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Curriculum IB (PYP), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), German Curriculum
Taught languages English, German
Strengths Sport, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Berlin British School is an international school for students aged 3 to 18, spread across three campuses in Berlin. The curriculum combines the Berliner Bildungsprogramm with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in Early Years and Primary, offering bilingual English/German pathways or monolingual English instruction. The program is aligned to the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan and holds Ersatzschule and Ergänzungsschule status. Primary provides both bilingual and monolingual streams, while Secondary offers a monolingual English stream and a bilingual English/German stream. In Grade 10, bilingual students take MSA and IGCSE, while monolingual students take IGCSE; from Grade 11 to 12, students pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Berlin British School operates on three sites: Early Years in Grunewald, Primary near the Olympic Stadium in Charlottenburg, and Secondary in Grunewald. Facilities include libraries, music rooms, two gymnasia, and large playgrounds; the GISST sports programme supports competitive sport for Grades 6–12, with after-school training and fixtures.
Berlin British School has instruction in English, German.
Location
Berlin British School operates across three campuses in Berlin. The Early Years/Kita site is in Grunewald at Havelchausee. The Primary School is on Dickensweg 17-19, Berlin 14055. The Secondary School is located in the Grunewald area.
Stages
Early Years; Primary School; Secondary School
Type
International school of British origin
Country affiliation
British origin (UK)
School day structure
Early Years runs 50 weeks per year with morning care from 7:30 and after-school activities until 5:00pm. Secondary School day starts at 8:30 and ends at 16:00, with after-school clubs until 16:30. Primary School uses shuttle services between sites, with Primary⇄Early Years buses leaving around 8:30 and returning at 15:00, and Primary⇄Secondary buses leaving around 8:00 and returning at 15:30.
Bus service
The school operates its own shuttle service between the sites. Primary⇄Early Years buses leave around 8:30 and return around 15:00. Primary⇄Secondary buses leave around 8:00 and return around 15:30. The service also transports students to events and activities.
Fees
Annual tuition at Berlin British School ranges from EUR 13,100 to EUR 19,400 for 2026/27.
Application / Registration fee
- A one-off registration (Aufnahmeentgelt) is charged per child: EUR 2,750.00. Sibling reduction on the registration fee: EUR 550.00 for each additional sibling. The registration fee must be paid to secure a place and is stated as non‑refundable (exceptions for low‑income families are described under the income‑dependent rules).
Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts; stated per stream)
- Early Years (Kita / Early Years): - K1: EUR 13,100.00 per year. - K2: EUR 15,950.00 per year. - K3: EUR 15,950.00 per year.
- Monolingual / International School (Ergänzungsschule) — annual tuition by year group: - Primary Grade 1 to Grade 5: EUR 16,600.00 per year. - Grade 6: EUR 17,600.00 per year. - Secondary Grade 7–8: EUR 17,600.00 per year. - Secondary Grade 9–10: EUR 18,500.00 per year. - Grade 11–12: EUR 19,400.00 per year. Tuition is described as covering exercise books, basic consumables, text books, SEN provision (subject to stated exceptions) and transport between sites/sporting facilities where applicable.
- Bilingual / Ersatzschule (state‑recognized bilingual primary & state‑approved bilingual secondary) — annual tuition by year group: - Primary Grade 1 to Grade 5: EUR 16,300.00 per year. - Grade 6: EUR 17,250.00 per year. - Secondary Grade 7–8: EUR 17,250.00 per year. - Secondary Grade 9–10: EUR 18,100.00 per year. Tuition for this stream likewise includes specified basic materials and transport between sites/sporting facilities.
Income‑dependent (means‑tested) fee option for Ersatzschule (where applicable)
- For families opting for the income‑dependent Schulgeld (applicable to the Ersatzschule/bilingual stream), a separate schedule sets monthly Schulgeld amounts calculated by gross family income. The Schulgeld is described as an annual contribution charged in twelve monthly instalments, first falling due from the school‑year start on 1 August. The income bands and corresponding monthly amounts are set out in the Schulgeldordnung. Sibling discounts, reduced material charges and special arrangements for low‑income families are described in that schedule.
