ISF Waterloo International School vs The British School of Brussels

	I ISF Waterloo International School Brussels, Belgium	T The British School of Brussels Brussels, Belgium
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €14,020 - 23,980	Fees / year €20,100 - 45,550
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum IB (DP), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 220	Pupils 1,300
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 16
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, French
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1969
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ISF Waterloo International School is located on the border of Sint-Genesius-Rode (Flanders) and Waterloo (Walloon Region) in Brussels' southern suburbs. The campus comprises five buildings, two large playgrounds with distinct play zones for different age groups, and two car parks. The buildings are named after significant people or places in the Battle of Waterloo.	Location Located in the eastern suburbs of Brussels, Belgium, at Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren. The campus is state-of-the-art.
Stages	Stages The school has Early Years (Oranje House) for 2.5–4-year-olds, Primary School (Papelotte Wing) for Year 1–3 (4–6 years old) with Year 5–6 classrooms on the first floor, and Secondary School in the Buonaparte Centre. Blucher House houses the Media & Learning Centre and the Library, with English Language support and access to an Occupational Therapist.	Stages Primary School (ages 1-11) and Secondary School (ages 11-18).
School type	School type The school is an international day school with Early Years, Primary School and Secondary School provision, and on-site ISF International Daycare.	School type Not-for-profit international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Pupils come from over 70 nationalities; the largest nationality represented is British at about 30%.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school provides English Language support (EAL). The Social Counsellor's office and an Occupational Therapist are available on site.	Additional learning support EAL and AEN support are provided, including an Inclusion team, Learning Assistants, and Speech and Language Therapists; an Educational Psychologist, counsellors, and nurses are available to support students.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Belgium	Country affiliation United Kingdom (UK) curriculum; British orientation for an international school in Belgium.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure School hours are 9:00–15:30 for Primary (9:00–12:30 on Wednesdays) and 8:55–15:45 for Middle & High. Breaks are 10:30–11:00 and 11:30–12:15; lunch is 12:30–13:30 or 13:50–14:05. Before and after school care runs 7:45–8:45 and 15:45–17:30, with Wednesday Primary care 12:30–17:30.	School day structure The school year is divided into three terms: Term 1 runs from late August/early September to mid-December; Term 2 runs from early January to late March or early April; Term 3 runs from late April to late June or early July.
Bus service details	Bus service details ISF Waterloo offers a bus service with three minibuses (one 19+1 seater and two 8+1 seaters). The tariff is distance-based: under 7 km €3,300; 7–15 km €3,500; 15–25 km €4,000, with a 10% reduction for one-way contracts; routes include Waterloo, Rhode-St-Genese, and Brussels area.	Bus service details A supervised school bus service operates on many routes across Brussels and surrounding villages for pupils aged four and above. Bus fees are listed on the Fees page. There is no bus service on Wednesday lunchtimes for Lower Primary.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Registration (one-off): EUR 750. The registration fee is payable on submission of the application and is non-refundable except when a waiting list is in operation and the school subsequently refuses a place for the requested start date. - School Development Fund (one-off per family): EUR 1,000. This one-off fee is invoiced with the first instalment of the school fees and is payable before the student starts. Tuition fees by year group (Personal tariff, academic year 2025/26 published amounts; annual and per-term equivalents shown) Notes on per-term equivalents: the amounts shown as “per term” are the published annual tuition divided into three equal instalments for convenience (the school calendar and communications reference three terms per year). The per-term figures below are calculated by dividing the annual fee by three. - Kindergarten 1 (age 3) - Annual: EUR 14,020. - Per term (annual ÷ 3 — calculated): EUR 4,673.33. - Kindergarten 2 (age 4) and Kindergarten 3 / Grade 1 (ages 4–6) - Annual: EUR 19,430. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,476.67. - Grade 2 – Grade 5 (approx. Years 2–6) - Annual: EUR 20,820. - Per term (calculated): EUR 6,940.00. - Grade 6 – Grade 8 (Years 7–9 / lower secondary range) - Annual: EUR 23,040. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,680.00. - IGCSE (upper middle years / Years 10) - Annual: EUR 23,600. