The British Schools

The Mission of The British School’s community is to:
• form self-confident, creative, inquiring, discerning, fully bilingual students who will
strive to develop their talents to the best of their abilities.
• strive for the highest standards, providing the educational environment and infrastructure
to help students to achieve excellence according to their potential in academics, arts and
sports, while recognising individual differences and needs.
• instil the importance of all human values (including moral, aesthetic, spiritual and social) in
all aspects of personal growth and physical development.
• encourage and promote a sense of belonging, a deep rooted pride and affection for the
School as an Institution, its traditions, School Spirit and institutional memory.
• instil in students the finest aspects of Uruguayan and British values and culture, such as a
sense of justice, self-discipline, tolerance and civility, while also offering them the best possible
preparation for life in an intercultural setting within a global community.
• develop in students a sense of profound empathy and an awareness of their responsibility
to their community and the need to use their gifts and experience for the good of the
world.
PERFICE - Be thorough

Introduction
“Instil the
importance of all
human values
(including moral,
aesthetic, spiritual
and social) in
all aspects of
personal growth
and physical
development.”
Extract from the
Mission Statement
The British Schools, Montevideo, was founded in 1908 and
celebrates its founders’ day on the 8th of October each year.
It was born of a joint initiative between The British Cemetery
Society and The Anglican Church to establish an English
school in Montevideo with “the object of giving children a
complete education, both intellectual and moral, based upon
the ideas and principles of the best schools in The British Isles”.
The School is organised as a private, non-profit, coeducational,
secular day school, which aims to provide an excellent bilingual
education combining the Uruguayan national curriculum with
a very extensive English Language and Literature component.
The School is governed by a Board of Governors elected by
The British Schools Society; the Honorary President is
Her Majesty’s British Ambassador to Uruguay.
Located in the suburbs of Montevideo, in the residential area of
Carrasco, the School site encompasses the Early Years Centre
(EYC), Junior School, Senior School, Auditorium (seating
capacity 400), Cafeteria, Sports House, Pavilion, Playing
Fields, Hockey, Rugby, Football pitches, a synthetic Hockey
pitch, outdoor Tennis Courts, Basketball Court, Gymnasium
(1654m2) and Open Air Swimming Pool.
Parents are drawn to the School by its challenging bilingual
programme, strong traditions, and solid set of values. The
School programme is academically rigorous and continues
to achieve high success rates both in the national and
international examinations with over 90% of the students

achieving a Bilingual IB Diploma. The implementation of a
dual curriculum in Senior combines the benefits of an
International Programme together with the content
and experience of the Uruguayan National
Programme. The unique positioning of
the School - in providing students with
the dual curriculum experience -
has enriched the process of
curriculum development for
teachers, students and
the community.
Over the years, through their achievements and contributions to society,
graduates from The British Schools have become renowned leaders in
the community. At every level of society they have exercised influence by
applying the knowledge, skills and values acquired during their formative
years at the School.
The School is well supported by its community, who are organised in
various groups through the auspices of the Parent’s Committee and Form
Parents. There are many opportunities for parents to become involved in
the activities of the School. The School also has very close links with and
strong support from its alumni, including The British Schools Foundation
and The Old Boys and Old Girls Club.
“Form self-confident, creative,
inquiring, discerning, fully
bilingual students who will
strive to develop their talents
to the best of their abilities.”
Extract from the
Mission Statement

Boys School,
Juan Blanes Street 1909

A brief
history
“Encourage and
promote a sense of
belonging, a deep
rooted pride and
affection for the School
as an Institution, its
traditions,
School Spirit and
institutional memory.”
Although formally founded in 1908, classes began on the 5th
February, 1909, in a building located in Juan Blanes Street, in
downtown Montevideo. As was customary at the time, there
were two separate schools: one for boys and one for girls, and
only the Kindergarten section, situated in a different part of the
city, was mixed. This led to the nomenclature “British Schools” –
where the “s” takes us back to the origins as separate schools.
In its inaugural year the School roll was 82 pupils (44 boys and
38 girls/Kindergarten). By 1917 all three sections of the School
had moved to new premises and in August 1925 H.R.H. The
Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone for a new building in
the Pocitos area of the city, which had been “specially designed
and built to meet all of the requirements of a modern British
school”.
Extract from the
Mission Statement
Inauguration Ceremony,
5th February, 1909

