Britannia International School Guangzhou vs ISA Tianhe International School
Britannia International School Guangzhou and ISA Tianhe International School are both in Guangzhou, about 18 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge IGCSE programmes. Britannia International School Guangzhou also offers EYFS, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels and Cambridge A Levels, and ISA Tianhe International School also offers IB and British. Published annual fees are RMB 127,000 - 186,000 at Britannia International School Guangzhou and RMB 173,000 - 187,000 at ISA Tianhe International School, which puts ISA Tianhe International School roughly 15% higher. Britannia International School Guangzhou takes pupils from 2 to 18, and ISA Tianhe International School from 2 to 11. Typical class sizes are 20 at Britannia International School Guangzhou and 24 at ISA Tianhe International School.
EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Curriculum
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
225
Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
24
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Mandarin
Opened
Opened
2017
Opened
2015
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
No.4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou (Jinshazhou Island), Baiyun District, Guangzhou. The campus address and contact details are listed on the school website; Jinshazhou is a residential area of Baiyun District so most families reach the school by car, taxi or the school's transport service—check routes with admissions.
Location
Address: Block C2-2 Redtory, No.128 Siheng Road (Yuan Village), Tianhe District, Guangzhou — the school is located in the Zhujiang New Town / Tianhe CBD area (Redtory creative-park campus). It is in the city centre with road and public-transport links into the Zhujiang New Town district; the Redtory area is within walking distance of Yuancun metro (Line 5) and several bus routes.
Stages
Stages
BIS follows a British/Cambridge pathway: Early Years (Pre‑Nursery to Reception, ages ~2–5), Cambridge Primary (Year 1–6, ages 5–11), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Year 7–9, ages 11–14), Cambridge Upper Secondary (Year 10–11, ages 14–16), and Cambridge AS/A‑Level (Year 12–13). The school website lists these sections and age ranges.
Stages
ISA Tianhe enrols early years and primary pupils — the school accepts children aged about 2 to 11 (EY1–EY4 and Years 1–5). The school describes its programme as Early Years through Primary and delivers IB-aligned primary programmes.
School type
School type
Non‑profit, co‑educational international day school that teaches in English and follows the Cambridge/British curriculum. BIS is explicitly a day school with no boarding facilities—students must live with a parent or legal guardian while enrolled.
School type
ISA Tianhe is a co‑educational day school (no boarding provision is advertised). It is part of the ISA International Education Group and operates as an international school located in Guangzhou.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
BIS operates Learning Services and assesses incoming students to determine if English or mathematics support is needed; English language support is offered (a fee may apply). The admissions information says these Learning Services teachers arrange additional help where required.
Additional learning support
The ISA group follows an Access & Inclusion / learning‑support approach and ISA schools publish tiered learning‑support arrangements (screening, in‑class differentiation, small‑group or individualized plans) in line with IB inclusion guidance; ISA Wuhan's Access & Inclusion policy describes this approach as used within the ISA group. ISA Tianhe's website does not detail a full SEN handbook online, so parents should speak with admissions about specific provisions, assessment and any individual plans.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
The school describes itself as a member of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO) while delivering a British/Cambridge curriculum; it does not operate as a state school of any single country.
Country affiliation
The school is an international school in China and a member of the ISA International Education Group; it is not affiliated with a single foreign national school system.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
BIS is secular and does not have a religious affiliation.
Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated on the school website; the school presents itself as a secular international school.
School day structure
School day structure
Typical start times are around 08:20 for Early Years and Primary and around 08:35 for Secondary; lessons finish in the mid‑afternoon (generally between about 15:30 and 16:00 depending on age group). The school also provides supervised before‑ and after‑school care and runs extra‑curricular sessions—confirm exact daily times for your child's year group with admissions.
School day structure
The school website describes curriculum and school life but does not publish a standard daily start/end timetable for all year groups. For exact hours, drop‑off/pick‑up windows and break/lunch arrangements, contact the admissions office or request the parent handbook.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a school bus service; parents complete a Bus Policy form as part of registration and should contact admissions for specific routes, pick‑up points and fees. Third‑party listings indicate BIS covers central areas of Guangzhou with air‑conditioned buses and supervised routes, but the school's admissions office is the source for current routes, availability and pricing.