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,866.67. - A‑Levels / Year 11–12 (senior secondary / Years 11–12) - Annual: EUR 23,980. - Per term (calculated): EUR 7,993.33. Corporate tariff (where employer or corporate sponsor pays) - The school publishes a separate corporate tariff (higher than the personal tariff). Example corporate annual rates published for 2025/26 include: Pre‑School and lower years shown at higher corporate rates (examples: Pre‑School corporate approx. EUR 18,980; various primary/secondary corporate rates range from approx. EUR 26,825 up to EUR 32,750 for A‑levels). These corporate rates are applied when an employer/corporate sponsor signs the corporate commitment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Fees are invoiced in advance in line with the school's annual financial schedule and contractual General Conditions. The school requires payment in accordance with the invoice and the General Conditions. The school may adjust published fees with 30 days' written notice. - Contract termination / withdrawal and reductions: a parent or corporate sponsor may terminate the school‑fees contract during the school year by giving 30 days' written notice. Reduction to the annual fees on withdrawal is specified as follows: withdrawal between 1 September and 31 January results in a 25% reduction to the full‑year fees; withdrawal after 31 January provides no reduction. - Overdue payments: administrative reminder charges and interest apply to overdue invoice balances. The General Conditions specify an administrative charge per reminder (example: EUR 125 per reminder) and an interest charge on overdue balances (example: 1% per month). - Per‑term presentation: per‑term figures above are shown as equal thirds of the annual tuition for practical use; the school calendar and communications reference three school terms. Parents should note that actual invoice instalments, invoice dates and due dates are set on the school invoice/financial schedule. Boarding - Boarding is not applicable; ISF Waterloo operates as a day school. Other regular costs and optional extras - Bus service (annual, optional): daily round‑trip bus tariffs are charged per passenger and depend on distance. Current published annual bus tariff bands are: under 7 km EUR 3,300; 7–15 km EUR 3,500; 15–25 km EUR 4,000. One‑way contracts receive a 10% reduction on the tariff. - Before‑ and after‑school care (garderie): a fee structure is applied for morning and afternoon care; the detailed fee structure is handled by the school office (garderie sessions are available at set morning/afternoon times). Lunch ordering from the caterer is available for an extra charge (meals are halal/non‑pork with vegetarian options). - School wear / uniform: ISF Waterloo does not require a formal school uniform. The school provides an ISF Waterloo T‑shirt for sports; additional logoed items (polo shirts, sweatshirts, fleeces) are available for purchase at extra cost. - Extra curricular activities, trips and exam fees: many day trips and certain in‑school items are included in the annual fee for specific year groups, while some external trips, examination fees (IGCSE/A‑levels where applicable) or specific optional activities may carry additional charges invoiced separately. Sibling discount - A 10% sibling reduction on the tuition component is applied to the second child and any subsequent child under the Personal tariff. Refund information - Registration fee: non‑refundable except where a place is refused while the application is on a waiting list. - School Development Fund: invoiced with the first instalment and payable before starting; the General Conditions indicate it is a once‑only fee due on first enrolment. - Withdrawal refunds / reductions: termination requires 30 days' written notice; reduction to annual fees on withdrawal is 25% if withdrawal occurs between 1 September and 31 January, and 0% after 31 January. Fee payment options (how families are asked to pay) - The ISF group operates invoicing and bank‑payment procedures; ISF campus communications and ISF‑linked daycare pages describe payments made by bank transfer and invoicing arrangements. Families are routinely invoiced and bank transfer is used for payments to ISF entities (daycare enrolment pages show bank‑transfer payment for registration and monthly invoicing arrangements). Parents will receive formal invoices and the school's financial documentation states payment terms, due dates and any applicable bank/account details on those invoices. Summary (key points for parents) - One‑off fees on first enrolment: Registration EUR 750 (non‑refundable except in waiting‑list refusal) and School Development Fund EUR 1,000 (due with first instalment). - Annual tuition varies by year group (listed above); per‑term equivalents are shown as equal thirds of the annual fee for convenience. - Optional extras with separate charges: bus service, hot lunches, some trips, optional extra‑curricular items and logoed school wear. - Withdrawal and refund rules, and late‑payment charges, are specified in the school's General Conditions (30 days' notice to terminate; specified reductions on withdrawal; reminder/admin and interest charges on overdue accounts).	