Education_British Schools and International Schools

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.

Founded in 1958, the International School of Milan is the longest established International School here in the city. Although we are the longest established international school here in the city, at our school you will find the strongest academic standards supported by the most progressive educational thinking that has served the international and Italian communities in Milan for over 60 years. We are confident that our ethos, focused on achievement and underpinned by opportunity for all, will enable your children to develop their confidence and be ready to embrace the challenges of the future.

The IB curriculum (which runs throughout all years) is a truly international one and is a perfect fit for the needs of all our students. Our PYP, MYP and IB Diploma programmes thoroughly prepare our students for further study all around the world, including at some of the world’s leading universities. Our results are significantly above world averages with achievement in the Diploma for example at a particularly high level.

Our international, dedicated and skilled teaching body work well with our students in order to make them the success we know they can be. Their desire to challenge young minds is shaped by a growth mindset, ensuring that the focus is on every student achieving beyond what a school might ‘normally expect’. In short, we believe your son or daughter can achieve more and be happier with us here at IS Milan.

We opened our brand new boarding house in September 2018 and can accommodate up to approximately 50 students. With the care and attention given by our staff, boarding at IS Milan provides a truly transformative international educational experience for 14 to 18-year-olds.

The International School of Milan is proud of its position in the city as the premier international IB school in terms of its curriculum and outlook and is renowned for its high educational standards and caring learning environment. We are also an international community with over 50 nationalities and a student body that is proud to belong to our school community and enthusiastic about the learning they take part in. We are certain that you will see the International School of Milan as a place where learning is genuinely celebrated and where each of our students are valued and challenged to succeed from the age of 2 up to 18.

Since September 2016, International School of Milan has been a member of Inspired. Inspired is a leading global premium schools group operating in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, educating over 100,000 students across a global network of more than 110 schools. Inspired offers a fresh and contemporary approach to education by re-evaluating traditional teaching methods and curricula, and creating a more dynamic, relevant and powerful educational model. For more information, please visit www.inspirededu.com

Inaugurated in 1998 as a joint venture with Tetra Pak, whose global research and development unit is located in Modena, ISM is now a proud member of Inspired which is the fastest growing premium international schools’ group operating on 5 continents and educating over 47.000 students globally. Our modern, purpose-built campus, surrounded by green open spaces, is located 12km outside of the city of Modena.

We are a truly international school representing approximately 30 different nationalities and offering the full continuum of International Baccalaureate (IB) education, with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children ages 3 - 11, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16 and the Diploma Programme (DP) for 16-18 years. ISM is one of only a handful of schools in Italy currently authorised to offer this programme which will thoroughly prepare your child for study all around the world, including at some of the world’s leading universities.

In September 2019 the school opened its first class for 2-year olds, further extending our innovative Early Years department which features beautiful spaces and play structures specially designed to support the delivery of the IB PYP and Reggio-Inspired Early Years Curriculum.

The curriculum at ISM is carefully designed to reflect the ethos of the school and of the International Baccalaureate with a commitment to inquiry-based learning, encouraging every student to ask questions, to think for themselves and develop the skills to become confident, independent learners who will grow up to be balanced, caring and principled citizens. Our dedicated, international teaching body ensures that students achieve highly at the school. We believe in challenging young minds, ensuring that our focus is on every student achieving beyond expectations both inside and outside of the curriculum. Over the last three years, we have achieved an average of 35 in the IBDP with a top score of 45.

The International School of Modena is a small, friendly school, with just over 250 students at present but it is growing fast due to its popularity with both expat and local families. We are proud to be a premium international school offering high quality education in a caring environment with happy, contented students. We are certain that you will see that ISM is a place that celebrates learning and values each and every student, offering them a challenging, enjoyable education aimed at developing a range of skills required for future success.
Since September 2016, International School of Modena has been a member of Inspired. Inspired is a leading global premium schools group operating in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, educating over 100,000 students across a global network of more than 110 schools. Inspired offers a fresh and contemporary approach to education by re-evaluating traditional teaching methods and curricula, and creating a more dynamic, relevant and powerful educational model. For more information, please visit www.inspirededu.com