What Makes the British School of Brussels One of the World’s Leading Primary Schools

For families researching international primary schools in Brussels, the British School of Brussels (BSB) is frequently recognised as one of the world’s leading schools. Independently ranked among the best globally, BSB is known for combining academic excellence with a strong focus on wellbeing, community and whole-child development, particularly in its Early Years and Primary School.

We spoke with Neil Ringrose, Head of Primary and Vice Principal at the British School of Brussels, about what truly sets BSB apart in the primary years. He shares how the school creates joyful, engaging learning experiences, supports children from diverse international backgrounds, and builds strong partnerships with families who are often new to Brussels or relocating internationally.

From play-based learning and inquiry-led teaching to multilingual education and global citizenship, this conversation offers valuable insight for parents considering BSB for their child’s primary education in Belgium.

Joyful Learning in Early Years and Primary at the British School of Brussels

The British School of Brussels is independently ranked as one of the best schools in the world. What do you believe sets it apart, particularly in the Primary years?

When people ask what sets us apart, the first thing that comes to mind is community. We genuinely know our children – not only how they’re doing academically, but who they are as people, what excites them, what worries them, what they care about. That depth of knowledge allows us to pitch learning so that it’s both challenging and joyful.

We’re also fortunate to have a very flexible curriculum built on the English National Curriculum but tailored for an international community. That gives our children strong foundations in things like English and Mathematics, whilst building the flexibility to inquire, explore and connect their learning to the wider world. And of course we’re an all-through school, our Primary children grow up on the same campus as our older students, with access to outstanding facilities and a very smooth transition to Secondary.

Early Years and Primary at BSB is described as a place where learning is full of joy and wonder, whilst equipping children with academic, social and emotional skills. What does this look like in practice for pupils each day?

“Joy and wonder” might sound a bit magical, but for us it’s very practical. In Early Years, you’ll see children completely absorbed in play – both indoors and outside – with teachers quietly guiding, listening and mentoring them. That’s how we take children “from where they are to where they need to be” across academic, personal and social development.

As children move through Primary, that sense of joy continues, but the learning looks a little different. You might walk into a Year 3 classroom and see a science investigation happening on one table, a group drafting stories on another, and a small group working closely with the teacher on a specific skill. There’s a lot of talk, collaboration and problem-solving, because we want children to see learning as active, meaningful and worth working hard for.

Vision, Values and Leadership at the British School of Brussels

How would you describe the vision and ethos of BSB, and how does it guide your leadership as Head of Primary and Vice Principal?

Our vision is to be a centre of learning excellence and an educational force for good, every day, for every child. That isn’t just a slogan for us – it’s something we use as a filter for every decision, from staffing to playground spaces to how we talk to children.

The Guiding Statements that our community created together are really powerful. They talk about developing independent, caring, courageous people and curious, resilient learners who respect themselves, others and the world around them. As Head of Primary and Vice Principal, my role is to make sure those words are lived in the classroom, in the corridors and in the way we work with families, so that leadership is visible, values-driven and rooted in relationships.

The British School of Brussels Primary Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Can you tell us more about the Primary curriculum and BSB’s approach to teaching?

We offer a British-based education that’s very much shaped for an international setting. In Early Years, we focus on the key areas you’d expect: communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, physical development, literacy, numeracy, understanding the world and the arts – but always through rich, play-based experiences.

In Years 1-6, we build on that with a broad and balanced curriculum that includes English and languages, Mathematics, Science and Technology, humanities, PE and wellbeing, and the arts. Teachers plan units that are often inquiry-based, so children are not just memorising content but asking questions, making connections and applying their skills in new contexts. Underpinning all of that is strong pedagogy: clear learning goals, effective modelling, plenty of practice and lots of feedback. This approach is both holistic and innovative.

What role does assessment play in supporting each child’s individual learning journey?

Assessment in Primary is something we do with children, not to them. We don’t run formal exams in Primary; instead, teachers use ongoing assessment – observation, dialogue, children’s work – alongside some standardised tools to check how we compare to other schools.

The key is what we do with that information. It helps us tailor the next steps: who needs extra support, who needs additional stretch, and how we can adjust our teaching to make progress tomorrow, not in six months’ time. Whether a child is flying in Maths, finding reading tricky, or learning in a new language, assessment helps us shape a learning journey that’s right for them.

Supporting the Whole Child: Wellbeing, Inclusion and Language at British School of Brussels

Whole-child development is also a strong focus at BSB. How do you nurture pupils’ emotional wellbeing, confidence and social skills alongside their learning?

If you ask our staff what matters most, they’ll talk about the whole child. Yes, we care deeply about academic progress, but we’re equally focused on emotional wellbeing, confidence and social skills. Children need to feel safe, valued and heard if they are going to learn well.

We use structured approaches to social and emotional learning – helping children name their feelings, resolve conflicts, build friendships and develop resilience. You’ll see this in circle times, class discussions and the everyday language adults use with children. We also work very closely with families, because when school and home are aligned, children thrive. Our community is what we are focused on.

