As we celebrate our 30-Year Anniversary, we reflect on our incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a leading educational institution in Romania. This milestone marks three decades of dedication to providing high-quality education, fostering innovation, and nurturing young minds. Join us as we look back at the key moments that have shaped our school’s history and paved the way for an exciting future ahead.

The Founding of CSB

In 1994, Cambridge School of Bucharest was founded with a modest enrolment of just 20 students. The vision to provide exceptional education in Bucharest was set in motion. By 2002, the school had experienced significant development and had grown to 300 students. This growth necessitated a move to a historic building on Calea Dorobanti, a campus that surrounded itself with legacy and tradition. That same year, the CSB became an accredited Cambridge Examination Centre, offering IGCSE and A Levels to Secondary students, marking another significant milestone in its development. In 2004, CSB began the annual tradition of the Summer Fair, an event that celebrates the multicultural diversity within the school.

An International British Education

By 2014, further demand for the school led to the expansion of the campus with the opening of a Primary building, followed by an EYFS & Year 1 campus to accommodate the increasing number of students. In 2015, the school held its first-ever annual TEDx, at the Odeon Theatre Bucharest. It is an opportunity for students to be inspired and motivated by fantastic guest speakers and student speakers. Additionally, 2017 saw the election of the first Head Boy and Head Girl, a tradition that has continued annually.

In May of 2018, CSB became an official British School Overseas by successfully passing its first inspection with Independent Schools Inspectorate. Along with this accomplishment, the school became a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and the Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO), further solidifying its international presence.

Throughout this development, academic excellence remained a priority as two students achieved the highest marks in the world for AS-Level Mathematics and IGCSE Mandarin Chinese. Additionally, many changes took place in 2019, including the implementation of school houses, naming the houses after Romanian achievers in sport (Comaneci), art (Brancusi), music (Enescu), and literature (Muller). The Duke of Edinburgh International Awards were also implemented, challenging young people between the ages of 14-18 to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests. In the spring of 2023, CSB’s Head Girl, Rebecca Susan, achieved gold at the Duke of Edinburgh International Awards and was given the award by HRH Prince Edward at the DofE award ceremony in Cluj-Napoca.

A New Chapter for CSB

In 2020, CSB moved to a new, spacious 15-Acres campus (60,000 m2), in the metropolitan area of Bucharest. This new home provided ample space for future growth and development. In its commitment to being a sustainable school, the school planted 1,400 trees and installed solar panels on the roof of Oak.

By this time, the school had sent a graduate to the University of Oxford and an additional four others to the University of Cambridge. Further CSB success stories ended with placements at Stanford University, Emory University, the University of California, UCL, the London School of Economics, and Bocconi, showcasing the calibre of education provided at CSB.

Two years later were marked by significant infrastructure and technological advancements. The completion of the EYFS wing, the PE hall, and outdoor play areas in Elm provided students with more facilities. Technological investments included the introduction of robots, VR headsets, and additional technology for the IT lab, preparing students for a future where technology plays a pivotal role.

In 2023, the school also hosted British Community Day in honour of the King’s inauguration, with British Ambassador Sir Andrew Noble planting a tree on the school grounds to commemorate the special day.

CSB believes in teaching students real-world skills that prepares them for the future. For this reason, the school implemented a Financial Literacy Curriculum and started its very first Winter Bazaar, teaching children how to manage businesses and understand value of money. The first Summer School programme opened up for EYFS & Primary students.

2024 and Beyond

In 2024, the school launched the Oak & Elm Foundation, a non-profit organisation aimed at providing students the opportunity to give back and make a positive difference. Oak & Elm have partnered with local and international NGOs with the aim of deepening connections with its wider community.

The completion of the Cloud, which adds additional classrooms, sports facilities, Design & Technology space to CSB’s Elm building, provided modern, innovative learning areas for older Primary students.

CSB became an IB World School and gained accreditation to implement the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Key Stage 5 students to run parallel to its A-Level programme. The school is the first in Romania to earn this accolade.

In 2025, CSB will host its biggest Summer Fair ever in celebration of their anniversary, an event not just about looking back but also about looking forward to an exciting future.

30 Years of Growing Together

As CSB celebrates its 30-Year Anniversary, it marks three decades of growth and success.

CSB has ambitious plans for future developments. These include the construction of two swimming pools, an amphitheatre, a gymnasium, and more. These new facilities will offer fantastic opportunities for students, ensuring they have access to a broad curriculum that equips them with the skills they need for the future.

As we celebrate this milestone, we extend our gratitude to the students, parents, teachers, and community members who have been part of this incredible journey. Together, we will continue to strive for academic success, innovation, and a bright future for all our students.