International British School of Bucharest

The International British School of Bucharest (IBSB) is the first British school established in Romania and a premium, co-educational international school located in the centre of Bucharest. Founded in 2000, IBSB offers education for students aged 3 to 18 (Nursery to Year 13), following the National Curriculum of England and offering the full English academic pathway, including IGCS E and A-Level qualifications. IBSB is recognised for its academically strong programme, small class sizes, British teaching staff, and community-driven ethos. History Founded in 2000, the International British School of Bucharest became the first English curriculum school in Romania, pioneering the introduction of UK educational standards in the country. It has since developed into one of Bucharest’s leading international schools, known for high academic expectations, personal support, and global university placements. The school graduated its first Year 13 cohort in 2006, and its alumni have since gone on to universities worldwide. Campus IBSB is uniquely located in the heart of Bucharest, offering central-city accessibility uncommon among international schools in the region, which are typically situated on the outskirts. The campus includes: specialist subject classrooms science laboratories library and media spaces arts and music studios outdoor recreation areas Sixth Form common rooms and study zones Academics Curriculum IBSB delivers the English National Curriculum, adapted for an international setting, providing a full academic pathway from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. The structure includes: EYFS (Early Years) Primary School (Key Stage 1–2) Secondary School (Key Stage 3–4) IGCSE examinations A-Level programme This curriculum ensures students receive a rigorous, globally recognised education aligned with UK standards. Subjects Offered IBSB offers a broad range of subjects designed to develop academic excellence and critical thinking, including: Economics, Business, Sociology, Psychology Biology, Chemistry, Physics Mathematics English Language & Literature History & Geography Classics Art & Design ICT / Computer Science Languages and Humanities Modern foreign languages taught include French, Spanish, and German, supporting multilingual proficiency and cultural awareness. Class Sizes Class sizes are capped at 22 students, with many Primary and Sixth Form classes being smaller. This approach ensures personalised learning, strong teacher–student relationships, and a supportive academic environment. Accreditation and Inspection The International British School of Bucharest holds multiple international accreditations, including: COBIS (Council of British International Schools) Cambridge International Examination Centre Edexcel/Pearson Examination Centre AOBSO accreditation ISI/BSO inspection HPL (High Performance Learning) School — IBSB is the only HPL-accredited school in Romania These accreditations place IBSB among the most rigorously evaluated international schools in the region. University Destinations IBSB graduates routinely receive offers from leading universities worldwide, including: Oxford University University of Cambridge Yale University London School of Economics (LSE) University of St Andrews Bocconi University Imperial College London UCL, KCL, Warwick, and many others The school offers dedicated university counselling, personalised mentoring, and full support with UK, US, and EU university applications. Faculty IBSB employs predominantly qualified British teachers, ensuring authentic delivery of the National Curriculum of England. Additional staff include specialist teachers, student counsellors, learning support professionals, and a university guidance counsellor. In teaching, it is the staff that make all the difference to the quality of education that children receive. At IBSB we understand this and take great care to select only the best professionals. Before hiring, we thoroughly verify all qualifications, experience, and references to ensure that every member of our team meets the highest international standards. We employ only top educators who are passionate about teaching and committed to delivering an outstanding educational experience for every student. Student Support and Wellbeing The school emphasises holistic development and wellbeing, featuring: Student counselling services Pastoral care programmes University and academic counselling Learning support High Performance Learning (HPL) methodology Small class sizes for personalised attention School Life and Extracurricular Activities At IBSB, we are committed to the social, emotional, physical, creative, and intellectual growth of our students. As part of our holistic approach, we encourage students to participate in a wide range of after-school clubs designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop lifelong skills. Our programme includes academic clubs such as Debate Club, Journalism Club, STEM Club, and Kumon Maths and English; creative clubs like Drama, Future Fashion, Arts and Crafts, and The Big Sing Along; cultural experiences through Mandarin Club and Cultural Tales; and sports and movement activities including Football, Tennis, Swimming, Karate, Ballet, and Dance. Science enthusiasts can join Wow Lab, LEGO Challenge, and Food Science, while