British Education in Spain for Europe and the World
Welcome to the British School of Alicante The best schools are, without exception, filled with happy children who love going to school. Children who love their teachers and their friends; children who love their maths lessons and their art classes; children who love even their school lunches are children who will achieve the highest grades and go on to do great things.
before. The confident, articulate and out-going young people who leave the BSA are well equipped to take full advantage of the many opportunities that will come their way.
Our main objective, right from the day the school opened in 2000, was to establish a place that gave children plenty of good reasons to love their school. To discover new things, to explore different ways of seeing the world and ultimately, to love learning.
Strangely, we find that this “love of learning� which we instill in our children actually leads them to loving the idea of leaving school. This is not because they are bored or because they lack ambition, but because they want to go further. They want to go to the best universities. They want to learn more. They want to change the world.
You don’t send your child to the British School of Alicante just to make sure they get good grades at A Level and go to University. You send them here because you want them to have their minds stimulated, their intellectual curiosity challenged and their creativity nurtured. We live in a world where the pace of technological, social and professional change is faster and more challenging than ever
Our reputation for excellent academic achievement is a consequence of this simple approach.
I look forward to meeting you and your children, I am sure they will love coming to school here.
Our offer Ethos: We provide endless opportunities to learn, improve and excel. Focus: Our ambition is to support and develop children who are creative in thought, critical in analysis and positive in action Care: Every child matters, every success is celebrated, every mistake is learned from.
Derek Laidlaw Headteacher British School of Alicante
Letter from the Chairman Dr. Roger Fry CBE I founded King’s College, the British School of Madrid over 40 years ago. During this time the school in Madrid has developed into a thriving and energetic community of over 2000 pupils studying on three different sites. The schools in Madrid have deservedly won recognition for consistently producing pupils with outstanding academic achievement and excellent social and language skills. It is therefore both impressive and exciting to see how quickly our school in Alicante has matched our longer established school in Madrid. Alicante is no longer our “younger cousin” on the Mediterranean, instead it plays an integral and increasingly important role in the group. Being part of an educational group allows all our schools, whether in Alicante, Madrid, Murcia or the UK, to benefit from shared knowledge and experience. It would be fair to say that King’s College, Alicante has proved to be an unqualified success. So it is with great pleasure that I invite you to read the school brochure. I recommend you visit the school so you can gauge for yourself what a creative, exciting and energetic school it is.
Chairman
History 1969, Madrid: King's College is founded. 2000, Alicante: An association of parents establish the British School of Alicante with less than 100 pupils. King's College provides consultancy to the parents’ committee and the teachers' senior management team. 2003, Alicante: Rapid growth and the opening of a secondary department develops the engagement between King's College and the BSA. The parents decide to invite King's Group to take over the running and management of their school which is renamed: "King's College, the British School of Alicante".
All of the schools in King's Group are founded upon three key values: Faith: Self-belief comes first and foremost from the trust and loyalty found between teachers, pupils, friends and family.
Honesty: Being open, fair and morally responsible demonstrates a personal integrity that serves everyone well now and in the future
Courage: Brave and confident when 2007: The first cohort of pupils that started the school as five year olds pass their A levels and go on to study at universities in the UK, Spain and around the world.
confronted with difficulties. Bold and enterprising when the opportunity presents itself.
Our Philosophy To sustain and develop an educational environment in which all students are able to fulfil their maximum potential, both as individuals and as members of a community.
Our Objectives School Environment To provide a safe, secure, positive and enjoyable environment for the young people entrusted to us.
Academic Achievement To help and encourage our students to achieve the highest levels of academic success, optimising the best features of the British educational system set in an international environment.
Personal Development To assist our young people in preparing for adult life by encouraging traditional Christian values and fostering self-assurance, mutual respect and a sense of duty.
Recognised Leader To ensure that King's College retains its place as a recognised leader in education within the national and international communities.
Financial Strength To maintain financial security to sustain the ongoing development of the school and its facilities.
