. While approximately 30% of our students are originally from the UK, we are a truly international learning community.
Number of formal complaints during school year: 0
Comparative Examination Results (5-Year Trends)
A Level Results Comparison
Band
Table 9: A Level Results 2021-2025
IGCSE Results Comparison
Table 10: IGCSE Results 2021-2025
Financial Information
School Income 2024-2025
Table 11 School Income 2024-2025
School Expenditure 2024-2025
Category
Table 12: School Expenditure 2024-2025
Operating Costs Breakdown 2024-2025
Table 13: Operating Costs Distribution 2024-2025
Capital Expenditure 2024-2025
Table 14: Capital Expenditure 2024-2025
Significant capital investment this year included the new modular school building and continued enhancements to our campus facilities.
Financial Performance
Table 15: Financial Performance 2024-2025
The school achieved a healthy surplus of €2,389,091 after all operations, demonstrating sound financial management while continuing to invest significantly in facilities and educational resources.
Staffing 2024-2025
Table 16: Staff Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) 2024-2025
Reserves
Cash and investment reserves as of end of academic year 2024-2025 stood at €43,287,315, an increase from €41,254,201 in 2023-2024. These reserves ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the school and enable continued investment in facilities, technology, and educational programmes.
School Community and Curriculum
The British School of Brussels is a thriving international learning community for children aged 3-18 years, creating the foundation for our School Community and Curriculum.
Based in the eastern suburbs of Brussels on a state-of-the-art campus, we offer a high-quality, holistic education to students of all abilities and linguistic backgrounds, forming the basis of our curriculum approach.
While 30% of our students are originally from the UK, we are truly international, with our student body representing over 70 nationalities. Academic progress and success remain key priorities, alongside a very strong pastoral focus. Students are encouraged to develop broader skills, take part in service-learning opportunities, and see themselves as global citizens of the future.
Our Vision: Learning today, to lead tomorrow, as a force for good
Our Vision is underpinned by five strategic priorities:
• True Belonging – Nurture a culture where each person feels safe, understood, and valued
• Empowered Learning – Emphasise learner agency, voice, and responsibility
• Transformative Learning – Provide authentic, relevant, and connected learning experiences
• Intercultural Connection – Foster intercultural engagement and global connections
• Environmental Stewardship – Demonstrate intentional sustainability
Curriculum Pathways
Ages 3-11 (Primary):
For ages 3-11, we offer a British-based curriculum adapted to our European context and international student body.
Ages 11-16 (Secondary):
Students aged 11-16 take GCSE and IGCSE, with examinations at age 16. We also offer Level 2 BTEC qualifications. Students complete CNaVT (Dutch language qualification) and may take DELF (French) at B1 or B2 level.
Ages 16-18 (Post-16):
BSB is the only school in Belgium to offer three pre-university routes, giving students flexible pathways to suit their ambitions:
• A Levels – Students typically study 3-4 subjects over two years, with Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) options
• International Baccalaureate Diploma – Comprehensive six-subject programme
• Level 3 BTEC – Vocational qualifications in Business, Hospitality, and Sport
Students may combine A Levels with BTEC qualifications. Over 25 A Level subjects and 25 IB subjects are offered, widening choice and tailoring opportunity.
Enrichment and Holistic Education
The Enrichment programme at BSB is central to our holistic curriculum, linking academic learning with diverse activities including sport, drama, and music, all supported by state-of-the-art facilities.
Sports:
Football, gymnastics, swimming, netball, tennis, golf, and basketball are played competitively in Belgium and across Europe.
Our facilities include:
• 25m indoor swimming pool (only international school in Belgium with a competition-standard pool)
• Multi-purpose sports hall
• Specialist gymnastics space
• Dance studio and fitness suite
• Bouldering wall (the largest free-standing wall in any European school)
• 5G artificial pitches
Performing Arts:
Two full theatre productions annually, supported by a 240-seat professional theatre with lighting/sound desk, green room, workshop, and costume department. Extensive music performance opportunities and competitions enhance the student experience.
Extended Learning:
• Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (all levels)
• CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) programme
• THIMUN (The Hague Model United Nations)
• Belgian Special Olympics
• Fair Trade initiatives
• Global Issues Network (GIN) environmental projects
These activities help BSB students develop leadership skills and interact actively, ethically, and purposefully with the wider world.
The British School of Brussels vzw Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 766 04 30 | Fax: +32 02 767 80 70
www.britishschool.be | admissions@britishschool.be
CEEB Code: 574910 | UCAS Code: 48132 | IB Code: 002144
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