- How old is BSB Shunyi?
- Our sister school, The British School of Beijing (BSB), Sanlitun, opened its doors in 2003, with BSB Shunyi launching in 2009.
We're proud to be part of the Nord Anglia Education global family, which includes more than 80 outstanding international schools worldwide. This means our students learn alongside over 70,000 students in more than 30 countries, creating unique learning opportunities and meaningful connections across the globe. - What accreditations and affiliations does the school hold?
- Our school is registered with the Beijing Education Commission under the International Department. We're inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) – an organisation approved by the UK Government Department for Education – and one of a very limited number of officially accredited British Schools Overseas.
BS Shunyi is also an IB World School, approved to deliver the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. We're a member of IAPS, the Independent Association of Prep Schools, too. In addition, BSB Shunyi is a member school of ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools).
BSB is an approved Cambridge International Examinations Testing Centre and Edexcel Testing Centre. We're also an authorised College Board SAT and ACT Testing Centre for students wishing to take tests to attend American universities. Additionally, BSB Shunyi is an approved examination centre for the HSK Chinese Proficiency Test, as well as for the Youth Chinese Test (YCT). - How does the BSB Shunyi admissions process work?
BSB Shunyi's admissions team are experts when it comes to welcoming families into our school. Our attentive Admissions Managers will guide you through the process, from enquiry to your child's first day. Every element of your application will be personalised to your needs and schedule, too.
Our simple admissions process:
- Contact us today and start your child's journey at BSB Shunyi.
- Join us for a tour of our campus or a virtual discovery meeting.
- Submit your online application form and supporting documents. Depending on your child's age, we may ask for further references and/or invite them to sit an assessment.
- Our Principal will review your application, and our team will get in touch to confirm final steps.
- Is BSB Shunyi open to all nationalities?
BSB is licensed as an expat school through the Ministry of Education. This means we can only accept qualified students who hold a foreign passport with the appropriate visa.
In accordance with the requirements set by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission (BMEC), applicants from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan must be foreign passport holders (this includes passports of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan must also hold a travel permit (回乡证, 台胞证).
Please note that you'll need to provide original documents during the application process. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our admissions team.
- Why do you ask students to take an entry assessment?
- Our entry assessments will ensure your child goes into the right class and correct ability groups from day one.
The assessments are simple and quick, and enable us to meet individual needs, spot talents, and identify areas for improvement. We also assess the English proficiency of students who are non-native speakers. This ensures every child can access our curriculum. - What do your tuition fees include?
Our school fees are designed to be as inclusive as possible, covering not only our academic tuition, but also many core elements of school life. This includes books, learning materials, and local and residential trips within China.
You can find a full breakdown of costs and what's included on our tuition fees page.
- How will you ensure my child settles in quickly at the school?
- Our transition policy helps students and their families make a smooth start to life at BSB Shunyi.
Before your child's first day, we'll provide you with lots of information about their class and our school. Having taken our entry assessments, they will be placed in the appropriate ability group, ensuring they have the correct level of support and challenge from their first day.
To help your child feel comfortable, we'll also assign them a ‘buddy’, who will look out for them during their first few weeks. Our Parents’ and Teachers' Association (PTA) Welcome Committee will ensure your whole family feels settled, too. - Do you teach a broad curriculum?
- Yes, our broad and balanced British and international curricula develop our students’ skills and knowledge across a wide range of subject areas, and allow for specialisation as learners get older.
In Primary School, our curriculum incorporates 10 subject areas within the International and Deutsche Grundschule Peking streams. In Secondary, we offer a range of courses across Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11), and the IB Diploma (Years 12–13).
Our curricula are further enriched by specialist music, arts, and sports programmes. - What qualifications do your teachers have?
- At BSB Shunyi, we only hire the most highly qualified, motivated, and experienced staff. The majority of our teachers are from the UK, with a select group of specialist educators from other countries. We also have a strong Chinese team who teach Mandarin.
