Comparing 2 schools side by side in USD.
Located in the eastern suburbs of Brussels, Belgium, at Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren. The campus is state-of-the-art.
Primary School (ages 1-11) and Secondary School (ages 11-18).
Not-for-profit international day school.
Pupils come from over 70 nationalities; the largest nationality represented is British at about 30%.
EAL and AEN support are provided, including an Inclusion team, Learning Assistants, and Speech and Language Therapists; an Educational Psychologist, counsellors, and nurses are available to support students.
United Kingdom (UK) curriculum; British orientation for an international school in Belgium.
The school year is divided into three terms: Term 1 runs from late August/early September to mid-December; Term 2 runs from early January to late March or early April; Term 3 runs from late April to late June or early July.
A supervised school bus service operates on many routes across Brussels and surrounding villages for pupils aged four and above. Bus fees are listed on the Fees page. There is no bus service on Wednesday lunchtimes for Lower Primary.
The school does not have a formal uniform. There is a dress code and a PE kit is worn for PE.
The school provides hot lunch in the Early Childhood Centre, Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Kindergarten and Reception eat in their classrooms and Year 1 eat in the Tintin Hall; in Year 2 lunches are in the cafeteria. The Cafeteria is available for Year 3 and upwards; meals are freshly prepared on site and paid with a prepaid card. The Cafeteria menu offers hot meals (including vegetarian options), a salad bar, and sandwich/panini stations, with allergy information published.
The House system adds belonging; students are placed in one of three Houses – Goodman, Pantlin, or Firman – on arrival.
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Governors. The school was founded on not-for-profit principles, and any excess proceeds from fees are reinvested back into the school. The school is The British School of Brussels vzw.
The school offers a British-based curriculum up to age 16 (GCSE and International GCSE). Post-16, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, and BTEC vocational courses, including a bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English. A French-English bilingual programme runs across 10 Year Groups from Reception (age 4-5), and Dutch lessons start from age seven.
Student-teacher ratio is 9:1. Maximum class size is 21 in Secondary and 14 in Post-16. Total enrolment is 1,363 (Secondary 873; Primary 490).
GCSE 2024: 94% pass rate with 57% of grades 7 or above. A Levels 2024: 96% pass rate with 61% of grades A-B and 34% A-A. IB Diploma 2024: 97% pass rate with an average score of 35 and a top score of 44. BTEC (Level 3) 2024: 100% pass rate with 60% Distinction/Distinction; Level 2 BTEC: 100% pass rate with 72% Distinction/Distinction and 89% Merit or higher.
Graduates progress to higher education worldwide. Destinations include Imperial College London, University of St Andrews, University of Amsterdam, McGill University, University of British Columbia, KU Leuven and other universities in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the United States and beyond.
Enrichment and outdoor learning are central to the programme, with around 200 clubs and activities, including sport, music, drama and creative pursuits. Enrichment opportunities are complemented by service learning and broader personal development experiences.
Pastoral care is integral to BSB's offering. The school has an educational psychologist, two counsellors, speech and language therapists, and four nurses on site to support students' social and emotional needs. In Primary, the class teacher, supported by Learning Assistants and the Inclusion and Leadership team, is the first port of call for pastoral support. In Secondary, pastoral care is delivered through the tutors and Heads of Year, as well as the Access to Learning department which includes BSB's counselling service. Academically, students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Additional Educational Needs (AEN) are supported by dedicated departments staffed by expert teams, with help including homework clubs, a Learning Mentor, intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. [Source: Student Support page]
BSB provides extensive provision for Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher responsible for supporting children who may have EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). In Secondary, support is delivered via the Access to Learning department and targeted interventions. Academic support is bespoke, underpinned by dedicated systems and processes tailored to individual needs. AEN and EAL learners receive interventions designed to enable progress across the curriculum. Enrichment and extension opportunities are integrated into the support framework. [Source: Primary Support; Student Support page]
EAL support is provided through dedicated departments staffed by expert teams. In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher who supports students with EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). Help includes intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. In Secondary, EAL support continues through the school's dedicated learning support structures. The process is bespoke and tailored to individual needs. [Source: Student Support; Primary Support]
