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Ningbo British International School (NBIS)

China, Ningbo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees RMB 12,000 - 200,000
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 500
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge International AS Levels
Taught languages Mandarin, English
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Ningbo British International School (NBIS) is an international school for children of foreign personnel in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. The school follows a British International curriculum and is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS). NBIS is an authorised examination centre for Cambridge International Examinations and serves as both a SAT Centre and Chinese Proficiency Test Centre (HSK). The school aims to provide a warm, friendly, and safe environment for effective learning.

No. 365 Guanghua Road, National Hi-Tech Zone, Ningbo 315000

The Essentials

Ningbo British International School (NBIS) has 500 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
NBIS is located in Ningbo National Hi-Tech Zone, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. The campus sits in the heart of the Hi-Tech Zone, a developing economic district with good transport links and local amenities. A local report lists the campus address as No 1188 Yangfan Road, Ningbo National Hi-Tech Zone.

Stages
NBIS offers education from Early Years (Pre-School) through Year 13.

Type
NBIS is a co-educational international school. Boarding is available for students in Years 7–13.

Additional learning support
NBIS provides English language support and inclusion services through an Inclusion Team. In Early Years and Primary, classes are taught by an international homeroom teacher and a Chinese co-teacher to provide bilingual support; in Secondary, subjects are taught by specialist teachers.

Country affiliation
NBIS has no formal country affiliation.

Religious affiliation
NBIS does not publish a religious affiliation.

School day structure
Exact start and end times are not published on NBIS pages. The school day includes a lunch break, with morning and afternoon sessions under the Cambridge curriculum.

Bus service
NBIS provides a Yellow School Bus Service with eight buses on fixed routes. The Bus Administrator is Ms Vicky and the Bus Supervisor is Chris Black; each bus has a dedicated Bus Teacher responsible for safety.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
NBIS provides a Boarding Service for students in Year 7 to Year 13. The service was introduced in September 2021 to support families living in outlying districts and to assist older students with examination preparation. Boarding details such as full, weekly or flexi options are not published on NBIS pages.

Uniform Requirement
NBIS requires all students to wear a uniform. The uniform items are published to parents and ordered via the uniform company through Tao Bao. There is some flexibility (for example, on the first day a shirt may be worn instead of a polo) as long as NBIS logoed tops are used and items come from the same supplier; additional items include hats and spare clothing, with formal attire requested for certain occasions.

Food Options
Lunch is provided in a spacious dining room near the classrooms. The menu offers Western and Asian dishes with a wide selection of vegetables, meat and fruit, and the school caters for dietary restrictions and food allergies.

Governance and Ownership
NBIS is part of the Zhejiang Wanli Education Group, a multi-institution education group that includes the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and NBIS itself. The Wanli Education Group governs NBIS as a member school and provides education from kindergarten to university level.
Fees

Annual tuition at Ningbo British International School (NBIS) ranges from RMB 12,000 to RMB 200,000 for 2026/27.

Application fee
- A one-time non-refundable application/registration fee is commonly charged; third‑party listings for NBIS report an application fee of RMB 5,000.

Tuition fees (detailed by school stage)
- Early Years (Early Years / Kindergarten): RMB 60,000 – RMB 70,000 per semester.
- Primary (Years 1–6): RMB 70,000 – RMB 90,000 per semester.
- Secondary (Years 7–13): RMB 90,000 – RMB 100,000 per semester.

- Alternative published breakdowns from independent school guides show the same order of magnitude for NBIS tuition and report comparable semester ranges (Early Years ≈ RMB 55,000 – RMB 60,000; Primary ≈ RMB 68,000 – RMB 73,000; Secondary ≈ RMB 78,000 – RMB 84,000), which aligns with the semester ranges above.

- Approximate annual cost (inference): NBIS quotes tuition per semester; if an academic year is calculated as two semesters, an approximate annual tuition range would be:
- Early Years: ~RMB 120,000 – RMB 140,000 per year (approx.).
- Primary: ~RMB 140,000 – RMB 180,000 per year (approx.).
- Secondary: ~RMB 180,000 – RMB 200,000 per year (approx.).

Other costs and typical additional charges
- Lunch: The school provides lunch service; the cost for lunches is additional to tuition and is billed separately.
- School bus / transportation: A Yellow School Bus service is provided; bus service is an additional charge.
- Uniform, textbooks, exam fees and extra‑curricular activities: these items are typically additional costs at international schools. NBIS materials indicate curricular/examination activity (IGCSE, A‑Level) and extra‑curricular programmes but do not publish a consolidated list of uniform or textbook charges.