Per‑term / instalment detail and how discounts apply
- Annual tuition figures above are invoiced according to the invoice schedule; paying the entire annual tuition in one lump sum before the start of the academic year entitles the payer to a 2% deduction from the total annual tuition. For the income‑dependent Schulgeld the school specifies twelve monthly instalments with the first instalment from 1 August. Exact invoice due dates are shown on the invoice.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The registration fee is payable before the first official school day to confirm a place. School tuition is due on the dates shown on the invoice. If the full annual tuition is paid in advance before the school year begins, a 2% discount on the annual total is permitted. Late payment incurs interest and administrative charges; the stated late payment interest rate is 5% per annum plus an additional administrative fee, and parents are liable for bank charges arising from late payment. Notification of withdrawal must be submitted in writing by a parent or legal guardian at least two months before the last day of the student's final term. All fees are described as non‑refundable except where specific income‑based crediting of the registration fee is applied under the income‑support rules.
Examination and assessment fees
- IGCSE examination fees are not included in tuition and are invoiced separately: EUR 1,625.00 (per candidate fee indicated). - IB examination fees are not included in tuition and are invoiced separately: EUR 2,725.00 (per candidate fee indicated). - For the bilingual/Ersatzschule stream, the German MSA (Mittlerer Schulabschluss) exam fees are included in the tuition where stated; international exam fees (IGCSE/IB) remain additional.
Other costs and fees (typical additional charges)
- Annual consumables / materials charges (where applicable to the Ersatzschule): - Primary (Grades 1–6): EUR 740.00 per year (due with invoice, by 01.09 at the latest). - Sekundarstufe I (Grades 7–10): EUR 920.00 per year (due with invoice, by 01.09 at the latest). These are charged as a pauschale (flat charge) for workbooks, stationery and other consumables; families eligible for income‑based reductions see reduced amounts in the income‑dependent schedule.
- After School Care (Primary pupils): included in Early Years fees; for Primary pupils not in a paid club, supervised care is free until 16:00 Monday–Thursday; from 16:00–17:00 Monday–Thursday and on Fridays the current fee is EUR 7.50 per hour (or part thereof). After School Care is invoiced at the end of each term; late pick‑ups after 17:00 incur EUR 15.00 per 15 minutes. Charges for one‑to‑one learning support, excursions, music lessons, buses, lunches and many extracurricular programmes are billed separately by the providers.
- School uniform: uniform items are purchased separately through the school's suppliers (Uniform Collection and School Directwear for school uniform; Sandogroup for sport uniform). Second‑hand uniform is sold periodically by the PTA; uniform costs vary by item and are paid to the supplier.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable for the Berlin British School's stated provision; the published information and school life pages describe day‑school services (Early Years, Primary, Secondary), after‑school care and transport but do not list boarding or boarding fees.
Refund information and deposits
- The registration (Aufnahmeentgelt) is described as non‑refundable in the general terms. School tuition payments are stated as non‑refundable. Under the income‑dependent rules there are specific provisions whereby, for families below certain gross income thresholds, the registration fee may be handled differently (for example the registration fee may be set at the level of the monthly Schulgeld or may be credited against the first year's Schulgeld for the lowest income band). Withdrawal notice requirements (in writing, at least two months before the last day of the pupil's final term) apply to contract termination.
Fee payment options
- The school specifies bank transfer (bank account details given on invoices). The stated account is with Deutsche Bank; the published IBAN for fee payments is DE93 1207 0000 0020 0626 00 and BIC DEUTDEBB160. No credit‑card payment method is listed in the published fee schedules; further payment methods are not specified in the fee documents. All payments should include the pupil name, invoice and account number on the transfer reference.
Summary
- Registration fee: EUR 2,750.00 per child (EUR 550.00 per additional sibling), stated non‑refundable with specified income‑support exceptions. - Annual tuition: Early Years K1–K3 and year‑group fees for Monolingual and Bilingual/Ersatz streams are listed above under the relevant headings. - Income‑dependent fee option exists for the bilingual/Ersatzschule with monthly Schulgeld bands and special reductions for low incomes and siblings. - Exam fees (IGCSE, IB) and many ancillary services (lunch, bus, extracurricular activities, music lessons, one‑to‑one support, trips) are billed separately. - Payments are required by invoice due dates; a 2% discount applies for full annual prepayment; late payments incur 5% p.a. interest plus admin charges.
(End of fee overview.)
Academics
Berlin British School teaches IB (PYP), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), German Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
The Berlin British School delivers an international, bilingual curriculum across its Early Years, Primary and Secondary programmes. In Early Years and Primary, the curriculum blends the Berliner Bildungsprogramm with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP); it is taught through bilingual English/German pathways or monolingual English, and is aligned to the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan, with full Ersatzschule and Ergänzungsschule status. In Primary, both bilingual and monolingual streams are offered. In Secondary, there is a monolingual English stream and a bilingual English/German stream; in Grade 10 bilingual students sit MSA and IGCSE while monolingual students sit IGCSE; from Grade 11 to 12, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is pursued.
