British School of Tirana, School in Tirana
Explore a balanced assessment of the British School of Tirana, highlighting the experiences of expat families and concerns raised by educators.
School Overview
This institution, established in 2016, serves as the first and only fully accredited British-style educational facility in Albania, regularly inspected by British officials. Beginning as an Early Years setting, it quickly evolved to incorporate Primary, Secondary and A-Level education.
The school is home to over 300 students, aged between 1 to 18 years old, hailing not just from Albania, but from more than 15 other countries, infusing the community with a rich diversity of languages and cultures. Apart from its robust academic programme aimed at equipping students to navigate the rapidly changing world, BST also nurtures character development through an engaging curriculum and supportive programme.
In recognition of its standards, the Council Of British International Schools (COBIS) has granted BST Compliance membership. Consequently, the school is now part of a global network of over 290 British international schools operating in 80 countries worldwide. Additionally, BST offers a diverse extracurricular programme, including sports, dance, drama, music, student councils, academic teams, and various clubs to enrich the educational experience.
British School of Tirana is located 5.0 km from the city centre. It takes about 16 mins to drive there in traffic.
website | http://britishschooloftirana.al/ |
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Tution | View school fees |
Ages | Kindergarden, Primary school, High school |
Education languages | Albanian, English |
School ratings | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
School Curriculum Overview
This section covers the salient points about education at the British School of Tirana. Feel free to contact the institution using the contact form below for additional information.
Aims and Values
The British School of Tirana is dedicated to enhancing children’s knowledge, developing their learning skills, helping them grasp concepts and ideas, and instilling valuable attitudes and values. The school strives to offer a comprehensive, balanced, and enriching curriculum that is underpinned by innovative and committed teaching. The curriculum is designed to be inclusive and challenging for all students, addressing their diverse needs and eliminating learning barriers.
This institution aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to thrive in their communities and within a global society. Core skills and British values, such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and global citizenship, are embedded within the curriculum.
Values and Curriculum
The British School of Tirana embodies values that echo the themes of British Values, including democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance towards different faiths and beliefs. Committed to serving its local community and moulding students for their future as global citizens in Albania, the school promotes these values to all students.
The curriculum for the early years (0-5 years) comprises seven areas of learning. For school Years 5-15, the curriculum is based on the new statutory National Curriculum 2014 for UK schools, encompassing core and foundation subjects, with documentation outlining school policy for each subject.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching methods vary, including whole class teaching, group, or individual work, always aiming to challenge each child’s understanding. A significant emphasis is placed on assessment—both of teaching quality and students’ learning—as well as maintaining detailed records of work and progress, which are shared with parents.
FAQ about British School of Tirana
Commonly asked questions about this school.
When was The British School of Tirana (BST) established? BST was established in 2016 and is the first fully accredited British-style educational facility in Albania.
What education levels does BST offer? BST offers a comprehensive education journey from Early Years up to A-Level education, catering to students between 1 to 18 years old.
What is the student demographic at BST? The school has over 300 students from Albania and more than 15 other countries, providing a diverse and multicultural environment.
Is BST accredited by any educational bodies? Yes, BST has been granted Compliance membership by the Council Of British International Schools (COBIS).
What extracurricular programmes does BST offer? BST offers a range of extracurricular activities such as sports, dance, drama, music, student councils, academic teams, and various clubs.
How much are the tuition fees for the academic year 2023-2024? Fees range from €3000 for Infants to €8500 for A-levels. A 5% discount is available for siblings.
Is there a registration fee? Yes, there is a non-refundable registration fee of €150 for new students.
What additional costs can parents expect? Parents should budget for school uniforms, textbooks, admissions assessment testing, public examination fees, and additional educational services.
Are there any optional expenditures? Optional costs may include the school bus service, after-school clubs, music lessons, and overnight trips.
What are the aims and values of BST? BST aims to enhance knowledge, develop learning skills, encourage concept grasp, and instil attitudes and values for students to thrive globally.
What curriculum does BST follow? For early years, BST follows seven areas of learning, whereas Years 5-15 follow the UK’s National Curriculum 2014, with core and foundation subjects.
How does BST approach teaching and assessment? BST employs varied teaching methods to challenge students, with a strong focus on assessment and sharing detailed progress records with parents.
School Rating Overview
Ratings are based on public reviews and feedback shared by parents.
Would you like to rate this school?
Ratings are based on public reviews and feedback shared by parents.
Would you like to rate this school?
Many expat parents are pleased with the professionalism and care of the staff, as well as the positive impact on their child’s development. Some concerns have been voiced about the strict sick leave policy and the quality of the food provided. Despite these issues, the school seems to be a good fit for many expat families and comes highly recommended.”
School Fees
This section is meant to help you understand how much it costs for a child to attend one year at . This is for guidance only and you can contact the school for specific information regarding your case.
The British School of Tirana has outlined the following tuition fees for the academic year 2023-2024:
- Infants: €3000
- Toddlers & Nursery: €3500
- Reception: €4000
- Primary (Year 1-6): €6000
- Lower Secondary (Year 7-9): €7500
- GCSE: €8000
- A-level: €8500
Families with multiple children attending the school simultaneously are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition fees for the 2nd child and any subsequent children.
A non-refundable registration fee of €150 is also required upon initial enrolment of new students.
Additional Costs
Aside from tuition fees, parents should anticipate other costs, including:
- School Uniform
- Textbooks/Supplies (Primary & Senior School)
- Admissions Assessment Testing (deducted from annual fee if enrolled in school)
- Lessons and Fees for Albanian Educational System Exams
- Public Examination Fees (e.g., Year 6 Pearson Edexcel, IGCSE)
- One-to-one teaching and EAL
Optional Expenditures
Optional expenditures that may be incurred include:
- School Bus
- After School Clubs (After 16:00)
- Instrumental/Voice Music Lessons
- School Overnight Trips
Contact British School of Tirana
