British International School of Tunis

Tunis, Tunisia

About British International School of Tunis: The British International School of Tunis, also known as BIST, is an independently funded school in Tunisia. Spread over two campuses, with over 30 nationalities represented the school claims to have 100% expat teachers on staff catering from 3 to 18 years.


Check out the school’s website for more details.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Recommend – this small international school has received positive feedback for families. Just bear in mind that it may be costly if you have multiple kids and need to contribute to school fees, especially if you’re on a single income.

Overall compensation package rating

Decent package to live comfortably, but expect limited savings potential – especially if you’re on a single income.

Tuition benefits

Up to three dependents receive approximately 90% discount for school fees.

Housing

There is no mention of housing or housing allowance being offered by the school – please let us know if you know otherwise.

Flights

Flights are covered at the beginning and end of your contract.

Healthcare

A private healthcare scheme is provided as part of the teaching package.

Adjustment for kids

The school is small – catering to just over 200 students. While this can be a good opportunity for a close knit community, it can also be challenging if your child struggles to find friendships as there are limited options.

Average class sizes

Because the school is small, class sizes are also relatively small – around 15 students per class across the majority of age groups.

Teaching experience required

This school accepts newly qualified teachers (unlike many other international schools) but you do need to hold teaching qualifications/certifications.

Curriculum


EYFS, British Primary, IGCSE/GCSE, A-Levels.

Retirement/pension benefits

We couldn’t find any reference to a retirement scheme offered by the school – if you know otherwise please let us know!

School history & stability

The school was established in 2012.

British International School of Tunis – Additional Benefits

  • Decent annual PD budget for staff
  • Personal leave days
  • Teacher induction program
  • Employment opportunities for partners (non teaching)
  • Private healthcare scheme

What Teachers are Saying Online About British International School of Tunis

BIST offers a caring environment and the primary school is particularly strong. It’s located in a developing area of Tunisia. Life here is comfortable and culturally open.

CURRENT TEACHER, BIST

The school is run to make money rather than supporting staff to grow and excel.

EX TEACHER AT BIST

Such an excellent school with innovative curriculum and lovely staff – I wish I could go back. Life in Tunisia was very comfortable. You get 10 months of sun, it’s close to the beach, the people are helpful and friendly and it’s a great experience!

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF TUNIS
Minaret of the Zitouna mosque at sunset in Tunis, Tunisia
White buildings with blue accents in a street in Tunis
Moroccan interior with intricate blue doors and traditional decor in Tunis - a sample of the architecture you may see if working at the British International School of Tunis

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair – Tunis is generally safe for expat families, but keep an eye out for things like bag snatching and pickpocketing, especially in tourist areas. Political demonstrations do happen occasionally, so try to stay informed and avoid large gatherings.
  • Adaptability: Moderate – While French and Arabic are the main languages, many Tunisians in urban areas speak some English. The culture is very welcoming. But, adjusting to local bureaucracy, varying service standards, and gender norms, particularly around dress and social behaviour, can take some getting used to, especially for women.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Daily expenses like food, transport, and local services are relatively affordable. But imported goods and housing can push up your overall budget, especially if you want a Western-style lifestyle.

General Overview for Teaching Families

The British International School of Tunis (BIST) is a well-established, independently funded international school located in the coastal suburbs of Tunis, Tunisia. It offers a full British curriculum from pre-school through A-Levels and is accredited by COBIS and BSO.

The school has around 200 students, so it offers a close-knit community feel for families. Although the school states on their website that 100% of teachers are expats, we found conflicting information – so if an international staff ratio is important to you be sure to ask and get a direct answer. It looks like turnover has been high at the school historically, but with new leadership this may be slowing down. And feedback online shows that things at the school have improved in recent years.

A typical contract at the school is two years, starting in August. Unlike many other international schools, this school welcomes both experienced teachers and newly qualified candidates (NQTs). Expect to work around 10 hours of extracurricular duties throughout a typical school week.

Teacher benefits include private healthcare, a transparent PD budget, and flights at the beginning and end of the contract. Up to three dependents per teacher are eligible for a discount on school fees (about 90%). There is also support for employment opportunities for non-teaching spouses. Due to potential high cost of living (depending on your lifestyle) if you’re on a single income with a family your savings may be limited.

Do you currently teach at BIST? If so we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to share your experience with us!

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