BSB is known for its diverse international community, with over 70 nationalities represented. How does the school welcome and support children arriving from different countries, cultures and educational backgrounds?

One of the great joys of BSB is the diversity of our community. We have over 60-70 nationalities, and many children arrive having followed very different curricula, often partway through the year. Our job is to make that transition as smooth – and as hopeful – as possible.

From the moment a family arrives, there’s a focus on welcome: buddy systems for children, introductions to teachers, clear explanations of routines and lots of practical support for parents. Because we’re such an international school, children quickly see that it’s normal to be “new” here, and that different languages and cultures are something to celebrate, not to hide.

Bilingual and Multilingual Learning at the British School of Brussels

With such a multilingual community, how does the school support language development, both for English learners and children maintaining their home languages?

Language is a real strength of the school. Many of our children are learning in English for the first time, so we run dedicated English-language immersion that helps them build confidence quickly and rejoin the full classroom experience as soon as they’re ready.

At the same time, we want children to maintain and value their home languages. French is taught from early on, with a bilingual French/English pathway for many pupils, and Dutch is introduced in upper Primary. That mix means a child might be learning through English, speaking another language at home, and becoming increasingly confident in French and Dutch – it’s a genuinely multilingual environment.

How do you build strong partnerships between home and school, especially with families who may be new to Brussels or relocating internationally?

For many of our families, BSB is their first community in Belgium, or even in Europe. That’s a big responsibility for us, and we take it seriously. Primary becomes a hub – not just for children, but for parents too.

We build partnership through open communication and accessibility. Teachers and leaders are visible and approachable; we run information evenings, workshops and regular updates that help parents understand what and how their children are learning. For those new to international life, there’s a strong parent network connected through our Families of BSB parents’ association and plenty of opportunities to meet up, ask questions and feel part of something.

Learning Spaces, Global Citizenship and the Future at the British School of Brussels

How have BSB’s learning spaces been designed to encourage collaboration, creativity and active learning across the Primary years?

If you walk around our campus, you’ll notice that the spaces themselves invite children to collaborate, move, talk and create. Classrooms are flexible: tables can be grouped, floor space is used for practical tasks, and there are cosy corners for reading and quiet thinking.

Beyond the classroom, Primary children have access to specialist areas – sports facilities, swimming, libraries, technology rooms – and as they get older, even some Secondary labs and spaces. There is also a very strong emphasis on Outdoor Learning, giving our students the chance to learn about the natural world around them and instil a sense of environmental responsibility from a very young age. We develop global citizens here at BSB and part of that is inspiring respect and curiosity for the world beyond the classroom. All these things send a powerful message: learning isn’t confined to one room or one way of working; it’s something dynamic that can happen in many places and many forms.

Brussels is a uniquely international city in the heart of Europe. How does the school’s global community and location enrich pupils’ understanding of the world from a young age?

With Tervuren being close to Brussels, at the heart of Europe, such proximity adds an extra dimension to school life. Our children grow up surrounded by classmates whose families work in international and European institutions, NGOs and global businesses, which naturally broadens their view of the world.

In the curriculum, we build on that by exploring global themes, encouraging multiple perspectives and linking class projects to real-world contexts. When a child hears about an issue in another part of the world, there’s a good chance someone in the class has a personal connection to it – that makes global citizenship very real from a young age.

What can families expect from the Primary Open Morning on 3rd February, and what would you encourage parents to look out for during their visit?

At the Open Morning on 3rd February, what we want families to see is “a normal, magical day” in Primary. You’ll have the chance to visit Early Years and Primary classrooms, specialist spaces and outdoor areas, and to talk directly with staff.

My advice to parents is to look beyond the displays and facilities – as impressive as those are – and observe the interactions between teachers and students. Listen to the language of the classroom; see whether children are engaged, curious and confident to speak. That will tell you a lot about whether this is the right environment for your child.

Finally, what are you most excited about for the future of BSB?

There is so much to be excited about. We have a strong foundation – wonderful children, talented colleagues, a beautiful campus and a clear set of values – and that gives us the freedom to keep innovating.

In Primary, I’m particularly excited about deepening our inquiry-based learning, making even more creative use of our indoor and outdoor spaces, and continuing to refine how we personalise learning for every child. But above all, it’s the daily privilege of seeing children grow into confident, caring, courageous young people that makes the future of BSB feel very bright indeed.

Quick Answers About the British School of Brussels Primary School

• Is the British School of Brussels a good primary school?
  Yes. The British School of Brussels is independently ranked among the world’s leading schools and is widely recognised for its outstanding Early Years and Primary education.
• What curriculum does BSB Primary follow?
  BSB follows the English National Curriculum, adapted for an international community, with a strong emphasis on wellbeing, inquiry-based learning and whole-child development.
• Is the British School of Brussels suitable for expat families?
  Yes. With over 70 nationalities represented, BSB offers extensive support for international families relocating to Brussels.

Book a place at the British School of Brussels’ upcoming open morning on 3rd Feburary, or find out more about the school’s admissions process on their website.

Read more articles about education on the MumAbroad blog and find more recommended international schools in France, Germany, Italy and Spain