Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

It is a Polish-run school but think they really want to build a U.K.-type school (with added benefit of IBs). Guess we won't know for sure unless we try it.

They say most of their teachers will be qualified from the U.K. and we have seen them advertise for teachers on British websites for teachers.

It's certainly expensive enough (more than IES but less than British School) so don't expect any teachers from India (unless they have UK qualifications of course)

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

At the moment they have years 1 and 2.
In September they will start years 1-6 and think the year after a senior school.

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

Hi @UK72. I am not sure how many hours of Polish they have - they said there would be Polish lessons (pretty essential if living there) and am sure my children will pick up Polish fairly quickly just from playing with local kids.

@schoolknowledge - we don't want to send our children to a Polish school as they have been in formal education for longer than children in Poland so are more advanced in reading and maths. We also don't like the emphasis on rote learning that is common in Poland (and may other parts of Europe) and feel the British system is better in that respect.

Having gone to International schools myself I think that a smaller school would be more appropriate for them and am of the opinion that every school has to start sometime (the British School started with 35 pupils in 1992, according to its website)

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

Hi UK72,
We didn't visit those two schools so am afraid I can't judge.
We also wanted a more British than American school, which is why we decided on the British School in Wilanow - they only have one form per year, maximum class size 15 so hopefully will be small and friendly.

I think they're only closed the first week of August and open the rest of the month so think you may still be able to visit in Aug.

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

Depends on age - about 25k to 40k zloty a year in primary (without meals at 3k a year), though they may give you some discount as they're just starting.

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

@schoolknowledge Just for the record I am in no way connected to the school (except that I plan to send my kids there). If you check the beginning of this thread you'll see I was interested in getting more info myself.

Personally we prefer the English system where more emphasis is placed on how to find information rather than rote learning/preparing for exams. Maybe our children's Polish will improve sufficiently for us to consider a Polish school at a later time but my Polish wife has very bad memories of the Polish education system (admittedly that was some time ago and things may have changed)

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

Hi @UK72,
sorry for the late reply.
So my boys have been in BSW for just over a year now and to be honest it's been a bit of a mixed ride. The higher classes (years 4 and 5 this year) are very small, which means that they have gotten a lot of individual attention. They also do a lot of sport and are encouraged to go outside all year round (none of the Polish needing a hat and scarf as soon as temperatures fall below 10C)

The head is also very competent and has a clear vision for the school - he has been hindered somewhat as a number of Polish parents seem to see it more as a language school rather than a different curriculum and seem to think you can just flip your children between educational systems at will, which has meant they now offer an hour of "Polish curriculum" if you want (my boys do Polish as second language).

I feel they are doing well and am generally positive about the teachers and school but there have been growing pains (the school office is a joke with really poor communication - luckily you can email the head and class teachers directly)

hope that helps and let me know if you have any questions

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

Hi @Rower1991

Think with all these schools you sometimes just have to follow your gut instincts. My sons have a few children who were in the American school in Kabaty and weren't happy there but a lot will depend on what you are looking for.

We are reasonably happy with bsw and our boys love it, especially all the sports (my eldest wasn't at all sporty till he came to this school - now he raves about it). I do sometimes feel they are catering too much to snobbish Poles who see this as an intensive English course and don't really appreciate what it means to follow the English curriculum.

The nice thing about it is the small size. I have heard mixed views of the European School - though if I were you I'd give them a visit too and see how you feel.

A lot will depend on your situation too. It's not clear where you are from or how long you plan to be here - I think generally if you plan to continue education in Europe, I would avoid the American system as academic standards are lower. A lot of the so-called "bilingual" schools follow the Polish curriculum, which means a lot of rote learning (and catholic church brainwashing, though the better ones try to moderate that). Apart from that, Polish education is generally well perceived internationally.

Study / British School of Warsaw in Wilanow [73]

@Rower1991
No problem - good luck.
Just fyi - both BSW and European school operate a bus service. Our kids travel from Praga - about 45 mins-1 hour each way. Had worried they would hate it but they don't mind at all (probably because there's a tv on the bus)