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Bilingual British School

Italy, Bergamo

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Italian
Fees €7,500 - 10,500
Ages 1 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2011
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Italian Curriculum
Taught languages English, Italian, Spanish, German
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Founded in 2011 in Scanzorosciate (Bergamo), the Bilingual British School (BBS) is a private international school in Italy serving ages 0 to 18. The Scanzorosciate site houses Nursery and Primary, set in an 18,000 square metre park, while the Bergamo campus hosts Middle and High School in a modern, connected complex. The school delivers Cambridge Primary in the Primary years, Cambridge Secondary, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the High School, operating within the Italian education system as a bilingual program. Nursery follows the Early Learning Goals, with all activities in English. Primary integrates the Italian curriculum with Cambridge, with about 80% of instruction in English; several subjects are taught in English while Italian and History are taught in Italian. Middle School follows the paritaria Italian programme alongside Cambridge education, with two-thirds English instruction. Abroad Integrated Programme offers long UK trips and Model United Nations to broaden international exposure.

Via Pietro Piccinelli, 10, 24020 Scanzorosciate BG, Italy

The Essentials

Bilingual British School has instruction in English, Italian.

Location

Via Pietro Piccinelli 10, Scanzorosciate 24020, Italy

Stages

Nursery School; Primary School; Middle School; High School

Type

Private international school

Additional learning support

Counselor and wellbeing program

Country affiliation

Italy

Bus service

School bus service for Bergamo Brescia and Milan hinterland
Diving Deeper

Food Options

Lunch and snacks are included in the nursery fees. The Nido page notes that the cost includes lunch and snacks, as well as school materials, diapers, wipes and cream.

Governance and Ownership

The school is a private limited company (Srl) named Bilingual British School Secondary srl. It is registered in Italy (P.IVA IT04664320167) and located in Scanzorosciate (BG).
Fees

Annual tuition at Bilingual British School ranges from EUR 7,500 to EUR 10,500 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Annual registration fee (Nursery level): EUR 350.

Tuition fees by school year (detail by year group / session)

- Nursery (Early Years: pre-K through Transition, ages from 6 months to 6 years):
- Full-time tuition: EUR 950 per month.
- Part-time tuition: EUR 750 per month.
- The listed Nursery fees explicitly include lunch and snacks, school materials, nappies, wet wipes and cream.

- Primary School (6–11 years), Middle School (11–14 years) and International High School / Liceo (14–19 years):
- No published per-term or per-year tuition figures were available in the school's admissions/fees information. Parents should note that separate tuition schedules for these cycles are not listed in the publicly available admissions and fees sections.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No published billing schedule, instalment schedule, or formal payment terms (for Primary, Middle or High School) are listed in the school's admissions and fees information. For Nursery, tuition is presented as a monthly amount (see Nursery fees above).

Boarding (residential) fees

- Boarding is not offered. The school's services list describes day-school services only (uniform, school bus, canteen, after‑school clubs and summer camp) and does not describe residential or boarding provision. No boarding or residential fees are applicable.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Uniform: Wearing the school uniform is mandatory; the cost of uniforms is an additional charge but a specific uniform price is not published.
- School bus: A school bus service is provided (Bergamo, Brescia and Milan hinterland); a bus fee is typically charged for this service but a public price is not listed.
- Canteen / Meals: Nursery fees explicitly include lunch and snacks; canteen service exists for other levels and meal charges are typically billed separately when applicable, but no published per-meal or per-term canteen tariffs are listed.
- After‑school clubs and Summer Camp: These services are offered and are likely charged separately; no published fees for clubs or camps are listed.
- School materials: For Nursery the cost of basic materials is included; material costs for Primary/Middle/High are not itemised in publicly available fee information.

Refund information

- No published refund, cancellation or fee‑credit policy is available in the school's admissions/fees information. No refund terms are listed publicly.