Application and other mandatory fees - Application fee: RMB 2,000 (initial application only, non‑refundable). - Resources fee: RMB 4,000 (annual, non‑refundable). - Insurance: RMB 200 (non‑refundable). - Uniform: RMB 2,900 (new students expected to purchase one full set; this fee excludes the House T‑shirt). - Bedding: RMB 500 (only for Pre‑Nursery and Nursery where applicable). - Lunch and snack fee: RMB 7,200 (annual).
Bus (transport) fees - Jinshazhou route: Annual RMB 7,000; Semester RMB 4,000. - Under 8 km from school (including 8 km): Annual RMB 9,000; Semester RMB 5,000. - 8–15 km from school (including 15 km): Annual RMB 13,000; Semester RMB 7,000. - Over 15 km from school: Annual RMB 15,000; Semester RMB 8,000.
Billing schedule and payment terms (billing structure and discounts shown) - Billing structure reflected in published fees: families may pay on an annual (full‑year) basis or on a half‑year (semester) basis using the shown annual and half‑year figures. - Discount for full payment: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 is applied to families who pay the full tuition in a single payment. - Early enrolment discount: an additional discount of RMB 3,000 is offered for students who enrol before January 31 and pay the tuition in full.
Boarding fees - The school operates as a day school and has no boarding facilities; therefore boarding fees are not applicable.
Refund information - The following fees are explicitly listed as non‑refundable: Application fee (RMB 2,000), Resources fee (RMB 4,000), and Insurance (RMB 200). - Other items (tuition, lunch, bus, uniform, bedding) do not have a public, detailed refund schedule displayed alongside the fee table. Where a specific fee is labelled non‑refundable it has been noted above; no comprehensive tuition refund policy or detailed withdrawal/refund schedule is provided with the published fee sheet.
Fee payment options - The publicly posted fee schedule lists amounts, billing options (annual/half‑year) and discounts but does not list specific payment channels (for example bank account details, accepted card types, or e‑wallet options) on the published fees page.
Summary of what is not published on the fee sheet - The published fee materials include amounts, the annual/half‑year billing format, discounts, and which small fees are non‑refundable, but they do not publish a complete tuition refund policy or the school's accepted payment methods/banking details alongside the fee schedule.
Fee details
Application fee
- Non‑refundable application fee: RMB 1,500.
Tuition fees by year group (annual)
- Nursery 2 (age 2): RMB 166,000 per year. - Kindergarten / Early Years (Kindg.1 / age 3; Kindg.2 / age 4; Kindg.3 / age 5): RMB 173,000 per year. - Grade 1 to Grade 5 (age 6–10): RMB 187,000 per year.
Per‑term amounts (calculated)
- The school publishes annual tuition amounts; the following per‑term figures are calculated by dividing each published annual fee by three to give a termly figure (calculation noted as an inference from the published annual rates). - Nursery 2: RMB 55,333 per term (approx.). - Kindergarten (Kindg.1–3): RMB 57,667 per term (approx.). - Grades 1–5: RMB 62,333 per term (approx.).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's publicly available materials list the application fee and the annual tuition levels above, but a specific, detailed public statement of the regular billing schedule (for example: annual vs. termly invoicing, instalment deadlines, late‑payment penalties, or mandatory seat‑deposit amounts for guaranteed places) was not located in the school pages and fee summaries reviewed.
Boarding fees
- ISA Tianhe operates as a day school for ages 2–11; no boarding fees are indicated for this campus.
Other costs / typical additional charges (items found in school or programme notices)
- Summer‑school specific items (separate to regular tuition): lunch for summer school listed at RMB 250 per week; summer‑school transport indicated around RMB 300–400 per week (weekly rates shown on the school summer programme pages). These are programme‑specific charges and not the regular annual tuition. - No specific published amounts for regular school items such as uniform costs, textbook/technology fees, elective or co‑curricular fees, or school‑bus annual fees were found in the publicly available fee summaries reviewed.
Refund information
- A refund window and deadline are shown for the 2025 summer‑school programme (refunds permitted only before 18 June 2025 for that programme). A clear, itemised refund policy for regular enrolment tuition or deposits was not found in the public fee material reviewed.
Fee payment options
- No explicit, itemised list of accepted payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, Alipay, WeChat Pay, etc.) for regular tuition was located in the public fee summaries consulted. The school's admissions contact details are published for payment queries.
