Annual residential trips are at the very heart of the enrichment experience at The British School of Brussels (BSB). Each year, every student in Years 3 through 9 embarks on a journey with their entire year group, typically ranging from three to five nights, seamlessly blending adventure, discovery, and personal growth. These trips are a fundamental part of life at BSB, not an optional extra, and are expertly curated to support students’ wellbeing, growth, and sense of belonging. Crucially, the cost of the yearly year group residential trip is already included within the school fees. This commitment ensures every student has the chance to participate fully in these essential developmental milestones, embodying the school’s dedication to holistic education and building confidence, independence, and a lifelong curiosity about the world.
Every October, as crisp autumn air signals new beginnings, Year 7 students embark on their first secondary school adventure: a team-building residential in the Netherlands. More than a simple getaway, this trip marks an essential milestone – helping students forge friendships, develop teamwork, and find their place within BSB’s vibrant community.
Some of the students who have just returned from their first trip to the Netherlands shared their thoughts:
Through shared laughter, new challenges, and a week away from devices, students return home not only enriched by exciting activities – from sporty competitions to craft sessions making alpaca wool keychains – but also grounded in empathy, self-reliance, and confidence.
By winter, Year 8 students head to Austria, where snowy peaks and alpine air set the stage for exhilarating outdoor learning. The week blends skiing, mountain challenges, and cultural exploration, inviting students to push limits, show courage, and discover the power of collaboration.
Surrounded by spectacular scenery, they learn lessons in trust, perseverance, and leadership – qualities that remain invaluable as they progress through BSB and beyond. Facing alpine slopes together gives them something even more lasting than ski skills: a sense of shared achievement and mutual respect.
To conclude Key Stage 3 (Years 7 – 9), Year 9 return to Austria – but this time to shimmering alpine lakes for a water-based residential in June. Sailing, canoeing, and team challenges help students celebrate three formative years by stepping outside their comfort zones. This end-of-year trip offers both reflection and renewal, giving students the maturity and motivation to enter GCSE study with renewed confidence.
As students advance into the later years of school, residentials take a more specialised form. Instead of a single cohort trip, pupils embark on subject-based experiences that link directly to their studies.
In the 2025–26 academic year, students will explore a range of immersive pathways including:
Each trip deepens academic understanding while fostering independence and personal responsibility. Students see how classroom concepts come to life – whether through analysing the landscape, speaking another language in context, or performing in a professional arts space.
The love of exploration begins even earlier as BSB’s Upper Primary pupils enjoy annual residentials that help with their development and confidence in the short term but also prepare them for the independence of secondary school. These local and regional trips balance fun with learning, taking students to:
These experiences introduce pupils to teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving – all in a safe and supportive environment designed to nurture curiosity and confidence.
Residential trips at BSB go far beyond physical adventure. They nurture essential life skills – empathy, resilience, teamwork, respect, and independence – that no classroom alone can fully teach.
“Everything was new, but our teachers and guides encouraged us to try everything, even when it looked tough,” recalls one Year 7 student. Parents consistently notice the transformation when their children return – more self-aware, more engaged, and often just a little bit taller in confidence. “I learned so much about other people in my year – now when I walk into school, there’s always someone to say hi to,” says a Year 9 student.
Each trip is carefully organised by skilled providers and supported by BSB’s dedicated teaching staff, ensuring that safety, fun, and learning are perfectly balanced. From team-building in the Netherlands to skiing in Austria and creative immersion in Europe’s cultural capitals, every journey contributes to a bigger picture: preparing compassionate, adaptable young people ready for life’s next challenges.
At BSB, residential trips are not simply excursions – they are transformative experiences that shape confident, curious students into global citizens ready to explore the world with open minds and adventurous spirits.
Read all about BSB’s Enrichment offering here.