Frequently Asked Questions

Here we hope you can find answers to common questions new parents often have when joining the school. If you cant find what your looking for, please email [email protected]

About BISC

Q: IS BISC CONNECTED TO OTHER SCHOOLS IN CAIRO WITH “BRITISH” IN THEIR TITLE?

A:

​No, BISC is completely independent, fee-financed and a not-for-profit society. The school is not in any way connected to another school in Egypt. All the profits of the school are ploughed back into the school rather than being distributed to an owner or director.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF BISC’S DISTINCTIVE FEATURES?

A:

• BISC is one of a handful of British Schools which does not have owners.
• BISC is academically selective.
• For us, the most important aspects of teaching and learning are the qualifications and teaching experience of the staff. They are recruited from the best of the maintained and private sectors in Britain or in comparable overseas schools.
• The teaching staff are particularly valued and benefit from regular in-service training from experts in Britain and overseas. The school’s educational aims and objectives are specially clear.
• BISC does not offer several different educational curricula. BISC implements the British National Curriculum up to and including GCSE and the IB Diploma in the Sixth Form.

Q: HOW IS THE STUDENT ROLL MADE UP?

A:

​At any given time, BISC has students from over 50 different nationalities. The school currently holds around 1150 students.

Q: DOES THE SCHOOL TEACH RELIGION?

A:

​Religion is not taught in this multi-denominational school. All faiths are respected equally but there is no provision for formal worship or religious instruction.

Q: WHEN CAN PROSPECTIVE PARENTS VISIT BISC?

A:

The school is delighted to see parents, by appointment, on working days during the school term. This is so that parents can see the school in operation. In addition to the tour, parents will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Head of Junior School, Head of Senior School and Principal. Parents are urged to contact the school in advance to arrange a visit. ‘Open Mornings’ are occasionally scheduled and are advertised on the school website. Find out more on our admissions pages. 
​

Q: DOES BISC RUN A SUMMER SCHOOL?

A:

The school does not operate a summer school at present, as the climate in Cairo at that time is very hot and most pupils are away enjoying a well-deserved holiday!​

Q: WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH REGARD TO ‘WAITING LISTS’?

A:

​Parents are strongly encouraged to apply through the admission system as early as possible to avoid disappointment. While there may be the occasional place that arises through the academic year as a result of parents changing locations, this cannot be relied upon. Parents are urged to apply and ensure that their children are assessed as there are a limited number of places. This is very important for parents with siblings. For example, if all other things are equal and we have several pupils for the one available place, the decision will be made on date order.

Q: IF WE HAVE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY OR BACK TO THE UK, CAN MY CHILD TRANSFER TO ANOTHER BRITISH SCHOOL?

A:

​Yes, easily, providing the future school has places and your child passed whatever assessment procedures that school may have. The great advantage of a British curriculum education is that it is both portable and widely acclaimed. However, we recommend that students do not change school in the middle of GCSE or IB courses, if a move at this stage can be avoided.

Q: I AM WORRIED THAT MY CHILD’S ENGLISH IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. WHAT PROVISION IS AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOL?

A:

​We select pupils on ability and their potential. We are aware that English for the pupils who represent 50+ nationalities may be a cause for concern, and there is some ESL provision within the school. Pupils who need additional help if they are dyslexic, for example, are able to take advantage of the professional guidance from the school’s Curriculum Support Department.

Q: WE LIVE SOME DISTANCE FROM THE SCHOOL: IS THERE A BUS SERVICE?

A:

​Yes, there is a bus that operates from a wide range of areas such as Mohandiseen, Maadi and 6th October City.  

Q: WHAT COMMUNICATION IS THERE BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME?

A:

• Annual Parent Information Evenings at the beginning of the school year.
• Regular Parents’ meetings for individual consultation on academic progress.
• Individual appointments with the appropriate teacher, department Head or Head of School may be made throughout the academic year.
• Parents receive regular written reports.
• A weekly school Bulletin is published and distributed to parents by email.
• Parents’ Handbook and Curriculum Descriptions provided each year.
• Parents in Partnership Workshops (Junior School)
• Pupil exhibition days (Senior School)

FAQ - Senior School

Q: IS BISC THE ONLY SCHOOL DOING GCSE’S?​

A:

​No, although most of the other schools in Cairo only do IGCSE’S.

Q: WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)?​

​A:

This is the programme of study that our Sixth Form study. It is a highly acclaimed and world-recognised two-year course. For further details, please see the information pack on the IB and details on the school website. See also the IB’s website www.ibo.org

Q: CAN STUDENTS HALF-WAY THROUGH GCSE OR IB JOIN BISC FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL?​

A:

​The school does not accept pupils midway through exam courses (GCSE & IB).

FAQ - Junior School

Q: WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL, ITS ETHOS, CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES?​

A:

Our 'Education' section holds information on the school structure. Clubs, Activities and the Ethos can be found in the 'About' section

Q: AT WHAT AGE CAN THE CHILDREN ENTER THE JUNIOR SCHOOL?​

A:

Pupils can enter BISC at the beginning of the academic year in August, once they are three years of age. Pupils are usually assessed on the basis of their age. For social and emotional reasons, every attempt is made to ensure that they are in the class in accordance with their chronological age. However, the Principal makes the final decision on all student admissions.

Q: WHAT DOES THE JUNIOR SCHOOL DO ABOUT MEALS?​

A:

Pupils can bring a healthy lunchbox or they can buy food from the school caterers.

Q: WHERE DO I COLLECT MY CHILD AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY?​

A:

Parents will be given information about where to meet their child or their class teacher at the end of the day. Drivers should carry their identity cards and show them to the security staff.  Only parents are allowed into the school buildings.

Q: ONCE MY CHILD IS IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR PARENTS TO DISCUSS PROGRESS, CONCERNS, ETC?​

A:

​BISC prides itself on a systematic and thorough approach to formal and informal opportunities to meet with parents. There are Parent Information Evenings for every year group in the school at the beginning of the academic year; Parent Conferences (meetings) during the academic year; appointments can be made with class teacher, subject specialist teacher, the Head of Junior School and the Principal during the normal school week. Informal communication between parents, teachers and the Head of Juniors usually occurs when children are collected at the end of the school day. Regular and formal reporting occurs throughout the school year.