6 reasons families choose The British School in the Netherlands (BSN)
Starting a new school can be an adventure. It can also be daunting. New routines, new friendships, new expectations - and for many international families, all of this happens while you’re settling into life in the Netherlands.
Families choose The British School in the Netherlands (BSN) because they want a school that feels human as well as high-performing: a place where children are known, learning is taken seriously, and the community makes day-to-day life easier.
About the British School in the Netherlands
At-a-glance - what many parents want to know quickly:
- International community: students from nearly 90 nationalities
- Age range: 3 to 18 years old across four campuses
- School experience: strong academics, strong support, and a broad co-curricular life
See for yourself: Book a visit at the BSN
How the BSN helps children find a place to grow
Here are six reasons why parents consistently choose the BSN.
1. A confident start: children settle, then grow
The first few weeks matter. When a child is new, small things carry weight: being greeted by name, finding a friend at break, knowing who to go to when something feels unfamiliar.
At the BSN, care is practical and visible. Staff notice, check in, and step in early when a student needs extra help - whether that’s with confidence, friendships, learning support or simply time to adjust.
One former student put it like this: “I appreciated the opportunity given by the school… They supported me and allowed me to overcome some of my struggles, to the point today where I don’t notice any deficiencies compared to other students.”
That kind of start builds more than comfort. It builds resilience: the sense that a new challenge is something you can handle.
2. Teaching that stretches students, without losing the personal touch
Parents often say they want high expectations and teachers who genuinely know their child. The BSN is known for subject expertise and a learning culture that encourages curiosity, independence and effort.
A former student shared: “The teachers were always really supportive and were often eager to share their expertise… taught to an extremely high standard while also leaving space for the advancement of extra knowledge at home.”
For families, that balance matters. Children are challenged but not left to struggle alone.
3. An international community that feels like a community
With students from nearly 90 nationalities, “international” at the BSN isn’t a label - it’s the everyday experience: classmates from around the world, different perspectives in discussion, friendships that cross cultures naturally.
Students often describe it as both welcoming and energising: “From the passionate teachers… to the range of opportunities… I truly cannot imagine having spent my formative years at any other primary, secondary or high school.” – BSN alumnus
For parents, that community is just as important. Many families find their first real network through school. The Family Association helps new families connect quickly, and social events make it easier to feel at home.
As one current BSN parent puts it: “The BSN has provided us with a community… Our children feel a sense of belonging and grounded despite being Third Culture Kids.”
4. Opportunities that build confidence: sport, music, drama, service and leadership
A school day shouldn’t be about lessons and exams alone. At the BSN, students are encouraged to take part, try something new, and discover what they enjoy - and what they’re capable of.
From sport and music to drama, debating, service projects and experiences such as Model United Nations, co-curricular life helps students practise teamwork, initiative and leadership in real situations.
“To have opportunities to go beyond just getting your grades… was something that the BSN really provided me with.” – BSN alumna
These experiences change how students see themselves.
5. Achievement for every learner: progress, confidence and top results
At the BSN, achievement isn’t one mould. For some students, it’s stretching academically and aiming for top grades. For others, it’s finding confidence in a new language, discovering a love of science or the arts, stepping onto a stage for the first time, or taking the lead in a team, a performance or a service project.
Parents value the breadth and depth of the offer because it creates more than one route to success. Students are encouraged to build on their strengths, develop new ones, and measure progress in ways that feel meaningful to them.
And for families who want visible academic outcomes, too, the BSN also sees students reach the very highest levels. In 2025, 12 BSN students received Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards, recognising the highest marks in the Netherlands, Europe and globally across subjects including Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, French, German, History and Physics.
In other words, whether a child is finding their stride or pushing for exceptional results, the BSN aims to help them make ambitious progress - and leave with real options for what comes next.
6. Character that lasts: calm confidence, empathy and direction
Parents are often thinking beyond the next report or the next set of exams. They’re thinking about the kind of person their child is becoming.
At the BSN, character education is part of the wider school experience: taking responsibility, treating others well, learning to persevere, and being guided by adults who take mentorship seriously.
As one former student said: “Going to university was probably made a lot easier by a lot of mentorship and guidance from teachers.”
The result is a school experience that prepares students not only to achieve, but to step into what comes next with confidence.
Ready to see if it’s the right fit?
Choosing a school is a big decision - especially when you’re making it alongside a move, a new job, or a new chapter as a family. The Admissions Team at the BSN is there to make the process clear and supportive from the first conversation.
Ready to find your place to grow? To learn more about The British School in the Netherlands, book a visit, join one of their open events or webinars, or take a virtual tour.
Call the Admissions Team on +31 (0)70 315 4077 or email admissions@britishschool.nl.
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