Summary of sources and limitations of publicly available information
- Published annual tuition levels and the non‑refundable application fee are available in school fee summaries and third‑party school directories; these were used for the figures above. The school's public materials and the fee summaries reviewed do not include a detailed, public billing schedule, a complete list of routine additional fees (uniform, bus, technology, etc.) with amounts, nor a full statement of regular refund or payment‑method policies. Where per‑term figures are shown above, they are calculated approximations derived from the published annual tuition (annual ÷ 3) and are explicitly presented as such.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
The school is a day school with no boarding facilities.
Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
—
House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school is a non-profit organization and a member school of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO). The BIS is foreign-owned.
Governance and ownership
The school is part of the ISA International Education Group (ISAIEG). ISA International Education Group oversees a network of international schools and programmes.
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Britannia International School Guangzhou follows the Cambridge international pathway from Early Years (EYFS) through Cambridge Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary (IGCSE) and Cambridge AS/A Level. Early Years covers Pre‑nursery to Reception (age 2–5) using the UK EYFS framework and its seven areas of learning. Cambridge Primary (Years 1–6, age 5–11) and Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9, age 11–14) deliver Cambridge syllabuses and assessments across a broad programme that includes English, mathematics, science, global perspectives/history/geography, Chinese, STEAM, art, music, PE and ICT. Cambridge Upper Secondary (Years 10–11, age 14–16) prepares students for Cambridge IGCSEs with core subjects (English, maths, science, PE) and a range of optional subjects such as English Literature, history, additional maths, Chinese, drama, music, art, physics, ICT and global perspectives. Post‑Year 11 (Years 12–13, age 16–19) students may study Cambridge AS and A Levels; the school lists example A‑level options (e.g., Chinese, history, further maths, geography, biology, physics, English language/literature, business, art, music, maths, chemistry, computer science) and describes standard AS/A‑level assessment routes and exam sessions.
Curriculum details
The school is an IB World School with authorization for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The education system fuses the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme with UK National Curriculum standards and outcomes. It emphasizes inquiry-based teaching and holistic education. It includes an outstanding Chinese language programme, a Mother Tongue programme, and a Co-curriculum. ISA Tianhe serves students from early years to primary (ages 2–11) and enrolls children from over 30 countries. It is designated as an IGCSE examination centre and houses a LAMDA centre for drama.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
The school is an IB World School with authorization for PYP and MYP. It is a designated IGCSE examination centre and hosts a LAMDA centre. The school has earned recognitions including Hurun Education Top 20 International Schools in China (2020) and New Insight International School of the Year (2020). Students have participated in the American Math Olympiad (AMO), with medals earned by ISA Tianhe students.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
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Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
BIS describes a “holistic education” focused on whole-child development and publishes learner attributes (Confident, Responsible, Reflective, Innovative, Engaged) that underpin social and emotional learning in its curriculum and extra‑curricular programme. The school says it combines strong academics, a STEAM programme and ECAs to support personal and social development. The Cambridge Primary/KS curriculum offered at BIS includes Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) as part of the programme. BIS also uses ClassDojo and regular parent–teacher communications to keep families involved in students' social and emotional progress, and an active PTA supports community engagement. These elements are described on the school website.
Social & emotional learning
The school fosters a multicultural community that emphasizes holistic development across intellectual, physical, emotional, and social growth.
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school asks parents to declare any learning difficulties and states that students must be able to function within the regular classroom while working towards BIS academic requirements. BIS says it operates “Learning Services” to provide support where needed but explicitly notes it does not have a specialist unit for more serious needs (examples listed include autism, emotional/behavioural disorders, significant cognitive/developmental delays and certain communication disorders). The admissions information indicates such cases can be discussed individually with the school but are not automatically supported by an onsite specialist unit. BIS therefore is not a specialist SEN institution; support is offered within mainstream provision and subject to individual agreement. All of the above is stated in the school's admissions/learning‑needs guidance.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school provides an integrated education model with language and curriculum supports; specifics on SEN provision are not listed here.
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
BIS is presented as a fully English‑taught Cambridge school and the admissions material states English‑language support is available for students who require extra help to gain admission (a fee may apply). The admissions pages note applicants are assessed for English speaking, reading and writing, and that the school will provide additional English support where required. Other school pages on the site also describe EAL/English support and individualized plans for newcomers. If you need precise details (staffing levels, programme names, or fees) those are not set out in detail on the public pages and should be confirmed with admissions.
English as an additional language
The school offers an English-medium international education within its IB framework; explicit EAL programmes are not detailed here.
