The International British School of Bucharest[2] (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[3] and offering the full British academic pathway, including IGCS[4]E and A-Level[5] 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 British 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 British 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[6] (Council of British International Schools)
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.[23]
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[24]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.
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[26] 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[27]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)[28] – 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)[29] – 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,[30] 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[31]and featured on Alexandra S Art.[32]
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