Cities / Amsterdam / The British School of Amsterdam
The British School of Amsterdam
Non-profit British-curriculum day school in Amsterdam West offering IGCSE and A-Levels for ages 3 to 18.
In brief
Founded in 1978 by three British expat families, the only school in Amsterdam delivering the full English National Curriculum through to GCSE and A-Level. Non-profit, in Oud-Zuid near Vondelpark.
Around 1,000 students from ages 3 to 18, on a renovated heritage building with sports hall, theatre and science labs. The curriculum is the draw for British, Australian and South African families who plan to return home and want continuity. A-Level outcomes are strong and the school accredited as a British School Overseas.
Parents talk about a real community feel, planned activities inside and outside school hours, and after-school care for younger years. Less flattering threads cite reception staff and a withdrawal-notice policy that holds onto deposits and a term's fees if you miss the March deadline. Fees are around 18,750 to 22,000 EUR, in line with the top private tier in the city.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery (10 sessions) | 3 | €18,750 |
| Reception and Year 1 | 4 | €19,884 |
| Years 2-6 (Junior School) | 6 | €20,277 |
| Years 7-9 (Senior School) | 11 | €21,528 |
| Years 10-13 (Senior School, incl. exam supplement) | 14 | €21,903 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (non-refundable) | €250 | |
| Enrolment Fee - Nursery/Reception | €750 | |
| Enrolment Fee - Years 1-12 | €2,000 |
Reviews
A non-subsidised British school sitting on the Havenstraat site in Oud-Zuid, run as a Dutch stichting rather than under a global operator. The full pathway is GCSE and A-Level, with a Dutch programme threaded through so leavers can sit Dutch university entry with recognised qualifications. Recent A-Level cohorts have cleared the 100 percent pass line three years running, and leavers split roughly half to Dutch universities, a third to the UK, the rest further afield. Teaching gets warm marks from families; the school office and the withdrawal terms get sharper words.
Positives
- Ownership and governance. Independent not-for-profit stichting, founded by parents in 1978, no group operator and no government subsidy. A supervisory board sits above the leadership team. The financial model rests entirely on fees.
- Academic results and university routes. 100 percent A-Level pass rate three years in a row, with around 41 percent at A*/A and 76 percent at A*-B in the latest cohort. Roughly half of leavers stay in the Netherlands, a third head to the UK including Russell Group, the rest go international.
- Dutch language integration. Dutch runs from Key Stage 3 through to A-Level at multiple levels, with CNaVT exams at A2, B1 or B2 at GCSE and B2 or C1 at A-Level. The qualification ladder is built to feed Dutch university admission for those who want to stay.
- Campus and facilities. Whole school under one roof at the converted Huis van Bewaring on Havenstraat since 2021. Four wings around a central courtyard, full-size theatre, sports hall, dedicated science and music spaces. The historic shell sits at the Amstelveenseweg edge of Oud-Zuid.
- Teaching. Families talk warmly about classroom teachers and the everyday pastoral feel. The community side comes through, with an active parents' organisation and a settled feel in the lower years.
Considerations
- Fees and the non-subsidised model. Annual fees range from around EUR 9,375 in the early years to EUR 21,528 in the senior school for 2025/26, on top of a EUR 250 application fee and a EUR 750 to EUR 2,000 enrolment fee. No state funding sits behind any of it, which is the trade some families make for the all-through British pathway in central Amsterdam.
- Office and admin. Praise for teachers does not always extend to the front office. A recurring strand of parent feedback flags reception and admin as the weaker side of the experience.
- Withdrawal terms. Withdrawal notice is due by the end of March for the following September. Miss the deadline and families forfeit the enrolment deposit and remain liable for the next term's fees. Worth reading the conditions of enrolment before signing.
- Drop-off and traffic. The Havenstraat site has no on-site parking, just a Kiss and Ride. The morning gate at the Amstelveenseweg edge gets congested. Most families default to bike or tram.
- Leadership change. Ciaran Harrington took over as principal in August 2025, arriving from the British International School of Stockholm. The school is in the first full year under new leadership, so the direction of travel is still being set.
Leadership
Ciaran Harrington
At The British School of Amsterdam, our students are at the heart of everything we do. We believe every school day is important, fostering academic success, strong character, and meaningful relationships so our students thrive and learn to succeed. Our rich history has seen us grow from a small primary school to a through-school for ages 3 to 18. We bring our diverse community together at our historic Havenstraat building, where modern facilities blend seamlessly with its national monument status. Our origins as a parent-founded school are still celebrated through our exceptional parents’ organisation, reinforcing that belonging is for everyone – students, staff, and families alike. Belonging is key to wellbeing; we thrive together.
Accreditations
- British Schools Overseas (DfE) 01
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 02
Academic results
- A-Level Pass Rate (2025) 100%
- GCSE 9-7 grades (2025) 56%