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Berlin British School

Germany, Berlin

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees €13,100 - 19,400
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1994
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), German Curriculum
Taught languages English, German
Strengths Sport, Languages, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Berlin British School is an international school for students aged 3 to 18, spread across three campuses in Berlin. The curriculum combines the Berliner Bildungsprogramm with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in Early Years and Primary, offering bilingual English/German pathways or monolingual English instruction. The program is aligned to the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan and holds Ersatzschule and Ergänzungsschule status. Primary provides both bilingual and monolingual streams, while Secondary offers a monolingual English stream and a bilingual English/German stream. In Grade 10, bilingual students take MSA and IGCSE, while monolingual students take IGCSE; from Grade 11 to 12, students pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Berlin British School operates on three sites: Early Years in Grunewald, Primary near the Olympic Stadium in Charlottenburg, and Secondary in Grunewald. Facilities include libraries, music rooms, two gymnasia, and large playgrounds; the GISST sports programme supports competitive sport for Grades 6–12, with after-school training and fixtures.

Dickensweg 17-19, 14055 Berlin, Germany

The Essentials

Berlin British School has instruction in English, German.

Location
Berlin British School operates across three campuses in Berlin. The Early Years/Kita site is in Grunewald at Havelchausee. The Primary School is on Dickensweg 17-19, Berlin 14055. The Secondary School is located in the Grunewald area.

Stages
Early Years; Primary School; Secondary School

Type
International school of British origin

Country affiliation
British origin (UK)

School day structure
Early Years runs 50 weeks per year with morning care from 7:30 and after-school activities until 5:00pm. Secondary School day starts at 8:30 and ends at 16:00, with after-school clubs until 16:30. Primary School uses shuttle services between sites, with Primary⇄Early Years buses leaving around 8:30 and returning at 15:00, and Primary⇄Secondary buses leaving around 8:00 and returning at 15:30.

Bus service
The school operates its own shuttle service between the sites. Primary⇄Early Years buses leave around 8:30 and return around 15:00. Primary⇄Secondary buses leave around 8:00 and return around 15:30. The service also transports students to events and activities.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Primary and Secondary pupils wear a school uniform. Uniforms can be ordered online through Uniform Collection or Direct Schoolwear. The PTA sells second-hand uniforms on the second Wednesday of every month at the Primary lunch hall from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Food Options
Lunch is provided across all sites by Luna, a local catering company, offering a healthy, well-balanced hot lunch. Lunches are booked online by parents; Kita (K1–K3) meals are included. Luna can provide a special diet for allergies, and no pork is served.

Governance and Ownership
The school is Berlin British School gGmbH. The Imprint lists Dickensweg 17-19, 14055 Berlin; Georg Müsing is an authorised representative; the register entry is HRB 158737B at Amtsgericht Charlottenburg.
Fees

Annual tuition at Berlin British School ranges from EUR 13,100 to EUR 19,400 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fee

- A one-off registration (Aufnahmeentgelt) is charged per child: EUR 2,750.00. Sibling reduction on the registration fee: EUR 550.00 for each additional sibling. The registration fee must be paid to secure a place and is stated as non‑refundable (exceptions for low‑income families are described under the income‑dependent rules).

Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts; stated per stream)

- Early Years (Kita / Early Years):
- K1: EUR 13,100.00 per year.
- K2: EUR 15,950.00 per year.
- K3: EUR 15,950.00 per year.

- Monolingual / International School (Ergänzungsschule) — annual tuition by year group:
- Primary Grade 1 to Grade 5: EUR 16,600.00 per year.
- Grade 6: EUR 17,600.00 per year.
- Secondary Grade 7–8: EUR 17,600.00 per year.
- Secondary Grade 9–10: EUR 18,500.00 per year.
- Grade 11–12: EUR 19,400.00 per year.
Tuition is described as covering exercise books, basic consumables, text books, SEN provision (subject to stated exceptions) and transport between sites/sporting facilities where applicable.

- Bilingual / Ersatzschule (state‑recognized bilingual primary & state‑approved bilingual secondary) — annual tuition by year group:
- Primary Grade 1 to Grade 5: EUR 16,300.00 per year.
- Grade 6: EUR 17,250.00 per year.
- Secondary Grade 7–8: EUR 17,250.00 per year.
- Secondary Grade 9–10: EUR 18,100.00 per year.
Tuition for this stream likewise includes specified basic materials and transport between sites/sporting facilities.

Income‑dependent (means‑tested) fee option for Ersatzschule (where applicable)

- For families opting for the income‑dependent Schulgeld (applicable to the Ersatzschule/bilingual stream), a separate schedule sets monthly Schulgeld amounts calculated by gross family income. The Schulgeld is described as an annual contribution charged in twelve monthly instalments, first falling due from the school‑year start on 1 August. The income bands and corresponding monthly amounts are set out in the Schulgeldordnung. Sibling discounts, reduced material charges and special arrangements for low‑income families are described in that schedule.