“Throughout the school, the pupils have well-developed skills for learning and their attitudes are positive and productive.� ISI inspection report March 2006
Good Employer To provide an environment that attracts and retains the highest calibre of staff and which encourages the continuing professional and personal development of the individual.
Social Commitment To ensure that King's College maintains and expands its respected position in the local community.
Cultural Enrichment To ensure that pupils benefit from Spain's language, history and culture through complementary Spanish studies.
Official Status King's College, the British School of Alicante is the only school in the Valencian Community inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) of England and Wales. The ISI is the statutory body approved by the British Government's Department for Children, Schools and Families for the inspection of independent schools. The ISI's standards are rigourous and all inspection reports are public documents. The British School of Alicante is an accredited member of COBIS (The Council of British International Schools) which is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council of England and NABSS (the National Association of British Schools in Spain). The Ministry of Culture, Education and Sport of the Valencian Community has authorised the British School of Alicante to teach the National Curriculum of England and Wales from Nursery to Year 11 (DOGV: 5.390) and also to teach a British Curriculum to A Level students in Years 12 and 13 (DOGV: 5.487). Two classes each week are dedicated to teaching Valencian. The British School of Alicante is an official examination centre for the University of Cambridge and Edexcel International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I.G.C.S.E) and General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (G.C.E. A Levels).
The Teachers All our staff are experienced, professional and qualified. The school keeps teaching staff up-to-date with latest educational developments from the UK with regular inservice training and an annual training conference for teachers.
School Organisation King’s College, Alicante comprises two schools which are organised according to standard UK age groups. Primary starts with Early Years and continues to Key Stage 2
AGE (YRS) YEAR GROUP
Early Years
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
3-5
5-7
7 - 11
Nursery Reception
Year 1 and 2
Year 3 to 6
EXTERNAL
KS2 SATs
EXAMINATIONS
Secondary covers Key Stages 3, 4 and Sixth Form
AGE (YRS) YEAR GROUP EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Sixth Form
11 - 14
14 - 16
16 - 18
Year 7 to 9
Year 10 to 11
Year 12 to 13
Pupils choose options to study at IGCSE
Pupils choose options to study at A Level
IGCSE Exams
AS & A2 Exams
“Everything about the school is impressive. From the buildings and technology to the enthusiastic and passionate teachers and the care and attention they give to each child” “Every morning my son literally jumps out of the car and runs into school. Not because he is late, but because he loves it so much.”
Early Years Learning English, making friends, having fun.
Nursery to 5 years old Almost everyone can remember their first day at school. The first few years at school form the foundation for future learning. At King’s College, Alicante we take a child centered approach to the curriculum. All our teachers are professionally certified and registered with the British Department for Children, Schools and Families. Teachers in the Nursery and Reception classes focus on developing a positive approach to learning in the three, four and five year olds that are in their care. We want our children to enjoy coming to school and we want to nurture their natural enthusiasm for learning. The well resourced classrooms reflect this focus by displaying children’s work on the walls and presenting good work in assemblies. Listening to, and speaking in, English starts from the very first day at school. It is impresive how quickly young minds can capture, adapt and start communicating in a new language. Each class has its own class teacher who is supported by an assistant ensuring that your child is always given the best care and attention. Socialising and play in the school play-grounds is a key part of the school day and is always supervised by adults. Sports and games are introduced as an extension of other parts of the curriculum.
Play to Learn "Maria loves her school. I wish I had gone to a school with such enthusiasm."
Through a mixture of play, group activity and free exploration, young children learn about the world around them. As children grow physically and mentally they start to make important connections between different objects, people and various kinds of social interaction. At King's College, Alicante we take play very seriously. We work hard to structure play in a way that encourages and nurtures the development of perception, reason and logical thinking at the same time as being great fun. Learning from first hand experience ensures all our pupils make progress towards the next levels of social, linguistic and creative development.