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
BIS's curriculum references PSHE and a holistic approach to learner development, and the school highlights extra‑curricular activities and community events that contribute to student wellbeing. The school also states it has a registered nurse on site and that all staff are first‑aid trained, which the school lists under its services. The public website does not provide a named counselling team or a published, dedicated mental‑health programme for students. For families needing specific counselling or clinical mental‑health support the school does not publish detailed provision online and recommends contacting the school directly to discuss individual needs.
Mental wellbeing
The school emphasizes well-being as part of its holistic education approach within a caring learning environment.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
BIS's mission and values material emphasises a safe, welcoming learning environment and the school states it is registered with the People's Republic of China as a School for Foreign Children. Practical safety/health measures published on the site include a registered nurse on campus, first‑aid‑trained staff and assigned bus monitors on contracted school buses. The school website does not publish a formal child‑protection or safeguarding policy document nor name a designated safeguarding lead on its public pages. For formal policy documents or named safeguarding contacts you will need to request these directly from the school, as they are not available on the public site.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding policies and protective measures are part of the school's commitment to a safe learning environment.
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Britannia International School Guangzhou operates on an 8,000 m2 campus located at No.4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510168. The school is a non-profit organization and a member school of the Canadian International Educational Organization (CIEO). It provides Cambridge International education fully taught in English for students aged 2 to 18. The student body includes more than 45 nationalities. Nursery and Reception classes have about 18 students per section; Year 1 and above have about 25 students per section.
Facilities overview
ISA Tianhe International School is located in Block C2-2 Redtory, Siheng Road No.128, Yuan Village, Tianhe District, Guangzhou. The school delivers International Baccalaureate (IB) education integrated with UK National Curriculum standards and outcomes. It provides a Chinese language program, a Mother Tongue program, and a Co-curriculum. It accepts students from 2 to 11 years old. The school is an IB World School with IB PYP and MYP authorization and is designated as an IGCSE examination centre and a LAMDA centre.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
Extracurricular sports-related activities include swimming and Cross-fit offered through the After School Programme.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The school follows the Cambridge International curriculum path: Kindergarten/ EYFS, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge AS & A Level. The learning environment is conducted in English and is designed to prepare students for admission to top universities worldwide.
Academic facilities
ISA Tianhe is an IB World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). The education system fuses the IB Programme with UK National Curriculum standards and outcomes. It offers a strong Chinese language program, a Mother Tongue program, and a Co-curriculum Programme. It hosts an IGCSE designated examination centre and a LAMDA centre. The school accepts students aged 2 to 11.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Extracurricular activities include violin, ukulele, pottery, swimming, cross-fit, LEGO, and AI.
Extra curricular facilities
The school runs a Co-curriculum Programme and a Chinese language department that actively organizes competitions to promote language learning. ISA Tianhe hosts and participates in events and activities such as Open Days, Information Session & Back to School Night, and various arts and club activities. The school has students from over 30 countries, reflecting a multicultural community. It participates in international competitions such as the American Math Olympiad (AMO) and SIMOC, and has celebrated milestones like the 10th Anniversary, Hues of Harmony, in 2025.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Britannia International School Guangzhou was founded in 2017 by Winnie Chen as a non‑profit international school within the Canadian International Education Organization (CIEO). CIEO is described on the school site as the group that oversees BIS and a number of other member schools in the region. The school's website notes its establishment as part of CIEO's wider network and frames BIS as a non‑profit member school.
History
The school was established in 2015 as the first school within the ISA International Education Group, located in Tianhe, Guangzhou, with approval from the Guangdong Education Department. ISA Tianhe fuses the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme with UK National Curriculum standards and outcomes. It includes a strong Language Programme and a Co-curriculum Programme. Since its founding, the school has enrolled children from consulates, chambers of commerce, and executives from some of the world's top 500 companies, representing about 30 countries. It holds IB PYP and MYP authorizations, making it an IB World School, and has been designated an IGCSE examination centre and a LAMDA centre.
Community
Community
BIS describes itself as a multicultural campus with students from 45+ nationalities. The school calendar includes regular large events — for example a month‑long sports program and arts opening ceremonies — which the school highlights on its events pages. Daily and weekly life at the school is supplemented by after‑school activities (ASA) such as football, dance, robotics/AI and other clubs that are open to students across age ranges.