Fee payment options

- No public details are provided about accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, direct debit) or banking details in the admissions/fees information. Payment method details are not published in the visible fee material.

Summary (what is published vs what is not published)

- Published and specific: Nursery-level charges are published as an annual registration fee (EUR 350) plus monthly tuition rates (EUR 950 full-time; EUR 750 part-time) and these Nursery fees are stated to include meals and basic materials.
- Not published / not itemised publicly: Detailed per-term or per-year tuition figures for Primary, Middle and High School; billing schedules and instalment options for those cycles; precise prices for uniform, bus, canteen (for levels beyond Nursery), after-school clubs and summer camp; refund and formal payment-method policies.
Academics

Bilingual British School teaches IB (DP), Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, Italian Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum

The BBS programme is a bilingual school operating within the Italian education system. Nursery uses the Early Learning Goals of the British Curriculum, with all activities delivered in English, for ages from 6 months to 6 years. In Primary School, the Italian curriculum is integrated with Cambridge Primary, with about 80% of teaching in English; Maths, Science, Geography, Art, P.E., Social Studies, Music, Drama and ICT are taught in English, while Italian and History are taught in Italian. Cambridge Primary Checkpoints are taken at the end of Year 5 to assess progress. Middle School continues the paritaria Italian programme alongside Cambridge International Education, with two-thirds of instruction in English and Italian taught in Italian, leading to the Italian middle school diploma and Cambridge Checkpoints. High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) as an IB World School, and the Abroad Integrated Programme provides long UK trips and MUN experiences to broaden international exposure.

Exam Results

Academic results show a 100% pass rate in assessments; over 2,000 exams were taken by around 300 examinees in the 2021/2022 school year. Primary pupils scored above the national average in Maths and Italian on Invalsi tests, while Middle School showed high attainment in Italian and Maths; Cambridge Primary Checkpoints results were in line with international averages.

Higher Education Progression

93% of students who complete the Cambridge Programme go on to university, with many admitted to universities ranked among the world's most prestigious. The IB Diploma Programme is recognised by Italian universities and supports admission to international universities.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Personal, social and emotional development is a primary objective, pursued through an emotional curriculum integrated with the academic programme. Professionals support pupils and families through meetings, lectures and workshops on wellbeing. Wellbeing is defined by the relationships a person forms with their environment—physical, social and cultural—and is influenced by interpersonal relationships, group dynamics and constructive dialogue. Teachers act as facilitators using person‑centred teaching strategies to engage students and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings. The relationship with families is central, with ongoing dialogue and tools to support each pupil's path, and a Counselor provides targeted interventions to promote wellbeing and guide students' choices.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

BBS delivers a bilingual education with 80% of instruction in English and integrates the Italian curriculum with the Cambridge Programme to combine national and international education. Language proficiency is central to the curriculum, enabling students to develop high‑level language skills in both Italian and English. Subjects are taught across two languages, supporting bilingual competence throughout the learning journey. The Cambridge Programme provides an international framework and opportunities alongside the Italian curriculum. The approach aims to prepare students for life and future challenges with strong language and thinking skills.

Mental Wellbeing

Culture of wellbeing provides for students' physical and mental health and wellbeing through knowledge, skills and an emotional curriculum integrated with academics. Personal, social and emotional development is a central objective, supported by professionals who offer meetings, lectures and workshops on wellbeing. A Counselor provides targeted interventions for pupils, staff and parents to promote wellbeing and prevent discomfort, including emotional mediation to inform positive student paths. The school emphasises the close relationship with families, with dialogue opportunities to support social, emotional and academic development.
Parent Experience

History

Founded in 2011 in Scanzorosciate (Bergamo) and developed under the direction of Patrizia Canzoneri, Bilingual British School is a bilingual peer school that advocates an educational system based on the relationship between culture and competence, between contents and their transmission, and between tradition and innovation. BBS conceives bilingualism not as a mere goal but as an essential tool for a solid, enduring education in English and Italian. The school embraces a teaching workshop approach, using experimentation, creativity and transversal methods, with teachers, students and families working together. There is a strong emphasis on ongoing teacher training and professional development through workshops and open debates.

