The British School of Lome is an independent, co-educational school for students aged three to nineteen. BSL offers boarding facilities to some students. The school was founded 30 years ago. BSL is an IB World School with authorization to use the IB Diploma Programme. The school has boarding facilities for students that come from outside Lome. BSL has approximately 250 students that represent 35 nationalities.

Mission
The school mission is to be the first choice for students who want an international education in West Arica. The school creates responsible global citizens while focusing on the whole child and encouraging academic success.

Facilities
The BSL campus is located in Residence du Benin, a residential area about 5 kilometers from the center of Lome. School facilities include a recreation center, 25 classrooms, 4 science labs, a music suite, an art room, a library, an outdoor theatre, an Early Years unit, 2 technology centers and 9 boarding houses.

Curriculum
The school curriculum is balanced between academics and the arts. It is standards-based. The Primary Years curriculum is based on the British National Curriculum. Students take the IGCSE curriculum in Year 10; the years between the end of primary school and the start of the IGCSE are spent preparing for that. Students that want to attend university can take the IB Diploma programme. BSL has a 3-term school year.

Extracurricular Activities
BSL has a wide range of activities including volleyball, tennis, badminton, rugby, chess, science club, community service, board games, and more.

Technology
The school has 2 ICT labs, and most classrooms have at least one computer. The campus has a limited wireless internet connection that they are working on expanding. IT is taught as one of the subjects in the school curriculum.

Professional Development
No information is available on the school PD program.

Employment
Teachers have a responsibility to be involved with activities for the boarding students. The school website notes that BSL is not a school for teachers who see their job as being “9-5”. Job openings are listed on the school website. Benefits include furnished housing, round-trip transportation, annual home leave at the end of the first contract and thereafter, shipping allowance and medical insurance. No information is given on school salaries.

About Lome
Local food is cheap. There are a number of supermarkets in Lome with imported items that are said to be reasonably priced. Drinkers should note that beer and whiskey is cheaper than in the UK. The city is known for the quality of its restaurants, and there are many serving international cuisine. Seafood is plentiful and inexpensive if you are like me and love seafood. Lome is a malarial area. The Atlantic Ocean is considered to be too dangerous for swimming, but the school provides teachers with a paid membership to its sports complex that includes a 25-meter pool. Lake Togo is suitable for swimming, fishing, wind surfing and jet-skiing and is only 35 kilometers from Lome. Being able to speak French is a benefit for teachers who want to get out and around the area.