British School Algiers

Here’s an image that offers a glimpse into British School Algiers (BSA)—showing students engaged in classroom activity in what appears to be a supportive and well-resourced environment.

Overview: British School Algiers

Founding & Governance

• BSA was established under a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Algerian and British governments, signed in March 2020, and officially opened its doors on 2 November 2020. The creation was ratified by Presidential Decree No. 20-262 in September 2020.

• It operates as a British School Overseas (BSO)—meaning it follows UK-affiliated standards and is periodically inspected by the UK's Department for Education to ensure compliance with the BSO framework.

Campus & Community

• BSA is a co-educational, all-through day school, serving children aged 4 to 18 (Reception through Sixth Form), offering IGCSEs and A-Levels.

• Situated at 89 rue Mohamed Boulouh, Gué de Constantine, Algiers, the school caters to British, Algerian, and international families, with priority given to children of British diplomats and siblings in the admissions process. The school strives to maintain a balance between international and Algerian student representation.

Curriculum & Class Structure

• The school follows the English National Curriculum, culminating in IGCSE and A-Level examinations.

• Primary phase (Reception to Year 4) features small-class teaching (max 12 students in Reception, and 20 per class thereafter), supported by Teaching Assistants. Subjects include English, Maths, Science, Topic work, Arabic, Music, PE, Art, ICT (from Year 3), French (starting from Year 3), and enrichment activities.

Ethos & Support

• BSA emphasizes a welcoming, inclusive, and professionally supported environment. The school does not select students based on academic ability—only ensuring they meet modest English language requirements to access the curriculum.

• English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is robust and research-based, reflecting that many students join without English as their first language.

• The school employs a mix of UK-qualified expatriate teachers and local Algerian faculty, with the latter often supported in gaining UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This makes BSA a recognized training school.

Values & Extracurricular Life

• The school fosters resilience, positive student-staff relationships, and offers a range of vocational, creative, aesthetic, and extracurricular activities to broaden student horizons.

• BSA prides itself on cultivating a strong, respectful community spirit, where students, parents, and staff feel valued and connected.

• Students are encouraged to engage in charity work, helping develop empathy and a sense of civic responsibility.

Admissions & Entry

• Admission is merit-neutral and applies equally to all applicants, with priority for British diplomat families and siblings. No academic selection is based on ability.

• English language assessment is required to ensure readiness—except for Reception and Year 1.

• The school has a two-form entry per year group and enforces maximum class sizes. Also, late entrants to Year 11 or Year 13 must have completed the preceding year of IGCSE or A-Level study respectively.

Quick Facts Overview

Summary

British School Algiers represents a meaningful educational partnership between Algeria and the UK, offering students a high-quality British-style education. It combines small-class learning, trained faculty, strong language tuition, and a nurturing community environment. With a balanced student body and an emphasis on inclusive values and extracurricular engagement, BSA is positioned as a standout international school in Algiers.