British School Students meet Dutch Culture
At first glance, The British School in the Netherlands might seem like a purely international institution. With students representing nearly 90 nationalities and an English- based curriculum, it is easy to assume that Dutch culture sits quietly in the background. In reality, the opposite is true. Across its four campuses, Dutch traditions, values, and community identity are actively embedded into everyday school life, starting from the very first years of Junior School.
By Vera Petrakova
Dutch Identity through sport
and competition
One of the most visible ways Dutch culture is woven into school life is through the House System, introduced in Junior School. Every student is placed in one of the four Houses: Amsterdam (Red), Delft (Blue), Gouda (Yellow), or Leiden (Green), each named after a historic Dutch city. These Houses are not only symbolic, but they also shape daily experiences.
During sports days, students compete fiercely but supportively while wearing their house colours, representing their city with pride. Events range from athletics and relay races to team games, with points awarded to houses throughout the year. This sense of competition mirrors wider Dutch sporting culture, which values teamwork, fairness, and community spirit. For international students, it is often their first experience representing a “place” in the Netherlands, even if they are new to the country.
This sense of identity continues in Senior School. At the Senior School Voorschoten campus, the four large flags of Amsterdam, Delft, Gouda, and Leiden hang prominently, serving as a daily visual reminder of the school's connection to Dutch cities and culture.
They reinforce continuity from Junior to Senior School, showing that values learned early on remain important as students grow older.
Celebrating Dutch
traditions together
Beyond sport, Dutch traditions are brought to life through cultural celebration, especially in Junior School. One of the most memorable is Sinterklaas. In the days leading up to the celebration, children place their shoes outside classrooms, hoping for treats. Overnight, the school appears “messed up”, furniture moved, decorations scattered, creating excitement and mystery.
The following morning, BSN children clean up together, take part in themed activities, sing songs, and share traditional sweets. For international families unfamiliar with Sinterklaas, it becomes a joyful introduction to Dutch culture, taught through experience rather than explanation.
The BSN also celebrates and enjoys King's Day activities.
A bridge between school
and society
The school does not exist in isolation. Students learn Dutch in school, join local sports clubs, and attend events connected to towns like Voorschoten and Wassenaar. This helps international families integrate while also contributing to the local community. With campuses in The Hague (Junior School Vlaskamp), Leidschenveen (Junior School Leidschenveen and Senior School Leidschenveen) and Senior School Voorschoten, each campus maintains strong links with the community.
The British School in the Netherlands shows that international education and national culture need not be separate. Through House competitions, sports days, city symbolism, and traditional celebrations, Dutch identity becomes part of everyday school life. The result is a school that prepares students to be global citizens, firmly rooted in the Netherlands.