Community

The BBS community is an active environment made up of students, teachers and families who contribute to school growth, development, improvement and success, with continuous and constructive communication guiding collaboration. The library spaces host cultural events, literary discussions, author presentations and interactive activities that enrich the school's cultural life. The Bergamo site features a theatre and an auditorium used for artistic performances open to the public, fostering engagement with the wider community. The historic Scanzorosciate site houses the Nursery and Primary School, while Middle and High Schools are located in Bergamo, which also hosts a Boarding School that expands opportunities for students from around the world.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Families are a cornerstone of BBS, with active participation in educational action and a cooperative, integrated approach to education. Parental involvement is organized through the Parent Committee, through which families can propose and collaborate in planning activities. Parents engage in ongoing dialogue with teachers and receive information about their children's progress and how to cooperate at home. Through associationism, parents can become mediators and supporters of broader views and shared questions, contributing to awareness and education on various issues. Professional dialogue and ongoing training involve teachers and parents alike, ensuring a collaborative effort to support students. Overall, family involvement is encouraged at multiple levels to help shape the school's projects and culture.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The historic site in Scanzorosciate houses the Nursery and Primary School, set in an 18,000 square metre park. The Bergamo campus houses the Middle and High School and is a state-of-the-art campus connected to city services and transport, in a prestigious natural setting. The spaces are designed to be functional for different learning needs and can be transformed to support evolving teaching and learning requirements. State-of-the-art technological equipment and multimedia aids support teaching and learning. The surroundings promote wellbeing and a sense of belonging, with spaces that are beautiful and fit for purpose.

Sports Facilities

The Bergamo site features a large, well-equipped gymnasium and ample parks and green spaces, with easy interconnection to public green areas. BBS supports sports and physical activity as a core part of the learning experience, with activities including skiing and badminton. The school emphasizes sport as both individual challenge and teamwork.

Academic Facilities

The Nursery and Primary libraries provide spaces for reading and autonomous study, while the Middle and High School library functions as a university-type research centre with resources in native and foreign languages. The school houses a Science Lab and a Thinkering Lab to support biology, chemistry and physics learning through practical investigation and technology. Art and Design and Technology classrooms, plus a dedicated Arts Centre in the High School, support creativity and interdisciplinary work. Digital spaces, including metaverse initiatives, offer immersive learning experiences.

Extra Curricular Facilities

A love of reading; Research and technology; Sport and teamwork; Performing Arts and Language Development; Outdoor education; Creativity and interdisciplinary skills.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Cambridge Programme is adopted across BBS, providing certified knowledge and internationally recognised skills. The Primary School integrates the Italian syllabus with Cambridge Curricula in Maths, Science and English as a first language, creating an integrated educational package recognised by the Italian government and Cambridge. Cambridge Primary Checkpoints are administered at the end of the Primary Cycle in year 5, and in Middle School English is the primary language of instruction in many subjects while Italian remains a key subject.

Arts & Creative

Arts and creative learning are central to BBS. Nursery classes include daily creative workshops in arts & crafts, music, drama and dance with English taught by qualified staff. The campus features Art & Design Lab and spaces for theatre and music; the High School operates an Arts Centre where art and applied science intersect, complemented by a Music & Sound Recording Studio. Performing arts and language development are integrated across the curriculum, with theatre performances and creative projects on campus.

Cultural & Language

BBS teaches 80% of instruction in English. English is taught as a first language for pupils progressing through Primary and as a second language at Middle School, supported by a bilingual Italian/English library on campus. The school expands international exposure through the Abroad Integrated Programme and Model United Nations, including long stay trips to the UK and other MUN activities.

