History of TBSC
Established in 1950 the British School Caracas has a rich history in providing quality British education to students in Venezuela. Explore our timeline and historical events.
1950
The British School Caracas was opened at the old Hacienda Farmhouse in Las Mercedes (now the Vera Cruz Supermarket) on 15th of September with 37 pupils and four teachers. Eileen Hinks (later Eileen Mendt) was appointed Headmistress.
1954
TBSC was relocated and its main buildings with seven classrooms for 240 pupils (The Mendt, Pre-School and Amphitheatre Buildings today) inaugurated by the British and Canadian Ambassadors of the day
1954
Role of G. W. Greenacre
1958
An apartment below the original offices at the main entrance was converted to make two classrooms for Preschool. The Britannia House Shield was donated by B.O.A.C. (British Airways)
1962
A two story annexe with six classrooms was opened next to the Amphitheatre building to accommodate a Dutch section complete with Dutch teachers and a Dutch language programme. Today this building is still known as The Dutch Building
1967
A severe earthquake shook Los Palos Grandes and Altamira but the school escaped with only minor damage
1954
TBSC was relocated and its main buildings with seven classrooms for 240 pupils (The Mendt, Pre-School and Amphitheatre Buildings today) inaugurated by the British and Canadian Ambassadors of the day
1975
The British School 25th Anniversary
1981
Catherine Judge was appointed Headmistress
1984
The Dutch section closed
1987
Jane Askey was appointed as Headmistress
1989
The first P.T.A. Spring Fayre was held
1990
A covered area (‘The Hanger’) and playing surface was provided next to the Dutch building in lieu of an extended indoor hall. Alan Darby was appointed as Headmaster
1991
Roger Anniss was appointed as Headmaster
1994
Sheila Purdom was appointed as Headmistress
1995
Science, ICT and two further classrooms were added to the the Amphitheatre Building. The first Year Book was published
1997
New buildings containing eight classrooms, a Science Lab, Staff Room and changing rooms were opened next to the cancha (The Fletcher Building) increasing the capacity of the school
1999
Quintas Dami and Alicia were purchased to house a Library/Media Centre, administration offices and Key Stage 3
2000
The 50th Anniversary of the school. The 40th anniversary and retirement of long serving teacher and Deputy Head, Janet Fletcher. Mark Gifford was appointed as Head of School
2002
Appointment of Richard Free as Head of School
2003
The British School Caracas awarded accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS)
2004
The Board reached a decision to remain essentially a Primary School (3+ to 12+) for the foreseeable future
2006
Appointment of Brian Allen as Head of School
2007
CIS Five Year Review.
2009
Amphitheatre roof built, Year 8 opens after an absence of six years. Board announce the intention of expanding to pre-university levels
2010
The 60th anniversary of the school. The primary programme adopts the International Primary Curriculum to complement the National Curriculum of England
2011
Appointment of Neil McBurney as Head of School. For the first time in TBSC´s history, our first Key Stage 4 (Year 10) students undertake the Cambridge IGCSE after receiving authorisation to offer this prestigious curriculum in May 2011
2012
The school completes the CIS Self Study as a part of the CIS Ten Year Review. The CIS school visit took place in November
2013
TBSC is granted CIS Accreditation. Our first Year 11 students complete their IGCSE external examinations in June 2013. Our IB Diploma authorisation application is completed as we prepare to off the IB Diploma from September 2013. Appointment of John Plommer as Head of School
2014
Appointment of Yasir Patel as the Head of School
2015
Our first Year 13 (IB) students graduate. This includes Carlos Borges, who has studied at TBSC from Early Years. The school is successful in its International Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and is recognised as part of the British Schools Overseas. TBSC is fully accredited by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
First IB Students Graduate (2015)
TBSC Class Photo 2015
2020
Appointment of George Palmer as Head of School
2024
TBSC Class Photo 2023-2024
1950
The British School Caracas was opened at the Old Hacienda Farmhouse in Las Mercedes (now the Vera Cruz Supermarket) on 15th of September with 37 pupils and four teachers. Eileen Hinks (later Eileen Mendt) was appointed Headmistress.
1954
TBSC was relocated and its main buildings with seven classrooms for 240 pupils (The Mendt, Pre-School and Amphitheatre Buildings today) inaugurated by the British and Canadian Ambassadors of the day.
1958
An apartment below the original offices at the main entrance was converted to make two classrooms for Preschool. The Britannia House Shield was donated by B.O.A.C. (British Airways).
1962
A two story annexe with six classrooms was opened next to the Amphitheatre building to accommodate a Dutch section complete with Dutch teachers and a Dutch language programme. Today this building is still known as The Dutch Building.
1967
A severe earthquake shook Los Palos Grandes and Altamira but the school escaped with only minor damage.
1978
The British Community held a reception at the school to mark the visit of the Prince of Wales to Venezuela. This was a record year for enrolment (301 with a pupil teacher ratio of 30:1).
1981
Catherine Judge was appointed Headmistress.
1984
The Dutch section closed.
1987
Jane Askey was appointed as Headmistress.
1989
The first P.T.A. Spring Fayre was held.
1990
A covered area (‘The Hanger’) and playing surface was provided next to the Dutch building in lieu of an extended indoor hall. Alan Darby was appointed as Headmaster.
1991
Roger Anniss was appointed as Headmaster.
1994
Sheila Purdom was appointed as Headmistress.
1995
Science, ICT and two further classrooms were added to the the Amphitheatre Building. The first Year Book was published.
1997
New buildings containing eight classrooms, a Science Lab, Staff Room and changing rooms were opened next to the cancha (The Fletcher Building) increasing the capacity of the school.
1999
Quintas Dami and Alicia were purchased to house a Library/Media Centre, administration offices and Key Stage 3.
2000
The 50th Anniversary of the school. The 40th anniversary and retirement of long serving teacher and Deputy Head, Janet Fletcher. Mark Gifford was appointed as Head of School.
2002
Appointment of Richard Free as Head of School.
2003
The British School Caracas awarded accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS).
2004
The Board reached a decision to remain essentially a Primary School (3+ to 12+) for the foreseeable future.
2006
Appointment of Brian Allen as Head of School.
2007
CIS Five Year Review.
2009
Amphitheatre roof built, Year 8 opens after an absence of six years. Board announce the intention of expanding to pre-university levels.
2010
The 60th anniversary of the school. The primary programme adopts the International Primary Curriculum to complement the National Curriculum of England.
2011
Appointment of Neil McBurney as Head of School. For the first time in TBSC´s history, our first Key Stage 4 (Year 10) students undertake the Cambridge IGCSE after receiving authorisation to offer this prestigious curriculum in May 2011.
2012
The school completes the CIS Self Study as a part of the CIS Ten Year Review. The CIS school visit took place in November.
2013
TBSC is granted CIS Accreditation. Our first Year 11 students complete their IGCSE external examinations in June 2013. Our IB Diploma authorisation application is completed as we prepare to off the IB Diploma from September 2013. Appointment of John Plommer as Head of School.
2014
Appointment of Yasir Patel as the Head of School.
2015
Our first Year 13 (IB) students graduate. This includes Carlos Borges, who has studied at TBSC from Early Years. The school is successful in its International Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and is recognised as part of the British Schools Overseas. TBSC is fully accredited by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
First IB Students Graduate (2015)
TBSC Class Photo 2015
2020
Appointment of George Palmer as Head of School.
2023
TBSC Class Photo 2023
