Education is at its best when it comes as a two-way street, rather than a monologue. Traditional classrooms often rely on passive listening, with students absorbing knowledge in silence as a result of overcrowded classrooms. Today, however, educational research across Europe shows that learning starts at the interaction between students and teachers.  

Teacher-Student Interaction Builds Greater Motivation 

A study published in European Academic Research reveals that positive teacher-student interactions significantly enhance student motivation and achievement. When students feel supported, listened to, and encouraged, they become more attentive and engaged in their learning tasks. Where being a passive recipient for information leads to low retention rates, students taking ownership of their learning journeys enable long-lasting and meaningful education. 

Teacher-Student Interaction for Classroom Responsiveness 

Research in Learning and Instruction highlights another capital benefit to greater interaction between educators and their pupils. Teachers who visually monitor their students and respond to their needs boost academic skills more effectively. Active observation helps teachers spot when students are struggling or disengaged, allowing them to adjust their approach in real time. This kind of attentiveness both maintains focus and empowers students to stay connected and succeed. 

Teacher-Student Interaction for Heightened Pedagogy 

Pedagogical training, as discussed in Teaching in Higher Education, also plays a vital role. Teachers who are trained to observe, interpret, and adapt to student behaviours can create classrooms that are truly student-centred. By reading the room and being flexible in their methods, these educators maintain higher levels of student attention and foster a learning environment where curiosity and participation thrive. 

A Word on Classroom Well-being 

Finally, research from European PMC underlines the impact of positive teacher-student relationships on classroom well-being. A supportive classroom atmosphere, built on trust and mutual respect, significantly increases students’ willingness to engage and participate. In such environments, learning becomes a collaborative and joyful process, not a chore. 

What Does This Mean for Your Children at BEPS? 

At BEPS International School, we take all the above to heart. Teacher-student connections take centre stage in building effective education. Our small class sizes allow every student to be seen, heard, and supported. Teachers are not just instructors, but partners, mentors, and guides on each child’s learning journey. Through active engagement, attentive teaching, and personal connection, we create a classroom environment where students learn in a way that will last them a lifetime. 

Learning comes in many shapes, and every student has their own affinity. That’s a strength, not a setback. While some children clock with reading or listening, others learn best by doing. Kinaesthetic learning is a hands-on approach through movement, action, and physical experience, central to how students understand and retain information. For these learners, knowledge is an experience more so than information to be absorbed.

Does It Work Though?

Research has shown that kinaesthetic learning can improve memory, engagement, and even abstract thinking. According to recent European studies, physically interacting with learning material, through role-play, building, experimentation, or movement, helps solidify complex concepts and keeps students more actively involved. It’s a method particularly well suited to younger learners, whose natural energy and curiosity often find their best outlet in activity-based learning.

Nature Has a Valuable Part to Play!

When this learning style is taken outdoors, its benefits are amplified. Nature becomes both a classroom and a canvas. Be it through gardening, outdoor science experiments, or Forest School-inspired activities, students can explore concepts like ecosystems, mathematics, or teamwork in a living, breathing context. As highlighted by initiatives like the Edinburgh Earth Initiative and the European School Education Platform, outdoor, nature-based learning strengthens not only academic skills but also emotional well-being, resilience, and a connection to the environment.

What About Your Children at BEPS?

At BEPS International School, we recognise the value of learning that moves, in the most literal sense. We are ideally positioned in Brussels, nestled in the “Bois de la Cambre”, to integrate kinaesthetic learning in the program. From interactive outdoor lessons to school garden projects and inquiry-led exploration, we offer our students opportunities to learn through action, movement, and real-world engagement. Because for many children, especially those who think best on their feet, learning doesn’t happen at a desk—it happens in motion.

In a world where information is abundant, sometimes unreliable and constantly shifting, students must be equipped with the right tools to parse truth from falsehood. Today’s learners are tomorrow’s problem-solvers, innovators, and decision-makers after all. To thrive in their personal and professional lives, they need the ability to analyse, evaluate, and make informed choices in complex situations.

So, What Is Critical Thinking Exactly? 

Although, critical thinking can be summarised as the ability to question assumptions and assess evidence, it’s important to note that educators, psychologists and philosophers don’t always agree on a common theoretical definition. Thus, Critical thinking is a complex matter. For the sake of your children, however, it empowers them to engage deeply with content and become active participants in their own education.

How to Best Approach Its Development? 

According to the European School Education Platform, the most effective way to teach critical thinking is to integrate it across the curriculum rather than treating it as a separate subject. This includes encouraging students to engage in inquiry-based learning, class discussions, group projects, and real-world problem-solving tasks. Through these activities, students not only develop their analytical skills but also learn to communicate and collaborate effectively.

A Variety of Method Across Europe

Other successful approaches include media literacy programs like Italy’s “Il Quotidiano in Classe,” which teach students to analyse news sources and develop informed opinions. Similarly, Finland’s education system and Scotland’s Storyline method foster environments where questioning and exploration are at the heart of learning. These methods show that when students are given the tools to think critically, they become more independent, adaptable, and engaged learners.

What About Your Children at BEPS?

At BEPS International School, we believe in preparing our students for life. That’s why critical thinking is an integral part of everything we do—from inquiry-led projects and interdisciplinary learning to fostering open dialogue in the classroom. Our goal is to give every student the confidence and capacity to think independently, solve problems creatively, and navigate the world with greater confidence.