Per‑term / instalment detail and how discounts apply

- Annual tuition figures above are invoiced according to the invoice schedule; paying the entire annual tuition in one lump sum before the start of the academic year entitles the payer to a 2% deduction from the total annual tuition. For the income‑dependent Schulgeld the school specifies twelve monthly instalments with the first instalment from 1 August. Exact invoice due dates are shown on the invoice.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The registration fee is payable before the first official school day to confirm a place. School tuition is due on the dates shown on the invoice. If the full annual tuition is paid in advance before the school year begins, a 2% discount on the annual total is permitted. Late payment incurs interest and administrative charges; the stated late payment interest rate is 5% per annum plus an additional administrative fee, and parents are liable for bank charges arising from late payment. Notification of withdrawal must be submitted in writing by a parent or legal guardian at least two months before the last day of the student's final term. All fees are described as non‑refundable except where specific income‑based crediting of the registration fee is applied under the income‑support rules.

Examination and assessment fees

- IGCSE examination fees are not included in tuition and are invoiced separately: EUR 1,625.00 (per candidate fee indicated).
- IB examination fees are not included in tuition and are invoiced separately: EUR 2,725.00 (per candidate fee indicated).
- For the bilingual/Ersatzschule stream, the German MSA (Mittlerer Schulabschluss) exam fees are included in the tuition where stated; international exam fees (IGCSE/IB) remain additional.

Other costs and fees (typical additional charges)

- Annual consumables / materials charges (where applicable to the Ersatzschule):
- Primary (Grades 1–6): EUR 740.00 per year (due with invoice, by 01.09 at the latest).
- Sekundarstufe I (Grades 7–10): EUR 920.00 per year (due with invoice, by 01.09 at the latest).
These are charged as a pauschale (flat charge) for workbooks, stationery and other consumables; families eligible for income‑based reductions see reduced amounts in the income‑dependent schedule.

- After School Care (Primary pupils): included in Early Years fees; for Primary pupils not in a paid club, supervised care is free until 16:00 Monday–Thursday; from 16:00–17:00 Monday–Thursday and on Fridays the current fee is EUR 7.50 per hour (or part thereof). After School Care is invoiced at the end of each term; late pick‑ups after 17:00 incur EUR 15.00 per 15 minutes. Charges for one‑to‑one learning support, excursions, music lessons, buses, lunches and many extracurricular programmes are billed separately by the providers.

- School uniform: uniform items are purchased separately through the school's suppliers (Uniform Collection and School Directwear for school uniform; Sandogroup for sport uniform). Second‑hand uniform is sold periodically by the PTA; uniform costs vary by item and are paid to the supplier.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable for the Berlin British School's stated provision; the published information and school life pages describe day‑school services (Early Years, Primary, Secondary), after‑school care and transport but do not list boarding or boarding fees.

Refund information and deposits

- The registration (Aufnahmeentgelt) is described as non‑refundable in the general terms. School tuition payments are stated as non‑refundable. Under the income‑dependent rules there are specific provisions whereby, for families below certain gross income thresholds, the registration fee may be handled differently (for example the registration fee may be set at the level of the monthly Schulgeld or may be credited against the first year's Schulgeld for the lowest income band). Withdrawal notice requirements (in writing, at least two months before the last day of the pupil's final term) apply to contract termination.

Fee payment options

- The school specifies bank transfer (bank account details given on invoices). The stated account is with Deutsche Bank; the published IBAN for fee payments is DE93 1207 0000 0020 0626 00 and BIC DEUTDEBB160. No credit‑card payment method is listed in the published fee schedules; further payment methods are not specified in the fee documents. All payments should include the pupil name, invoice and account number on the transfer reference.

Summary

- Registration fee: EUR 2,750.00 per child (EUR 550.00 per additional sibling), stated non‑refundable with specified income‑support exceptions.
- Annual tuition: Early Years K1–K3 and year‑group fees for Monolingual and Bilingual/Ersatz streams are listed above under the relevant headings.
- Income‑dependent fee option exists for the bilingual/Ersatzschule with monthly Schulgeld bands and special reductions for low incomes and siblings.
- Exam fees (IGCSE, IB) and many ancillary services (lunch, bus, extracurricular activities, music lessons, one‑to‑one support, trips) are billed separately.
- Payments are required by invoice due dates; a 2% discount applies for full annual prepayment; late payments incur 5% p.a. interest plus admin charges.

