British International School of Tunis

Primary campus: 49 Rue du Parc, Tunis 2036; Secondary campus: 42 Rue Socrates, 2015 Kram.

Primary School ages 3–11; Secondary School ages 11–18; Seamless education journey from Early Years to Sixth Form.

British international school

Diverse pupil body representing over 19 nationalities.

Full-time EAL and SEND specialists.

United Kingdom

Pupils arrive by 08:15; the first session register 08:15–08:30; last day of term finishes at 12:00.

Rooted in the National Curriculum of England and Wales, BIST delivers a British international education. The Primary School teaches core subjects Mathematics, Science and Humanities through Project-Based Learning and thematic inquiry, with Forest School, swimming, Arabic, Music and PE integrated. The Secondary School offers Key Stage 3 with a broad curriculum and creative and critical thinking, followed by IGCSE in Years 10–11 and A Levels in Years 12–13. The school is an authorised Cambridge International Exam Centre delivering IGCSE and Cambridge AS and A Levels. English as an Additional Language is available, and BTEC is offered as an option in the secondary curriculum.

June 2022 IGCSE results show high pass rates across subjects with many achieving top grades. Arabic 1st Language and Arabic Foreign Language and French MFL achieved 100% in both the 9-1 scale and A-C, while Mathematics reached 100% on the 9-1 scale with 44% A-C and Computer Science 9-1 100% with 83% A-C. June 2022 A-Level results show strong performance with Biology and English Literature posting 100% A-E and 100% A-C and Mathematics 75% A-E with 38% A-C and Physics 75% A-E with 25% A-C; Further Mathematics achieved 100% A-E and A-C.

Sixth Form uses a Cambridge International curriculum with up to four AS or A-Level courses across 12 options, building a university pathway. University Support includes Applications and University Fairs to help pupils plan for higher education. The programme emphasises preparing pupils for university with tailored guidance from teachers, tutors and parents.

Gifted & Talented is listed among Additional Programmes, alongside Model United Nations, life skills and work experience. The program provides enrichment opportunities and competitions to support high-ability pupils.

The school places wellbeing at the heart of learning. There is a designated pastoral lead in every phase to support pupil wellbeing. A school counsellor offers one-to-one and small-group support. Buddy systems help new pupils integrate into the community. Wellbeing workshops and emotional literacy sessions are provided to develop students' social and emotional skills. The environment is nurturing and respectful, enabling every child to flourish.

The school has full-time EAL and SEND specialists to support language development and diverse learning needs. Restorative approaches to behaviour are used, and a counsellor is available to support student wellbeing. Careers and university advice is provided. The school follows the latest SEND Code of Practice and uses a whole-school approach to SEND, with high-quality teaching as the baseline. Pupils identified as SEND are fully integrated into mainstream classes and have access to the English National Curriculum, with a managed programme of support including Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in Early Years and ongoing monitoring. The SENDCO and class teachers collaborate to provide targeted interventions through Waves of Intervention.

The school provides full-time EAL support to help pupils access the curriculum. In-class EAL support is available, with a teaching assistant in the mainstream class and a learning buddy. Pupils may be withdrawn for targeted language instruction in small groups. The policy emphasises that pupils' native languages and cultures are valued and that home language can support progress. The aims are to help EAL pupils become confident and fluent in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English and to involve parents in supporting progress at home. The EAL Coordinator oversees provision, progress monitoring and liaison with the SENDCO.

Wellbeing is the foundation of learning at the school. Designated pastoral leaders exist in every phase, and a school counsellor provides one-to-one and small-group support. Buddy systems support new pupil integration and the development of supportive peer relationships. Wellbeing workshops and emotional literacy sessions are run to build resilience and social-emotional skills. Family and community engagement fosters wellbeing through parent workshops and community links.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone's responsibility at the school. Designated Safeguarding Leads are Feriel Harzi (Secondary) and Katie Smith (Primary), with Deputy Safeguarding Leads Emna Ben Nasr and Karyn Walton. The DSLs sit on the school leadership team, with explicit roles, training requirements, and procedures for responding to concerns and referrals to authorities when required. Staff are trained to recognise signs of abuse, respond to disclosures, and maintain appropriate confidentiality. The policy aligns with Keeping Children Safe in Education and Tunisian safeguarding procedures, and includes inter-agency working and reporting procedures.

British International School of Tunis offers a British education to pupils aged 2.8 to 18 (Pre-Nursery to Year 13). The Primary School covers EYFS for ages 2.8 to 5 and Years 1 to 6; the Secondary School covers Years 7 to 11 and the Sixth Form covers Years 12 to 13. The curriculum follows the English National Curriculum; BIST is a Cambridge International Exam Centre, COBIS accredited, ISI inspected and recognised by the UK Department for Education and the Tunisian Ministry of Education. Applications are welcomed year round and assessments are carried out at any stage. For Primary, children are typically invited to attend a trial day; for Secondary, entrants sit CAT4 testing and subject assessments and may have an interview with a member of the academic leadership team. The final decision to offer a place rests with the Executive Principal after review of documentation and assessment results in light of the pupils needs and ability to access the curriculum. If a place is offered, an acceptance letter should be signed and the enrollment fee settled to secure the seat, usually within seven days. If no places are available at enrollment, the applicant may be placed on the waiting list until a place becomes available. Admission priority for oversubscribed year groups is siblings of existing pupils; children educated in an English curriculum; children with English as a first language; children of overseas families; and children with more siblings. Class sizes are kept to an average of 20 to 24 pupils per class to support English as an Additional Language and SEND needs. The school provides English as an Additional Language support, and admission considers the applicants English language level; EAL support may be provided as needed.

If no places are available at the time of enrollment, the applicant may be assessed and placed on the waiting list until a place becomes available. Waiting lists are used to allocate places as they become available.