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Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages German, French
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Founded in 1988, The British School Bern is a private, English-speaking international day school for pupils aged 3 to 18. It offers three curricula: the British International Curriculum (Pearson-Edexcel) including IGCSEs and A-Levels; the American Curriculum delivered with Forward International Academy (Cognia accredited, Wisconsin DPI recognition, College Board code 917141); and the Portuguese National Curriculum (Português+) for Grades 7–12, with pathways in Science and Technology and Social and Economic Sciences. Portuguese instruction is offered in that path, with the option to combine with International GCSEs and A-Levels. The school has international faculty, with integrated German and French classes and small class sizes. Privately owned and woman-owned, it is recognised by the Canton of Bern as a partner in education for international families. A broad Primary and Secondary program is complemented by after-school activities including a Sports Program, Music, Drama and Dance, plus Rising Stars Extended Day Program and Dive into English.
The British School Bern has instruction in English.
Location
Location: Sperlisacher 2, 3075 Rüfenacht, Switzerland. The school sits in the Bern region, in the village of Rüfenacht. It operates as an English-speaking international day school for pupils aged three to eighteen. The address and contact details are provided on the site.
Stages
Levels: Early Years (Preschool and Reception), Primary (Key Stages 1 and 2), and Secondary.
Type
The school is a private, English-speaking international day school. It follows the British Curriculum. It is privately owned and woman-owned.
Country affiliation
United Kingdom (British curriculum)
Fees
Administrative and registration fees - Administrative (one-time, non‑refundable): CHF 100 per child. - Registration (one‑time, non‑refundable): Playschool & Reception (Kindergarten) CHF 250; Year 1–Year 6 (Primary) CHF 450; Year 7–Year 13 (Secondary) CHF 1,250. - Annual renewal fee (non‑refundable): Year 7–Year 13 (Secondary) CHF 500.
Tuition fees by year group - Playschool (each session is 3 hours; academic year August–July): Monthly tuition CHF 200.00 per session / per month. Additional supervised time is charged CHF 30.00 per hour (invoiced at month end). Registration and administrative fees apply as above.
- Reception (Kindergarten) – Year 6 (Primary) (academic year August–June): - 5 full days: August tuition CHF 1,200.00; Monthly tuition CHF 2,400.00; Yearly tuition CHF 25,200.00. Per‑term tuition (three terms per school year) CHF 8,400.00 per term. - 5 mornings: August tuition CHF 600.00; Monthly tuition CHF 1,200.00; Yearly tuition CHF 12,600.00. Per‑term tuition CHF 4,200.00 per term. - Additional morning/afternoon sessions: CHF +240.00 per additional session.
- Year 7 – Year 13 (Secondary): Monthly tuition CHF 2,400.00; Yearly tuition CHF 28,800.00. Per‑term tuition (three terms per school year) CHF 9,600.00 per term. Minimum weekly attendance is 28 hours (5 hours per day).
Discounts and sibling reductions - Sibling discounts on full‑time tuition: second full‑time child 10% discount; third full‑time child 15% discount. First full‑time child pays full tuition.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment schedules available: yearly, termly or monthly. Yearly payments are due by August 15th. Termly invoices and due dates: Term 1 (August–December) due by August 15th; Term 2 (January–March) due by December 15th; Term 3 (April–June) due by March 15th. Monthly payments are due by the 15th of the month prior. - Late‑payment procedure: two written reminders will be issued for outstanding payments; after two reminders a penalty of CHF 50 will be charged per invoice. Families with outstanding debts may be withheld reports, transcripts and school records and the student may be prevented from attending school. - Withdrawal notice: written notice of three school months is required prior to withdrawal. Exceptions are considered only by discussion with the administration.
Boarding provision and related fees - The British School Bern is an international day school; there is no boarding provision and therefore no boarding fees.