What will your child be doing? Usually the children start the day with a class assembly or group conversation where plans are made and news is exchanged. Once the meeting has finished each child will know what he or she will be doing for the morning. Most activites are done in small groups, focused on a particular theme, with the help of a teacher or a classroom assistant. Individual attention is used to help pupils reach particular objectives. During the day there are regular breaks and opportunities to play outside with an range of equipment and toys in the Early Years playground. Lunch is followed by a siesta which gives young minds and bodies a chance to recuperate before launching into an afternoon full of interesting activities, new experiences and projects.
Early Years Foundation Stage The Early Years department focuses on three areas central to speaking English: Communication, Language and Literacy. The objective is to get all our pupils speaking, listening, reading and writing in English as quickly as possible. We ensure the children have access to a rich and stimulating environment and a range of different activities and projects that are designed to provide excellent opportunities to develop their English. Nurturing early readers with picture books and having the teachers read to children every day are good ways to convert our pupils into enthusiastic readers for the rest of their lives. From the very start children are encouraged to develop their writing skills by using pictures and symbols to communicate meaning. In Mathematics too there are three areas of particular focis: Numbers as labels for counting, using numbers to do calculations and looking at shapes, spaces and measurement.
Areas of Learning •
Communication, Language and Literacy
•
Knowlege and understanding of the World
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Physical development
•
Creative development
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Personal, social and emotional development
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Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
"I love my classroom I like it when we read and when we do music"
Primary Taking a structured approach to developing creative, inquiring minds. Key Stages 1 and 2 Ages 5 - 11
Developing • • • • •
Literacy Numeracy Learning to think Creativity Friendships
All intellectual development is based upon reasoning, creativity and judgment; along with a certain amount of memorisation. In the Primary department our pupils are introduced to a broadbased programme of lessons that encourage them to apply these fundamental skills to four core subject areas: English, Maths, Science and ICT. The aim is twofold: Firstly, to practice and develop more sophisticated approaches to the ideas and skills explored in the infant classes. Secondly, to begin to acquire blocks of knowledge, as defined by the core subject areas, and when possible apply them to the six foundation subjects. Children learn faster and more effectively when skills and concepts are applied across a range of different subjects and when knowledge learned in one area can be applied to another. Our aim is to do this in a challenging intellectual and academic environment. Creativity in the sciences and humanities depend on clearly structured process for learning about and exploring new ideas. Inspirational and caring teachers make this an exciting and stimulating time for pupils. They learn the importance of individual study skills as well as team work.
Core Subjects: • English literacy: As well as reading and writing, literacy involves the development speaking and listening skills. • Mathematics: Numeracy is developed as a key to understanding other subjects as well as a beautiful and fascinating subject in its own right. • Science: From designing simple fair tests to observational drawing • ICT: ICT skills are taught in lessons and through practical opportunities in other subjects.
Foundation Subjects: •
History
•
Geography
•
Music
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Spanish and Valencian
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Art and Design
•
Design Technology
•
Physical Education
•
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education)
“Every child matters. Your child is our priority.”
Typical School Day •
9:00am - School starts
•
10:40am - 20 minute break
•
12:30am - Lunch and playtime
•
2:00pm - classes resume
•
3:30pm - 30 minute break
•
4:30pm - Classes finish,
•
4:35pm - After school activities
•
5:30pm - School closes for the day
“I was quite scared of being in Secondary, but actually it is great. All the big children are really nice and friendly. They help you a lot.”
Secondary Building on strong foundations. Key stages 3 and 4 Ages 11 - 16 King's College, Alicante brings out the best in young people. The secondary school is a happy, busy, stimulating place where each and every child is valued, cared-for and educated to the very higest standards. Each day our aim is to develop the strengths and abilities of our pupils and establish a love of learning, ambition and a selfbelief in their individual potential. Year 7 sees our pupils start work on a well proven, compulsory and comprehensive secondary curriculum. In Year 10 and 11 choices have to be made about the subjects they wish to take at GCSE. It is expected that pupils will take 8 or 9 GCSEs, which in most cases include: • • • • •
Sciences English Language English Literature Mathematics Spanish
Each pupil can then choose from: • • • • • • • •
History Geography French Art Information Technology Business Studies Music Physical Education
The Virtuous Circle of Education
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IGCSEs Success in examinations Teachers know better than anyone that exam results can never be a totally reliable or realistic measure of a child's potential or progress. However at King's College, Alicante we find that exam success comes as a result of the passion that our teachers transmit to our pupils and the particular attention we give to encourage individual achievement. The IGCSE exam results of our pupils are hugely impressive and improve each year.
