BSN Senior School Leidschenveen is Shutting Down and What That Means to the European Patent Office (EPO)
Follow-up meeting with Site Manager VP1 on school matters
Less than a week ago a letter was sent to a faithful servant of the "Alicante Mafia", EPO Vice-President Steve Rowan, who is basically British (Welsh). He does have some background in trademarks, but not in patents. He's at the EPO because of connections and factors we covered last week.
"Following the Local Staff Committee The Hague’s meeting with VP1 Steve Rowan, Site Manager, on 21 April 2026 (see report here)," the Local Staff Committee The Hague wrote to staff, "a dedicated follow-up meeting on school matters was held with VP1 and members of the administration on 17 June 2026."
"Following the meeting," they said, "and in particular in view of the situation affecting families concerned by the closure of the secondary school of the British School in the Netherlands, the Local Staff Committee The Hague also sent an open letter to VP1 requesting exceptional measures to support the affected colleagues and their children."
Here is the open letter in full:
European Patent Office
Patentlaan 2
2288 EE Rijswijk
NETHERLANDSLocal Staff Committee
The Haguedhstcom@epo.org
Date: 25.06.2026
Ref: sc26013hl
European Patent Office | 2288EE RIJSWIJK | NETHERLANDS
Mr Steve Rowan
Vice-President Patent Granting Process.By email: vp1@epo.org
copy to: socialdialogue@epo.org
OPEN LETTER
Closure of the British School – Request for exceptional measures
Dear VP1, dear Steve,
Following our recent meeting on 17 June 2026 on schooling in the Netherlands, we wish to revert to the situation created by the announced closure of the BSN Senior School Leidschenveen.
Staff Representation would like to reiterate its serious concern regarding the announced closure and its significant impact on the affected families. This situation gives rise to immediate challenges in terms of continuity of education, financial burden, and daily logistics for many colleagues.
We have already been informed of cases where families who started looking for alternative schools after the closure announcement are now facing late cancellation fees from BSN, even though they are still awaiting final offers or enrolment confirmations. This illustrates how the short deadlines and uncertainty created by the closure can place families under significant financial pressure, in addition to the educational and logistical difficulties already identified.
As discussed during the meeting, we respectfully request that the Administration provide appropriate support to the affected families by:
1. maintaining the transitional measures provided under Article 20 of CA/D 4/21, including in cases where families are compelled to change school as a direct consequence of the closure;
2. financing transportation between campuses where pupils are required to attend different BSN sites during the phase-out period; and
3. closely monitoring the phase-out process, ensuring that affected families are informed promptly and transparently of any developments, and providing support as required.
We remain available to engage constructively with the Administration in order to identify appropriate solutions that adequately address the concerns of the affected colleagues.
We thank you for your attention to this matter.
Best regards,
Isabelle Brandt, on behalf of the Local Staff Committee The Hague
The document they are referring to is as recent as 2 days ago. It is 5 pages in length:
Staff Committee The Hague
Comité du personnel de La Haye
Personalausschuss Den HaagRijswijk, 29 June 2026
sc26014hpLSCTH follow-up meeting
with VP1 on schoolsDear colleagues,
Following the meeting of 21 April 2026 with Steve Rowan (VP1), in his capacity as Site Manager for The Hague, a dedicated follow-up meeting was held with him to discuss the situation of schools in The Hague. The meeting was also attended by members of the Administration: Frédéric Robillard (School Liaison Officer), Gema Requena Sempere (People), Konstantinos Kortsaris (President's Office), Maria Arranz Gomez (Social Dialogue Secretariat), Maria Castellanos (Community Relations), Mohammed El Hadouchi (Pension and Remuneration), and Steffen Peschgens (People Planning and Talent Management).
The meeting focused in particular on the British School in the Netherlands, the European School The Hague, children with special needs, and the practical consequences of the Education and Childcare Allowance Reform.
1. British School in the Netherlands
VP1 informed the Local Staff Committee (LSCTH) that he had had a discussion with the British School in the Netherlands following the announcement that the Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL) site would be phased out and that SSL activities would be moved to Voorschoten.
The Administration recalled that the BSN is an independent school and that the EPO had not been involved in the decision-making process. The Office had learned of the decision at the same time as the wider school community. It was also noted that the number of EPO children attending the BSN had decreased over time, although the broader picture differs between schools in the region.
The LSCTH raised several concerns received from parents. One issue concerns families currently covered by transitional measures under the Education and Childcare Allowance Reform (ECAR). Some parents may now need to change school because their children would otherwise be split between several campuses or face impractical logistics. Staff representatives asked whether such families could be allowed to move to another suitable school, such as the
American School, while remaining covered by the transitional regime, especially where the tuition fees are comparable to those of the BSN.
VP1 invited the LSCTH to submit such a request formally in writing so that the Administration could assess it properly. Following the meeting, the LSCTH therefore addressed an open letter to VP1 concerning the closure of the British School, requesting exceptional measures for the affected families.
The question of transport between campuses was also discussed during the meeting. It was noted that some BSN proposals under discussion may include transportation arrangements. VP1 stated that the Office could raise these concerns with the BSN and encourage appropriate mitigating measures, while recognising that the school remains independent.
Staff representatives also asked whether the closure could be delayed, for example by one year, in order to allow certain pupils to complete their studies at Leidschenveen. VP1 acknowledged the concern but noted that any transition inevitably affects some cohorts. He also pointed out that keeping a school open after closure has been announced may itself create difficulties, since pupil numbers, teaching stability and the overall life of the school may progressively decline.