Mental wellbeing is prioritised as part of pastoral care. The team includes an educational psychologist, counsellors, speech and language therapists and four nurses on site to support students' wellbeing. In Secondary, counselling is provided through the Access to Learning department. Support is tailored to age and need, and is integrated with academic support to help students manage challenges. [Source: Student Support]
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of every student. Roles and responsibilities are defined, including Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) for Primary and Secondary and required safeguarding training for all staff. The policy includes online safety measures with filtering and monitoring systems, and clear procedures to identify and escalate safeguarding concerns and to handle incidents. Staff undergo safeguarding and child protection training at induction and at least annually; the school maintains processes and contacts with local safeguarding agencies. [Source: Safeguarding Policy PDF]
BSB is inclusive and non-selective with an international student body. Tours are available and new students are welcome at any time of the year. Joining at the start of the academic year in September is encouraged, but the school welcomes new students throughout the year. Year groups are assigned based on a child's calendar age against the September 1 to August 31 academic year; students coming from other systems may be placed a year above or below to stay with their peers. The Admissions team is available to help, and the school provides an application form for prospective families. Languages are taught in English with bilingual options: a French/English bilingual programme runs for children aged 4 to 14; French is taught from Kindergarten, Dutch is taught from age seven, and additional languages such as Spanish and German are available; secondary students may also learn these languages. Exam options include GCSEs and iGCSEs in Years 10–11, and in Years 12–13 students can choose the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, or BTEC. The school is located at The British School of Brussels vzw, Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. Admission enquiry can be made via the Admissions section of the site. Fees and financial information are provided on the Fees page, and the school's admissions process outlines how and when to apply.
Kattenberg 19, B-1170 Brussels, Belgium. It is in Watermael-Boitsfort, the south‑east quadrant of Brussels. The 40‑acre campus sits within the Forêt de Soignes and offers extensive outdoor learning facilities; it is easily reachable by car, bus, train and tram.
Early Childhood Centre (Preschool – Grade 2); Elementary School (Grade 3–6); Middle School (Grade 7–9); High School (Grade 10–12).
Private not-for-profit international day school.
60+ nationalities represented.
Inclusion & Challenge services provide personalised support for diverse learning needs across all age groups.
Belgium
The ISB Bus Service operates with more than 30 buses serving most parts of the city and surrounding areas. It is available to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with BatOnRoute real‑time tracking and bus monitors. Late Bus Service is available for Middle and High School students; bus fees for 2025‑26: Return 3,140 Euro; One way 2,385 Euro.
Boarding is available during Elite Week; beds are limited. Athletes and coaches stay at Auberge des Trois Fontaines, about 10 minutes from the ISB campus, and are supervised by coaches. A bus transports participants between the hostel and ISB; breakfast is provided at the hostel and dinner is eaten with ISB on campus.
There is a dress code for Middle School.
The campus includes an Elementary School Cafeteria and a Middle School Cafeteria on site.
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and is a private not-for-profit international school.
ISB uses English as the main language of instruction. French is offered from age 2.5, with a French bilingual programme from Grade 5; additional language options include Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese. The Home Language Programme integrates languages spoken at home into the curriculum. The curriculum is flexible and inquiry-based, with personalised learning pathways across ECC to High School.
7:1
IB Diploma results for 2025 show 160 graduates, 141 IB Exams taken, 118 Diploma candidates, 27% of IB Courses with accommodations, an average IBDP score of 35, a 100% pass rate, 49% bilingual diplomas, and an average Course score of 5.5. AP results show 84 students (Grades 9–12) completed 136 exams in 13 subjects, with an average AP score of 3.84, 90% of exams scoring 3 or higher, 103 students taking AP Exams, 19 AP subjects taught, and 44% achieving a perfect score of 5. BTEC results show a 100% pass rate with 2 pathways offered and 33 students taking BTEC, with 27 students working towards external BTEC qualifications.
ISB offers five graduation pathways, including IB Diploma, AP, BTEC, US Diploma, and another pathway. Universities worldwide offered ISB students places in 2024-25, demonstrating strong progression to higher education globally.
The Inclusion & Challenge Department provides High-Ability Programmes for advanced learners.
