As Executive Head of Schools, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our wonderful community here at Thames British School, Warsaw.  If this is your first contact with us we are a dynamic, internationally diverse community of learners the majority of whom originate from other parts of the globe each with their own customs and cultures.  What brings us together is our current home, Warsaw, our values and our commitment to the young people in our care.

What is an international, British-style education? One that combines the rich traditions of British education and British values, offering a global perspective while honouring local traditions and customs. It mirrors the high academic standards of the British system while embracing cultural diversity and internationalism. Broadly following the British curriculum, students benefit from exposure to a broad range of subjects, fostering a well-rounded education further enhanced by learning the Polish language and an understanding of local traditions and culture. The emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication remains central, preparing students for a competitive and interconnected world. British-style international education strives to create globally aware individuals who can navigate the complexities of the modern, interconnected global landscape.

A hallmark of British education is the emphasis on examinations in addition to other forms of assessment.  Students at Thames undertake a battery of assessments as they proceed through their learning journey.  These are often used to ensure students are on track to achieve what we know they should, in line with international and British standards.
As students reach the final 4 years of formal school learning, we offer the Cambridge IGCSE as a stepping stone in preparing them for studies in either A Level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. 

 
Success looks different for everybody; by offering different programmes we provide students with two very different yet equally rigorous pathways to matriculation to world-leading universities, colleges or professional learning institutions.  These pathways to success mean that we can concentrate on what is important: getting young people ready for what comes next, whatever that may be.

“We are called to be the architects of our future, not its victims” With this statement, Buckminster Fuller embodies why we do what we do here at Thames, to help young people gain the knowledge, skills and agency to be the architects of their futures not victims of others’ design.  This is at the core of our mission: to lay the foundations for our pupils to improve the world they will inherit and our values: Collaborative and Compassionate, Authentic, Responsible and Resilient, Enlightened (C|A|R|E). 

“It takes a village to raise a child” (African proverb) and at Thames British School this embodies our approach to learning.  Our dedicated professionals work tirelessly to provide the very best opportunities to facilitate learning, however, this does not happen in isolation, nor does learning stop when our students pass by the gate on the way home.  Strong home-school partnerships are vital in ensuring our shared values build the character traits that along with academic success define a Thames British school learner.  Such partnerships are built on an understanding of common purpose and trust. Trust must be earned and fostered by maintaining authentic communication and acting in a way consistent with our values. First and foremost is our commitment to safeguarding each and every young person entrusted to us and doing what is right, even when it is difficult.

We are a young ambitious school with a growing community as we bring the very best of International British Education to Warsaw with 4 very different campuses.  We constantly strive to improve our facilities to provide modern learning environments.  Each campus is in a different neighbourhood with its distinct feel and character, however, we all work together as one community, one village united by a common purpose: to prepare young people for whatever comes next.

Yours in partnership

Berrin Schofield

Executive Head of School
Thames British School Warsaw