Fee details Application fees - Main school application fee (Kindergarten/ECC – Year 13): Payable once per child: €750. - Early Childhood Centre (ECC) application fee: Payable once per child: €750. - Note: the school's online payment form shows an alternative published breakdown for application payments (Main school: €1,000 for first child and €500 for each subsequent child; ECC: €250 for first child and €125 for each subsequent child). The school's online application payment form accepts credit-card payment. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term amounts) - Kindergarten: Annual fee €20,100. Per-term (calculated by dividing the published annual fee by three): €6,700.00. - Reception, Years 1–2: Annual fee €35,600. Per-term (calculated): €11,866.67. - Years 3–6: Annual fee €37,400. Per-term (calculated): €12,466.67. - Years 7–9: Annual fee €44,400. Per-term (calculated): €14,800.00. - Years 10–13: Annual fee €45,550. Per-term (calculated): €15,183.33. (Note: the school publishes annual tuition amounts and invoices fees annually; the per-term figures above are straightforward equal divisions of the published annual fee for use in a per-term view and are not presented by the school as an official instalment plan.) Early Childhood Centre (ECC) daily/session fees - ECC half-day morning session: €70 per session. - ECC full day: €128 per day. - ECC application fee (payable once per child): €750. Transport (bus) fees - Annual Brussels school bus service fee: €3,550 (per year). Per-term (calculated): €1,183.33. - Annual Antwerp/SHAPE school bus service fee: €4,180 (per year). Per-term (calculated): €1,393.33. After-school care (Garderie) and other sessional fees - Kindergarten (14:00–15:50, not Wednesdays): €20.00 per session. - Kindergarten in ECC after 16:00 and from 11:50 on Wednesdays: €10.00 per hour. - Reception to Year 6 (15:50–18:00; Reception–Year 2 on Wednesdays from 11:50): €9.00 per hour. - Pre/Post-Enrichment for Years 3–6: €9.00 per whole session. What tuition does and does not include (summary of extra costs) - Included in tuition: extensive enrichment clubs, individual iPads/laptops for Years 3–9, curricular day and residential trips up to Year 9, learning resources (textbooks/exercise books), public examination entries (A Level, BTEC, IB, IGCSE) except re-sits, basic PE kit (including swimming costume on arrival), team sports kits and subsidised fixture costs, hot lunch for Kindergarten–Year 2, and specified medical checks for new starters and certain year groups. - Not included in tuition (examples of additional payable items): Garderie beyond included times, individual instrumental tuition run by external providers and instrument rental, extra PE clothing beyond the basic kit, costs of certain residential sporting and other competitions, Years 10–13 school trips and visits run by external providers, and other course-related items. Bus fees are charged separately. Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoicing: Fees are invoiced annually. Fees for the following academic year are due in one single payment each May. - Reductions for students joining mid-year (applied as percentage reductions of the annual fee): November 10%; December 20%; January 30%; February 40%; March 50%; April 60%; May 70%; June 80%. (October: no reduction.) Withdrawal and refund policy - Notice requirement: A full academic term's written notice of withdrawal to the Principal is required in accordance with the school calendar. Failure to give a full term's notice will result in an invoice for a full academic term's fees in lieu of notice. - Refunds when a student leaves during the school year (reductions expressed as percentage of the annual fee by month of leaving): October 80%; November 70%; December 60%; January 50%; February 40%; March 30%; April 20%; May 10%; June/July no refund. Boarding - Boarding: The school is a day school (no boarding facilities). Application and invoice payment methods - Application fee payment: The online application/payment form uses a secure credit-card payment system and accepts credit-card payments for the application fee. Application fees are non-refundable. - Annual tuition invoice payment: The published fee schedule states that fees are invoiced annually and are due in a single payment each May. The fee schedule directs payment of the application by credit card via the online form; it does not publish a separate publicly listed, detailed list of all accepted payment methods for annual tuition on the fee schedule page. Other administrative and policy notes on fees - The school reserves the right to amend the published schedule of fees. Parents are responsible for payment of the total sums due regardless of any employer subsidy. The published fee schedule cancels and replaces previous fee schedules. Application fees are non-refundable. (End of fee overview.)