wellbeing is supported through Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Club. Many clubs are delivered in partnership with trusted organisations such as Kumon, Wow Lab, and Essearte Academy Romania (LAMDA drama programme). These activities help students develop confidence, creativity, leadership, and social skills while discovering passions that last a lifetime. For the full list of clubs and details, please visit the IBSB School Life page. Community and Ethos IBSB is known for providing: Premium British education A community-driven, family-friendly environment A student-centred approach Strong academic expectations An international and multicultural student body The school positions itself as both academically ambitious and personally supportive. Academic Results IBSB consistently achieves outstanding academic outcomes across IGCSE, AS, and A-Level examinations, placing the school among the top-performing British international schools worldwide. In the most recent exam sessions, IBSB students achieved: IGCSE: 100% pass rate (E–A*), with 57% at A–A* AS Level: 98% pass rate (E–A), with 41% at grade A A Level: 99% pass rate (E–A*), with 84% at C–A* These results reflect the school’s commitment to academic excellence and personalised learning, supported by highly qualified British teaching staff. IBSB graduates progress to leading universities globally, including Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions. For detailed statistics and historical performance, please visit the IBSB Academic Results page. International Affiliations and Teacher Training As a leader in British international education, IBSB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of teaching and learning through continuous professional development. The school operates as a Teacher Training Centre, offering staff access to globally recognised programmes and resources, including: Educare and National College online courses Cambridge (CAIE) and Edexcel IGCSE & A-Level training Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) via Assessment Only route Early Career Teacher (ECT) Induction DfE National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) High Performance Learning (HPL) accreditation International conferences, interschool visits, and PLC networks IBSB collaborates with leading organisations such as COBIS, HPL World Class Schools, and UCL IOE to ensure its teachers remain at the forefront of educational best practice. For full details on our training programmes and global partnerships, please visit the IBSB Teacher Training page. Student Leadership and Global Initiatives IBSB fosters leadership, social responsibility, and innovation through a range of programmes that complement its academic curriculum: IBSBMUN (Model United Nations) – An annual student-led conference that brings together participants from international schools to debate global issues, promoting diplomacy, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Debate and Public Speaking Programme – IBSB students regularly compete in national and international debate tournaments, earning awards for persuasive communication and analytical reasoning. Community Action Service (CAS) – A cornerstone of the IBSB curriculum, involving students, teachers, and parents in charitable projects and sustainable development initiatives. Partnerships include Dăruiește Viață Association, Adoptă o Casă la Roșia Montană, Touched Romania, Help Autism Association, and Light Into Europe, among others. CAS develops teamwork, leadership, and empathy through hands-on community engagement. Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DoEIA) – IBSB is a registered centre for this globally recognised youth achievement programme. Students in Years 10–13 complete Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, gaining skills in service, physical recreation, and adventurous journeys. Gold Awards are presented by the Romanian Royal Family, and the programme is highly valued by universities worldwide. Notable alumni Ecaterina Vlad – Former Head Girl and School DUX at IBSB, recipient of ECIS and COBIS Awards, and Captain of the School Debating Team. Achieved AAAA in A-Level examinations and received an unconditional offer to Yale University, a rare achievement for Romanian students. She later founded the EVA Foundation, Romania’s first publicly accessible collection of international art created by women. Ecaterina Vlad studied Art History at Yale University and earned her master’s degree at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, becoming an influential curator and member of prestigious art councils such as the Metropolitan Museum’s Vanguard Council and the Guggenheim’s Young Collectors Acquisition Committee. Learn more about EVA Foundation. Kira Hagi – Romanian artist and actress. Studied Art & Design at IBSB and graduated with CIE Advanced Level in 2014 under Professor Jane Broadhurst. Later earned a scholarship to the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and graduated with a BFA in Acting for Film. Kira has appeared in multiple film and television projects, including two productions on Netflix, and currently works on the TV show Smart is the New Cool. In addition to acting, she is an accomplished painter, with works exhibited in Romanian galleries such as Senso Gallery and featured on Alexandra S Art. References