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Brazil, Rio De Janeiro
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The British School, Rio de Janeiro was founded on 23 May 1924 by Sir Alexander Mackenzie at Rua Santa Clara 84 – Copacabana, and began as the British Primary School. It moved to the Real Grandeza property in Botafogo in 1949, with funds raised to build the Cashman Building on land leased by the community. The Cashman Building opened in 1951, and the school expanded over the following decades, joining the Incorporated Association of Boys' Preparatory Schools (IAPS) and affiliated to the Association of Headmistresses of Preparatory Schools (AHPS) in 1957, with further expansion including a Brazilian Stream in the 1970s. The Zona Sul site now comprises Botafogo (Primary) and Urca (Secondary) in Rio's South Zone, while Barra da Tijuca hosts the Barra School (Paul Wiseman Campus); the school serves students aged 2 to 18 and offers Brazilian qualifications (Ensino Fundamental/Ensino Médio) as well as international qualifications such as the IGCSE and IB Diploma, with an international enrollment of over 2,000 students from more than 60 nationalities and a 7:1 student–teacher ratio.
The British School encourages the active involvement of students, parents and staff in charitable causes and community projects. The CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) requirement is a fundamental part of the IB programme and emphasises life beyond school. Across Barra, Botafogo and Urca sites, students participate in activities such as Empathy in Action with One by One NGO, donation campaigns, Festa Junina and the International Festival, and other projects that promote intercultural understanding and social responsibility.
The Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) works with the school to organise events and activities for the school community, including Festa Junina celebrations in the first semester and the International Festival later in the year. Its main objective is to promote integration and partnership among the school community and to support the school's services by establishing channels of communication among parents, teachers and the administration. The PTA also promotes fundraising and a range of cultural, social, sports and leisure activities and supports projects for the wider community, with activities such as Children's Day, Tea 4 Teachers, and regular talks; it has sub-committees advising on nutrition and careers guidance and embraces community service projects and charity fundraising such as book and uniform sales.
Situated in Rio de Janeiro, The British School is a non-profit, independent, co-educational day school serving ages 2 to 18. It is maintained by Associação Britânica de Educação (ABE), the body of British and Commonwealth nationalities. The school delivers a blended IEYC/IPC in Early Years and Primary, the British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, and IB Diploma, with a bespoke approach that integrates the Brazilian Curriculum. Students progress from Pre-Nursery through the IB Diploma, with bilingual proficiency in English and Portuguese. Three campuses – Botafogo (Primary), Urca (Secondary) and Barra (Barra Unit) – host over 2,000 students from more than 60 nationalities, with a 7:1 student–teacher ratio. Facilities include ICT labs, Chromebooks, LED displays, and rainwater reuse; refurbishment completed in 2023. The Falcons sport programme, Drama and Music, Model United Nations, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and IB CAS showcase a broad Arts and Sport offering and a commitment to service and leadership.