“I love, love, love being in the Sixth Form. We are treated like adults and have to take more responsibility for our own learning. It is great.”
Sixth Form Playing to interests and strengths. Enjoying what you do, in depth.
Age 16+ The Sixth Form takes a rigorous approach to academic study, creative thinking and social engagement. At this stage in their education our pupils are expected to take more responsibility for their own learning as well as helping the rest of the school community to grow and flourish. All our sixth formers are encouraged to participate in activities that connect the school with the local community. The school's aim is to develop high achieving individuals with the outstanding communication skills needed to excel at university or in the workplace. Our pupils are encouraged to think and act for themselves. When they think for themselves, they inevitably appreciate how important it is to take care of others. All Year 12 pupils take at least four subjects at AS level. Most pupils will drop one subject so they can focus on their A2 exams in Year 13. Class sizes are typically between six and ten pupils – enough to encourage creative thinking and expression, but small enough so that teachers can focus on individual needs and interests.
The Results The school offers a great environment to learn in. The practical result of working hard, playing hard and having fun is that teachers and pupils give their very best. Our excellent, and constantly improving A-Level results are an important measure of both whole school progress and the individual progress of our pupils. These exams are used by universities and colleges around the world to select which students they will invite to study at degree level. Of course they cannot measure the full strength or depth of the intellectual and social development of our pupils, but they do offer a good guide and we are very proud of our academic record.
Our pupils have been awarded places at the following Universities:
Aberystwyth Alicante Madrid Aston Barcelona Brunel Central Lancashire Chester Coventry East London Exeter Farnham Manchester Portsmouth Reading Roehampton Sheffield Surrey Teeside Valencia
Access to learning 24/7 Our Virtual Learning Environment (BSA Moodle) is an on-line information service where teaching notes, homework and extended study materials are collected by teachers and accessed by pupils wherever they are working. The Virtual Learning Environment has been especially designed so that homework cannot be “accidentally thrown away”, “left on the bus” or “eaten by pet hamsters!”
Information, Communication Technology Teaching at the speed of light. ICT is a central and increasingly sophisticated part of the modern classroom. All our teachers from Early Years to Sixth Form are trained to integrate ICT into their lessons. ICT is just as likely to engage and educate children studying History, Geography, Art or Languages as Maths and Science. Every classroom in the school has a high speed internet connection. Every secondary class has a digital projector and every year group in the Primary School has an interactive white board. Every child is encouraged to be a critical and careful user of these new ways of learning. There is also a network of computers available for personal study in the Library.
Science “Powered by technology, fueled by information and driven by knowledge.” The products of scientific innovation permeate almost every aspect of our daily lives. This is why the school invests so much money, time and energy in our scientific and technological infrastructure. We recruit the very best teachers; Scientists and subject specialists who can communicate a passion for their subject to children. Our teachers understand how to integrate scientific thinking, critical analysis and the creative process into their science lessons. Doing practical work and experimentation in Biology, Chemistry and Physics encourages all our pupils to develop an interest and focus on science as a way of understanding the world. Our objective is to ensure that pupils are inspired by scientific study and become confident enough in their experience to choose to do a university degree in Science, Engineering or Medicine. The Science Department runs an extremely popular extracurricular lunchtime science club that encourages hands-on experimentation, building and testing of ideas, systems and machines.
“Everyone in my class wants to do Science Club. It is science with added fun. We do lots of crazy tests and strange experiments that you remember when you do Science in class.”