ISB provides school-wide counselling services to support students and families. A dedicated Inclusion & Challenge Department brings together specialists in Learning Support, Counselling, Psychological Services, and Health to address academic, personal, and social needs. A Multidisciplinary Student Study Team develops tailored strategies to help students thrive. The school's approach promotes wellbeing through accessible professional support across grade levels.
An Inclusion & Challenge Department coordinates Learning Support and High-Ability Programmes to meet diverse learning needs. The department develops tailored strategies for individual students and collaborates with families and teachers to support learning. A multidisciplinary approach ensures appropriate challenge and support across age groups.
English Language Development (ELD) supports students who are still developing English, with specialist ELD teachers providing tailored in- and out-of-class support. Home Language Programme offers seven languages in the Lower School (Dutch, French, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swedish) and five in the Upper School, integrating language for learning and reading skills. ISB's bilingual learning pathways begin with French from 2.5 years old and may extend to core subjects taught in French or bilingual diplomas.
Counselling services at ISB proactively support students and parents on academic, personal, social, and career topics. Psychological Services provide personalised plans based on in‑house assessments and collaboration with external professionals, with strong links to local mental health experts. Health Services employ nurses, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists to maintain a healthy learning environment.
ISB is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of students. The school has a Board‑approved Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy aligned with international safeguarding standards. The Designated Safeguarding Lead coordinates the Safeguarding Committee and implements practical procedures. Training on child protection occurs annually, and all staff undergo vetting, including a Certificate of Good Standing from Belgian authorities.
1. Submit the ISB admissions application with the required application fee. The application form must be accompanied by the application fee, and applications will not be processed until the full application fee is paid. If the application is withdrawn, 50% of the fee is refunded; if a Financial Aid application is denied or the family does not accept the offer and withdraws, 75% is refunded; if a completed application is placed in a waiting pool for 60 days and the family cancels, a full refund is available. 2. After the completed application is received, an admission decision is typically issued within 7 to 10 working days. A decision may be delayed if additional information is needed or during school-holiday periods. 3. Students can join ISB at any point during the school year, typically before 1 May. A suitable start date is determined in collaboration with the family and approved by the Head of School. IB Diploma students cannot begin after the beginning of October if their courses are not transferable to ISB. 4. Grade-level placement is based on the prior educational experience and the student's age. In some cases, a placement test may be given to accurately place a student. 5. The ISB Bus Service is the most popular transport for commuting to and from school. Some students may use public transportation, ride a bike, or be dropped off and picked up by their parents. 6. ISB runs waiting lists when necessary. When classes are full, a waiting pool for the affected class is opened, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. 7. ISB offers a limited number of financial aid opportunities each year based on eligibility criteria. ISB also provides an English Language Development Programme at all levels to support non-English-speaking students. 8. ISB has an Inclusion and Challenge Programme to meet learning needs and ensure appropriate placement. 9. The school day hours vary by section: ECC Preschool 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Pre-Kindergarten 08:40–15:30 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri) and 08:40–12:30 (Wed); ECC Kindergarten–Grade 2 08:40–15:35; Elementary School 08:40–15:35; Middle School 08:35–15:40; High School 08:35–15:40.
ISB offers a Financial Aid Programme to assist families experiencing temporary financial hardship; the aid is primarily designed for existing families and is available for a maximum of two consecutive years. Applications for Financial Aid must be submitted with the regular ISB application and supporting materials, and are considered up to March 31 until the budget is exhausted. ISB also offers a Scholarship Programme for merit-based scholarships open to students of all nationalities; these scholarships are offered for two consecutive years for Grades 7–12 and are designed to provide access to ISB for students not currently in the ISB community; scholarship criteria include English skills, high achievement in English, alignment with ISB's values and mission, overall academic achievement, and demonstrated talents. All scholarship applicants must complete the Scholarship Programme Form and attach supporting materials. Applications for the next school year should be received by March 31. The Scholarship Committee includes the School Director, the Director of Advancement, the Director of Finance and Operations, the Finance Manager, and an Academic Panel. For further questions about scholarships, contact the Admissions Office.
Yes, ISB runs waiting lists when classes are full. A waiting pool is opened for the affected class, and the Admissions Team explains how waiting pools are managed. Waiting lists help accommodate students when space becomes available.