Community
The school maintains a family-friendly community where students experience the joy of learning. It hosts events such as an annual October Fun Day and Information Session & Back to School Night to foster home-school partnerships. There are arts and language activities including art showcases and Chinese language competitions, and the school celebrated its 10th anniversary with the 'Hues of Harmony' event in May 2025.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The school's Parent Teacher Association (家委会) is presented on the BIS site as a parent‑staff community group whose stated goal is to bring families together to promote and improve the learning environment and to celebrate school culture. According to the school's information on family‑school services, the PTA works alongside established communication and engagement mechanisms such as ClassDojo, scheduled parent–teacher conferences (PTCs) at the ends of terms, and open days. The PTA page describes the group as a bridge between home and school, acting to foster parent involvement and to represent parent perspectives to staff. In practice, the school asks parents to use the regular channels (ClassDojo, email, WeChat and arranged meetings) to raise items the PTA may help coordinate or bring to school leadership. The school site frames PTA activity as collaborative and practical rather than ceremonial — focused on parent meetings, supporting open days and facilitating volunteer and liaison opportunities rather than running academic programmes.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
The Britannia International School Guangzhou is a Cambridge International Curriculum school taught entirely in English. The school serves students aged 2 to 18 years. The curriculum path includes EYFS, Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, Cambridge Upper Secondary, and Cambridge AS & A Level. The school prepares students for admission to leading universities worldwide.
Academic & intellectual
The school is an IB World School authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 2-11. The curriculum fuses the International Baccalaureate with the UK National Curriculum standards and outcomes. A Language Programme and a Mother Tongue Programme support multilingual learning. The school is an IGCSE designated examination centre and houses a LAMDA centre for drama training.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
LAMDA centre provides drama training.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
The student body represents 45 countries and regions. The Cambridge curriculum is taught in English. The school fosters global citizenship.
Cultural & language
The school has an outstanding Chinese programme. A Mother Tongue Programme supports students' language development in their home languages. The school enrolls students from over 30 countries, reflecting a multi-cultural environment.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
The school has a Co-curriculum Programme.
Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
Home-school partnership is emphasized. Information sessions and Back to School Nights are organized to support family engagement.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
The school pays attention to the quality of students' life and welfare, with an efficient home-school communication system.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is the language of instruction. Chinese is taught as a subject within the Cambridge Primary curriculum. A dedicated Chinese Studies (Language Education) course is available. Cambridge AS & A Level is offered for Years 12-13.
Language provision
ISA Tianhe International School offers an international IB-based education with a language programme including a Mother Tongue programme and a Chinese programme accompanying the IB and UK National Curriculum framework.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school teaches in English.
Bilingual teaching
Not specified on site.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
The school provides a fully immersive English environment.
Immersion programs
Not specified on site.
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
The school has been recognized in Hurun Education Top 20 International Schools in China (2020 and 2021) and was named a New Insight International School of the Year in 2020.
Accreditations
Accreditations
Listed accreditations (as shown on the school's website) with a one-line explanation of each and its significance:
- Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): BIS states it is an officially Cambridge-accredited school and that it obtained CAIE accreditation in March 2021. CAIE is the University of Cambridge's international examinations and qualifications body; its authorisation means the school is approved to deliver Cambridge programmes and to register students for Cambridge IGCSE and A‑Level qualifications.
- Council of International Schools (CIS): BIS's website lists CIS accreditation. CIS is a global membership and accreditation organisation for international schools; CIS accreditation signifies the school has undertaken a multi‑stage self-review and peer evaluation against internationally agreed standards (covering leadership, teaching, wellbeing and governance) and is committed to ongoing improvement.
- Pearson Edexcel (培生·爱德思): The site lists Pearson Edexcel among its certifications. Pearson Edexcel is a major UK awarding organisation and exam board (GCSEs, A‑levels and international variants); authorisation indicates the school can offer/enter students for Pearson‑awarded academic qualifications.
- International Curriculum Association (ICA): BIS's site lists the ICA (国际课程组织). ICA (International Curriculum Association / International Curriculum Association services) provides international curricula (IEYC/IPC/IMYC), professional development and a recognition/accreditation pathway for schools; ICA recognition or accreditation indicates the school has met ICA standards to implement ICA curriculum frameworks and associated quality processes.
- Registration as an expatriate-children school (中华人民共和国登记为“外籍人员子女学校”): The admissions page states BIS is registered in the People's Republic of China as a school for children of foreign passport holders (and certain other eligible groups). This registration is the local regulatory authorisation that determines which categories of students the school may lawfully enrol in China.
