Cities / Brussels / The British School of Brussels
The British School of Brussels
BSB in Tervuren is the largest of the British curriculum schools in Belgium and the obvious default for many UK and Commonwealth families. Around 1,300 students, 70 nationalities, the only school in the country offering A Levels, IB Diploma and BTEC side by side.
In brief
BSB in Tervuren is the largest of the British-curriculum schools in Belgium and the obvious default for many UK and Commonwealth families. Around 1,300 students, 70 nationalities, the only school in the country offering A Levels, IB Diploma and BTEC side by side.
Founded in 1970, the campus is genuinely big with strong sports, arts and STEM facilities, and the breadth of subject choice at sixth form is the headline reason families pick it. The 99% Diploma pass rate gets quoted often. Pastoral structures, including the Families of BSB network, do real work for new arrivals.
The honest considerations are turnover and tone. As a high-flow expat school, peer groups reshuffle every couple of years, which some children navigate easily and others find unsettling. A minority of parents describe a status-conscious feel among certain cohorts. It is also a 30 to 45-minute drive from the city centre, which shapes daily logistics and after-school life.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 3 | €20,600 |
| Reception, Years 1-2 | 5 | €36,500 |
| Years 3-6 | 7 | €38,435 |
| Years 7-9 | 11 | €45,500 |
| Years 10-13 | 14 | €46,700 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (per child, non-refundable) | €750 |
Reviews
- Reputation in Brussels is solidly academic, often contrasted with the International School of Brussels (ISB), which is treated as the more social, American-style alternative. One former pupil said BSB has "a tad more academic" feel; ISB has "a bit more of a 'party' reputation".
- Tervuren campus and facilities are repeatedly singled out: 10-hectare site, swimming pool, sports complex, large grounds. Multiple parents and pupils describe "amazing facilities".
- Fees pitched at the top of the Brussels market, around 30,000 euros per year, with one teacher-side comment noting cash-flow strain after the new sports complex was built without sufficient budgeting.
- Bilingual French/English primary stream and Dutch/English IB Diploma route are noted as differentiators.
- One ex-staff member (2021–2023) flagged toxic departmental culture, weak pedagogical leadership and under-supportive HR. This sits against years of positive parent and pupil mentions; treat as a single staff-side data point.
- Long-running not-for-profit, founded 1969, with Cub Scouts and external community use of grounds.
Positives
- Academic positioning vs ISB. Repeatedly framed as the more academic option in Brussels' English-medium market.
- Campus and facilities. Tervuren site, pool, sports complex and woodland setting cited across multiple threads.
- Bilingual streams. French/English primary and Dutch/English IB pathways treated as genuine selling points.
Considerations
- Cost. Around 30,000 euros per year places it at the top of the Brussels market.
- Staff-side concerns. An anonymous teacher review flagged departmental toxicity and weak academic leadership; an unrelated comment noted budget management issues around the sports complex.
Leadership
James Penstone
James Penstone, Principal & CEO of The British School of Brussels since January 2025, has nearly two decades of experience in international education leadership. He is passionate about empowering students to take ownership of their learning and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 02
Academic results
- IB Diploma average (2025) 35.4 points
- A-Level pass rate 99%+