Compare International Curriculum International Schools in Pakistan

The British Overseas School is located in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Phase VII, on Khayaban-e-Hilal. The campus address is 7/8, 14 Lane, Khayaban-e-Hilal, Phase VII, Karachi 75500, Pakistan. The DHA area provides access to major roads and local amenities, with public transport options available in the city.

The school offers Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Primary, and Secondary sections. The official age range is from 2 to 16 years.

The school is co-educational. It operates as a day school.

The school has a diverse international student body with multiple nationalities represented.

SEN provisions include proactive identification and intervention, Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs), and collaboration between teachers, parents, and specialists. There is pull-out 1:1 and small-group support, in-class learning assistance, differentiated teaching, and regular progress reviews with parent meetings. The SEN lead is the SEN Coordinator (SENCo).

The school is a British overseas school and part of the British international education framework. It is associated with British accreditation networks and international memberships (e.g., British Council and British Schools in the Middle East).

No formal religious affiliation is stated for the school.

The school day runs from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A dedicated BOS bus service is not published on the admissions pages. Families should confirm transport arrangements with the school.

The school uses a house system. All students and staff are members of a house. Many sports events are organized on a House basis, and House leadership is promoted through House Captains. Student leadership roles include Councils, Prefects, and House Captains.

The school is a not-for-profit institution. All enrolled parents automatically become members of the British Overseas School Association (BOSA) and participate in governance, including the Annual General Meeting and the possibility to stand for election as a Parent Governor. The Board of Governors provides governance for the school.

The British Overseas School Karachi follows a British-style curriculum from Early Years through Secondary, with English as the medium of instruction and a play-based Early Years Foundation Stage (Pre-Nursery to Reception) that emphasizes phonics and early literacy. In Primary, Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) builds reading, writing and mathematics and introduces French and Chinese; Key Stage 2 (Years 3–5) uses subject-based teaching to prepare for secondary, with Year 6 serving as a transition year featuring a secondary-lite timetable and specialist teachers. In Secondary, Year 6 remains a transition to secondary life, followed by Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), which offers a broad and rigorous curriculum and prepares students for IGCSE, with Year 9 guiding subject choices. Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) culminates in Edexcel IGCSEs; core subjects English Language, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics are compulsory, with options including French or History, Geography or Art, Economics or Computer Science, and Urdu as an IGCSE; PE is non-examined. The Modern Foreign Languages program offers Urdu, French and Mandarin Chinese, with French compulsory through Year 9 and DELF available via Alliance Française for those not taking IGCSE; the curriculum is reinforced by a Co-Curricular Programme and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and the school maintains British accreditation.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a core focus of BOS wellbeing, embedded across curriculum, co-curricular opportunities, enrichment activities, student leadership, and community engagement. A Wellbeing Programme provides structured support across all age groups. SEL skills include teaching empathy, relationships, and emotional intelligence. Form Tutors conduct regular, meaningful student check-ins to monitor wellbeing and progress. Mindfulness is offered through regular sessions led by the Wellbeing Counsellor.

BOS SEN provision is proactive, with early identification and intervention and the use of Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs) to set personalised goals and track progress. There is collaboration between teachers, parents and specialists to ensure consistent support at home and school. Support is delivered through pull-out 1:1 and small group sessions in key areas of need. Areas of support include learning difficulties (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia), speech and language needs, social, emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs, sensory and physical needs, and autism spectrum conditions. The SEN team is led by Ms. Malaika Malik (SENCo) and includes a principal, Head of Primary, specialist teachers and learning assistants.

English is the medium of instruction from Nursery onward. The public pages do not describe a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) program or service. The Modern Foreign Languages offering includes Urdu, French, and Mandarin, indicating a focus on multilingual language study rather than explicit EAL support. Language support for non-native speakers is not publicly detailed on BOS pages. The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provision.

Wellbeing is a central strategic priority and is embedded across every aspect of school life, with a focus on developing confident, compassionate individuals. The wellbeing framework spans the curriculum, co-curricular opportunities, enrichment activities, student leadership, and community engagement. Mindfulness sessions are regularly led by the Wellbeing Counsellor, supporting emotional regulation and resilience. There is a structured Wellbeing Programme with tailored support for emotional, behavioural, and learning needs, and restorative, proactive behaviour strategies. Regular, meaningful student check-ins by Form Tutors help monitor mental and emotional wellbeing.

Safeguarding is at the heart of BOS, with a commitment to secure, nurturing environments that uphold high UK and international safeguarding standards. Policies and procedures are designed to proactively prevent harm, identify risks, and respond swiftly to concerns. The safeguarding team includes Zeb Hamdani (Head of Primary/Designated Safeguarding Lead) and Tashfeen Ansari (School Counsellor), among others. The safeguarding roster also features roles such as Zakia Somani, Luanne Kerr, and Nashmia Butt, reflecting a school-wide approach to protection. The school aligns safeguarding practices with international principles on children's rights and best practices.

1. Inquiry Submission. Submit an inquiry form to express interest in the school. This begins the BOS admissions journey, which is supported by the British accreditation, international memberships, and a diverse community. An inquiry leads to an initial consultation with the Admissions team.

2. Initial Consultation. Schedule a call or meeting with the Admissions team for more information. You will receive guidance on entry requirements, the school's British curriculum, and the admissions timeline. The Admissions team outlines next steps and required documentation.

3. Application Form. Complete the online application with the required documents: a fully completed Application form; a fully completed Pre-interview form; a non-refundable registration fee; all school records for the preceding three years; a birth certificate or passport; two photographs of the child; parents' NIC/passport copy; one passport-sized photo of each parent. Before the child may be considered, the above documentation must be provided. The school may review the submission and decide on further action. If proceeding, the assessment procedures will be used to determine the next steps.

4. Document Review. The Admissions team reviews the submitted documents. The school may decide not to take the application further, place the application on the waiting list, or proceed with the Assessment Procedures if a place is available.

5. Assessment. The student will be invited for an entrance assessment or interview. The assessment considers the interview with parents/guardians, entrance assessment results, and the strength and merit of past school reports.

6. Offer of Admission. Successful candidates receive a formal offer of admission.

7. Acceptance & Fee Payment. Parents confirm acceptance and pay the fees to secure a place. Fees include a one-time registration and entrance fees, annual and security fees payable in installments, and a 3% sales tax. Fees are non-refundable under normal circumstances, except for the books deposit.

8. Orientation & Enrolment. Attend an orientation session and complete the final enrolment formalities.

If a place is not available in the child's year group, the application may be placed on a waiting list. The assessment procedures will take effect when a place becomes available or is expected to become available.