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Harbour International Primary School

Netherlands, Rotterdam

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €4,250
Ages 4 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 280
Type Co-educational
Opened 1987
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum
Taught languages Dutch
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Primary School
Introduction

Harbour International Primary School sits in the heart of Rotterdam, offering an English-taught IPC-based program for ages 4 to 11. The curriculum blends the International Primary Curriculum with elements of the British curriculum, and literacy and numeracy are taught alongside IPC subjects, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for pupils who need it. The school serves a diverse community representing 69 nationalities, with around 280 pupils and small class sizes averaging 18. Dutch culture is woven into learning through All about the Netherlands activities, and the school is nut-free with snacks and lunches eaten in classrooms. The library is run by parent volunteers; there is a dedicated technology program and specialist music provision. A qualified gym teacher delivers PE to all pupils; younger children have PE on site, while older pupils walk to a local gym and Group 4–8 swim weekly. Co-curricular activities include coding, art, basketball, mindfulness, chess and music lessons; the Parents' Support Group coordinates volunteering and fundraising.

Graaf Florisstraat 56 3021 CJ Rotterdam

The Essentials

Harbour International Primary School has 280 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.

Location
Located in the centre of Rotterdam, a short walk from Rotterdam Central Station. The address is Graaf Florisstraat 56, 3021 CJ Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Stages
Primary school.

Type
International primary school (English curriculum)

Pupil Nationality Mix
Over 69 nationalities represented; 280 pupils.

Additional learning support
English as an Additional Language (EAL) program to support pupils who do not speak English.

Country affiliation
Netherlands; member of Dutch International Primary Schools and Stichting BOOR.

School day structure
School days: Monday and Tuesday 8:30–15:00; Wednesday 8:30–12:30; Thursday and Friday 8:30–15:00.

Bus service
Not available
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
After School Care (BSO) is available; care during school holidays is also possible.

Food Options
All children eat their lunch at school and should bring a healthy packed lunch and a morning snack. Sweets, chocolate or chewing gum are not allowed during school hours; no glass bottles or fizzy drinks. Harbour International is a nut-free school; lunch supervision is provided by overblijf teachers during the lunch break. After School Care (BSO) is available, and care during school holidays is also possible.

Governance and Ownership
Harbour International is state-funded and is part of Stichting BOOR; the Board of Education for Rotterdam (BOOR) is the managing group for primary and secondary education in the Rotterdam area, and all staff are employed by BOOR. Harbour International is a member of the Dutch International Primary Schools and of Stichting BOOR.
Fees

Annual tuition at Harbour International Primary School ranges from EUR 4,250 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- A non-refundable application fee of €300 is payable per child at the time of application. The application fee reserves the place for the child.

Tuition fees (single amount and instalment options)

- Annual tuition fee: €4,500 per student. This single annual fee applies equally across all year groups.

- Instalment / term-style payment options (exact instalment amounts and deadlines):
- One payment:
- Two payments:
- Three payments:
Pro‑rata (entry during the year) and part‑year tuition amounts

- Tuition amounts for children starting partway through the year

- An invoice is issued to the parent(s)/guardian(s); it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to ensure payments are made on time. Fees are non-negotiable.
- Fees paid by a parent's employer/company must be paid in a single instalment. All payments should clearly display the student's name and group.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Harbour International is a day primary school; no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and what the tuition covers

- The annual tuition fee covers tuition, MR fees and lunchtime supervision. There are no routine additional school fees other than a camping trip for children in groups 6 and 7. Costs for speech therapy and other outside specialist services are the responsibility of the parents. The school does not operate a canteen.
- There is no school uniform requirement; children may wear appropriate clothing.

Refund information and withdrawal

- The application fee (€300) is non-refundable.
- For withdrawal during the school year, a minimum of 30 days' written notice is required. Refunds for overpaid fees are calculated from the month after the written notification and according to the pro‑rata table for last day of attendance.

Fee payment options and bank details

- Credit card payments are not accepted. Payments are accepted via internet banking (bank transfer) or cash. Fees paid by company sponsors must be made in one instalment. All payments should clearly state the student's name and group.

- Bank account details for transfers:
- Bank: RABO BANK
- Account holder: Stg BOOR inz Harbour International
- IBAN: NL36 RABO 0112 8982 89
- BIC: RABONL2U.

Other practical notes about fees

- There is no sibling discount. The school's fee structure is the same for all pupils. Any specialist support outside of what the school provides is charged to parents.
Academics

Harbour International Primary School teaches IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum for students aged 4 to 11.

Curriculum
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is used, combined with elements of the British curriculum. All lessons are taught in English. Dutch culture is integrated through All about the Netherlands activities.

Student Teacher Ratio
average 1 to 18 (maximum number of children per class: 22)

Higher Education Progression
Large majority of children leaving Harbour move to the RISS:
https://riss.wolfert.nl/

Gifted and Talented
Harbour offers a differentiated curriculum and can support children who require higher level of academics
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Harbour International provides a safe, caring environment and a strong sense of community. The school emphasises individualised development and international mindedness. Pupils are taught in English by experienced teachers in a diverse, international community. The school is located in central Rotterdam and maintains small class sizes to support personalised learning (average around 18 students, never more than 22).

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL teachers work with non-English-speaking children from groups 2–8 to support learning of English as an additional language, in small groups and in the classroom to help access the full curriculum.
Parent Experience

History
Harbour International Primary School is located in the centre of Rotterdam, a short walk from Central Station. It opened in 1987 as Blijberg International and was renamed Harbour International in September 2019. The school uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) with elements of the British curriculum, and pupils are taught in English by experienced teachers. It represents 69 nationalities and has a population of about 280 pupils, with small class sizes averaging 18 students and never exceeding 22.

