Welcome Back to School: The 2026-2027 School Year Begins 

A little rain was never going to stop the excitement of the first day of school. 

On Monday 31 August, staff welcomed learners and families back to The British School in the Netherlands for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year. Under the colourful umbrellas and waterproof jackets, there were smiling faces as friends were reunited, teachers greeted learners and their parents, and staff were ready to help newcomers find their way.  

For some learners, it was their very first day at the BSN. For others, it meant returning to familiar faces, moving into a new Year Group, or beginning a new chapter at a different campus. 

Classrooms came back to life, friends found each other again, and teachers welcomed their learners for the year ahead. While every first day looks a little different, one feeling was shared across all four campuses: it was good to be back!  

Reflections on the First Day

As learners settled into their classrooms and the new school year got underway, our Headteachers shared their first impressions and hopes for the year ahead. 

Starting the Year with a Warm Welcome 

The first day was not quite the beginning. 

On Friday 28 August, we welcomed new learners and their families to our four campuses for our annual Welcome Day. 

Starting at a new school can bring a mixture of excitement and nerves, particularly for families also settling into a new country. Welcome Day gave new learners and their families time to explore their campus, meet teachers and staff, ask questions, and begin making connections. Knowing where to go, who they would meet, and what to expect helped provide reassurance before the first day of school. 

Families also met members of the wider BSN community and received practical information to help them prepare for the year ahead. Representatives from Leiden International Centre and The Hague International Centre were there to offer guidance to newcomers settling into life in the Netherlands, while Basker International helped make the occasion even more welcoming for our families. These early conversations helped new families feel more familiar with the school and more confident about the days ahead.   

Reflecting on the day 

Louise Simpson, CEO, shared: 

"Welcome Day is about much more than sharing information. It's about helping families find their place and feel part of our community from the very beginning. 

Those first conversations and connections can make all the difference as learners begin a new chapter at the BSN." 

Ms Simpson also highlighted the important contribution of the BSN Family Association, whose volunteers are vital to creating that sense of belonging and community that so many families appreciate when joining the BSN. 

Looking Ahead 

And just like that, another school year has begun. 

Over the coming months, our learners will discover new interests, deepen their knowledge, take on challenges, build friendships, and create memories along the way. 

Whether this is your first year at the BSN or one of many, we are delighted to have you with us and look forward to seeing all that our learners achieve throughout the year ahead. 

Here's to a wonderful 2026-2027 school year!

See more highlights from our Welcome Day and the first day of school on Flickr:

Flickr album: JSL/SSL, Welcome Day, 2026 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Flickr album: BSN, First Week Back, 2026 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Stay Connected 

Follow the BSN on social media to keep up to date with news, events, learner achievements, and moments from across our four campuses throughout the year. 

Instagram: bsnetherlands
Facebook: The British School in the Netherlands 
LinkedIn: The British School in the Netherlands