VP1 confirmed his willingness to remain involved in contacts with the BSN where this could be useful, including by participating in meetings with the school.
2. Capacity of the European School The Hague
The LSCTH asked whether the European School The Hague (ESH) could absorb pupils who might leave the BSN as a result of the Leidschenveen closure.
The Administration replied that the ESH has already been absorbing increased demand from EPO parents. This is being monitored closely, also in view of possible future growth from other international organisations such as Europol. It was indicated that discussions are ongoing with the school and the municipal authorities regarding capacity, and that measures have already been taken or planned to secure additional space.
The Administration referred in particular to additional capacity at secondary level that would soon become available and stated that the current premises have been secured for the coming years. It also noted that any further long-term solution would depend on the municipality, which is responsible for school housing.
The LSCTH stressed that, despite these assurances, parents continue to hear from the school that capacity remains a serious concern, at both primary and secondary levels. The Administration replied that capacity is a standing item on the agenda and is followed closely, including by the new School Liaison Officer, who is in regular contact with the ESH.
VP1 added that the issue of schooling is systematically raised in contacts with Dutch authorities, including the Ambassador for International Organisations, and with other international organisations in The Hague. He underlined that the availability of stable and high-quality schooling is essential for the attractiveness of The Hague as a host city for international organisations.
3. Mother tongue teaching and cost-saving measures at the ESH
The LSCTH then raised concerns regarding recent measures announced or discussed at the ESH. Staff representatives mentioned in particular possible changes to mother tongue teaching, the merging of small language-section classes, and other measures which parents perceive as linked to the school’s structural financial difficulties.
The LSCTH stressed that mother tongue teaching is one of the central reasons why many parents choose the European School system. Any perceived reduction in this area is therefore particularly sensitive and risks alarming parents.
The Administration replied that it is fully aware of the measures being discussed or implemented at the school. Concerning the planned merger of classes, it stated that such arrangements are not unusual where pupil numbers are low and have been used in other language sections and European Schools. It added that additional support is normally foreseen when two levels are combined.
Regarding mother tongue teaching, the Administration explained that the measure was understood as a restructuring of the timetable rather than a reduction of teaching. The objective would be to reorganise the distribution of teaching time in a way compatible with the overall functioning of the school.
The Administration nevertheless emphasised that mother tongue teaching is followed very closely by the Office. It acknowledged that this is one of the main added values of the European School compared with other international schools and stated that the Office is firm in asking the school not to undermine this essential feature.
The LSCTH welcomed the fact that the issue is being monitored, but stressed that communication with parents remains crucial, since repeated cost-saving measures create anxiety and undermine confidence in the long-term stability of the school.
4. Practical consequences of the Education and Childcare Allowance Reform
Staff representatives then raised a series of difficulties linked to the practical application of the Education and Childcare Allowance Reform (ECAR).
The LSCTH explained that several cases may be regarded as not fitting neatly into the provisions as originally drafted. The Service Regulations could be applied
strictly while still respecting colleagues’ right to the education allowance; however, the approach currently chosen by the Administration in such cases is detrimental and discriminatory for the colleagues affected. Examples include children who need to change school because of force majeure, school trips for which the reimbursement rules are unclear when the trip does not take place every year, and questions concerning the definition of full-time attendance under Article 71 and Circular 411.
Staff representatives therefore asked whether the Office has a policy for dealing with such cases in a practical and caring manner, rather than forcing colleagues into litigation.
The Administration replied that it seeks to apply the education allowance rules as consistently as possible for all staff. It also recalled that the President had committed to a full review of the ECAR five years after its entry into force, and that this review is expected to start towards the end of 2026.
The Administration invited Staff Representation to raise concrete cases so that they can be examined.
The LSCTH welcomed the prospect of a review but stressed that affected colleagues are facing difficulties now. In its view, the Office should use its duty of care to resolve such cases pragmatically and avoid unnecessary appeals wherever possible.
5. Children with special needs
The LSCTH returned to the particularly sensitive issue of education support for children with special needs.
Staff representatives reported that more cases are emerging in which parents are suddenly denied support necessary for their child’s education. In some cases, families had apparently received support for years, only to be confronted with a sudden change in treatment. The LSCTH stressed that, while the number of affected families may be small, the consequences for those families are very significant.
The Administration replied that it was aware of one specific case and that, in that instance, it had not identified a change linked to the ECAR. Rather, the issue appeared to concern harmonisation of practice and the distinction between possible Cigna coverage and reimbursement under the education allowance framework.
The Administration asked Staff Representation to provide the additional cases mentioned, so that the situation could be properly understood. It emphasised that it cannot assess the matter in general terms without the details of the individual cases.
The LSCTH replied that the families concerned may already be known to HR, since they generally contact Staff Representation only after having received negative replies. Staff representatives nevertheless agreed to provide a list of cases after consulting with the parents concerned so that the matter can be reviewed.
VP1 concluded that Staff Representation should follow up with the Administration on both the BSN-related requests and the special-needs cases. The LSCTH reiterated that these cases should be treated with particular care and, wherever possible, resolved administratively rather than through litigation.
Kind regards,
Your outgoing Local Staff Committee The Hague
About a decade ago we pointed out that recruitment of British people had plunged at the EPO. They don't wish to relocate or even apply for a job at such a notorious employer. █