Pakistan, Karachi
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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.
British Overseas School (BOS) in Karachi was founded in 1958 as a non-profit institution for the children of expatriates. It relocated to purpose-built facilities in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and, in 2000, began admitting local families while maintaining its British ethos. By 2004 BOS introduced secondary education, becoming the only school in Karachi offering a British curriculum from pre-school to IGCSE, with the secondary school moving to new facilities in 2005 to support growth. BOS is accredited as a British Schools Overseas (BSO) school and is an Edexcel member delivering IGCSEs. English is the medium of instruction, and BOS offers modern foreign languages: Urdu, French and Mandarin Chinese (French is compulsory in some stages and IGCSE options exist). The campus is in Phase 7 of DHA, at 7/8, 14 Lane, Khayaban-e-Hilal. The school describes itself as small with a family feel and operates a Duke of Edinburgh Award, international trips, and Round Square membership that broadens opportunities beyond the classroom.