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Choosing an International School

Advice on choosing an International School

International schools provide the ideal environment for relocating families, bringing together young people from many different cultures and countries to gain qualifications that are recognised across the globe.

However, for families that are not familiar with international schools; how they work and what they offer, it can be difficult to know what to look for and how to identify the best school for your child.

Age Range

Some international schools do specialize in teaching specific age groups, but for families relocating with children of different ages there are international schools that offers courses for students from the age of 2 to 18 ensuring siblings can attend the same school.

Educational Programmes

International schools offer a range of qualifications to meet the needs of both international and local communities and the best schools will offer advice on the most appropriate qualification for each student, dependent on their situation.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is perhaps the best-known international qualification, offering programmes for students aged 3 – 19. The guiding principal of the IB is individual, independent learning, which means that students that have not previously studied the programme can be given the appropriate level of support help them acclimatise to their new programme of study.

Transition Support

International schools have extensive experience in helping children, and their families, through the relocation transition. Most work closely with their parent body to offer a support partnership to newly arriving students and parents alike, with welcoming committees to provide friendly help and advice to new families.

Often new students are paired with an existing student of similar age and nationality to help the student become familiar with the school routine and make friends more quickly.

English Language Support

For those whose first language in not English and need help with their English language skills, English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided through an international school. For some students, this means regularly scheduled, small group sessions, offered in place of some core subjects. Students generally take these sessions until English proficiency commensurate with their age and grade level is achieved.

Maintaining National Identity

It is also important to bear in mind that whilst the immediate priority for any family relocating abroad is that children become acclimatised to the new country, it is also important for children to maintain a sense of their own national identity, particularly as many children will ultimately return to the country of their birth. The best International schools also giving them the opportunity to express themselves and feel proud of their own nationality.

Guidelines to help you make the right choice of international school

  • Do your homework whilst you are still in your home country and plan well in advance. Websites and school directories will provide a lot of background information, including vision, philosophy and ethos.
  • Look at the school’s most recent inspection report on the OFSTED website
  • Look at indoor and outdoor facilities, class sizes and the ratio of staff to children
  • Look at what extra-curricular activities the school offers to ensure that your child’s interests and enthusiasms are nurtured beyond the regular school day
  • Visit each school and talk to teachers and classroom assistants
  • Talk to other parents who have children at the school you are considering; listen to the positive and the negative things they say
  • Once you have chosen your child’s school, get involved and get to know the staff and other parents

If you are looking for an international school in the UK, look no further than ACS International Schools , a group of independent schools with three campuses in and around London.

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