(End of fee overview.)
Academics

Berlin British School teaches IB (PYP), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), German Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Berlin British School delivers an international, bilingual curriculum across its Early Years, Primary and Secondary programmes. In Early Years and Primary, the curriculum blends the Berliner Bildungsprogramm with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP); it is taught through bilingual English/German pathways or monolingual English, and is aligned to the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan, with full Ersatzschule and Ergänzungsschule status. In Primary, both bilingual and monolingual streams are offered. In Secondary, there is a monolingual English stream and a bilingual English/German stream; in Grade 10 bilingual students sit MSA and IGCSE while monolingual students sit IGCSE; from Grade 11 to 12, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is pursued.

Higher Education Progression
The school's graduates have been accepted into top universities in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Berlin British School prioritises pastoral care across the whole school community, supporting students' social and emotional development alongside academics.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides English as an Additional Language support and learning assistance as part of its Primary and wider school provision.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available in the Primary School, with extra English language assistance as part of the learning program.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is a central focus of student welfare, embedded in school life and learning.

Safeguarding
The school maintains safeguarding policies and procedures as part of its commitment to student safety.
Parent Experience

History
Planning began in the early 1990s for a school rooted in British traditions in Berlin, and Berlin British School opened in September 1994 at Dickensweg with 84 children from 23 nationalities. It soon extended to secondary education with IGCSE and the IB Diploma, with the Havelchaussee site opening for Early Years in 1999 and the Postfenn campus welcoming the Secondary School in 2000. In 2014 the school transitioned to the gGmbH legal form with BBS e.V. as shareholder and opened a new sports hall; the Kita became privately financed in 2018 and the secondary school gained Ersatzschule status in 2016. Since December 2022 the Primary School is state-recognised bilingual primary school, and the school celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024.

Community
The Berlin British School community includes a non-profit PTA that supports the school and fosters a close relationship among families and staff. The PTA organizes social and sporting events for families, including children's discos, the annual cross country run, refreshments at sports day, school play performances and concerts, and the Summerfest. Funds raised support upgrades to facilities and equipment, such as library books, iPads for ICT, spectrometers for Chemistry, keyboards and samba drums for Music, and outdoor play equipment for the school. Monthly PTA meetings are held in the Primary School Hall, and each class has a Parent Class Representative who coordinates communication and involvement with the PTA.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Berlin British School PTA is a non-profit organization of parents, teachers and friends. It aims to encourage a close relationship among families and staff. The PTA holds monthly meetings in the Primary School Hall to discuss fundraising and plan events. Volunteers can help with selling tickets, finding sponsors, setting up events, creating posters, baking and serving refreshments, chaperoning discos and cleaning up after events, and staffing Summerfest stalls. Every class has a Parent Class Representative who coordinates parent involvement and feedback to the PTA. New members are welcome to join.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Berlin British School operates on three sites with facilities appropriate to each age group. The Early Years (Kita) site is located in Berlin's Grunewald at the Havelchausee and houses Toddlers (2-3), K1 (3-4) and two K2 groups (4-5). The Primary School is five minutes' walk from Berlin's historic Olympic Stadium in Charlottenburg; the single-storey building houses K3 and Grades 1-5 and includes a library, a music room, two gymnasiums and a large playground. The Secondary School is located in the Grunewald area and offers both monolingual and bilingual streams. These sites collectively support learning from Early Years to Grade 12.

Sports Facilities
Two gymnasiums are available in the Primary School building. There is a large playground. Facilities are distributed across three sites to support physical education for Early Years, Primary and Secondary. The GISST sports programme offers Germany-wide competition for students in Grades 6-12, with football, volleyball, badminton, basketball, cross country and track and field; training takes place after school, with tournaments usually on Fridays and Saturdays.

Academic Facilities
The Primary School building includes a library and a music room. The building also features two gymnasiums and a large playground. The Primary School offers bilingual English/German streams and follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) aligned with the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan. The Early Years curriculum is bilingual, with English-taught subjects by teachers and German-delivered curriculum by Erzieher. Learning principles emphasise accessible learning environments and the use of digital technologies.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities take place in various locations, both inside and outside school. Clubs are run by our own teachers as well as external teachers and coaches, and cover sports, music, arts, ICT and life skills for Primary and Secondary students. GISST provides Germany-wide competitions for Grades 6-12, with a range of sports and after-school training and fixtures. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is available from age 14, with Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and a focus on personal and social development through adventurous and practical activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Primary School is an international school of British origin with high academic standards and small classes. It offers two streams in Primary: monolingual (English) and bilingual (English/German); the bilingual stream is staatlich genehmigte bilingualer Grundschule and blends the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan with the IB Primary Years Programme, and entry requires German fluency. Both Primary streams are taught together in most subjects, with Maths, PE and German taught in their respective streams. In Secondary School the curriculum follows the British National Curriculum, IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with mandatory German lessons according to ability; all secondary reports are in English.

Arts & Creative
Arts offerings include Art, Design, Music and Performing Arts, Drama and Theatre Studies, and W.A.T. Instrumental Tuition is available.