Other costs and charges (not included in tuition) - Tuition covers the majority of school materials, use of textbooks and workbooks, and the majority of curriculum‑related school trip costs and participation in the Friday afternoon swimming/skating programme. Tuition explicitly excludes: replacement of lost, stolen or damaged textbooks; loss of or damage to school equipment, materials and library books; damage to school building; Year 4–6 camp; Friday Ski Program; Rising Stars Extended Day Program; additional lessons offered after school; lunch; transportation; books and stationery where specified; some field trips and other ancillary services. Additional activities (special trips, ski programme, extended‑day, extra lessons) incur separate charges. - Playschool specific: missed sessions are invoiced according to the playschool policy for the programme; additional session time is charged at CHF 30.00 per hour. Some playschool admission documents show a separate playgroup registration invoiced on enrolment for that specific programme. - Uniform: there is no formal school uniform requirement reported for the school.
Refunds and exceptional cases - Force majeure: no refund of fees will be issued if the school is forced to close due to circumstances beyond its control. No refund or reduction of fees is permitted for extended family leave during the school year, except by specific agreement with the administration. Withdrawals require three school months' written notice; exceptions may be made only after discussion with the administration.
Fee payment handling and options (invoice, payment service providers) - Invoicing and payment timing: the school issues invoices on the yearly, termly or monthly schedule and specifies the due dates above. Alternative payment arrangements may be granted in exceptional circumstances by discussion with the administration. - Payment instruments: the school's privacy and payments information references the use of payment service providers to process payments. From the published materials it is clear invoices are issued and online payment processing is supported through payment service providers; specific instrument availability (e.g., which credit cards, domestic bank transfer details or direct debit arrangements) is handled through the school's billing process and administration. (This statement is based on the school's published financial and privacy information.)
Summary points parents should note - One‑off charges: CHF 100 administrative fee per child plus the registration fee according to year group on acceptance; secondary students also have an annual renewal fee. - Core tuition figures (examples): Primary (Reception–Year 6 full‑time) Yearly CHF 25,200 (CHF 8,400 per term); Secondary Yearly CHF 28,800 (CHF 9,600 per term). Playschool charged at CHF 200 per session per month. - Payment timing and penalties: payments may be made yearly, termly or monthly with defined due dates; late payment attracts reminders and a CHF 50 fee per invoice after two reminders. Withdrawal requires three school months' notice; force majeure and extended family leave do not automatically entitle families to fee refunds.
Academics
The British School Bern teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 2.5 to 18.
Curriculum
British School Bern offers three curricula: the British International Curriculum, the American Curriculum, and the Portuguese National Curriculum. Choose from the international British, the US High School, or the Portuguese Secondary curricula to fit your needs. British International Curriculum is accredited by Pearson-Edexcel and includes Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3), International GCSEs, and A-Levels. The American Curriculum is delivered in partnership with Forward International Academy (FIA) and provides a US high school diploma; it is Cognia accredited, recognised by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and carries the College Board code 917141. The Portuguese National Curriculum (Portuguese+) covers Grades 7–12 with pathways in Science and Technology and Social and Economic Sciences; instruction is entirely in Portuguese, and students can combine it with International GCSEs and A-Levels.
Student Teacher Ratio
Maximum of 15 students per teacher; small classroom sizes.
Higher Education Progression
Internationally recognised education with access to all major universities.
Gifted and Talented
Flexible subject choices and the Unique Pathway accelerated university program through Brave Generation Academy; Upper Secondary offers 16 iGCSE and 12 iA-Level subjects.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Every child is valued in a welcoming, inclusive community. The school provides an education while nurturing social, emotional, physical, and creative growth. The core values are communication, respect, integrity, responsibility, resilience, and empathy. The mission aims to spark curiosity, empower students, and cultivate compassionate, well-rounded individuals who can make a positive impact. The learning environment promotes teamwork, a sense of community, and social and emotional well-being across all year groups.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school acknowledges that some students may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The school is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment where all students receive a high-quality education in a supportive, safe, and respectful setting. Communication with families, such as parent–teacher conferences, helps tailor support to individual needs. The curriculum is flexible and designed to cater to each student's needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Dive into English offers English language classes for students not currently enrolled at the school. The sessions take place on Wednesday afternoons from 13:30 to 15:00. The program is engaging and interactive. Fees are charged per term, including a CHF 50 non-refundable registration fee; Term 1 CHF 450; Term 2 CHF 390; Term 3 CHF 250.