Pocitos, Circa 1950

Dedicated by President José Serrato, in March 1926, the School had separate entrances,
stairs and playgrounds for boys and girls who were taught in separate classrooms. 1936
marked a watershed for The British Schools: in that year it became co-educational, and the
official Uruguayan Liceo section was incorporated. Ten years later, the Board of Governors,
with inspired vision of the future, bought 10 hectares of land in the outlying area of Carrasco;
where a new campus was to be built. In 1958, the Senior School moved to Carrasco and
finally, in 1965, the Junior also moved from Pocitos to its present site.
H. R. H. Edward, Prince of Wales, laying the foundation stone of
Pocitos building, 1925
The 70’s brought further major changes: The British Schools was amongst the first cohort
of international schools to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma. In 1977 the
administrative structure of the school was overhauled to now include two independent
Heads, one for the Senior and one for the Junior School in lieu of an overall School
Headmaster. This structure was only revised in 2007, with the introduction of the position
of Principal who acts as the overall Head of the Schools. A pre-school class for 4 year-olds
was opened in 1990, and early years classes were given their own custom designed
building, in a now unified campus, in 2011.
In November 1998, a very large gymnasium was built which hosts a wide variety of sports
and other activities. In 2002 a new 400 seat Auditorium was built in Senior. This is used for
Senior School under construction, 1957
Sports Day, 1960

In November 1998, a sizeable gymnasium (1654m2) was built which hosts a wide variety of
sports and other activities. In 2002 a new 400 seat Auditorium was built in Senior. This is
used for concerts, conferences, assemblies, international examinations and School
plays. In 2005, to honour the memory of Mr. P.S. Schor, Headmaster of the School
from 1929 to 1961, the Auditorium was named after him.
In 2014, additional learning areas were created for Science, ICT, Art
and Music. The final phase of this ambitious building programme
included the provision of a practical but also hugely symbolic
bridge linking the once separate Junior and Senior Schools.
“Strive for the highest standards, providing
the educational environment and
infrastructure to help students to
achieve excellence according to
their potential in academics,
arts and sports, while
recognising individual
differences and
needs.”
Extract from the
Mission Statement

Early Years
The Early Years Centre provides facilities for students in Kinder (4 to 5 year-olds)
and Prep (5 to 6 year-olds). Designed with the future needs of the youngest students
in mind, the facilities include classrooms with differentiated learning centres, an
age-appropriate Multimedia Projection Centre, Hall and Mini-Theatre with ample
space for collaborative work, Psychomotricity Area, Library, Art Studio and many
other child-friendly “nooks” to arouse curiosity, creativity and encourage positive
interaction, through play.

Junior
The Junior School provides facilities for students from Form 1 (6 to 7
year-olds) to Form 6 (11 to 12 year-olds). In addition to classrooms,
the facilities include a Library Resource Centre with its own ICT suite
and a fully-equipped ICT Department/Suite. The Music Department
has sound proofed facilities with rooms that convert into one space
for larger gatherings. The Junior Hall situated on the ground floor can
accommodate over 400 students. It is used for a wide variety of activities,
including weekly assemblies and School plays. Central Administration
offices and Staffroom are also in the Junior School building.
Learning Programmes
The Junior Learning Programmes blend together key aspects of an
adapted British and Uruguayan curriculum, delivered within the
innovative and inquiry based framework of the IB Primary Years
Programme (PYP). There are parallel mixed-ability classes in
each year level. At all year levels, in addition to the Form
Teacher and the Spanish Teacher, full-time specialist
teachers instruct and guide students in the areas
of Music, Art, Drama, Dance, ICT, Library
Skills, Values and Physical Education.
Field trips and School assemblies serve
to broaden students’ horizons as
well as to provide opportunities
to emphasise aspects of
the School’s Pastoral
Programme.

The Junior curriculum promotes an awareness of different learning styles in order to cater for the individual
needs and talents of each student. The School expects all students to become fully bilingual in English and
Spanish. All curricular subjects are taught in English, with the exception of Spanish classes, and Physical
Education classes.
In Form 6, in preparation for the State administered Primary Exit examinations (“Prueba de Egreso”),
a higher percentage of classes are taught in Spanish. Fluent and effective communication skills,
through both the spoken and the written word, are at the core of our academic programme. The
Maths and Science courses not only impart a solid understanding of subject matter, but also
work to encourage logical thinking and develop problem-solving skills and strategies.
The Senior School provides facilities for students from 1st Year (12 to 13 year-olds)
to 6th Year (17 to 18 year-olds) Liceo. In addition to classrooms, these facilities
include a Library Resource Centre, ICT Labs, Mobile Device Labs, Science
Labs, Music Rooms, Technical Drawing Room, Visual Arts Room as well
as a Multi-Purpose Room. There is also additional student break-out
spaces, Staff Room and Administration offices.