Sports “Work hard. Play hard. Have fun.” Being situated so close to the Mediterranean allows King’s College, Alicante to take full advantage of a warm and sunny climate as well as drawing on the best of a strong and proud British sporting culture. All our pupils from the very youngest child in the nursery to the tallest, strongest sixth-former are encouraged to participate and discover something
“I´ll always remember the Swimming Gala and the school Sports Day. I was totally exhausted but very happy”
about themselves and their friends through sports and games. Over the years we have had several outstanding young sports players attend the school. We know that fair play, team work and a competitive spirit are more important than winning; But that winning can be great fun too.
Sports at King’s College, Alicante Infrastructure: Astro-turf pitch, tennis courts, sports hall, gymnasium Early Years: Running, throwing, catching, having fun Primary: Playing as a team, collaborative exercise Secondary:
Inter-school competitions. Physical training and
competitive sports Sixth Form: Personalised fitness programmes, individual coaching
"it isn't just "playing to win" but learning respect for others, teamwork, determination, self-discipline and passion"
Extracurricular Sports Activities Lunchtime and extracurruclar activities: • • • • • • • •
Judo Football Spanish Dance Ballet Basketball Capoeira Tennis Sailing
Expressive and Creative Arts New ways of seeing and doing. The creative impulse defines the best and most valued elements of humanity. Creativity can be found in every classroom and every subject studied at the school. The artistic expression of this creative process is most clearly seen on the walls of the school. The school's corridors and classrooms display a constantly changing collection of the very best work produced by our pupils. The expression of creativity and the recognition of outstanding work are values that the school takes very seriously. From the Nursery to the Sixth Form Art, Music, Drama and Dance all play an important role in the day-to-day life of the school. There are regular music concerts and every week children are encouraged to perform at assemblies.
The school has a large, well equipped music room as well as a studio dedicated to Art. There are many extra-curricular opportunities to learn or polish skills in music, dance and drama. We believe that to play a musical instrument in front of an audience or to paint a picture to be displayed on a wall or to take part in a dramatic performance all build confidence and self-belief. The expression of creativity is central to the school’s ethos and values. These are the values that help make the wider school community of parents and grandparents appreciate what the school stands for.
Extracurricular Creativity Lunchtime and extracurruclar activities: • • • • • • • • •
Ballet Brilliant Intelligence Ceramics Chess Drama and Puppet Workshop Fun, Music and Expression Painting and Handcraft Piano, Violin, Drums and Guitar Spanish Dance
Uniform We want all our pupils to look smart, tidy and business-like in their school uniforms. Taking pride in the way you present yourself matters. The rules governing uniform are very clear and are enforced in a firm but fair way. We think that a uniform helps children integrate into the school and makes it easier for them to focus on learning and developing strong, confident personalities, rather than constantly worrying about their appearance.
Transport The school is situated about 3 kilometres south of Alicante city. The school offers a bus service on several routes collecting children from across the Alicante area from as far North as Campello and as far South as Torrevieja. Children are managed by bus monitors who ensure their safety on the bus as well as making sure that they are handed over to a responsible adult on their journey home.
Health School nurse Schools are busy, bustling places. Occasional tumbles, bumps, cuts and grazes are an inevitable, albeit painful, part of growing up. The school has a dedicated nurse who takes care of the whole school. Everything from a bruised knee to a runny nose or headache is reported to the nurse who takes charge of the child. Usually a bit of skilled nursing is enough to repair the damage and the child is sent back to class. If special treatment or extra care is required the child is taken to a nearby medical centre. In these cases the child's parents are informed as a matter of urgency.
Meals Lunch is served to all pupils every day. Younger children are given a three course meal supervised by their teachers and their classroom assistants. Older pupils use a self-service system that offers them more choice. Menus are designed to provide a healthy, balanced diet. The menus and the food served are regularly checked by independent consultants. These specialists in childhood nutrition also advise the school on menu design and kitchen hygene. Every month menus are sent to parents and can be downloaded from the school website.
Special Menus Vegetarian and vegan options are avaiable for all pupils.
Glorieta del Reino Unido 5 03008 Alicante Tlf: +34 965 106 351 Tlf: +34 965 108 096 email: info@bsalicante.com www.bsalicante.com