Walking through the gates of BEPS International School, it’s hard not to be struck by the sheer presence of nature. Just a short stroll from the Bois de la Cambre, one of Brussels’ most beautiful green spaces, the campus feels more like an extension of the forest than a typical school. And as I watch a group of children heading into the woods, their excitement bubbling over, it’s clear this is no ordinary field trip—this is their classroom.

Today, the students are exploring the ecosystem of the Bois de la Cambre. Equipped with magnifying glasses and notebooks, they’re crouched by trees, inspecting the intricate patterns on bark and tracing the path of ants as they march along roots. One teacher explains how fallen leaves decompose and enrich the soil, turning a simple forest floor into a real-time science lab. Another group, further down the path, is sketching landscapes for an art project.

It’s not just about being outdoors, though. BEPS uses its location and philosophy to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in its students. This commitment is woven into every aspect of school life. Inside the classrooms, lessons on sustainability translate to tangible actions. Students compost food scraps, participate in waste-reduction challenges, and build creative projects like bug hotels to support biodiversity. One student proudly tells me about the bird feeders they constructed last semester, smiling as they recall the robins and sparrows that soon visited their handiwork.

The school itself walks the talk. Energy-efficient systems reduce consumption across campus, and meals are carefully curated with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Even the youngest students understand that these choices matter. “It’s like helping the Earth breathe better,” one child explains, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world—which, here, it is.

As I wrap up my visit, the students return from the woods, chattering about their discoveries—a strangely shaped acorn, a particularly fast beetle, a bird they heard but didn’t see. Their joy is contagious. It’s clear these children aren’t just learning about nature; they’re developing a relationship with it.

If I’m honest, it’s hard not to feel a little wistful. Imagine growing up in a place where curiosity is encouraged, where your classroom stretches beyond four walls, and where you’re taught from an early age that the world is worth taking care of. At BEPS, that’s not a dream—it’s everyday life.

At the heart of BEPS International School stands a dedicated team of educators and staff who share a strong and united vision: to create a learning environment where every child feels valued and empowered. The role of a teacher goes beyond a simple profession. Rather, it is a calling. Together, our team embodies this ideal and the school’s mission to nurture curious and resilient students who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Our Priorities? Excellence and Care

Our team at BEPS is as diverse as our student body, and brings together professionals from a range of cultures, languages, and educational backgrounds. A global perspective that allows us to connect with students from all walks of life, ensuring that each child feels seen and understood. Guided by core values such as empathy, inclusion, and lifelong learning, our educators provide education, mentorship, inspiration, and support to students as they grow into confident individuals.

The BEPS’ Values, Day In, Day Out

What truly sets our team apart is its commitment to our core values. Whether teaching sustainability through hands-on projects or encouraging critical thinking in the classroom, they model the skills and attitudes they wish to instill in their students. Collaboration is at the heart of their approach; staff work closely with one another, parents, and students to create a community that feels like family, where students are each seen and heard. This shared dedication ensures that every child’s unique strengths are nurtured, and their challenges are met with care and an innovative eye.

A School Built on Passion and Purpose

Our team at BEPS is more than a group of educators—they are the foundation of a school that puts students first in every decision. Their passion for teaching, as well as their dedication to the school’s mission, makes BEPS a place where children can thrive. As for parents? It brings the comfort of knowing their children are in caring and competent hands.

Education is one of the most important investments we make in our children’s future. Far beyond simple academic achievement, we want to nurture their curiosity, confidence, and ability to thrive in the world of today. To give them the best chances of finding success in an ever-changing landscape.

At BEPS we take this vision to heart. It served as our compass in building a comprehensive curriculum that supports students from their earliest years all the way to university preparation.

Nurturing the Early Years

The BEPS journey begins with a playful approach in the Early Years program, all to make the purpose more attractive to children. Young learners are thus encouraged to explore the world around them through inquiry and hands-on activities. From storytelling to outdoor adventures, children develop the essential soft skills that will serve them later in life, such as communication, problem-solving, and collaboration in a safe and inspiring environment. Creativity and independence are the name of the game here, while providing the emotional support young children need to take their first steps in education.heir first steps in education.

Building Knowledge in Primary School

As children grow, BEPS’ Primary School curriculum builds on this foundation. Thus, the academic side of education is progressively weaved into the creativity fostered earlier. Using the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), students engage with core subjects through inquiry-based learning. This approach allows them to investigate topics they’re passionate about, while also gaining a strong grounding in literacy, numeracy, and science. At this stage, special care is given to global awareness and collaboration, as students who are able to connect their classroom experiences to the world beyond the school gates will have a stronger footing.

Towards Uni and Beyond with Secondary School

The Secondary School at BEPS is where students truly come into their own. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) challenge them to deepen their understanding, think critically, and develop as independent learners, all invaluable skills in university. With a broad range of subjects, from the sciences to the arts, and opportunities to apply their knowledge through real-world projects, students are prepared for life at large. Personalized support further ensures that each student is guided to achieve their personal best, equipping them with the confidence and skills to pursue their goals.

A Comprehensive Education for Every Stage

We believe education is a journey—one that constantly changes to the tune of your child’s needs and ambitions. From the playful beginnings of Early Years to the rigor of the Diploma Programme, BEPS provides a smooth and supportive experience for students at every stage. With a curriculum designed to nurture the child as an individual, BEPS is more than a school—it’s a place where children grow into resilient, thoughtful, and capable young adults, ready to take on the world.