Senior
The Senior School provides facilities for students from 1st Year Liceo
(12 to 13 year-olds) to 6th Year Liceo (17 to 18 year-olds). In addition to
classrooms, these facilities include a Library Resource Centre, ICT Labs,
Mobile Device Labs, Science Labs, Music Rooms, Technical Drawing
Room, Visual Arts Room as well as a Multi-Purpose Room. There are
also student break-out spaces, a Staffroom and Administration offices.
The British Schools is committed to providing the educational
environment and infrastructure to help students achieve excellence
according to their potential in academics, arts, and sports, while
recognising individual differences and needs.
The purpose of the taught curriculum is to encourage students to
become successful learners, confident individuals, effective
contributors, and responsible citizens – as elaborated in
the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

Senior Learning Programmes
All courses within the Senior curriculum ultimately lead to both the National and
the International Baccalaureate. The Liceo Programme is in itself an exacting
course of studies, while the School´s international dimension is addressed through
the International Baccalaureate. The British Schools has the honour of being one
of the original founding schools in the 1970s to offer the IB Diploma.
In preparation for the IB Programme, students follow the IGCSE programmes
produced by The Cambridge Universities Syndicate. Together, our graduates
receive the best Uruguayan education possible and the IB Diploma also offers
the option of studying abroad. All students at The British Schools take both the
National and International Baccalaureates. The IGCSE and IB Diploma results
are carefully analysed to look for internal trends and to compare our own standing
with International Benchmarks, the results of which are presented to the Board
as a formal Report. This type of analysis assists in identifying individual student
learning styles and needs which are then discussed with the Pastoral Team who
subsequently plan and implement appropriate strategies.
“Instil in students the finest aspects of
Uruguayan and British values and culture, such
as a sense of justice, self-discipline, tolerance
and civility, while also offering them the best
possible preparation for life in an
intercultural setting within a global community.”
Extract from the
Mission Statement

Physical Education
The Physical Education curriculum at The British Schools begins in Kindergarten and extends through
to 4th Year Liceo. The programme of activities is age appropriate, with an additional focus on values
formation. Sporting tours are also organised during the year to enrich the curriculum.
The P.E. Department works closely with the School’s Pastoral Team. Good habits are
encouraged to promote the student’s holistic formation. Physical activities support the
development of values such as teamwork, commitment, fair play and respect; considered
essential attributes to the development of character.
After-School Sports Practices and Activities are also offered for all students.
Sports such as Basketball, Football, Karate, Swimming, Volleyball and
Handball have been introduced over the years and all enjoy their
space in the students’ sports universe.

Extra-Curricular
The School encourages all students to participate in its wide range of extra-curricular activities. The programme encompasses
academics, the arts and sports. Examples include; Choirs, Maths, Physics & Chemistry Olympics, Worklinks and Workviews,
Robotics, Senior Musicals, Chess, Karate, Sports Practices, Artistic Gymnastics, Model United Nations, Scottish Dancing,
Needlepoint, Tennis. To enhance this offering, the School is constantly seeking ways to further develop and increase
the programme in order to appeal to all students.
The annual Senior Musical is an extra-curricular activity that brings together the whole School community.
Participation in this programme is voluntary but students are held to very high standards of performance,
dancing and singing. Students, Alumni, Parents and Teachers also participate in non-performing
aspects such as lighting and sound, scenery, backstage management, props and costume design.
Consequently, the Senior Musical has been delighting audiences, of all ages, with some truly
spectacular productions and has built up quite a remarkable repertoire over many years.
Staff
The British Schools is committed to ensuring that the educational experience
is amongst the very best available anywhere in the world. As a learning
community we seek to create and maintain a positive caring environment
throughout the School in which students both thrive and develop.
While striving for academic excellence, it is equally important to
bring out what is best in each individual student. A competent,
experienced and caring team of staff guide students to develop
their full intellectual, creative and physical potential while
also aiming to foster self-esteem, independence,
intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence and
moral character.
Key to this success is the continued
professional development of the
School’s staff. Professional
development takes on many
guises, from external courses,
workshops, online courses,
and in-house workshops,
talks, peer-mentoring
and the sharing of
best practice.

Tel.: (598) 2600 3421 - Máximo Tajes 6421
MONTEVIDEO - URUGUAY - Email: adm@british.edu.uy - www.british.edu.uy