Cultural & Language
English is the language of instruction in the Monolingual Stream. The Primary School offers both monolingual and bilingual streams; the bilingual stream is a bilingual English/German programme that blends the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan with the IB Primary Years Programme and requires German fluency. In Secondary School, the Monolingual Stream provides English-language education with mandatory German lessons according to ability, while the Bilingual Stream combines English and German instruction, including German for History, Ethics, Political Education, WAT and PE; Mathematics is taught in both German and English by bilingual staff. German (Native) and German Non-Native options are available, and French and Spanish are offered as additional languages.

Social & Hobbies
The extracurricular programme enables students to relax, have fun, and try new challenges. It includes Clubs, Competitions, Trips & Events, and Workshops & Leadership as part of the Enrichment Programme. GISST events and the Duke of Edinburgh Award form part of the enrichment opportunities, supporting teamwork and leadership.

Community & Service
Pastoral care is our highest priority and is promoted across the school community. The PTA and Alumni networks support school life, along with resources for new arrivals in Berlin. The enrichment programme includes engagement opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and GISST for service, teamwork and leadership.

Leadership & Professional
The Enrichment Programme provides Clubs, Competitions, Trips & Events and Workshops & Leadership to develop leadership and professional skills. GISST and the Duke of Edinburgh Award offer leadership and teamwork experiences, and access to leadership-focused activities is integral to school life.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral care is emphasized for the social and emotional welfare of students. The school also provides practical wellbeing support through services such as Lunch Service, Shuttle Service, and After School Care, and offers a caring environment that supports physical and mental health through a varied school life.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction in the monolingual stream and in the bilingual stream. In Secondary, French and Spanish are offered as language subjects. German is taught at multiple levels: German Native, German B (Grades 6–8 and 9–10), and German Ab Initio (Grades 11–12).

Bilingual Teaching
The school has two streams in Primary: monolingual and bilingual. The bilingual Primary stream (English/German) is state-recognised and blends the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan with IBPYP; admission requires fluency in German. Both streams are taught together as one class, with Maths, PE and German taught in the respective stream. The Secondary School also offers a monolingual and a bilingual stream, with the bilingual stream providing teaching in English and German.
Admissions

Admissions
Submit an Application. Complete the Application Form (PDF) and upload your child's school reports from the last two years. The form is detailed, so ensure information is accurate; there is no cost or commitment to apply. If this is your first contact, complete the Enquiry Form. If spaces are available we will discuss the next steps with you.

Arrange a Tour. Once the application(s) are received and a place is available, we offer individual tours of the appropriate site (Early Years, Primary and Secondary). Tours last about 30-45 minutes and provide insight into classroom life and the opportunity to talk with teachers, the Head of School and ask questions. Appointments must be made in advance to ensure availability.

Student Visit. We offer a free, three-day visit (shorter for Kindergarten—two mornings) to allow students and teachers to get to know each other. The visit includes an assessment to understand the student's current educational level and to observe social adaptability to the school ethos. It also allows the student to experience school life in a relaxed setting.

Admission Decisions. After the visit the teachers provide feedback focusing on academic ability and behaviour. A place in the school may be offered; admission decisions are made by the teachers, Head of School and School Principal and are final. A student may start once a contract has been signed and other required documentation, such as immunization records, have been submitted.

Scholarships
The Berlin British School offers scholarship programmes for existing students as well as external applicants. Our programmes are designed to recognise exceptional academic ability and potential at different stages of a student's educational journey. In line with our commitment to inclusion, we particularly encourage applications from academically gifted students from low-income families.

Scholarships are available as follows: To outstanding students from Grade 9 onwards who are already enrolled at the BBS; IB Diploma Scholarships are open to both existing students and external applicants entering Grades 11 and 12. All scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process and are based on academic merit. The award of a scholarship, and the percentage of tuition fees discounted for such an award will be entirely at the school's discretion. Scholarships for Gr. 9 onwards are worth between 20% and 50% of the tuition fee per year for students already enrolled in Grade 9 or above. A parent who would like to enter their child for a scholarship should complete an attached application form and submit it to the Admissions Secretary; earlier applications increase the likelihood of securing a scholarship. Each scholarship is subject to an internal review at the end of the first year and is awarded for a two-year period; continuation into Grade 12 depends on academic progress, engagement with the programme, conduct and contribution to school life.

IB Diploma Scholarships are open to both internal and external candidates and range from 20% to 100% of the annual tuition fee. Applications may be submitted from 1 January for Grade 10 entry in August, with a deadline of 30 April. IB Diploma Scholarships are awarded after a competitive process including assessment and interview, and the value is determined at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. The duration for IB Scholarships is two years (Grades 11 and 12) with a mid-cycle review to determine renewal for Grade 12 based on academic progress, engagement and conduct.
School Events
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