Social & Hobbies

Life on Campus describes assemblies and a range of activities to foster community, including the BBSchool's Got Talent and Quiz & Competition. A Student Council is elected by peers to lead student initiatives. The Middle School emphasises sport and teamwork, with a large gym and opportunities for activities from skiing to badminton.

Community & Service

BBS Community emphasises a collaborative school environment where students, families and teachers contribute to school life. Parental involvement is encouraged through a parent committee and associations to plan activities and support the school. The school provides wellbeing support through a Counselor, and maintains ongoing conversations with families to support social and emotional development.

Leadership & Professional

Student leadership is promoted through the Students Council and weekly assemblies. Model United Nations provides opportunities to develop debate, diplomacy, research, negotiation and leadership skills. The school also offers orientation and guidance services to help students plan their educational paths, with Tutors supporting personalised guidance.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Culture of Wellbeing describes a focus on Personal, Social and Emotional Development and wellbeing through meetings, lectures and workshops. A Counselor provides targeted wellbeing and guidance support, including emotional mediation. Life on Campus describes spaces designed to support physical and mental wellbeing, including gyms, outdoor spaces, libraries and labs, and the campus supports outdoor education and sport activities.
Languages

Bilingual Teaching

80% of teaching is delivered in English. 70% of BBS teachers are native English speakers. The school provides bilingual education by integrating the best national and international education systems to prepare students for today's globalised world. Cambridge Programme is adopted, providing access to Cambridge International qualifications.

Immersion Programs

Abroad Integrated Programme offers Primary to Middle School students long stay trips to the UK to widen cultural experiences and language abilities while developing autonomy. The programme ranges from trips with classmates to independent home stays with home tuition, and there is the opportunity to stay in a British boarding school.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Nursery School: An introductory interview with the Headmistress or delegated person is conducted to discuss the applicant and the bilingual program. A school visit follows to observe the environment and meet staff. The family submits the online application, completes the form with required personal and academic details, and pays the required fee. Supporting documentation, including previous school certificates and any documentation related to special educational needs, is delivered and the pupil is officially registered to start.

2. Primary School: Direct admission to BBS Primary is granted to those who have attended BBS Nursery. For new students, the process begins with an introductory interview with the Headmistress or delegated person, followed by a school visit. The online application is submitted with required personal and academic information, and the family completes the payment as part of the submission. Supporting documentation, including previous school certificates, is delivered, and linguistic and educational needs are assessed before integration.

3. Middle School: Direct admission to BBS Middle is granted to those who have attended BBS Primary. For new students, the process includes an introductory interview with the Headmistress or delegated person, a school visit, and an online application with required personal and academic details. The family delivers supporting documentation, and the school assesses linguistic and educational needs with possible bilingual tutoring in some subjects. Integration follows once formalities are completed.

4. International High School: Direct admission to BBS International High School is granted to those who have attended BBS Middle. For new students, the process requires an introductory interview, a school visit, and an online application with required information and supporting documents. Initial assessment of skills includes an interview and standardized entry tests, with 2–3 hours of ESL per week provided before entry, plus bilingual glossaries and simplified materials to support learning. An essay is required, the admission decision is communicated within one week, and acceptance requires payment within two weeks to complete registration and integration.

5. International Sports High School: Direct admission to BBS International Sports High School is granted to those who have attended BBS Middle. For new students, the process includes an introductory interview, a school visit, and an online application with required information and supporting documents. Integration follows after formalities, with no requirement for minimum Italian language proficiency for external students. The school may provide linguistic and didactic support as needed.

6. IB Diploma Programme: Direct admission to the IB Diploma Programme is granted to those who have attended BBS Middle. For new students, the process begins with an introductory interview, a school visit, and online submission of the application with required information. Supporting documentation includes previous school certificates, references, and an essay based on a rubric focused on personal development; entry tests and an interview assess readiness. An admission decision is communicated within one week; once accepted, parents must complete registration and pay tuition within two weeks to secure the place and integration.
School Events
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