British School of Washington

The British School of Washington, located in north-west DC near Rock Creek Park, opened in September 1998. The school is a private, IAPS, co-educational, day school currently catering for children aged 3 to 17. It follows the English National Curriculum for Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 followed by the IB in the final two years of school. French is taught to all children from Year 2 and Spanish and Latin from Year 6. Specialist music tuition is available. The students are about 30% British, 45% American and 25% other nationalities.

The upper school (years 7 to 11) is housed in a fine colonial style building, and the junior school (years 2-6) and lower school (nursery and reception Year 1) are nearby, all having play areas adjacent, and the Carter-Barron Stadium and playing fields are opposite. Facilities include two libraries, a dance/music studio, a science block, computer suites, an auditoria with stages, and art rooms.

Classes at British School of Washington run from mid-September to mid-July from 08:35 to 15:45 and vacations follow a UK pattern. There is pre-school care from 08:00 and after-school care until 18:00. Teachers and parents run extra-curricular activities and there is a camp programme during all vacations.

The classroom teachers at British School of Washington are UK trained and National Curriculum experienced graduates. Specialist teachers (e.g. French, music) may be locally recruited, as are classroom assistants. Core textbooks, library books and work schemes are imported from the UK. The school tests at the end of Key Stages using the UK Statutory Assessment Tests. Children from Year 3 are tested regularly with other UK standardised tests so that parents may make comparisons of their child’s potential and achievement against national norms. GCSE exams are taken at age 16. Inspections are conducted using OfSTED qualified Inspectors from the UK. There is a mandatory school uniform.

The day-to-day operation of the British School of Washington is managed by the Headmistress, in consultation with the Executive Board (UK based) and the Consultative Board (drawn from the local, international and parental communities).

The British School of Washington has an open admissions programme, with year-round enrolment (subject to availability of places) but requires reports from previous schools and an interview. Children with limited English may only be admitted to the Early Years, and there is minimal special needs provision. Class sizes is a maximum of 20 children per class, and teacher assistants are employed in the Early Years programme.