Accreditations
The school is an IB World School authorized for the IB PYP (Primary Years Programme) and IB MYP (Middle Years Programme).
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Request information and initial enquiry. Begin by completing the online inquiry/visit-request form so the admissions team can send the school handbook and basic information; the website says they will contact families (for visit requests) within 24 hours. Parents should use the inquiry form to state the child's current year group, nationality/visa status and whether they need transport or lunch services — this helps admissions give accurate next steps.
2. Schedule a meeting with the admissions office. After the initial enquiry, arrange a meeting (virtual or on-campus) with BIS Admissions to discuss year placement, curriculum pathway (EYFS / Cambridge Primary / IGCSE / AS & A Level) and any learning-support needs. Bring questions about class size limits, bus routes and school-day times so the team can confirm availability for your child's age and address.
3. Complete the application and gather required documents. Read the school's admissions policy, then fill in the BIS Student Application Form and any service forms (for example the Bus Policy if you need transport). BIS publishes a specific list of documents: official previous school records in English, passport pages and visa/residence stamps (or HK/Macau/Taiwan documents where relevant), birth certificate, immunization record, medical report from an international clinic (the site suggests Guangdong Int'l Travel Health Care Center as an example), passport-sized photos (for student and parents) and any standardized-test or recommendation letters requested for older children. Parents should prepare certified English translations and notarised copies where required by Chinese administration rules; incomplete documentation will delay processing.
4. Assessment testing and interview scheduling. BIS requires age-appropriate assessment: children aged 3–7 (Early Years up to Year 2) usually attend a half‑ or full‑day classroom session for teacher assessment, while applicants aged 7 and above (Year 3+) sit written English and Mathematics tests at their level; all new students are interviewed by the Principal or COO. These assessments are used to determine learning support needs and correct class placement (they are not solely used to exclude applicants). Expect the school to advise if English-language support is recommended and to explain associated fees for that support.
5. Offer, fee payment and confirmation of place. If BIS offers a place, you will be sent the offer and fee schedule. The published 2025–2026 fee sheet shows the application fee and other charges (see the fees section below); parents should note which fees are non‑refundable (for example the application fee) and the school's stated discounts for full/early payment. Confirm the payment deadlines and the method the school uses to hold a place (some schools require completed acceptance forms and payment of fees to secure a spot). If you need a payment plan or have questions about deadlines/discounts, raise these with admissions at the offer stage.
6. Final enrolment steps and arrival. After payment and acceptance, complete any remaining enrolment paperwork (bus registration if required, medical/insurance forms), purchase or order the initial uniform set and bedding where required, and confirm the child's first‑day logistics (start date, class teacher, supply lists, lunch arrangements). BIS provides parent communication and uses PowerSchool for ongoing records; ask admissions for login details and for any orientation or family‑welcome events. Keep copies of all submitted documents and translations as the school and local authorities may ask for originals at a later date.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
The BIS website and its published 2025–2026 tuition sheet do not advertise a scholarship or formal bursary programme. The school's published fees page shows tuition levels, an application fee and a small set of published discounts: an annual tuition discount of RMB 6,000 for families who pay the full tuition amount and an early‑enrolment discount of RMB 3,000 for families who enrol and pay in full before January 31st. Other routine charges shown on the fee sheet include a resources fee, insurance, uniform, bedding (for very young children), lunch/snack fees and bus charges — but no merit or need‑based scholarship schemes are listed. If you are looking for financial assistance, sibling/family discounts, or exceptional-case support, contact the admissions office to ask if any unpublished arrangements exist (admissions@bisgz.com).
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
BIS states that admissions are open during the school year and that places are allocated with respect to class size limits (Nursery/Reception and Year 1 usually smaller sections). The school website's admissions information notes open intake and class-size constraints but does not provide a formal ‘waitlist' policy on the BIS site itself. Independent listings (International Schools Database) report that a waiting list has been used at times — specifically they note a waiting list for Pre‑Nursery because of high demand and they recommend early registration (they also say families are encouraged to register before July 31st for a new academic year). Because waiting‑list practice can change quickly, I recommend contacting admissions directly (admissions@bisgz.com) to confirm whether a waitlist is operating for the year group you need and what steps (deposit, application form) secure a place on the list.
