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British International School of Stavanger - Gausel

Norway, Stavanger

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees NOK 13,200 - 44,800
Ages 1 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 730
Type Co-educational
Opened 1977
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP)
Taught languages Norwegian, French, German, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

The British International School of Stavanger (BISS) Gausel Campus provides an English-medium education for children aged 18 months to 16 years. Delivering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), the school serves a large expatriate and local community in Norway. The campus features specialized spaces for music, library study, and physical education, split between upper and lower school buildings. A defining feature of BISS Gausel is its Outdoor Education initiative; teachers regularly leverage the nearby fjords and woodlands to incorporate nature directly into scientific inquiry and physical activity. Students also have access to distinctive extracurricular programs hosted directly on-site, most notably the 1st Stavanger Scout Group (part of British Scouting Overseas) and a dedicated Private Music Academy. Norwegian is taught as a required subject, helping international students successfully navigate and integrate into their new local culture.

Gauselbakken 107, 4032 Stavanger, Norway

The Essentials

British International School of Stavanger - Gausel has 730 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
BISS has three campuses in Stavanger, Norway: BISS Gausel at Gauselbakken 107, 4032 Stavanger; BISS Preschool at Gauselbakken 105, 4032 Stavanger; and BISS Sentrum at Tanke Svilands gate 73, 4007 Stavanger.

Stages
BISS Preschool provides early years education at Gauselbakken 105. BISS Gausel operates primary and secondary IB programmes, and BISS Sentrum provides primary and secondary IB programmes.

Type
IB World School operating three campuses (Preschool, Gausel, and Sentrum); international day school.

Additional learning support
Pastoral care emphasises inclusion with additional learning needs supported by individualized learning plans; inclusive environment with collaboration between families, staff and specialists to provide the right support.

Bus service
The school does not operate a school bus service. There are nearby bus stops for students. Eligible PY1–MYP5 students living at least 4 km from school (2 km for PY1) may receive a 30‑day bus ticket subsidy from the Kommune. Gausel Station is nearby for travel by train, and limited parking with drop‑off areas is available for older students.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is required at BISS. Gausel and Sentrum use the same uniform structure: Primary pupils wear a pale blue polo shirt, navy trousers or skirt, and a navy round-neck sweatshirt; Secondary pupils wear a white shirt, black v-necked sweater or cardigan, and black trousers or skirt; PE kit includes a sport shirt in the colour of the pupil's house, leggings or shorts, gym shoes, and a hoodie. Uniforms are ordered through Trutex Europe with LEA codes LEA000132TF for Gausel and LEA000133TF for Sentrum, with a Ship to School option and a standard returns process.

House System
Pupils are grouped into houses and wear house-colour PE shirts as part of the PE kit.

Governance and Ownership
All BISS organisations (Preschool, Gausel, Sentrum and the BISS Foundation) have a Board that governs the schools. The Board includes representatives of the student body, parents, staff and Stavanger city and is responsible for policy, planning and budgets; it sets tuition fees annually and ensures the IB mission and a child-centred approach are implemented, with a focus on staff development.
Fees

Annual tuition at British International School of Stavanger - Gausel ranges from NOK 13,200 to NOK 44,800 for 2026/27.

Application and acceptance fees
- Preschool application fee: NOK 1,000, payable on entry.
- Acceptance fee for all schools: one month's school fees are charged on receipt of the acceptance form; this amount is deducted from the first invoice. If a place is accepted and the child does not attend, the acceptance fee is not refundable.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-invoice amounts)
- BISS Preschool (100% / 5 day place, 07:30–16:30): NOK 13,200 per year (equivalent to NOK 1,200 per month). A Preschool Snack Programme option is charged separately at NOK 1,650 per year (NOK 150 per month).
- BISS Gausel (Primary PYP1–PYP6 and Secondary MYP1–MYP5): NOK 44,800 per annum. The school publishes this as equivalent to NOK 4,073 per month when invoiced over eleven monthly instalments.
- BISS Sentrum (Primary and Secondary): NOK 44,800 per annum, presented as NOK 4,073 per month over eleven monthly instalments.

Per-term detail and how to interpret invoice instalments
- The school issues invoices in eleven monthly instalments; the per-invoice amount for an annual fee of NOK 44,800 is NOK 4,073 (44,800 ÷ 11). This is the published instalment schedule used for invoicing.
- The school does not publish a formal termly invoicing schedule on the fee pages; converting the annual figure into a term amount requires an arithmetic division (for example, dividing the annual fee by three if you prefer a three-term estimate). That conversion is an arithmetic estimate and not an official invoice schedule.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Invoices are sent to parents; parents have sole responsibility for payment. Invoicing for school fees is done in eleven monthly instalments. Children who join mid-year are invoiced from the first of the month in which they join, regardless of the child's actual start date during that month.
- Withdrawal notice and charge: notice begins from the 1st of the month following submission of the withdrawal form. The withdrawal fee is equivalent to three months' fees at the current rate; if the leaving date is sooner than three months, the full withdrawal fee (equivalent to three months' fees) will be charged. The three months' notice period includes holiday periods.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- There is no boarding provision listed for BISS Preschool, BISS Gausel or BISS Sentrum; the schools operate as day schools (Preschool, Primary and Secondary). No boarding fees are published.