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school does not have a school uniform.	Uniform requirement The school does not have a formal uniform. There is a dress code and a PE kit is worn for PE.
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school provides hot lunch in the Early Childhood Centre, Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Kindergarten and Reception eat in their classrooms and Year 1 eat in the Tintin Hall; in Year 2 lunches are in the cafeteria. The Cafeteria is available for Year 3 and upwards; meals are freshly prepared on site and paid with a prepaid card. The Cafeteria menu offers hot meals (including vegetarian options), a salad bar, and sandwich/panini stations, with allergy information published.
House system	House system —	House system The House system adds belonging; students are placed in one of three Houses – Goodman, Pantlin, or Firman – on arrival.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership ISF Waterloo is part of the International School of Flanders (ISF) group, which operates two campuses. ISF Waterloo is a member of the Educational Collaborative for International Schools and is accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the British Overseas School (BSO).	Governance and ownership The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Governors. The school was founded on not-for-profit principles, and any excess proceeds from fees are reinvested back into the school. The school is The British School of Brussels vzw.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The Primary School uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with six IPC units each year. English is the language of instruction, with French taught as a second language. The UK national literacy and numeracy curriculum is used alongside IPC. Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint is part of the Cambridge framework used in the school. The Secondary School follows Cambridge International systems for IGCSE and A-Level, with subject offerings including English, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Business, French, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.	Curriculum details The school offers a British-based curriculum up to age 16 (GCSE and International GCSE). Post-16, the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, and BTEC vocational courses, including a bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English. A French-English bilingual programme runs across 10 Year Groups from Reception (age 4-5), and Dutch lessons start from age seven.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Max 18 students per class.	Student teacher ratio Student-teacher ratio is 9:1. Maximum class size is 21 in Secondary and 14 in Post-16. Total enrolment is 1,363 (Secondary 873; Primary 490).
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results GCSE 2024: 94% pass rate with 57% of grades 7 or above. A Levels 2024: 96% pass rate with 61% of grades A-B and 34% A-A. IB Diploma 2024: 97% pass rate with an average score of 35 and a top score of 44. BTEC (Level 3) 2024: 100% pass rate with 60% Distinction/Distinction; Level 2 BTEC: 100% pass rate with 72% Distinction/Distinction and 89% Merit or higher.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Cambridge International A-Level certificates are widely accepted by universities worldwide. In the USA and Canada, good grades in Cambridge AS and A-Levels can result in university credit. Cambridge qualifications are recognized by universities in over 50 countries.	Higher education progression Graduates progress to higher education worldwide. Destinations include Imperial College London, University of St Andrews, University of Amsterdam, McGill University, University of British Columbia, KU Leuven and other universities in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the United States and beyond.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Academic Scholarships are available: 4-year scholarships to complete Secondary and Pre-University Education worth up to 75% of annual fees, excluding Cambridge exam fees.	Gifted and talented Enrichment and outdoor learning are central to the programme, with around 200 clubs and activities, including sport, music, drama and creative pursuits. Enrichment opportunities are complemented by service learning and broader personal development experiences.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning Pastoral care is integral to BSB's offering. The school has an educational psychologist, two counsellors, speech and language therapists, and four nurses on site to support students' social and emotional needs. In Primary, the class teacher, supported by Learning Assistants and the Inclusion and Leadership team, is the first port of call for pastoral support. In Secondary, pastoral care is delivered through the tutors and Heads of Year, as well as the Access to Learning department which includes BSB's counselling service. Academically, students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Additional Educational Needs (AEN) are supported by dedicated departments staffed by expert teams, with help including homework clubs, a Learning Mentor, intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. [Source: Student Support page]
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) BSB provides extensive provision for Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher responsible for supporting children who may have EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). In Secondary, support is delivered via the Access to Learning department and targeted interventions. Academic support is bespoke, underpinned by dedicated systems and processes tailored to individual needs. AEN and EAL learners receive interventions designed to enable progress across the curriculum. Enrichment and extension opportunities are integrated into the support framework. [Source: Primary Support; Student Support page]