- Do you have teaching assistants (TAs)?
- Yes, our TAs are all highly qualified, and many have degrees and/or master’s qualifications from overseas universities. We also offer a comprehensive training programme that develops strong, highly proficient individuals.
Our TAs teach ability groups under the guidance of the class teacher, while also working with children who need additional support. - Do you set individual targets for your students?
- Yes, we do. When a student joins us, we use information from their previous school(s) and prior assessments to set minimum and aspirational targets in all subjects. These targets are regularly reviewed by learners and teachers, and we provide progress updates to parents.
If a student exceeds their goals, we may set new targets in celebration of their progress. If a student is falling short, however, we'll work with them, their teacher, and their parents to identify the changes needed to get back on track. Our approach is highly personalised, and targets remain flexible at all times. - Do you offer a specialist 'gifted and talented' programme?
- We want everyone to fulfil their unique potential at BSB Shunyi, which is why learning is personalised to the individual needs of each student.
Academically strong students, for example, are challenged in differentiated groups (called ‘sets’) within the classroom. We also offer a fast-track Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) IGCSE programme for advanced learners. - Do you have a pastoral care system?
- Yes, we have a comprehensive pastoral care system in place at BSB Shunyi.
In Primary School, our class teachers monitor student wellbeing. They lead assemblies and circle-time lessons, and nurture both individual and group development. In Secondary School, each student has a form tutor, who is also responsible for delivering our citizenship and PHSE programme. We also have a dedicated Assistant Head of Secondary – Pastoral, who oversees this work.
Our university and careers counsellors, meanwhile, provide expert advice and support to older students planning their futures. - It's important for my child to feel safe and cared for, and to be part of a community. How do you make this happen?
- BSB Shunyi provides a closeknit school experience, where students and staff get to know one another well.
Students are encouraged to take part in school events, which helps to develop a sense of belonging. Social graces and good behaviour are paramount, too. We're watchful of inappropriate actions and respond swiftly and discretely should problems arise. - How do you ensure good behaviour and manners?
- At BSB Shunyi, we have a long-developed culture of respect for others, good manners, and positive self-expression. We achieve this by teaching BSG (Behaviour and Social Graces).
In Primary School, for example, our students record their academic and non-academic achievements through PAWS (P–Positive Behaviour, A–Academic Achievement, W–Working Together, and S–Sport). This system encourages a sense of pride and achievement, and also fosters a strong community spirit.
In Secondary School, our learners earn merits for respectful behaviour. - My child loves music. Can they learn an instrument at BSB Shunyi?
- Yes, absolutely. At BSB Shunyi, every student aged five and over learns an instrument. In addition to weekly music lessons, we offer around 30 different musical courses. Private tuition is also available. Our students have the opportunity to perform and compete in overseas music competitions, too.
Our music programme is enhanced through our collaboration with The Juilliard School. - What extra-curricular activities do you offer?
- We offer more than 300 after-school activities and lunch clubs each year, which give every child the chance to pursue their passions and discover talents beyond the classroom. Our clubs include languages, robotics, martial arts, cooking, sports, music and more.
- How do you nurture students' leadership skills?
In Primary School, our leadership programmes include a Student Council, the chance to be a House Captain, and a Playground Prefects initiative. These are roles that give students as young as six a voice and sense of responsibility.
In Secondary School, leadership opportunities include a Student Guild, the International Award, Model United Nations, and a Prefect system.
- What opportunities are there for students to take part in activities across the age groups?
- We encourage students of different ages to work together, which creates a strong sense of community. Our Secondary students, for example, support our younger learners' reading, as well as taking part in joint projects, such as cooking classes and art days.
- Do you have an active Parents’ and Teachers' Association?
- Yes, our parents have created a welcoming, closeknit community, and are active through our Parents’ and Teachers' Association (PTA).
The PTA has a warm and vibrant Welcome Committee, and parents can also become class representatives. The PTA organises regular events, too, including for International Day and at Christmas.