Higher Education Progression
The school's graduates have been accepted into top universities in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Berlin British School prioritises pastoral care across the whole school community, supporting students' social and emotional development alongside academics.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides English as an Additional Language support and learning assistance as part of its Primary and wider school provision.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available in the Primary School, with extra English language assistance as part of the learning program.
Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is a central focus of student welfare, embedded in school life and learning.
Safeguarding
The school maintains safeguarding policies and procedures as part of its commitment to student safety.
Admissions
Admissions
Submit an Application. Complete the Application Form (PDF) and upload your child's school reports from the last two years. The form is detailed, so ensure information is accurate; there is no cost or commitment to apply. If this is your first contact, complete the Enquiry Form. If spaces are available we will discuss the next steps with you.
Arrange a Tour. Once the application(s) are received and a place is available, we offer individual tours of the appropriate site (Early Years, Primary and Secondary). Tours last about 30-45 minutes and provide insight into classroom life and the opportunity to talk with teachers, the Head of School and ask questions. Appointments must be made in advance to ensure availability.
Student Visit. We offer a free, three-day visit (shorter for Kindergarten—two mornings) to allow students and teachers to get to know each other. The visit includes an assessment to understand the student's current educational level and to observe social adaptability to the school ethos. It also allows the student to experience school life in a relaxed setting.
Admission Decisions. After the visit the teachers provide feedback focusing on academic ability and behaviour. A place in the school may be offered; admission decisions are made by the teachers, Head of School and School Principal and are final. A student may start once a contract has been signed and other required documentation, such as immunization records, have been submitted.
Scholarships
The Berlin British School offers scholarship programmes for existing students as well as external applicants. Our programmes are designed to recognise exceptional academic ability and potential at different stages of a student's educational journey. In line with our commitment to inclusion, we particularly encourage applications from academically gifted students from low-income families.
Scholarships are available as follows: To outstanding students from Grade 9 onwards who are already enrolled at the BBS; IB Diploma Scholarships are open to both existing students and external applicants entering Grades 11 and 12. All scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process and are based on academic merit. The award of a scholarship, and the percentage of tuition fees discounted for such an award will be entirely at the school's discretion. Scholarships for Gr. 9 onwards are worth between 20% and 50% of the tuition fee per year for students already enrolled in Grade 9 or above. A parent who would like to enter their child for a scholarship should complete an attached application form and submit it to the Admissions Secretary; earlier applications increase the likelihood of securing a scholarship. Each scholarship is subject to an internal review at the end of the first year and is awarded for a two-year period; continuation into Grade 12 depends on academic progress, engagement with the programme, conduct and contribution to school life.
IB Diploma Scholarships are open to both internal and external candidates and range from 20% to 100% of the annual tuition fee. Applications may be submitted from 1 January for Grade 10 entry in August, with a deadline of 30 April. IB Diploma Scholarships are awarded after a competitive process including assessment and interview, and the value is determined at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. The duration for IB Scholarships is two years (Grades 11 and 12) with a mid-cycle review to determine renewal for Grade 12 based on academic progress, engagement and conduct.
FAQs
What curriculum does Berlin British School follow?
BBS combines the Berliner Bildungsprogramm with the IB PYP in Early Years and Primary, and offers IGCSE and IB Diploma in Secondary, with bilingual and monolingual English streams.
What age range does the school serve?
Berlin British School serves students aged 3 to 18.
How many students attend?
Approximately 500 students attend across three Berlin campuses.
What are the tuition fees?
Fees range from EUR 2,750 registration to annual tuition starting at EUR 13,100 for K1. Sibling discounts are available.
How many campuses does the school have?
Three campuses: Early Years at Havelchausee in Grunewald, Primary on Dickensweg, and Secondary also in Grunewald.
Does the school have a uniform?
Yes. Primary and Secondary pupils wear school uniform. The PTA sells second-hand uniforms monthly.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Activities include clubs, GISST Germany-wide sports competitions, Duke of Edinburgh Award, art, design, music, drama, and enrichment workshops.
Is there a shuttle service?
Yes. The school operates its own shuttle service between sites for students and staff.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. Scholarship programmes recognise exceptional academic ability for existing and external students.
When was the school founded?
Berlin British School opened in September 1994 at Dickensweg with 84 children from 23 nationalities.
