A Joyful Start to Learning: Early Years and Lower Primary at The British School of Brussels

When it comes to choosing the right school for your child, especially in the formative early years, we understand that you are seeking much more beyond academics. You want a caring, nurturing environment that truly feels like a second home.

BSB-young-child

The latest issue of Think Global People magazine is out now!


These first steps into school life are so vitally important. Early years in education are marked by significant developmental milestones and because of this, we make sure that every child thrives in a positive and caring environment.Central to our philosophy for our youngest students is the belief that learning should be a source of wonder and joy. Our curriculum is rooted in international research on early childhood development and is designed to inspire curiosity through play-based education. We encourage children to explore, innovate, take responsibility, and think critically. This approach allows each child to follow their unique developmental pathway while building confidence and independence. Our wonderful teachers and support staff use tools such as storytelling, provocations, and hands-on activities to ignite a lifelong love for learning.At BSB, our "Learning without Walls" programme takes education outdoors, offering children opportunities to connect with nature while enhancing their academic and personal development. Whether it’s muddy adventures in our beautiful Outdoor Learning spaces on campus, or scientific explorations in the abundant green areas of the neighbouring Tervuren Forest, Outdoor Learning is an integral part of our Early Years provision – as it is throughout our whole Primary school.These experiences build environmental stewardship while promoting teamwork, problem-solving skills, and resilience. As Esther O’Connor, Team Leader for Primary at BSB, explains: "There is a fundamental need in all of us to be outside... Spending time outdoors enriches children’s development both socially and academically".In Primary (ages 5–11), we build on the excellent foundations laid in Early Years by blending play-based learning with the English National Curriculum. This ensures that children are well-prepared for future academic challenges without losing the joy of discovery. Our interdisciplinary "Units of Discovery" encourage students to make connections across subjects like Science, Art, History, and Geography while developing critical thinking about the world around them. Specialist teachers for subjects such as French, Dutch, Music, PE, and Outdoor Learning add variety to each day while providing expert guidance in these areas.
BSB-ey-teacher-child
BSB-children-classroom
Even at the very early stages on their educational journey, our students are taught about their worth and place in the world. We encourage and guide them from a young age to be ready to make a positive impact on their world. Our approach goes beyond traditional methods, focusing on playful, collaborative learning experiences to naturally build language skills.In our bilingual classes, English lessons are expertly crafted by English specialists, while Units of Discovery and French sessions are skilfully led by our French language experts. This unique setup ensures that language acquisition is fun and engaging, blending songs, stories, and games into daily learning routines.From Early Years through Key Stages 1 and 2, our curriculum evolves with each child. By five years old, children enjoy four French lessons weekly, which are seamlessly integrated into their daily activities and designed to expand their skills through interactive activities like creative use of technologies, design projects, role-playing and musical exploration.“Our curriculum meets the requirements of the English National Curriculum, but it is also international in scope and unique to BSB,” says Debra Kidd, Primary Leader of Learning and Teaching. “We worked for three years through the pandemic and beyond to create something very special that was true to our values as a school, and which was hopeful and agentive for young people.”At BSB, we see parents as vital partners in their child’s educational journey. Through programmes like our "Curriculum Experience" mornings, “Sharing Learning” initiative, and parent-teacher consultations, families are invited into classrooms to engage directly with their child’s learning experiences. Our open-door policy ensures that parents feel supported every step of the way. From informal chats during pick-up times to more structured events organised by our parents’ association, we prioritise building strong relationships with families so everyone feels included while on and off campus. Whether your stay in Belgium is temporary or long-term, BSB ensures a seamless transition for your family with tailored support services that make settling in effortless.With over 70 nationalities represented at BSB, inclusivity is woven into the fabric of our community. We celebrate diversity as a strength that broadens horizons for both students and families.Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. At BSB, as well as offering a world-class educational programme, we provide a community of true belonging where your child will feel safe, valued, and inspired every day.BSB-teacher-children-classroom

Visit the British School of Brussels Featured School Page


leadership-supplement-sp25-intext
Schools_Fair_Autumn_2024_intext
Mini-Factsheet-banner-intext

Find out more about the Think Global People and Think Women community and events.

Podcast-banner-intext
Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.

Related Articles