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language EAL support is provided through dedicated departments staffed by expert teams. In Primary, each Year Group has a dedicated Inclusion Teacher who supports students with EAL, AEN and Extension and Enrichment (E&E). Help includes intensive English immersion programmes and working with parents. In Secondary, EAL support continues through the school's dedicated learning support structures. The process is bespoke and tailored to individual needs. [Source: Student Support; Primary Support]
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is prioritised as part of pastoral care. The team includes an educational psychologist, counsellors, speech and language therapists and four nurses on site to support students' wellbeing. In Secondary, counselling is provided through the Access to Learning department. Support is tailored to age and need, and is integrated with academic support to help students manage challenges. [Source: Student Support]
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, both physical and emotional, of every student. Roles and responsibilities are defined, including Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) for Primary and Secondary and required safeguarding training for all staff. The policy includes online safety measures with filtering and monitoring systems, and clear procedures to identify and escalate safeguarding concerns and to handle incidents. Staff undergo safeguarding and child protection training at induction and at least annually; the school maintains processes and contacts with local safeguarding agencies. [Source: Safeguarding Policy PDF]
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview Jacques Rogge Sports Centre includes a 25m indoor swimming pool, a gymnastics arena, a dance studio, a fitness suite and a multi-purpose sports hall. Outdoor facilities were renewed in 2020 and include two competitive football pitches, a full-size rugby pitch, three ring-fenced tennis courts, a 100 metre sprint lane with a long jump pit, four multi-surface areas for basketball and netball, a 300 metre track and floodlit facilities. The Brel Theatre seats 240 and includes a workshop, a green room and a dedicated costume department. There are 12 music practice rooms, a music recording studio and film-editing facilities, drama rehearsal rooms and fully equipped art studios. Three computer suites including a dedicated Apple suite, campus-wide wifi and main classrooms with interactive whiteboards, plus devices such as iPads and laptops; a CAD suite with a 3D printer; and dedicated spaces for textiles, food and nutrition are available.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities Jacques Rogge Sports Centre comprises a 25m swimming pool, gymnastics arena, dance studio, fitness suite and multi-purpose sports hall. Outdoor facilities include two competitive size football pitches, a full-size rugby pitch, three ring-fenced tennis courts, a 100 metre sprint lane with a long jump pit, four multi-surface areas for basketball and netball, a 300 metre track and floodlit facilities. BSB is the only international school in Belgium to have its own swimming pool. A traverse bouldering wall is the largest of its kind in an international school in Europe. The school also organises over 120 sports clubs per week for both primary and secondary students.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Three computer suites include a dedicated Apple suite, campus-wide wifi and main classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards; devices such as iPads and digital cameras are available, and secondary students are provided with laptops. There are specialist Design & Technology facilities including a CAD suite with a 3D printer, and workshops with machinery and woodworking tools. Textiles Technology workshops and fully equipped Food & Nutrition kitchen classrooms support practical learning. Fully equipped art studios provide spaces for drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art and design. Music recording studios and film-editing facilities support creative work across the arts and Technologies.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities The British School of Brussels offers extracurricular activities across sport and the arts. Over 120 sports clubs are run weekly for primary and secondary students. There are three sport pathways: Academy Sport (tier 1), Competitive Sport (tier 2) and Recreational Sport (tier 3). The school has partnerships with West Ham United, Swim Swift Elite and the Special Olympics Belgium. Students compete in ISST and SCIS tournaments, complementing on-campus arts and performing arts opportunities supported by the on-site facilities.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History ISF Waterloo International School is part of the International School of Flanders (ISF), a Belgian not-for-profit association managed by a Board of Directors. The Governing Body handles legal probity, financial probity, long-term strategic planning, and policy setting, and is supported by an Advisory Board. ISF Waterloo offers an English-language education for students aged 2 ½ to 18, with daily French instruction, and is recognised by Belgian education authorities. The campus sits on the border of Sint-Genesius-Rode and Waterloo and comprises five buildings named after significant Waterloo sites, with facilities including a science lab, an arts and sports complex, a library and extensive play spaces. ISF Waterloo is located at 280 Chaussée de Waterloo, 1640 Rhode St Genèse, Brussels, Belgium, and the site shows © 2017.	History BSB was officially created in 1969 and opened in 1970 on the present site, following the vision of Sir Dick Pantlin and a group of like-minded businessmen. The first Principal was Alan Humphries, and the founders emphasized approachable communication by having staff and students on a first-name basis. In 1981 King Baudouin attended the official opening of the auditorium, now known as the Brel Theatre. In 2016 the Jacques Rogge Sports Centre was opened, and new facilities made BSB the only international school in Belgium to offer an indoor swimming pool. BSB celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.