Academics

Ningbo British International School (NBIS) teaches Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge International AS Levels for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
NBIS follows the Cambridge International Curriculum from Early Years through Year 13, with Cambridge Progression Tests from Year 3, Cambridge Checkpoint in Year 9, IGCSE in Year 11, and Cambridge AS/A-Levels in Years 12–13. In Early Years NBIS uses the UK Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with seven areas of learning and prime areas (communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development) plus four specific areas (literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, expressive arts and design). In Primary, the Cambridge Primary Curriculum is taught in English across English, Maths, Science, Global Perspectives, and Digital Literacy & Computing, with Chinese lessons and specialist Music, Art and PE; class sizes are small and there is bilingual support with an international homeroom teacher and a Chinese teacher. In Secondary, Years 7–9 follow Cambridge Lower Secondary with core subjects English/ESL, Maths, Science, Chinese, Humanities, Computing, Drama, Music, Art and PE and Cambridge Checkpoint at the end of Year 9; Years 10–11 study the Cambridge IGCSE with core English, ESL, Maths, Chinese and a Science option, plus a range of electives such as World Literature, Additional English, Art & Design, Travel & Tourism, Computer Science, Music, Business, Drama, History and Geography; Years 12–13 offer Cambridge AS and A-Levels with a selection of subjects and exams scheduled May/June and October/November. NBIS also runs a Chinese Language and Culture Programme across all stages with two pathways (Mandarin as Native Language and Mandarin as a Foreign Language) and a strong Cambridge Chinese results track (A/A* or higher since 2019).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Inclusion Team blends its expertise in academic, social, emotional and behavioural skills to support all students and promote inclusion across the curriculum and school culture.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support Teachers create individual Student Support Plans in collaboration with teachers, students, parents and sometimes external agencies, with targets to meet a diverse range of student needs including high achieving students, and these plans are reviewed and updated regularly.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL programmes are designed to support students who arrive with little or no English; learners may be withdrawn from class for 1:1 or small group work and are then integrated back into the classroom with EAL teachers providing in-class support.

Mental Wellbeing
The Inclusion Team's focus on social, emotional and behavioural skills supports students' mental wellbeing, implemented through inclusive practices and whole-school initiatives.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding practices at NBIS include risk assessments for trips and staff safeguarding training expectations (including boarding staff), with safeguarding awareness integrated into recruitment and ongoing staff development.
Parent Experience

History
Ningbo British International School (NBIS) is part of the Zhejiang Wanli Education Group, a broader network that also includes the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. NBIS operates on a brand-new, independent campus with facilities of the highest quality. The school was established in 2005. From 2005 to 2016 NBIS used the Australian Curriculum (ACARA) to serve its initial largely Australian expatriate community. In 2011 NBIS adopted the Cambridge Secondary Curriculum and was authorised as a Cambridge Examination Centre CN625; in March 2017 the school introduced the Cambridge Primary Curriculum and is authorised to deliver Cambridge Primary and Secondary curricula leading to IGCSE Examinations and A-Levels.

Community
NBIS serves a diverse student body with families from many countries and a teaching team that supports bilingual learning with both international and Chinese staff. Parents participate actively through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the elected members of the School Advisory Council (SAC). The school's calendar includes events such as a Drama Festival, Chinese Culture Day, Family Picnic and Art Exhibition, as well as a Winter Concert and other community activities. NBIS also promotes STEM and cultural activities, including events related to the international F1 in School Competition.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The NBIS PTA operates as a formal volunteer body that works alongside the School Advisory Council (SAC). The PTA meets monthly to plan functions that enhance school life for children, including celebrations of the school's multicultural makeup, school concerts, quiz nights, excursions, and welcoming new families to Ningbo. Fundraising may be part of the PTA's role, though this is not the primary goal. The PTA leads events such as an Open Welcome at the start of the school year, International Day, The Winter Concert, Community or Charity Event, Chinese Culture Week, and End of Year Activity. Additional activities have included Book Week, Grand Opening Ceremony, Teachers' Week, and various other annual events. The PTA also supports parent education and contributes to communication between families and the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
NBIS is located on a brand-new, independent campus in Ningbo Hi-Tech Zone, described as having high-quality facilities. The school places a strong emphasis on STEM facilities to support project-based learning and participation in international competitions such as F1 in Schools. The campus sits within a larger, shared complex with the High School Affiliated to the University of Nottingham, Ningbo China Campus (UNCCAHS), while NBIS maintains its own teaching spaces and benefits from the broader facilities on site. There are dedicated spaces for performing arts and music, including an auditorium, drama and music suites, and an art room as part of the campus' creative facilities. The NBIS community also highlights arts and culture through events such as drama and art exhibitions held on campus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
NBIS offers a broad range of academic and intellectual ECAs designed to extend learning beyond the classroom. The program includes STEM-focused clubs and subject-specific revision and enrichment activities, such as Video Game Design Club, Chemistry Revision and Practical Club, and an IGCSE Physics Aid Workshop. The school also supports Cambridge curriculum-related enrichment, including Model United Nations, to develop research, debate, and collaboration skills. The ECA framework emphasizes inquiry and critical thinking through activities led by internal teachers and external professionals.