Other costs and optional services
- Preschool Snack Programme: NOK 1,650 per year (NOK 150 per month).
- After-school care (SFO) at BISS Gausel (PYP1–PYP6): monthly charge for a 100% place is NOK 3,188; monthly charge for a 60% place (three days per week) is NOK 2,194. There is no sibling discount for SFO; refunds are not made for illness or holidays for SFO.
- School clothing / uniform: school fees do not cover school clothing. Uniform items are purchased separately from the school's supplier (Trutex Europe) using the school LEA code; parents choose delivery options (ship-to-school or home delivery) and handle returns through the supplier's customer service. Uniform cost is separate and paid to the supplier.
- Extra-curricular clubs, school trips and specific course materials: such items may incur additional charges where explicitly arranged; SFO and the Preschool snack programme are examples of such charged services. Specific charges for clubs or trips are published only where applicable.

Refunds and returns
- Acceptance fee refund: the acceptance fee (one month's fee) will be deducted from the first invoice and is not refundable if a place is accepted and the child does not attend.
- Withdrawal fee: when a pupil leaves, the withdrawal fee equivalent to three months' fees will apply if notice is shorter than three months; the three-month notice period includes holidays.
- SFO refunds: refunds are not made for illness or holidays for SFO places.
- Uniform returns and refunds: uniform returns and refunds are handled by the uniform supplier (Trutex); the supplier processes refunds through its tracker and bank refunds may take several working days to clear. Parents must follow the supplier's returns process.

Fee payment options and contact for payment queries
- The fee pages state that invoices are sent to parents and that parents are responsible for payment, but specific public details of accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, card payment options) are not listed on the published fee pages. For queries about reduced payments or accounting matters the published contact is accounting@biss.no; school office email addresses for each campus are also provided for general enquiries.

Summary of key headline figures (annual)
- BISS Preschool (100% / 5 day): NOK 13,200 per year; Preschool application fee NOK 1,000; Preschool snack programme NOK 1,650 per year.
- BISS Gausel (PYP & MYP): NOK 44,800 per annum (invoiced as NOK 4,073 per month over 11 instalments).
- BISS Sentrum (PYP & MYP): NOK 44,800 per annum (invoiced as NOK 4,073 per month over 11 instalments).
Academics

British International School of Stavanger - Gausel teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP) for students aged 1 to 16.

Curriculum
BISS Gausel and BISS Sentrum are IB World Schools offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The IB Continuum includes the Diploma Programme (DP) for older students. The language of instruction is English. Norwegian is integrated across the curriculum in both Primary and Secondary, with national testing at PYP5, MYP2 and MYP3. Preschool is integrated with the Norwegian Framework Plan, and English language development is supported within a multilingual environment. Learning is inquiry-based, and the school fosters intercultural understanding and international mindedness.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) lessons and assemblies complement the curriculum and address how students live in their communities and practice looking after their own wellbeing. The school provides a school nurse who is available for confidential advice on health and emotional wellbeing. The approach recognises each student as a valuable member of the school community and supports the development of self-awareness, resilience, and healthy relationships. Parent involvement is an important part of wellbeing, with regular communications and opportunities for information meetings. Wellbeing is integrated with academic learning to help students become confident, compassionate, and responsible global citizens.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Special Educational Needs (SEN) are addressed. Besides improving academic performance, the aim is to improve students' self-esteem.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction. All lessons are delivered in English. If a child needs it, additional language support is provided to help them thrive here. For children new to English, teachers and support staff use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure lessons are accessible at all levels of English proficiency.

Mental Wellbeing
PSHE lessons and assemblies address how students live in their communities and practice looking after their own wellbeing. There is a school nurse available for confidential advice on health and emotional wellbeing. The wellbeing program supports emotional development alongside academic learning and helps students manage emotions and relationships.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding procedures are in place to protect all students. Registering concerns is directed to the Lead Designate for Saf safeguarding at the school. Norwegian law requires safeguarding information to be treated as non-confidential, and reports may lead to a §12 or §8 Action Plan.
Parent Experience

History
The British School of Stavanger was founded in 1977 to educate the children of North Sea oil workers. It moved to its current premises in 1981 and began welcoming students from many countries. In 2004, the school changed its name to the British International School of Stavanger to reflect its international strengths. In 2019, BISS became three schools: BISS Preschool, BISS Gausel, and BISS Sentrum. BISS Gausel and BISS Sentrum offer English-speaking Primary and Secondary Education, delivering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme.

