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France, Bordeaux
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Student wellbeing and intercultural learning are central to BIS's approach. The school is a close-knit international community with more than 40 nationalities, where diversity is celebrated and students are encouraged to develop empathy and global understanding. The Personal, Social, Global Skills (PSGS) programme provides structured opportunities for social, emotional and intercultural development. Small class sizes support individual attention and positive relationships with staff (16 students per class). A tutor system and strong home–school communication underpin student wellbeing, with access to external bilingual professionals when needed.
BIS provides Learning Support across Early Learning and Primary, with small classes and individualized follow-up. A dedicated Special Needs Coordinator collaborates with teachers, students and parents to identify and address diverse learning needs, and to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for academic and social success. The Learning Support team also works with a Speech Therapist for targeted interventions, and may involve external consultants for more specialised needs. BIS maintains small class sizes (maximum 16 students per class) to enable personalised support.
BIS welcomes pupils who do not speak English, French or either language at enrolment. Language differences are not a barrier to education because language support is provided in Early Learning & Primary. For pupils starting out in French or English as a second language, a third language (Spanish) is provided only if needed; otherwise additional support in the second language is provided. A bilingual teaching assistant can accompany pupils in class to support language development. There are Second Language and Additional Language programmes at the IGCSE level to cater to diverse needs.
The wellbeing of students is central; BIS has a comprehensive tutor system to support students at different stages of their education and to provide a central point of contact for students, parents and teachers. The school supports well-being through small class sizes and an effective communication network between school and home, enabling prompt intervention when required. BIS also has strong links with external bilingual professionals who can offer students and their families additional support when necessary.
The school has safeguarding policies and procedures to keep the school safe, including child protection, anti-bullying measures and online safety. There are two designated safeguarding leaders: Richard JONES (Early Learning and Primary) and Anni BLACKMORE (Secondary). Staff undergo regular safeguarding training to stay informed about policies and procedures. Open lines of communication encourage reporting of concerns with care, confidentiality and sensitivity. Safeguarding policies include both an English Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and a French version (Politique de sauvegarde et de protection de l'enfant).
Bordeaux International School (BIS) is a bilingual international school in central Bordeaux serving ages 3–18. The curriculum uses Cambridge International Education as its framework, and BIS has been an official Cambridge centre since 1991, delivering Cambridge IGCSE, AS and A Levels with most subjects taught in English and exams available in students' home language where possible. The bilingual English–French programme runs across Early Learning, Primary and Middle School, while Upper School follows Cambridge pathways. BIS operates as an SCOP (Educational Cooperative) since 1999, founded in 1987, and uses a democratic four‑house system (Cousteau, Montesquieu, Alienor, Rosa Bonheur). Class sizes are small (10–12 in Early Learning; 16 in Primary and Secondary). Facilities include four sections with dedicated learning spaces, a new Art studio (2023), a Dance and Drama studio, and an on-site canteen; a nearby sports centre provides an Olympic pool, track and tennis courts. BIS also administers SATs and offers extensive clubs and trips to foster international-mindedness and leadership.
