The mission of The British School of Milan (BSM), Sir James Henderson, is to inspire learning within a caring, creative and international community, to pursue excellence, and to challenge students to think critically as they prepare for the world beyond. The BSM is the only school in Milan inspected by the UK government and is a not-for-profit organisation. In the Primary School, students follow the English National Curriculum, culminating in the Senior School with (I)GCSE exams at sixteen years old. In Years 12 and 13 (the Sixth Form), students pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma – considered the gold standard of world education and the best preparation for universities and the globally competitive world of work. The School’s co-curricular programme is an integral part of every child’s daily experience and covers a broad spectrum. Participation in sport, drama, music, a host of other activities and service to the community strengthens the development of essential life skills. The School is the centre for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music for northern Italy and the School’s choirs have performed in concerts across Italy and Europe. The Art Department is a centre of excellence for the Edexcel Examinations Board while the Drama Department is at the forefront of the Performing Arts programme. In sport the School is the only school in Italy to be a member of the ISST (International Schools Sports Tournament) with teams competing across Europe in a variety of sports. The School is also a founding member of the Northern Italy School Sports Association, which provides opportunities for inter-school sports involving international schools in northern Italy and Switzerland. Students support a wide range of organisations through the CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) programme, and can take part in activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Scheme and the Model United Nations.