Community	Community ISF Waterloo uses a House System with four groups—Red, Blue, Yellow and Green—that meet monthly for team-building and compete in Sports Day. The Student Council and School Captain are elected by year groups and meet regularly; the Council hosts a Welcome Evening and collaborates with Friends of ISF on school events. ISF Waterloo operates a Community Service and Work Experience Programme for senior students after exams in June. ISF Waterloo hosts events on the school calendar, including International Day, Winter Show, Science, English and Book Week, Sports Day and Graduation, with visiting artists, musicians or authors in residence each year. Student well-being supports include a PSHE programme, assemblies, safeguarding, and a wellbeing app.	Community Family Day brings together families, staff and students for games, food stalls and activities, reinforcing a sense of belonging beyond the classroom. The event features a relaxed, social atmosphere with opportunities for parents to connect with one another and with school staff. Volunteers from staff and the Families of BSB help run activities and welcome newcomers and alumni as part of a vibrant school community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association Friends of ISF Waterloo is a group for parents and staff to meet new people, mix with cultures, and volunteer for school events. Regular coffee mornings are held in school to meet the Head of School and chat with other parents, and members volunteer for events hosted by the school.	Parent teacher association FoBSB is the Families of BSB, the parents' association of The British School of Brussels. It is run entirely by parent volunteers and offers a wide range of events, activities, groups and information and support services. Parents have their own Cavell House on campus, a drop‑in lounge with WiFi, Cavell Café and an information centre, plus rooms for social activities. Cavell House hosts language conversation classes, a book club, first aid courses, cookery demonstrations, a craft club, talks, pilates and more, as well as trips and off‑campus activities. FoBSB provides a welcoming space for new families and acts as a support network for all BSB parents.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers around 200 clubs and activities. The school includes tennis, tag rugby, choir, and creative writing. The school provides enrichment and outdoor learning opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The school offers choir and creative writing as enrichment activities. The school includes sustainable, creative arts projects in outdoor learning that merge artistic expression with ecological awareness. The school provides enrichment opportunities for artistic expression beyond the classroom.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language The school offers a bilingual French-English programme for Primary students. The school has English and French mother-tongue teachers delivering a 50/50 mix of French and English for ages four to 11. The school's bilingual classes follow the same broad curriculum as the English section.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies The school provides a wide range of clubs and activities. The school offers examples including tennis, tag rugby, choir, and creative writing. The school's enrichment program emphasizes learning beyond lessons and includes outdoor learning opportunities.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. The Award is structured across Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels and includes volunteering, physical recreation, and skill development, plus adventurous journeys. Expeditions and service projects broaden horizons and build independence and teamwork.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The school runs BSB Futures, a careers programme that supports post-16 pathways. The school delivers career talks, workshops on CV writing, networking, and mentoring through the Futures team, and provides one-to-one guidance with advisers. The school builds external partnerships for events, internships, and leadership opportunities such as the Futures Captain.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school uses outdoor learning to support wellbeing and environmental stewardship. The school's Learning without Walls extends across age groups and aligns with Units of Discovery. Time spent outdoors fosters curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is taught through recognised International English programmes in Primary; Additional English lessons for children whose first language is not English are provided as part of the programme at no extra cost; French is taught daily in Pre-school.	Language provision English is the main language of tuition. A French-English bilingual programme and a Dutch language option exist for younger students. Dutch, German or Spanish are taught as additional languages in later years. Post-16 pathways include the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, A Levels, and BTEC, with the option of a Bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school offers a French-English bilingual programme across 10 Year Groups starting in Reception (age 4-5). A mother-tongue Dutch programme is provided for younger students. Students can study for a Bilingual IB Diploma in French/English or Dutch/English.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs In the Primary School, subjects are taught in both English and French in bilingual classes, reflecting an immersion approach. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and immersion support are available to help students access the curriculum, with progression from immersion into mainstream classes as they gain proficiency.