Hardwick United States of America
BJABDescription
Based in Etterbeek in the heart of Brussels, the British Junior Academy of Brussels (BJAB) is one of the few British international schools in the capital offering a seamless educational journey from ages 2.5 through to university preparation. Students follow the National Curriculum for England before progressing to Cambridge IGCSEs and IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme). With class sizes capped at 16 to 18 students and over 40 nationalities represented, the school combines academic ambition with personalised support in a truly international environment.
- Day school tuition No Information
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Grades for day school
Pre-K/Reception -
12th Grade/Year 13 - Scholarships Available Yes
- Number of Students 300
- Year founded 1992
- Boarding school tuition No Information
- Curricula IB Diploma, IGCSE, UK National
- Type Co-ed
Accreditations
British Schools Overseas (BSO) status for over 20 years and consistently praised for our excellence by Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).
Tuition
At BJAB operational costs are supported solely by the income from fees. Tuition fees are set annually as part of the budget process. For more information visit our Admissions page on the website.
Scholarships
We are delighted to be able to launch our Sixth Form assistance programme, with scholarships and bursaries available for strong candidates who would benefit from a BJAB education. If you are keen to challenge yourself to gain a strong IB Diploma result, contribute to a Sixth Form community based on fairness and equality and to challenge yourself in so many new areas, do get in touch via admissions@bjab.org
Curricula
A British education in Brussels. Academically rigorous, future-ready and built around who your child is becoming. Ages 2.5 to 18, from Early Years to Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma. For more information visit our School Life pages on the website.
Admissions Information
Admissions Process
Our Head of Admissions will send a formal offer of place, should this be agreed with the Headteacher. We ask parents to apply formally for admission by completing the application and medical information forms. In some cases, prospective pupils may be required to undergo entrance assessments. These assessments do not determine admission, but will help our staff best tailor your child’s learning journey. Students may also have the opportunity to spend a ‘trial day’ with us in their future class.
Entry Requirements
The admissions process begins with a tour of the school and interview with Mr Retter, Headteacher. Families are invited to view our facilities and speak with Mr Retter about our educational offering. In order to request a tour, please complete our Enquiry Form. Appointments can also be arranged through video conference, allowing admission from abroad.
Applicant Evaluations
Following the tour, we will consider your application carefully and will let you know our decision within five working days.
- Students can join after the academic year begins Yes
- Waiting List No
Academics
- Assigns homework Yes
- Use of technology in the classroom Yes
- Language of instruction English
- ELL support Yes
- Teacher/Student ratio 1:16
- Gifted and talented student support Yes
- Learning support Yes
- Native English teachers Yes
- Languages taught English
- Number of teaching staff 45
- Examinations available Cambridge Checkpoint - CHECKPOINT, GL Assessments, International Baccalaureate Diploma - IB Dip, International General Certificate of Secondary Education - IGCSE
Homework
All children from Year 2 have weekly homework, which is completed in most cases entirely online. It has been shown that regular, structured homework has a long-term educational benefit and it is important to encourage this regular approach to homework to develop each child’s self-study skills. Homework at BJAB mostly reinforces in-class learning, however sometimes children will return to previous tasks to maintain the ‘review’ process. Class teachers will advise you on further details about homework in each class.
Use of technology in the classroom
Years 1-8 students are provided with a school iPad that remains in school.
Years 9-13 students are provided with a school-managed laptop.
Learning Support
BJAB supports a handful of SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils and is able to recommend external consultants to parents to support their child's education. Our trained Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) provide targeted support to bridge gaps in pupil learning. The possibility of 1:1 support can be discussed during the admissions process.
School Life
- Bus service Yes
- Sports teams available No
- Pastoral Care Yes
- Do students practice religion at the school No
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School start time
The school opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm.
