About Us |British Overseas School | Our Story | Memberships |Leadership | Guiding Statement

Our Story

The British Overseas School was founded in 1958 as a non-profit institution for the children of expatriates, quickly establishing a strong reputation for academic excellence and student development. As its student body grew, the school relocated to purpose-built facilities in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority, providing an ideal environment for learning.

In 2000, the school expanded its admissions to include local families, becoming more diverse while maintaining its British ethos. By 2004, the school introduced secondary education, becoming the only institution in Karachi offering a British curriculum from pre-school to I/GCSE. The Secondary School moved to new facilities in 2005 to meet growing demand.
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Guiding Statements

Vision Statement

The British Overseas School aims to be recognized internationally as a leader in the provision of modern, high quality UK education. To achieve this, we are committed to creating an educational ethos and environment from which the whole school community will benefit in terms of their learning, development and growth. We believe that our students will leave us as creative, constructive and responsible members of the international community instilled with enough enthusiasm, passion and ambition to last a lifetime.

Mission Statement

Our vision takes shape through our mission, which is to give our students and our staff:

The opportunities to develop and flourish
The knowledge from which to question
The skills with which to learn
The safety to make mistakes
The trust to learn from those mistakes
The support to become independent
The guidance to succeed
The environment in which to cooperate, to compete and to care
The chance to smile, to laugh and to enjoy coming to school
The character with which to lead
The values by which to live

Values

Any organisations, perhaps especially schools, are able to compile long lists of their values. A lexicon of how we would like our organisations to be. Concepts that overlap or conflict or bear no relation to each other.

At the British Overseas School, we value learning above all, and it is our commitment to it that binds all that we value and all that we do.

We value learning not in its narrowest meaning: memorizing knowledge; not even in its next iteration: understanding. We value learning in its widest sense; a sense that incorporates curiosity, investigation and experimentation and leads us to reflection, creativity, and risk-taking. A sense of learning that ranges across the academic and the practical and takes in the emotional and the physical.
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Leadership

Strong leadership is key to the success of the British Overseas School, as highlighted in our BSO report, which praises our “outstanding” leadership driven by ambition, expertise, and commitment.

Our Senior Leadership Team brings extensive experience from both within and outside Pakistan, coupled with personal qualities that reflect our values-driven approach. Despite being a small school, we offer a wide range of opportunities, from a rich curriculum to diverse enrichment programs, all made possible by our talented leaders.

Leadership at the British Overseas School extends beyond the Senior Leadership Team. Our Middle Leaders, including Key Stage Managers, Heads of Department, and coordinators of programs like the Duke of Edinburgh Award, play a crucial role in student success. Even our class and subject teachers are leaders within their own classrooms. A shared vision and core values guide everything we do, from meetings and classrooms to sports fields and performances.

Governance

The British Overseas School is a not-for-profit institution, and all parents of enrolled students automatically become members of the British Overseas School Association (BOSA). As members, parents are involved in the governance of the school, participating in the Annual General Meeting and having the opportunity to stand for election as a Parent Governor.

The Board of Governors also includes respected community leaders who bring diverse perspectives to the school’s leadership. This combination ensures well-rounded, inclusive governance.

British Overseas School Board of Governors

Mr. Mohammed Rajpar – Chairman/Governor (Co-opted)
Mr. Andrew Williams – Principal/Governor (Ex-officio)
Mrs. Yasmin Dadabhoy – Secretary/Governor (Co-opted)
Mr. Iftikhar Shirazi – Treasurer/Governor (Co-opted)
Mrs. Aliya Habib – Governor (Co-opted)
Mr. Noorullah Hassan – Governor (Co-opted)
Mrs. Mahwish Faraz Lakhani – Governor (Elected)
British Deputy High Commissioner – Governor (Unoccupied)
Director British Council – Governor (Unoccupied)

Accreditation & Memberships

British Schools Overseas Accreditation

The British Overseas School is proud to be the first and only school in Pakistan accredited as a British Schools Overseas. This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of our operations. For families familiar with the British education system, this accreditation assures them that their children will receive the excellence they expect. It reflects our unwavering dedication to providing a world-class education in a nurturing environment.