Mental Wellbeing
The school's mission is to nurture the mind, body, and well-being. It emphasizes self-worth, respect, and a sense of community, and the environment promotes inclusion, teamwork, and healthy relationships that support mental well-being. Staff use care and respect to help students grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. The approach includes fostering curiosity and resilience as part of a holistic view of well-being.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Reach out to the admissions team for guidance. They provide guidance on the enrollment process. They help plan the next steps. This initial contact starts the journey toward enrollment. 2. Schedule a visit to explore our campus and programs. The visit allows you to see the campus and learn about the programs. Staff are available to answer questions during the visit. The visit helps determine if the school is a good fit for your child. 3. Complete the admission form to apply. The form begins the application process. It collects essential information about the child and family. The completed form starts the evaluation of the application. 4. Submit the application and pay the administrative fee. The application will be reviewed after submission and the payment of the administrative fee. The review assesses the information provided in the form. The review leads to the next steps in the process. 5. You'll be warmly welcomed into our community and introduced to the class teacher, principal, and staff. The welcome connects you with the key members of the school. You begin your life as part of the British School Bern community.
FAQs
What curriculum does The British School Bern offer?
The British School Bern offers IGCSE, British, American, National Curriculum curriculums. British School Bern offers three curricula: the British International Curriculum, the American Curriculum, and the Portuguese National Curriculum. Choose from the international British, the US High School, or the Portuguese Secondary curricula to fit your needs.
What age range does The British School Bern cater for?
The British School Bern accepts students from age 3 to 18. Levels: Early Years (Preschool and Reception), Primary (Key Stages 1 and 2), and Secondary.
What are the fees at The British School Bern?
Annual fees at The British School Bern range from approximately 2,400 to 30,650. Administrative and registration fees - Administrative (one-time, non‑refundable): CHF 100 per child. - Registration (one‑time, non‑refundable): Playschool & Reception (Kindergarten) CHF 250; Year 1–Year 6 (Primary) CHF 450; Year 7–Year 13 (Secondary) CHF 1,250. - Annual renewal fee (non‑refundable): Year 7–Year 13 (Secondary) CHF 500.
Where is The British School Bern located?
The British School Bern is located in Switzerland. Location: Sperlisacher 2, 3075 Rüfenacht, Switzerland. The school sits in the Bern region, in the village of Rüfenacht. It operates as an English-speaking international day school for pupils aged three to eighteen. The address and contact details are provided on the site.
Is The British School Bern co-educational?
The British School Bern is a co-educational school. The school is a private, English-speaking international day school. It follows the British Curriculum. It is privately owned and woman-owned.
How do I apply to The British School Bern?
The admissions process at The British School Bern: 1. Reach out to the admissions team for guidance. They provide guidance on the enrollment process. They help plan the next steps. This initial contact starts the journey toward enrollment. 2. Schedule a visit to explore our campus and programs.
Does The British School Bern offer boarding?
The school is a day school.
What learning support does The British School Bern provide?
The British School Bern provides learning support services. The school acknowledges that some students may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The school is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment where all students receive a high-quality education in a supportive, safe, and respectful setting.
Does The British School Bern offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) support?
Dive into English offers English language classes for students not currently enrolled at the school. The sessions take place on Wednesday afternoons from 13:30 to 15:00. The program is engaging and interactive.
What extra-curricular activities are available at The British School Bern?
The British School Bern offers a range of extra-curricular activities. The school teaches Music, Drama and Art/Craft as part of the Primary curriculum. Arts-based after-school activities include Dance Lessons and Piano Lessons. The school follows the British Curriculum. Primary Years in Key Stages 1 and 2 include English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, German, Geography, History, Music, Drama, Art/Craft, P.S.H.E.
What languages are taught at The British School Bern?
The learning programme is based on the latest British and International curriculums. Lessons are taught in English. German and French are taught as an integrated language program starting in Year Two.
Who is the head of The British School Bern?
The head of school at The British School Bern is Barbara Ann Bush, PhD.
How many students attend The British School Bern?
The British School Bern has approximately 60 students. The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
When was The British School Bern founded?
The British School Bern was founded in 1988. The British School Bern was founded in 1988 and is an English-speaking international day school for pupils aged three to eighteen. It follows the British Curriculum.
Where do graduates of The British School Bern go to university?
Internationally recognised education with access to all major universities.
What is the parent community like at The British School Bern?
The British School Bern nurtures a welcoming, inclusive community.
