On Wednesday, 24 February 2010, almost 200 children excitedly made their way through the doors of their new school building for the first time.

Students and parents alike looked around in awe at their beautiful new school, designed by award winning architect Thomas Rau.

As Head Teacher, Mr David Porritt, welcomed the families he said, “It is wonderful to see the look of excitement and enthusiasm on the faces of the children as they come to their new school. They have waited a long time for this day and I am sure they will enjoy getting used to their new surroundings. We are all hoping to become an active part of the community in which our new school is based and are looking forward to inviting our new neighbours into the school soon.”

Leidschenveen is now the home of The British School in the Netherlands’ fourth campus in the region and will ultimately provide some 570 places for international children aged 3 – 18 years.

The brand new Day Care Centre, run by experienced international childcare specialists Zein Childcare and located on the new campus, opened its doors on Monday 1st February, welcoming children aged from 0-3 years old.

The BSN’s Language Centre provides Dutch and English language courses for adults and children and is situated in the Community Building, at the end of the campus. This large building also houses the Sports Hall which will be available for use by students from all the BSN schools as well as for rent by the local community.

Principal of the BSN, Dr Martin Coles summed the project up - “This new campus marks a new chapter in the BSN's history – we have three outstanding buildings on this site and together with our other Junior Schools in Mariahoeve and the Senior School in Voorschoten we are now able to provide more high quality school places than ever before for The Hague's international community.”
 

Photography: Christel van Meeuwen

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