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British International STEAM School Istanbul

Turkey, Istanbul

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 80
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Typical class size 8
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

British International STEAM School Istanbul is a private school offering a British-style education for ages 2 to 18. The STEAM Campus in Etiler serves Pre-School and Primary and follows the Cambridge Pathway through Lower and Upper Secondary, with Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma offered in later years. The curriculum supports English as a First or Second Language and aligns English, Mathematics and Science with Cambridge, while Art, History, Geography, PSHE, PE and Music follow the National Curriculum. The Cambridge-based STEAM programme integrates science, technology, engineering, arts and maths to prepare students for IGCSE and IB. Facilities include year-group homerooms, Project Rooms, a Science Lab, an Art Room, a Music Room, a Multi-Use Hall, a canteen, a courtyard, a garden terrace and a basketball court, with an outdoor climbing frame. After-school activities include Genius Hour, Winter Show, Talent shows, PTA involvement and a pastoral care program for students and families.

The Essentials

British International STEAM School Istanbul has 80 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
Etiler STEAM Campus, Tuğcular Sk. No:27, Beşiktaş, Istanbul

Stages
Preschool and Primary School

Type
Private international school (STEAM campus of The British International STEAM School)

Pupil Nationality Mix
Students from over 60 nations.

Additional learning support
English as a Second Language (ESL) support; learning support team works with teachers, families and external services.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
Arrival 08:30–08:50; registration and Community Circle at 08:50; lessons start at 09:00; dismissal at 15:30; after‑school activities until 16:20; must be collected by 16:25.

Bus service
AZ-AL provides BIS bus service with GPS-tracked buses, drivers and hostesses; a representative is based at both the City and Zekeriyaköy Campuses; bus service registration links for Etiler and Zekeriyaköy campuses.
Academics

British International STEAM School Istanbul teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
Cambridge International Curriculum is followed in the Primary School. The Cambridge Pathway provides a clear progression from age 5 to 18, comprising Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary and Cambridge Upper Secondary. Core subjects are taught via Cambridge for English, Mathematics and Science; Art, History, Geography, PSHE, PE and Music follow the National Curriculum. English as a First or Second Language support is available for students, and the curriculum is compatible with English language learning. The British International STEAM School offers a STEAM programme within a Cambridge curriculum, preparing students for IGCSE and IB.

Higher Education Progression
The Cambridge Pathway provides progression from age 5 to 18 toward upper secondary and pre-university study, equipping students with skills for life, school, university and work.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Pastoral Care addresses social and emotional learning by focusing on self-awareness and emotional intelligence and helping students interact with others positively. It reinforces kindness, respectful communication, and belonging within a caring, global STEAM community. It also emphasizes a safe, supportive environment where students can take risks and learn from mistakes.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Support Department works with classroom teachers and parents to support children with special needs' development. Upon enrollment, this process includes Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and meetings. Services available include withdrawal SEN lessons, push-in lessons, and formal monitoring with IEPs. Lessons are differentiated for gifted and able students; if a child is formally identified as gifted by a certified educational psychologist, they are eligible for SEN withdrawal.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school welcomes students for whom English is an additional language.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral Care focuses on self-awareness and emotional intelligence to support mental well-being. It provides a safe and secure environment where students can take risks, reflect, and develop resilience within the school community.

Safeguarding
We provide a safe environment and follow a rigorous Safeguarding Policy; all staff and volunteers receive regular training; all procedures and environments are designed with safeguarding as the starting point.
Parent Experience

History
The British School Istanbul has been in existence for thirty-five years, and the current proprietor took over in 2000. Under the umbrella of The British School Istanbul, BSI operates three distinct schools. The STEAM Campus in Etiler serves Pre-School and Primary School and follows a British style of education aligned with the Cambridge curriculum and England's National Curriculum. The Zekeriyaköy Campus was built ten years ago in response to growth in student numbers. In September 2017 the school expanded to include a new national school for children between the ages of 2 and 7 whose parents seek a Turkish education with an international flavor, and it is anticipated to grow year after year until it educates students up to Year 13.

Community
The BIS community comprises students, families and staff. The school emphasises community connections and offers events and activities throughout the year to bring the BIS community together. The Our Community page notes that the PTA provides a framework for involvement, and there are opportunities to participate in events and join families in the school context. Monthly Coffee Mornings are held with SLT presentations and Q&A, and there are Class Parents who act as the link between teachers, the PTA and the parents in each class.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is a volunteer organisation established to support the BIS community—students, families and staff. It is led by a PTA Committee made up of dedicated, volunteering parents and Senior Leadership Team members. There are PTA Committee Meetings on the first Monday of each month; volunteers can help at events; Coffee Mornings are held monthly; and each Pre-Primary and Primary class has a Class Parent who links teachers, the PTA and the class families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Etilier STEAM Campus provides dedicated learning spaces for each year group, with homerooms on distinct floors to support age-specific collaboration. Primary spaces include Project Rooms for ongoing group work, an Art Room for art and Genius Hour projects, a Science Lab designed to meet Cambridge Curriculum objectives with safety features and large lab tables, and a Music Room for performances. A Multi-Use Room/Hall hosts assemblies, indoor PE, and school events, while the Canteen supports nutritious meals in a family-style setting. Outdoor spaces include a courtyard, a dedicated basketball court, and a garden terrace used as an outdoor classroom, with a climbing frame and slide for breaks.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor spaces support active learning with a basketball court for PE and recreation. Break times take place outdoors in the courtyard, which includes a climbing frame and slide. The garden terrace is used as an outdoor classroom for environmental and science activities. These spaces complement indoor facilities by providing varied settings for physical education and movement.

