Teaching & Learning

Bordeaux International School, run by an educational cooperative offers a caring, multicultural environment where students become bilingual independent thinkers, active learners and responsible global citizens.

BIS is the only institution in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine that is accredited as a ‘School of Excellence’ by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Our approach to teaching and learning, combined with an inclusive bilingual curriculum, provides our students with the skills necessary to succeed and have a positive impact as interculturally aware global citizens.

Our small class sizes (10 to 12 per class in Early Learning, and 16 per class in Primary & Secondary) together with a passionate and inspiring  international teaching team, ensure that all students receive the support and guidance that they deserve to succeed. 

BIS welcomes students aged 3 to 18 from around 40 different nationalities. We provide bilingual French-English education across the Early Learning, Primary and Middle School sections. Additionally, we offer the Cambridge International IGCSE, AS and A Levels in Upper Secondary.

BIS caters to students seeking the advantages of a bilingual international programme including French families living in the Bordeaux area, whether they are returning after an expatriate period or not, and non-French families from around the world.

Regardless of whether a student's native language is English, French or any other language, the school endeavours to strengthen their English and French through immersive bilingual teaching and learning. BIS draws inspiration from both the British National Curriculum (Cambridge International Education Curriculum in Secondary) and the French National Curriculum. This enables delivery of a distinctive programme of study that provides instruction in both French and English in equal measure until the completion of Upper Middle School.

We offer an exceptional educational experience, combining comprehensive programmes through bilingual language learning. Our goal is to foster a multicultural understanding that embraces both French and international values, including diversity, care, respect and sustainable development.

To be bilingual is to have the ability to express oneself easily in two languages. Bilingualism is increasing throughout the world, and today it seems essential to be in command of at least two languages.

At Bordeaux International School, each Early Learning and Primary class is led by two main native speaking teachers, one who is a native French speaker and another who is a native English speaker. They collaborate by sharing teaching hours and, on occasion, conducting 'team teaching' lessons. Additionally, starting from the age of four, our students receive one Spanish lesson per week, with the frequency gradually increasing as they progress through the school sections.

In Middle School, students spend about 45% of their time studying a range of subjects in French and 45% of their time studying other subjects in English. About 10% of their time is spent learning Spanish as a third language.

In the Upper School, when English becomes the main language of study, all students continue with a French programme adapted to their level, and Sport throughout the school continues in French. Students also have the opportunity to enhance their level of Spanish. Those whose native tongue is neither Spanish, French nor English are encouraged to take exams in their home language where possible e.g. German, Chinese, Japanese. 

International Mindedness...

We aim to instil in students a sense of international mindedness which involves being open-minded, empathetic, and knowledgeable about global issues. Students are encouraged to think critically about global challenges and to consider their roles as responsible global citizens.

Language Learning...

We offer a multilingual programme to help students develop proficiency in languages beyond their native tongue. This emphasis on language learning from an early age reflects the school's commitment to fostering communication and understanding across cultures.