| School type | Co-educational Day Preparatory & Senior, Nursery & Sixth Form |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Co-ed Age Range | 2-18 years |
| Number of pupils | 2,250 |
| Number of boys | 1,050 |
| Number of girls | 1,200 |
| Day fees per annum | R80,000 (Approximately) |
| Curriculum | IPC, UK, IBDP, IGCSE |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Average Class Size | 12-24 |
| Teacher/Pupil ratio | 1:7.3 |
| Associations | IB, CIS |
The British School, founded in 1924, is a non-profit, independent and co-educational day school offering a complete and coherent curriculum for students of all nationalities from ages 2-18, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The school has two Units, with three sites. The Zona Sul Unit is located in the South Zone of the city and has two Sites: Botafogo and Urca. The Barra Unit is located in the West Zone of the city. Our students acquire both Brazilian (Ensino Fundamental and Ensino Médio) and international qualifications such as the IGCSE and the IB Diploma. It has an international enrolment of over 2000 students with more than 60 different nationalities.
Our school aims to give students a broad, balanced and relevant educational experience. The educational Philosophy and practice are primarily British in nature with international and Brazilian elements incorporated, where appropriate. The programmes of study are: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for 2 to 11 year olds; Key Stage 3 (Middle Years) of the UK National Curriculum for 11 to 14 year olds; Cambridge IGCSE for 14 to 16 year olds; and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma for 16 to 18 year olds.
Over 80% of our students are from Brazilian families and the remainder are from over 40 different countries, with British and American students being the biggest proportion. English is the main language of instruction with Portuguese, French and Spanish also being taught.
The school is an IB World School accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). The director is a member of the Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC). It has approximately 2200 students located on three sites. The Zona Sul Unit – Botafogo Site houses a primary school and the first year of secondary school. The secondary school is based at the Zona Sul Unit – Urca Site, close to the Sugar Loaf. The Barra Unit is a full unit located in the Barra suburb. It houses a full school with students from age 2 (Pre-Nursery) to age 18 (Class 11 / Year 13).
Classes are generally small and school environment is pleasant, well-resourced and stimulating, with a strong focus on health, safety and security. Performing arts, sports, Model United Nations, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and work experience provide a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Experiences beyond the school include numerous local day visits and national or international residential trips for most year groups from primary Class 3 / Year 5 upwards.
Our teachers are well-qualified (some 30% being recruited from overseas) and supported by a robust and effective programme of continuing professional development.
Our school provides a caring and friendly, yet demanding, learning environment and makes every effort to ensure that each individual has the opportunity to develop their particular abilities and talents to the full. The emphasis on academic achievement is also balanced by our concern to meet our students’ physical, emotional and social needs. Personal development and social responsibility are an integral part of our educational programme. We place a high value on good social behavior and ethical standards, with respect for the individual and the environment. We want our students to be happy in school and we hope that their school experience will be fondly and warmly remembered for life. We believe that this can be achieved through high expectations; clear guidelines and limits; constant encouragement; and addressing individual needs.
Co-curricular Activities
Football, capoeira, volleyball, basketball, ballet, artistic gymnastics, judo, choir, music (instruments and singing), cooking, drama, arts, and more.
Facilities
Air-conditioned classrooms, interactive Whiteboards, computers, laptops, tablets, science and computer & technology & robotics labs, libraries, gymnasiums and open spaces for sports and games, playgrounds with a variety of toys, auditoriums for Drama classes, presentations and art exhibitions, sickbays (first-aid – nurses), and dining halls.
