Caitríona Phelan-Körnig, School Principal and Head of SecondaryThe editorial team also recognised BBS’s student-first approach: supporting each child as an individual, combining academic ambition with pastoral care, targeted language support, small class sizes and a learning environment where students feel happy, supported and able to grow with confidence.
Turning Curriculum, Culture and Care into One Coherent School Journey
Before students at BBS acquire their first concept or write their first essay, they learn how it feels to belong.
Two of the school’s three campuses are set within the Grunewald forest, while the Primary School sits on its edge, giving students regular opportunities to learn, play and explore outdoors.
The forest and its abundant offerings are embedded in their curriculum, providing the students with plentiful opportunities for outdoor learning.
After 25 years at BBS, including eight in a leadership role, Mrs Phelan has seen the school become a place where academic excellence is matched by attentive care and a focus on each student’s individual needs.
That clarity of purpose was recognised in 2026 when Education Insider Europe named BBS the Top British School in Europe. For Mrs Phelan, the recognition acknowledged the work the school was already doing to help children feel grounded, supported and ready to learn.
“We have something very special here. It sets us apart from other German and international schools,” adds Mrs Phelan.
One School, One Curriculum
BBS draws on several major educational frameworks but fuses them into a single curriculum, preparing students for success at the world’s leading universities.
In Early Years, teachers draw on the Foundation Stage curriculum of England and Wales, the IB Primary Years programme and the Berliner Bildungsprogramm, offering a British–based bilingual education tailored to the children’s needs.
In Primary School, students continue their learning through one of two pathways: the monolingual stream or the bilingual stream. The monolingual stream follows the IB PYP framework and principles, serving internationally mobile families whose children learn entirely in English. The bilingual stream pairs the Berliner Rahmenlehrplan with the IB PYP framework, grounding students in both the local academic curriculum and the PYP international framework. In the bilingual stream, shared subjects such as Mathematics and PE follow the same curriculum content as the monolingual stream, with German as the language of instruction.
Pastoral care teams operate across the school, identifying students who need support, whether the challenge is academic, social or emotional.
At the end of Grade 10, students in the monolingual stream complete the IGCSE (International General Certificate in Secondary Education), while the bilingual students work towards both the IGCSE and the German Mittlerer Schulabschluss (MSA). In Grades 11 and 12, all students enter the IB Diploma Programme, a challenging, academically rigorous course of study that equips them for university and prepares them to contribute confidently in an increasingly global world.
“To be honest, fusing the monolingual and bilingual options had its challenges at the beginning,” says Mrs Phelan. “But the educational programmes truly satisfy the families we serve.”
A Philosophy That Puts the Child First At BBS, academic excellence is a top priority, supported by the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, known and happy. The small class size and a high staff to pupil ratio make that possible. Pastoral care teams operate across the school, identifying students who need support, whether the challenge is academic, social or emotional.
Support is tailored. The approach at BBS is inclusive and their aim is always to provide for every learner at their level. Teachers check in with students regularly, building strong relationships and noticing when additional support may be needed. Depending on the situation, this may involve contacting parents, working with the pastoral care team, or referring a student to the Learning Support department. BBS implements the concept of differentiation in their everyday teaching so students can access learning in different ways, while still being challenged at the right level.
Learning Across Cultures, Languages and Perspectives
With students representing around 70 nationalities and teachers from more than 30, diversity is woven into everyday life at BBS. This rich mix of cultures, languages and perspectives brings real-world experience into the classroom and helps children develop cultural awareness from an early age.
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To be honest, fusing the monolingual and bilingual options had its challenges at the beginning.
German, British and international educators enrich the learning environment by offering different viewpoints and experiences, encouraging students to think openly, understand others and grow as confident global citizens.
Preparing Students for a Changing World
Technology at BBS is used with purpose. Rather than replacing hands-on learning, outdoor exploration or face-to-face interaction, digital tools are introduced when they enrich the lesson and support student understanding. Online safety and responsible screen time are taught from an early age, helping children become confident, careful and informed digital citizens. With access to state-of-the-art digital resources, students gain the skills to explore technology meaningfully and prepare for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
This balanced approach sits within a wider school culture that values connection, creativity and community. Cultural celebrations, including Wintermarkt, International Day and Summerfest, give students and staff meaningful opportunities to share their backgrounds, learn from one another and celebrate the diversity that shapes everyday life at BBS.