Academic Facilities
Homerooms are designated by year group on specific floors to support age-appropriate learning and collaboration. The Science Lab is designed to meet Cambridge Curriculum objectives, with its own equipment and safety features and large lab tables for experiments. The Art Room is open to primary students for classroom lessons and Genius Hour projects. The Music Room serves as the hub of performances, where students learn instruments and develop musical skills. The space also includes Project Rooms for group work and long-term projects.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Genius Hour time is supported in the Art Room, allowing students to pursue individual interest-based projects. The campus hosts events such as Winter Show, Talent shows, and exhibitions in the Multi-Use Room/Hall. The Garden Terrace doubles as an outdoor classroom for water projects and quiet study. Break times and PE take place in outdoor spaces including the courtyard and basketball court.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Cambridge curriculum forms the backbone for English, Mathematics and Science, with Digital Literacy (ICT) taught under the Cambridge framework. The National Curriculum for Art, History, Geography, PSHE and PE, and Music is delivered by specialist teachers. The school offers a Cambridge-based STEAM programme that prepares students for IGCSE and IB success. English as a Second Language support is available to help students access the curriculum.

Arts & Creative
Arts are part of the National Curriculum, including Art, History, Geography, PSHE, PE, and Music. PE and Music are taught by specialist teachers, and Digital Literacy is integrated within the curriculum. STEAM education also integrates the Arts alongside Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as part of the school's approach to learning.

Social & Hobbies
An After School activities programme runs three times a week for Reception-Year 6, ending at 4:20 pm; EYFS attendance is by mutual agreement with staff and parents. The pastoral care programme focuses on self-awareness and emotional intelligence, supporting students' social development within a caring, globally aware community.

Community & Service
The PTA is a volunteer organisation that supports the BIS community—students, families and staff. PTA activities include monthly committee meetings, volunteering at school events, and opportunities to get involved in events; there is a Class Parent system linking teachers, PTA and families.

Leadership & Professional
The PTA has grown and will hold elections, creating leadership opportunities within the school community for parents and guardians.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Pastoral Care emphasises self-awareness and emotional intelligence, helping students become confident, emotionally intelligent and culturally aware communicators. After School activities provide enrichment opportunities that support learning and wellbeing outside core lessons.
Languages

Language Provision
The school welcomes students of all nationalities and students for whom English is an additional language.
Reputation

Accreditations
CIS — Council of International Schools: international accreditation guaranteeing high international-education standards
COBIS — Council of British International Schools: accreditation for British international schools
MSA — Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools: U.S.-based accreditation
Cambridge Primary School — Cambridge Assessment International Education: Cambridge curriculum accreditation
International Baccalaureate — IB Diploma Programme: global IB accreditation
Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — DofE Award: international recognition for youth development
First and only Istanbul school to hold CIS, COBIS and MSA accreditation simultaneously
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initial Enquiry. A parent contacts the school to request an appointment to visit, using the enquiry form or by telephone. 2. Preliminary Visit. The parent confirms the appointment, tours the school and meets the Director/Deputy Director. 3. Completion of the Application and Fees. The parent completes an application for each student. An application fee of 1,250 USD is payable before the application is processed, and a registration fee of 5,500 USD is charged for students from Year 1 to Year 13 (the fee is non-refundable). Registration is not complete until the registration fee is paid. If paying the discounted full tuition, the registration fee must be paid by February 1st; if paying via the instalment plan, the registration fee must be paid by May 1st. Students may not start until all payments in the instalment plan are fully paid. 4. Documentation Required. The Director of Admissions must receive documents including four passport photographs of the child, two photographs of each parent, a copy of the child's passport, a copy of the parents' passports, BIS Medical Form, BIS Family Contract, Financial Policy + Invoice Information form, and the Registration Form. 5. Withdrawal. Ninety days' written notice is required to withdraw a student and obtain a refund of fees. 6. Registration Forms. BIS Medical Report Form, BIS Family Contract, Financial Policy, Invoice Information, and Registration Form must be downloaded, completed and submitted to the Admissions Office. 7. Eligibility and Class Placement. Admissions are available to children aged 2½ to 18 years and are placed in a class according to age, subject to the level of English allowing full access to the curriculum. In the first EYFS class, students will stay half day for at least the first term. The school does not admit Turkish students in accordance with Turkish Ministry of Education regulations and does not admit Year Eleven or Year Thirteen regardless of current schooling. New admissions are accepted throughout the year based on these criteria. 8. Equal Treatment and Special Educational Needs. The school provides equal treatment for all applicants and requires attendance at all lessons. The school may consider known disabilities or special educational needs and will discuss reasonable adjustments with parents if needed (including IEPs and related support as applicable). 9. Start of Attendance and Payments. New students may begin once all registration and tuition payments are complete as required.
School Events
The school has not added events
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