British School of Amsterdam (The)

Since August 2025, Ciaran Harrington. Brings with him 17 years of leadership experience in prestigious British international schools, including most recently as principal at The British International School of Stockholm. Before that he was head of

Families are welcome to apply to the school throughout the year. New applicants need a report from their current school. Although non-selective, the school requests information regarding a child’s performance, effort and whether there are any special

Families come and go, as is the nature for international families on the global carousel. The average time for pupils to stay at the school is three to four years. For any students that do leave for, say, UK boarding schools (far fewer these days),

In 2025, at A level, 41 per cent A*/A, 76 per cent A*-B and 90 per cent A*-C, with a 100 per cent pass rate.

In the same year at GCSE, 100 per cent pass rate, 56 per cent 9-7, 77 per cent 9-6 and 95 per cent 9-4.

Non-selective and international, the school is not a hot house, nor does it try to be, but it certainly does get good results. The intake includes a relatively high percentage of SEN pupils in order to accommodate entire families and also attracts a

School is firmly committed to welcoming and educating the whole family and that includes children with learning needs. Tailored SEN programmes can be arranged from early years through to sixth form for children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and

There is a large EAL department accepting students with little or no English. Intensive English, as well as EAL lessons, are available - pupils are brought out of the mainstream classes to attend these. The school is very proud of its bi-lingual, or

Despite the tight quarters, the staff’s military precision in scheduling in and out of dining areas, school hall etc means excellent use is made of every inch of space. It is mainly the parents who have a gripe; most pupils are satisfied with the

In the junior and senior schools all pupils take PE classes in the school’s sports hall for a minimum of two hours per week. Early years have fitness and nutrition classes and weekly soft play. Reception children have a range of lessons from ball

The majority of pupils and teachers are international themselves and on the lookout for others showing signs of homesickness or requiring a little boost. Good behaviour and support for each other is promoted from early years right up through the

Very much an international school, with over 40 nationalities across the 900+ pupils. Currently the largest groups of children are from British (13 per cent), Dutch (14 per cent) and Indian (18 per cent) families, followed by a healthy cohort of

Financial headlines are published on the website (not so much the minute details), with the school stating: 'We strongly believe that the "school" does not have any money – it is parents’ money. The school must, and does, use it wisely to provide an

BSA is without a doubt your best bet if you are to be posted in Amsterdam, would like a British education and you (or your company) are prepared to stump up the fees. It is a friendly and supportive school and provides a good community for