International School in Berlin, Germany

Berlin British School:
Berlin British School (BBS) is an independent, international English-speaking school for children aged 3 to 18 years, centrally located on three sites in the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, serving the international community of Berlin-Brandenburg. We consist of an Early Years programme, a Primary School, and a Secondary School. The academic programme at BBS is based on the English National Curriculum and prepares students for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Both qualifications are recognised and respected in Germany, as well as internationally. The pass rate for IGCSE and IB is almost 100%, which reflects the high academic standards of the school.

Curriculum Overview:
The Berlin British School's curriculum provides an education based on the ethos and philosophy of the National Curriculum for England and Wales, while taking due note of the international community which it serves and its geographical location at the heart of Germany. Extra English lessons are provided for children who are acquiring English as a new language. German language teaching is provided for children who are reasonably fluent in English, as well as for native German speakers.

Education Programs for Students Ages 3-18:

Early Years (Nursery, reception & preschool):  
Structured learning from the age of 3 years. The Early Years Programme is home to the youngest members of our BBS community. The building houses the Nursery, Reception and Year 1 children in the heart of the Grunewald. Here the children have the ideal place to explore at first hand the world around them.

The building consists of two Year 1 classrooms, a Reception area and a Nursery area. Completely fenced and very spacious, the outdoor play area consists of a large sandpit, a roadway for bikes, tables and chairs, musical instruments, small wooden houses and lots of other play equipment suitable for 3-6 year olds. We have a morning break and a lunch break when the children can play outside. The staff also use the outdoors for educational activities. 

Primary School:  
At the completion of Year 1, pupils join the Primary School. Catering for the needs of children from Years 2 to 6 (ages 6-11 years), our single storey building houses ten light, airy classrooms in addition to specialist teaching facilities including language rooms, library, music room, gym and computer suite. In addition, there is a well-equipped playground. Building on the foundation skills gained in the Early Years programme, experiences here continue to enhance the children’s ability to learn independently. We aim to inspire and challenge all children by developing:

- Successful learners: Who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve.
- Confident individuals: Who are able to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
- Positive citizens: Who are able to contribute to a better society.

Secondary School:  
At Secondary School, students in Years 7 – 9 (Key Stage 3) follow the outline of the National Curriculum for England and Wales, modified to suit the needs of an international student body. Between Years 7 – 11, the school is not academically selective, but we do insist that students have enough English to access the curriculum successfully. To that end, a three-day visit is offered and encouraged for all students who wish to join us, so that some standard tests can be administered.

In Years 10 and 11 (Key Stage 4), a two-year course is followed, leading to the qualification of International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) in up to ten subjects. Students who are successful at IGCSE then move into Year 12 and 13, where they prepare for the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, a well respected and recognised qualification by universities throughout the world. Public exams in IGCSE (at 16 years) and (at 18 years) in the IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma, the equivalent of the German Abitur or British A Levels.  As a programme of learning, the IB Diploma is also a university entrance qualification accepted by institutions of higher education worldwide.

Additionally:  Extracurricular programmes, after school care & school holiday vacation care.