Our most recent BSO inspection was conducted in November 2022. You may read the full report here.

Edexcel

As an official member of Edexcel, The British Overseas School offers an internationally recognised curriculum that fosters academic success. Edexcel, part of the Pearson International group, delivers rigorous academic programmes designed to challenge students and prepare them for future success. Our students benefit from this globally respected framework, where IGCSEs help develop critical thinking, independence, and a lifelong passion for learning.

Round Square

Through our membership in Round Square, The British Overseas School is part of a global network of over 200 schools focused on holistic education, personal growth, and social responsibility. This connection offers our students unique opportunities for international exchange, leadership development, and community service. Engagement with the Round Square network broadens their horizons, helping them become responsible, confident global citizens, ready for future success.

British Council Member School

As a proud member of the British Council, The British Overseas School gains access to a wealth of global educational resources. This affiliation enriches our curriculum and integrates innovative teaching methods, ensuring we stay at the forefront of international education. Our students benefit from cultural and academic exchanges, enhancing their learning experience while we continue to provide a high-quality, globally recognised British curriculum.

British Schools in the Middle East

As a member of British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), The British Overseas School is part of a dynamic network of over 200 schools in the region. This membership offers valuable professional development opportunities, sports events, and educational resources for both students and staff. Through collaboration with like-minded institutions, we exchange best practices and ensure the continuous delivery of exceptional British education.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at The British Overseas School provides students with the opportunity to develop essential life skills through adventure, volunteering, and personal challenges. The programme encourages resilience, teamwork, and self-discipline, helping students grow both personally and academically. By participating in expeditions, skill-building activities, and community service, students earn a prestigious award that reflects their dedication to excellence and personal achievement.

National Association for Able Children in Education

As a member of the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE), The British Overseas School is committed to offering exceptional education for students with outstanding intellectual and creative potential. Our NACE membership ensures that we meet the highest standards for gifted and talented learners, providing a stimulating and challenging curriculum. By employing innovative teaching strategies and personalised approaches, we help students unlock their full potential and develop leadership and critical thinking skills.

Pakistan Centre of Philanthropy

The British Overseas School is proud to hold certification from the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy, receiving the Seal of NPO Good Practice. This certification demonstrates our commitment to ethical governance, transparency, and effective resource management. As a certified Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), we adhere to the highest standards of accountability, ensuring that our philanthropic initiatives create a meaningful, positive impact in the community. This certification highlights our dedication to social responsibility and sustainable community engagement.

The BOS Community

The British Overseas School is a small school, with a family feel. As such our community is extremely important. Without parent volunteers we would not be able to undertake many of the events and activities that have become part of our annual calendar. It is the hard work and commitment of our teachers, as well as the support of our parent community, that allows us to “punch above our weight”.

Parents support our events, volunteer for supervision duties and, in some cases, lead enrichment activities. In 2018-19 more than 100 parents volunteered to help us in one way or another. For many volunteers the BOS Parent-Teacher Association is their first port-of-call, and rightly so, because our PTA is extremely active. Led by a team of committed volunteers, the PTA organizes a range of events and activities for every age group in the school.

During the year Primary children enjoy the PTA’s Halloween Party, Games Night, Cupcake Decorating, Bake Sale and Pakistan Day celebrations. The latter are especially valued as they present an opportunity for children to appreciate and practise local art forms such as Truck Art and Block Printing.

Older students enjoy a partnership with the PTA, helping them to organize charitable events such as the Community Mela and whole school events such as the BOS Carnival. Adults also enjoy the PTA’s seemingly boundless hospitality. New parents have a chance to mingle with the old hands at the annual Meet & Greet; whilst teachers look forward to the PTA’s annual Teacher Appreciation Lunch.

BOS Alumni Network

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