Arts & Creative
NBIS provides multiple arts and creative activities through clubs and ensembles. Options include Clarinet Club and Piano Club for music, plus Movie Club, Beading Club, Illustration Club, Painting Ceiling Tiles, and Lego Club for visual arts and design-based interests. Secondary drama and performing arts events are highlighted through annual events such as drama nights and the Winter Concert. These activities are led by specialist teachers and external professionals as part of NBIS's extracurricular program.

Cultural & Language
NBIS supports cultural and language development through language clubs such as French Club. The Extracurricular Activities Programme also includes events and activities that celebrate diversity, such as International Day and the Chinese Culture Day, providing cross-cultural learning opportunities. These cultural events are complemented by ongoing language and culture-related activities across year groups.

Social & Hobbies
NBIS offers a variety of social and interest-based clubs that foster peer engagement and personal interests. Examples include Chess Club, Movie Club, Beading Club, Illustration Club, Painting Ceiling Tiles, Lego Club, and Outdoor & Indoor Games, along with team activities such as Primary Basketball Club. These clubs provide informal avenues for students to explore hobbies and social interaction alongside academic commitments.

Leadership & Professional
NBIS's Extracurricular Activities Programme fosters leadership and professional development through activities led by internal teachers and external professionals. The program includes opportunities to practice leadership, teamwork, and public speaking, notably through Model United Nations. The NBIS ECA framework emphasizes global perspective, innovation and leadership skills, supporting students to develop transferable skills for future study and careers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
NBIS offers a broad range of sports and physical activities to support student wellbeing. Clubs include Football, Tennis, Karate, Primary Basketball, Field Hockey, Boxing, and Latin Dance, among others, with additional outdoor and indoor games. These athletic offerings promote teamwork, fitness and coordination as part of the school's wellbeing-focused activity program.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction in all NBIS classes. Chinese is taught weekly to all students, and NBIS runs a Chinese Language and Culture Programme for native and non-native learners from Early Years through Year 13, with two pathways: Mandarin as a Native Language (MNL) and Mandarin as a Foreign Language (MFL). The school follows the Cambridge Curriculum from Primary through to A Levels and is an authorized Cambridge school; it is also an approved HSK examination center and SAT center. English language support for non-native speakers is provided by an Inclusion Team that conducts language assessments and interventions.

Bilingual Teaching
NBIS provides bilingual support in English and Mandarin. From Early Years to Year 6, each class is led by two teachers: an international homeroom teacher and a Chinese co-teacher who work together to support learning in both languages. The mode of instruction across all classes is English, and Chinese lessons are taught weekly. When a child joins NBIS, an English language assessment informs targeted support from the Inclusion Team.
Reputation

Accreditations
- Council of International Schools (CIS) membership: The Council of International Schools is a global association focusing on school evaluation and accreditation; NBIS's CIS membership signals alignment with international standards in governance, learning and teaching, student well-being and global citizenship.

- Cambridge International Examinations authorization: NBIS is authorized by Cambridge International to deliver the Cambridge Primary and Secondary Curricula, leading to IGCSE Examinations and A-Levels, and NBIS is an accredited Cambridge Examination Centre.

- SAT Center: NBIS is an authorized SAT test center, enabling NBIS students to sit the College Board SAT on campus.

- Chinese Proficiency Test Centre (HSK) including HSK, HSK Speaking (HSKK), Youth Chinese Test (YCT) and Business Chinese Test (BCT): NBIS is an officially authorised center for these tests, supporting on-site language assessment and certification.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Visit NBIS by appointment. Campus tours will be focused on the relevant age range. This initial visit is the first step in the admissions process, and staff can outline the NBIS program and entry points during the tour. A scheduled visit is required to start the process.

2. Assessments. For Pre-school to Reception, assessments are conducted through group-based interactive games that observe a child's ability to understand and follow instructions. Primary-level entrants undergo the Cambridge assessment, while Secondary entrants complete CAT4 assessments that examine verbal, quantitative, non-verbal, and spatial abilities. A School Report from the previous school is requested for students who are not in Pre-school/Nursery.

3. Interview. After the assessments, the student will have an interview with the Head of the relevant section or a delegated staff member. At least one parent or legal guardian must attend the interview with the Head. This step provides an opportunity for families to discuss the child's readiness and for the school to understand family expectations.

4. Enrolment Application and registration. The Enrolment/Application Form should be completed, relevant materials submitted, and the student registered. Documentation required includes a School Report from the previous school for non-preschool entrants. NBIS notes that the school is popular and oversubscribed for some classes, so early application is advised.

Scholarships
NBIS does not publish information about scholarships or financial aid on its admissions materials.

Waitlist
NBIS does not publish a formal waitlist or pool system in its publicly available admissions materials.
School Events
The school has not added events
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