British International School of Tbilisi
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
Cambridge Primary
National Curriculum (England)Accreditations
COBISLanguages
English
French
German
JapaneseThe British International School of Tbilisi (BIST) is a leading independent, co-educational day school serving students from Foundation to Year 13. It provides a holistic British-style education within a multicultural environment, drawing on global and UK standards to prepare students for success in a globalized society.
Teaching approach
The school's mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to realize their full academic and personal potential in the 21st century. It fosters a multicultural, inclusive community that encourages students to become compassionate, kind, and globally-minded individuals. The school emphasizes high expectations, academic excellence, and the development of confidence and resilience.
Programmes
BIST delivers a comprehensive curriculum based on the National Curriculum for England, incorporating the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Secondary and Sixth Form students follow Cambridge International programmes, including Cambridge Secondary 1, IGCSEs, and A Levels. The academic programme is designed to be rigorous and engaging, focusing on both subject knowledge and the development of intellectual, personal, and physical skills.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support to assist students in their language development. It maintains an inclusive environment designed to provide pathways and support for the individual needs of every child.
Frequently asked questions(6)
- What curriculum does British International School of Tbilisi offer?
- British International School of Tbilisi offers Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE, Cambridge A-Level and National Curriculum (England).
- What ages does British International School of Tbilisi teach?
- British International School of Tbilisi enrolls students aged 3 to 18.
- Is British International School of Tbilisi a day or boarding school?
- British International School of Tbilisi is a day school.
- What accreditations does British International School of Tbilisi hold?
- British International School of Tbilisi holds accreditations including COBIS and Cambridge International.
- Is British International School of Tbilisi co-educational?
- British International School of Tbilisi is a co-ed school.
- Where is British International School of Tbilisi located?
- British International School of Tbilisi is an international school in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school welcomes applications from families worldwide and encourages prospective parents to contact the admissions team via email, telephone, or video conference. Face-to-face meetings and school visits can be arranged for families currently in Georgia. The admissions process is supported by a dedicated team focused on assisting families with the transition into the school community.
Calendar
The school operates on an academic calendar that typically spans from the autumn through to the summer. Specific term dates and holiday schedules for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years are available through the school's official calendar portal.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is situated on a 17,000-square-metre purpose-built campus overlooking Lisi Lake. Academic facilities include an Innovation Centre for technology, a performing arts centre, multiple open learning zones, and a Discovery Centre library. Sports and recreation amenities feature a swimming pool, sports hall, outdoor basketball and tennis/volleyball courts, an all-weather playing field for football and rugby, and various outdoor adventure play areas.
Co-curriculars
BIST offers a wide range of optional extra-curricular activities, with over 50 clubs available to students. These include sports, science, crafts, and computing, alongside opportunities for outdoor learning, school trips, and participation in the International Award. The school also hosts events such as TEDx Lisi Lake Youth and provides various sports coaching, including gymnastics and tennis.
Robert SnowdenPrincipalRobert has been Principal at BIST since August 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in education. He holds a degree in Law and a PGCE in secondary mathematics, and previously held leadership positions including Director of Studies, Head of Sixth Form, Head of Secondary, and Deputy Head at King’s College School Murcia.
Thomas Browning StampAssistant Principal (Co-curricular)Thomas Browning-Stamp has joined BIST as Assistant Principal (Co-curricular). He has taught in various international and UK settings, including as Head of Boarding, and holds a degree in Primary Education with a specialism in Early Years and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL).
James ParkerHead of Secondary, English TeacherJames Parker joins BIST from the British School of Barcelona where he was the Deputy Head of a large department. He is an English teacher who previously worked in Madrid and London in similar roles and studied at the University of Leicester, University of Amsterdam, and UCL.
Simon RooneyHead of Primary SchoolSimon Rooney is originally from Northern Ireland and has taught in the UK, Qatar, and Egypt. He is a graduate of King’s College London and the University of Wales, and studied French and English Literature.
Katie KarmazynAssistant Head of Primary and Year 5K teacherKatie Karmazyn joins BIST from the Canadian International School in Bangalore, India, where she taught Year 2. She previously worked at primary schools in England and Brunei and holds an undergraduate degree in Physical and Dance Theatre from the University of Salford.
Alex TimmisEYKS1 Coordinator and Year 1 TeacherAlex Timmis is the Year 1 teacher, EYKS1 Coordinator, and Director of Studies at BIST. He has worked at international schools since 2007 and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies and Japanese and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education specialising in Primary Education.
Zoe AbbottKS4 Coordinator, Humanities teacherZoe Abbott joined BIST from a school in Kendal, Cumbria in the UK where she was a head of department. She has worked in the UK, Ireland, and Indonesia, and studied at Edinburgh and Cambridge universities.
Robyn PurdieKS2 Coordinator, Year 5P TeacherRobyn Purdie joined the Key Stage 1 team from a British school in Kazakhstan and has previously worked at British schools in Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Scotland, and Uganda. She studied Education at the University of Edinburgh.
Christelle Van HeerdenKS3 Coordinator, Psychology and Science teacherChristelle Van Heerden joined BIST from a school in Thailand where she was a Key Stage 1 teacher, and previously worked in similar roles at schools in Taiwan. She studied at Moreland University in the USA and the University of the Free State in South Africa.
Christopher AbramYear 10Z Tutor, Secondary Humanities Faculty Lead, Geography TeacherChristopher Abram joined BIST after serving as Head of Geography at a large school in North London. He has an honours degree in Geography from Staffordshire University and teaching qualifications from the University of Keele.