Community
BISS fosters a sense of belonging through community-based learning and exploration of local contexts. The curriculum encourages children to explore their own cultures, heritage, and traditions, helping them recognise diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Clubs and after-school activities are run by external providers, including a French Club that promotes learning and hosts gatherings and cultural events showcasing the diversity of the French-speaking world. External groups such as the 1st Stavanger Scout Group and a Taekwon-do club use BISS facilities, linking the school with Stavanger's wider community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent involvement at BISS Preschool includes a Parent Committee (FAU) with elected parent representatives, staff representatives, and the Head of Preschool representing the owner. The committee meets for Parent Council and Parent Information Night, and two representatives for each class are elected at the start of the year. The FAU operates in line with barnehageloven via a samarbeidsutvalg (SU), which consists of elected parent representatives, BISS Preschool staff representatives, and the Head of Preschool representing the owner.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Nestled among fjords and woodlands, BISS Gausel provides an environment in which curiosity, creativity, and exploration thrive. The campus comprises a Lower Building for BISS Preschool and the younger primary pupils (PYP 1–2) and an Upper Building for the older primary pupils (PYP 3–6) and the secondary school, with administrative offices nearby. BISS Preschool is on the same campus as the main school. The campus sits between Stavanger and Sandnes, close to Forus, with train access via Gausel Station and several bus routes. Outdoor education takes advantage of Gausel's forests and the nearby Gandsfjord.

Sports Facilities
Adjacent to the school buildings are three artificial grass pitches, a running track, a basketball court, and a sand volleyball court. These facilities support PE and team sports as part of the on-site sports program. Outdoor education sessions make use of the surrounding forests and Gandsfjord.

Academic Facilities
The Lower Building houses BISS Preschool and the younger primary students (PYP 1–2). The Upper Building houses the older primary students (PYP 3–6), the secondary school, and the administrative offices. The two buildings form the on-site campus that supports learning across primary and secondary on the same site. Outdoor education is integrated into the program, leveraging the local forests and Gandsfjord for fieldwork.

Extra Curricular Facilities
At BISS Gausel, clubs and extra-curricular activities are organized by external providers and use the school's facilities. Examples include 1st Stavanger Scout Group, Capoeira for PYP4–6, Chess Club, Be Creative art club, Cricket Club, and the I'M A MUSICIAN private music academy. Additional offerings include PUMA's Taekwon-do, Little Puma's Taekwon-do, YoungCoderz Coding Club, and an After School Football Club run on adjacent fields.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Young Coderz Coding club specializes in programming, robotics and electronics for students from PYP3 and above. PYP3–5 will be learning game programming using Scratch, robotics and microcontrollers; Year 6 and above will be learning Python programming and website development. More details regarding the course and registration can be found at youngcoderz.com.

Arts & Creative
I'M A MUSICIAN is a private music academy collaborating with BISS Sentrum to provide tailored music lessons. The school offers piano, singing, guitar/electric guitar and violin. Lessons are after school and take place at BISS Sentrum; lessons are one-on-one and can be 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

Cultural & Language
The French Club promotes French learning and fluency among young native speakers of the Stavanger area. Certified teachers offer weekly courses in small groups. In addition to after-school activities, the club organises gatherings and cultural events showcasing the diversity of the French-speaking world.

Social & Hobbies
1st Stavanger Scout Group, British Scouting Overseas, is based at BISS and uses BISS Gausel's facilities for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. We meet on Thursday evenings and also run weekend camping events. Activities include navigation and orienteering, kayaking, camping and shelter-building, pioneering, fishing and outdoor cooking.

Community & Service
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is referenced on the page as a non-formal education and learning framework for young people to find their purpose, place and passion.

Leadership & Professional
The Scout group's programme is geared toward developing life-skills and leadership among its participants; volunteers and parents help run sessions and activities. The programme includes outdoor leadership activities such as navigation, camping and team-based projects.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
PUMA's Taekwon-do Club runs four classes on Wednesday for juniors (ages 7+) and seniors (age 12+), promoting self-confidence, self-awareness and overall fitness. Little PUMA's for ages 4–7 teaches respect, self-control and confidence through activity-based learning.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction at BISS Sentrum; the school welcomes 50+ nationalities and values students' mother tongues. For children new to English, teachers and support staff use Universal Design for Learning to ensure access at all levels of English proficiency. Norwegian is integrated across the curriculum in both BISS Gausel and BISS Sentrum, aligned with IB and LK20, with Language and Literature for fluent speakers and Language Acquisition for learners and national testing at PYP5, MYP2 and MYP3. In the IB Middle Years Programme, Norwegian is taught as a stand-alone language subject, and language acquisition also includes French and Spanish.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Create a parent profile and login. The portal requires a parent profile to begin the process. You can manage applications for multiple children and schools from this profile. Separate applications are required for each child and for each school.

Step 2: Verify your email address and then log in with the password provided. Verifying ensures you can access the portal and receive updates about your application. You can proceed to complete the application after logging in.

Step 3: Complete the application form. You must submit separate applications for each child and for each school. You can save your progress and return to complete the form later.

Step 4: Submit your application. Submitting finalizes the application. Once you have submitted, changes are not possible.

Step 5: Apply for another school for the same student or another child, by returning to the dashboard. Use the dashboard to initiate additional applications. You can save progress and return to complete any outstanding applications.
School Events
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