Drop-off times
8.00 – 8.20am – Year 5 to Year 13
8.00 – 8.25 am – Reception to Year 4
8.00 – 8.55 – Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten -
School end time
Collection time
12 pm (half days) or 3:20 pm (full days) – Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten
3:20 pm (2:20 pm on Wednesdays) – Reception
3:30 pm (2:30 pm on Wednesdays) – Year 1 to Year 4
3:45 pm (2:15 on Wednesdays) – Year 5 & 6
4:00 pm – Year 7 to 13
- Max class size 20
- School provides lunch Yes
- Supervised care before or after school Yes
- Uniform required Yes
- Access to an educational psychologist No
- Student nationalities 40
- Average class size 16
Bus Service
BJAB recommends a private service for those families wishing to arrange transport between home and school. INFINITY is a local transport provider that offers bespoke transport services. Children are picked up from their home and returned at the end of the school day. This service is by prior arrangement only and involves an extra fee. Valentin Voet of INFINITY can be reached at infinities.solutions@gmail.com or 0479 490 941.
School Lunch
BJAB provides a hot lunch service in school for the benefit of our pupils on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; on a Wednesday this is a cold lunch for example a sandwich, wrap or similar. School lunches are made fresh daily on-site by our Catering Manager. An extra daily fee is charged for this service. To minimise administration, we will continue to order meals for your child throughout the school year unless given notice otherwise.
ELL
We have a diverse community at BJAB with pupils speaking over 40 languages and are happy to provide English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for pupils not yet familiar with the language. Our Admissions process is designed to provide us an understanding of the English language ability of our pupils. Once at BJAB, a tailored programme will be available to those pupils who require further support to enable them fully to access our curriculum. This would typically include group timetabled lessons focusing on developing language skills with a specialist teacher, in lieu of French language lessons. With our generous class ratios, teachers are able to design subject lessons still accessible to EAL pupils, ensuring a high standard of learning for all.
Supervised Care
To assist working parents, Garderie is provided on a daily basis from 3:30pm – 6pm, and on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30 – 6pm. Garderie is overseen by a member of BJAB staff who provides guidance with pupils’ homework. The time for homework runs mainly from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. The cost of the garderie is 6 euros per hour or part thereof. Garderie arrangements can be made at the start of each term or on a day-to-day basis. Parents should request that their child attends garderie in person by email or by telephone. If you are late to pick up your child, your child will be sent to Garderie.
We have a variety of after-school activities available. The selection changes each term to allow pupils a variety of experiences.
Uniform
The school uniform is important at BJAB. It helps our children to feel part of a close and happy school community where everyone is included and equal. It also makes life easier for busy parents. For more information kindly access the Uniform page on our website.
Pastoral Care
The school's pastoral care aims to create a safe and secure environment that helps children become positive, responsible and increasingly independent members of the school community.
The focus on positive reinforcement of good behaviour is designed to promote a supportive and caring community, where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.
For more information read the Pastoral Care page on our website.
Access to an educational psychologist
BJAB supports a handful of SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils and is able to recommend external consultants to parents to support their child's education.
Extracurricular Activities
The selection of clubs changes on a termly basis and sign-ups will be available in the weeks preceding the start of each new term. Clubs are a great way for children to make friends outside of their year groups, to work with different teachers, to develop their skills and interests and most of all to have fun.
University Relations
- University counseling Yes
- Percent that pursue university 100
University Destinations
As an international school, BJAB pupils often move on to highly prestigious schools all over the globe. Our unique curriculum prepares them to succeed in a variety of environments, from IB to Cambridge to the Belgian school system. In the past, BJAB pupils have gained secondary school entrance to:
- Ardingly College, UK
- Bradfield College, UK
- Cheltenham Ladies’ College UK
- Eton College, UK
- James Allen’s Girls’ School, UK
- The King’s School, Canterbury, UK
- The Leys Schools, Cambridge, UK
- St Mary’s, Ascot, UK
- Oundle School, Northamptonshire, UK
- St Paul’s Girls’ School, UK
- Radley College, Oxfordshire, UK
- Sevenoaks, Kent, UK
- Thomas’s Battersea, UK
- Westminster Under, London, UK
- St Andrew’s Episcopal School, Potomac, MD, USA
- Washington International School, Washington DC, USA
- Glenalmond College, Edinburgh, Scotland
- British School of Paris, Paris, France