Community
Our school community is built on an international and culturally diverse environment, with staff and students representing over 60 nationalities. The PSG regularly meets to plan special events and updates families via email or the self-run WhatsApp group. Special activities and events throughout the year include coffee mornings (often with guest speakers), an International Food Festival, and family picnics. The money raised by the PSG is used to provide extra resources and sponsor special events for all children and/or families.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents' Support Group (PSG) is the school's Parents' Association that supports fundraising activities and encourages parent involvement in school events. Regular PSG meetings are organised, and events such as Valentine's Day are often run in collaboration with the Students Council. The PSG also coordinates library volunteering, with parents helping sort books and run the library. Parents are essential for school trips; each group has a contact parent to assist the classroom teacher and welcome new families. For more information, email psg.harbourinternational@gmail.com.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Harbour International provides a library run by parent volunteers, a dedicated technology program with weekly lessons, and spaces for music. All children eat a snack and their lunch in their classroom, and the school is nut-free. A qualified gym teacher delivers physical education to all pupils; younger children have PE on school premises, while older pupils walk to a local gym for PE. Co-curricular activities are offered on the premises, including art classes, coding club, basketball club, Jumping Koalas club, mindfulness, chess, and music lessons with tutors.

Sports Facilities
A qualified gym teacher delivers gym lessons to all children. Younger pupils have PE on school premises, while older pupils (Group 4–8) walk to a local gym for PE. Group 4–8 also receive swimming lessons weekly at the local pool.

Academic Facilities
The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is used to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding across a broad range of subjects, with a two-year rolling programme. Literacy and Mathematics are taught alongside IPC, and additional language support is provided by English as an Additional Language (EAL) specialists. A Library is available for borrowing books, and weekly Technology lessons are delivered by a technology teacher. Music lessons are offered by a music specialist, and there is access to learning support and a speech therapist as needed.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-curricular activities on the premises include art classes, coding club, basketball club, Jumping Koalas club, mindfulness, and chess. Music lessons (violin, piano, recorder, guitar, drums) are available from music tutors, and some after-school activities may carry a fee. Parental activities include Pilates and English lessons.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Harbour International uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) together with elements of the British curriculum to ensure a high standard of education. The IPC develops pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding across subjects, with personal development and international understanding at its heart. Maths is taught with Maths No Problem, a programme based on the Singapore approach that emphasises conceptual understanding. English reading and language literacy are taught with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for non-English-speaking pupils, and two pilots are being run this year: Talk for Writing for groups 2–8 and Sounds Write for groups 1–3.

Arts & Creative
Music lessons are offered by a music specialist with instruments including violin, piano, recorder, guitar and drums. Art classes are available as part of co-curricular activities.

Cultural & Language
Students are immersed in Dutch culture, customs, celebrations and traditions. The school community is transient, with most families staying about three years. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support helps non-English-speaking pupils access the curriculum.

Social & Hobbies
After-school co-curricular activities include art classes, coding club, basketball club, Jumping Koalas club, mindfulness and chess. The school offers instrumental music lessons and activities for parents, such as Pilates and English lessons. The Parents' Support Group (PSG) helps fundraise and organise events, and the school library welcomes volunteers.

Community & Service
The Parents' Support Group raises funds for the school and coordinates volunteering opportunities, including library activities. The PSG document Living in Rotterdam provides guidance for newcomers and practical information for families.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is provided through a distributive leadership model. The school provides relevant professional development for all staff, linked to the School Improvement Plan, and emphasises collaboration across staff and stakeholders.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral care is prioritised; Eleanor is the designated pastoral leader and a social worker is available for consultation. There is an Anti-Bullying coordinator, and attendance support is provided. Physical Education occurs twice weekly for groups 2–8, with group 0–1 having PE once weekly; group 4 participates in weekly swimming. Mindfulness and other wellbeing-focused activities are part of the programme.
Languages

Language Provision
Harbour International teaches in English. The school uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) combined with elements of the British curriculum. EAL (English as an Additional Language) is provided for non-English speaking children in groups 2-8, delivered in small groups and in the classroom to access the full curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initial Enquiry and Eligibility
Parents must confirm they meet the eligibility criteria of having a non-Dutch nationality and a temporary stay in the Netherlands. You then submit an admission enquiry form detailing your child's date of birth, arrival date, and any support needs. Accurate birth dates are essential, as the school places children strictly by age rather than academic level (deviation of this rule can apply in certain cases, when the needs of the child require).

2. Application Review
The school reviews applications within six weeks, though they may extend this by up to four weeks in rare cases. The admissions team evaluates any submitted school reports, learning support evaluations, and EAL assessments. For preschool-aged children without prior school records, parents will be asked to complete alternative intake forms.

3. The Intake Visit
Because the school does not host general open days, prospective families are invited for an individual intake visit. This informal meeting allows staff to explain daily routines and guide you through the classrooms. It also provides an opportunity for the staff to interact with your child and help them become familiar with the new environment.

4. Securing the Placement
Once the school confirms space in the appropriate age group, you must pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee to reserve the spot. The standard annual school fees are not due until your child officially starts attending classes. If the required age group is at capacity, your child will be placed on a waiting list.

5. Final Document Submission
To finalize enrollment, you must submit a copy of your child’s passport showing their full name and date of birth. You are also required to provide proof of your temporary status in the Netherlands, such as an employment contract or a letter from your employer. Finally, a recommendation form from your child's previous school must be submitted if they are of school age.

Waitlist
All new applications are automatically placed on a waiting list; Once contacted the admissions officer informs applicants whether there is a place available or whether the position on the waiting-list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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