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The British School of Amsterdam

Secular

Updated July 2026

Co-edGender
Non-profitOwnership

Languages

English flagEnglishFrench flagFrenchGerman flagGermanSpanish flagSpanishMandarin flagMandarin

The British School of Amsterdam is a non-profit, through-school for students aged 3 to 18 that provides a world-class British international education. It is the only school in Amsterdam offering the full National Curriculum used in England, culminating in globally recognised GCSE and A Level qualifications.

Term structure

Three terms

Teaching approach

The school is guided by the values of nurture, inspire, and empower, aiming to foster academic success, strong character, and meaningful relationships. It promotes a growth mindset and encourages students to be proactive global citizens. The school's strategic plan focuses on three core priorities: academic achievement, student welfare, and extra-curricular activities.

Programmes

The school follows the National Curriculum used in England across three sections: Early Years (ages 3-6), Junior School (ages 6-11), and Senior School (ages 11-18). The curriculum includes a comprehensive languages programme, with Dutch lessons for all students and additional choices of French, German, and Spanish in the Senior School. The Early Years section incorporates the Forest School programme, while the Senior School curriculum leads to GCSE and A Level certifications.

Outcomes

The school consistently maintains a 100% pass rate in both GCSE and A Level examinations. A significant proportion of students achieve top grades, with 76% of A Level students attaining A*, A, or B grades. Graduates are prepared for entry into top universities globally.

Student support

EAL support
Included in fees
Learning support
Dedicated department

Learning support

The school provides a dedicated Learning Support department to assist students with specific educational needs. Individual assessments are conducted during the admissions process to determine if the school can accommodate a student's requirements, and full-time Learning Support Assistants are available for an additional fee. Furthermore, the school offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for students joining with little or no English proficiency.

Frequently asked questions(5)
What curriculum does The British School of Amsterdam offer?
The British School of Amsterdam offers National Curriculum (England), IGCSE and Cambridge A-Level.
How much is tuition at The British School of Amsterdam?
Annual tuition at The British School of Amsterdam is €9.5K–€23K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
What accreditations does The British School of Amsterdam hold?
The British School of Amsterdam holds accreditations including British Schools Overseas, COBIS and Cambridge International.
Is The British School of Amsterdam co-educational?
The British School of Amsterdam is a co-ed school.
Where is The British School of Amsterdam located?
The British School of Amsterdam is an international school in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Tuition & fees

Annual tuition by grade

2026-27
Annual tuition by grade
GradeAgesAnnual
Nursery 10 sessions3–4€19K
Nursery 9 Sessions3–4€17.1K
Nursery 8 Sessions3–4€15.2K
Nursery 7 Sessions3–4€13.3K
Nursery 6 Sessions3–4€11.4K
Nursery 5 Sessions3–4€9.5K
Reception4–5€20.5K
Year 15–6€20.5K
Junior School Years 2 to 66–11€21.1K
Senior School Years 7 to 911–14€22.6K
Senior School Years 10 to 1314–18€23K
Other fees(6)
Other fees
Application fee· A non-refundable payment due upon submission of application. This is to cover the review and administration of the application.€250
Enrolment fee· A non-refundable enrolment fee due for families joining Nursery or Reception.€750
Enrolment fee· A non-refundable enrolment fee due for families joining Years 1-12.€2K
Enrolment fee· Additional fee invoiced to families transferring from Reception to Year 1.€1.3K
Meals· School lunches are not included in the school fees and are invoiced separately on a non-refundable basis.
Materials· Text books and exercise books are provided by the School free of charge, unless they are damaged or lost.

Admissions

The school is non-selective and welcomes applications for students of all nationalities. Admission is determined by the child's age on 31 August, and the school does not typically accept applications for Year 11 or Year 13. Prospective families must submit an application form and pay a non-refundable application fee, with further testing potentially required for entry into the Senior School, particularly for Years 10 and 12.

Calendar

The academic year is divided into three terms: Autumn, Spring, and Summer. The school year typically commences in early September and concludes in mid-July, with scheduled breaks for Autumn, Spring, and Summer half-terms, as well as various public holidays such as King's Day and Ascension Day. Staff planning and development days are integrated throughout the calendar.

Facilities

LibraryScience labsTheatre / auditoriumGymnasium

About the campus

Located in the historic Havenstraat building, the campus blends national monument status with modern, purpose-built facilities. Key amenities include a theatre for performances and assemblies, specialist science laboratories, and a large sports hall. The school also provides a Kiss & Ride zone for student drop-offs and maintains on-site bike racks to support the school's emphasis on cycling and public transport.

Co-curriculars

The school offers an extensive, termly-changing extra-curricular programme led by specialist teachers and instructors. Activities range from sports like football and swimming to creative pursuits such as sculpture, Irish dancing, and music. Additionally, students may participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and private music lessons coordinated by the Young Musicians BSA (YMBSA).

  • Ciaran Harrington
    Ciaran HarringtonPrincipal

    Ciaran Harrington became Principal of The BSA in 2025. He has an extensive international headship career in British International Schools in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Stockholm, and is a strong advocate for evidence-informed practices and staff professional learning.

  • Bas van Haver
    Bas van HaverBursar

    Bas van Haver joined The BSA in 2019, initially working on the Havenstraat building project before becoming Bursar. He oversees school operations, risk management, compliance, and community engagement, and holds a master’s degree in business economics and a post-master’s in Finance & Control.

  • Duncan Grey
    Duncan GreyHead of Senior School

    Duncan Grey brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles at well-regarded British international schools in Oman and Japan. He is committed to creating a challenging yet nurturing environment where students achieve academically and develop holistically.

  • Melanie Fidge
    Melanie FidgeHead of Junior School

    Melanie Fidge has extensive experience in creating nurturing environments for young learners and is a Cambridge University graduate. Before joining The BSA, she gained teaching experience in London and at international schools in Thailand and the UAE.

  • Claudia van de Laar-Newson
    Claudia van de Laar-NewsonHead of Early Years School

    Claudia van de Laar-Newson has served at the school for 31 years, working in a variety of educational roles before focusing on the Early Years School. She trained in Brighton and worked in Bristol before relocating to the Netherlands.

  • Rosanna Russo
    Rosanna RussoHead of Operations

    Rosanna Russo has served as Operations Manager at The BSA since 2019, bringing 18 years of experience in school business management and 15 years in corporate administration. She holds a specialized certification from the National College of School Leadership in the UK.

  • Zee Mirza
    Zee MirzaHead of Technology

    Zee Mirza joined The BSA in August 2023, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in educational IT. He is committed to revolutionizing learning environments with innovative solutions and has been recognized for his contributions to school innovation.