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations CIS accreditation: The school has external validation of high education standards by a globally recognised authority; staff gain high-quality professional development and networking opportunities; students gain access to global networking opportunities, events and competitions; accreditation ensures the CIS Code of Ethics is followed and emphasizes high-quality teaching, safeguarding, well-being and global citizenship. COBIS accreditation: The school has COBIS accreditation, linking to a global community of British international schools; staff can access professional development and a professional network in 75 countries; students have access to events, awards and global competitions and friendship opportunities; the school can welcome newly qualified teachers (NQT) with induction and is part of a community of over 250 British international schools. BSO accreditation: The school is a British Overseas School (BSO); BSOs include UK DfE GIAS numbers; accreditation confirms standards of quality and educational excellence; accredited British schools offer curricula and qualifications recognised worldwide; staff can access a professional network in 75 countries; students have access to events, awards and global competitions and friendship opportunities; the school can welcome Early Career Teachers (ECTs) with induction years.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions ISF Waterloo is a non-selective mainstream school. Families expressing an interest are invited to visit the school and have an interview with the Head of School, Mrs Belinda Yates. If the Waiting List Policy is in operation for that particular class, the school will advise you immediately and explain the implications. Before enrolment the school requires a transcript from the current school and copies of the most recent school report. After enrolment and before the first day the school requires a completed medical form. To enrol, parents must download and submit an application form and pay the Registration Fee. The one-off School Development Fund fee is invoiced at the same time as the first year's School Fees and is payable before commencing. Read the General Conditions document which states the contractual basis of admission and continuing enrolment at ISF Waterloo. For information on the Admissions Policy, refer to the Admissions Policy document.	Admissions BSB is inclusive and non-selective with an international student body. Tours are available and new students are welcome at any time of the year. Joining at the start of the academic year in September is encouraged, but the school welcomes new students throughout the year. Year groups are assigned based on a child's calendar age against the September 1 to August 31 academic year; students coming from other systems may be placed a year above or below to stay with their peers. The Admissions team is available to help, and the school provides an application form for prospective families. Languages are taught in English with bilingual options: a French/English bilingual programme runs for children aged 4 to 14; French is taught from Kindergarten, Dutch is taught from age seven, and additional languages such as Spanish and German are available; secondary students may also learn these languages. Exam options include GCSEs and iGCSEs in Years 10–11, and in Years 12–13 students can choose the International Baccalaureate Diploma, A Levels, or BTEC. The school is located at The British School of Brussels vzw, Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. Admission enquiry can be made via the Admissions section of the site. Fees and financial information are provided on the Fees page, and the school's admissions process outlines how and when to apply.
Scholarships	Scholarships The ISF Academic Scholarship Program is open to external students for two programmes: 14 to 15 year olds entering Year 1 of IGCSE 1 (Belgian Secondary Class 3 / UK Year 10) with 4-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees); 16 to 17 year olds entering Year 1 of Cambridge International A Levels with 2-year scholarships up to 75% of annual fees (excluding Cambridge exam fees). Scholarships are awarded based on the scholarship application (including personal statement), the past two years of school reports, the ISF scholarship exams, and an interview with the ISF panel. English is the language of instruction and assessment, so applicants must meet English language requirements to be eligible for a scholarship place. Process for applying includes: 1) complete and submit an ISF General Application Form for admission as well as a scholarship application form and provide the past two years of school reports; 2) successful submissions receive an invitation to a testing day; 3) within one week of the examination, the top-scoring 30% of IGCSE and A Level students are invited for an interview; 4) successful candidates receive a written offer including the scholarship value (50-75% reduced fee); 5) on acceptance, sign the letter and pay the registration fee; 6) student visas are the responsibility of the parents where applicable. Scholarships include: tuition fees (as stated in the letter of offer) and a waiver of the School Development Fund; Scholarships do not cover: Registration Fee (750 euro) and residential school trips; Scholarships could be withdrawn for non-payment, more than 10% non-attendance, poor behaviour as stated in ISF's behaviour policy, or significant drop in academic performance (evaluated annually).	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Waiting List Policy may be in operation for a class; the school will advise immediately and explain the implications.	Waitlist —
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