Guide for Prospective Parents
CGB
Colegio Gran Breta単a Learning for an evolving world
Our School Mission
Vision
Colegio Gran BretaĂąa is founded upon the values of a truly international school community. We work collaboratively to provide a holistic, inclusive and academically challenging educational experience through the medium of English. At CGB we inspire and prepare our learners for an evolving world. Eight essential, and equally important, Foundation Blocks support the day-to-day life of our school and foster intellectually prepared students who discover and embrace the ideals of global citizenship. Through empathy, and progressive teaching and learning we empower everyone to act on their beliefs, thereby cultivating independent thinkers who are able to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.
By 2018 CGB is recognised as a leading educational force in Latin America. It is a unique, internationally minded community which supports learners as they strive for excellence and independence, promoting life-long learning in an evolving world. Whilst maintaining its unity and family-orientated values CGB will embrace the latest in technology and learning theory, ensuring a holistic, and progressive school culture that nurtures socially responsible, environmentally minded and respectful students and global citizens, combining high academic expectations and a commitment to the community. Through a stimulating, flexible, and holistic curriculum, CGB offers an inclusive, balanced and personalised approach to learning, providing opportunities of achievement to learners with different talents, needs and learning styles within a positive learning environment.
CGB’s Foundation Blocks
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From The Director Dear Parents, Colegio Gran Bretaña holds a few basic principles very dear, and these beliefs are at the heart of our mission statement. In fact, these beliefs drive everything we do at school and how we do it. We believe that education should be… * Holistic. School is academically important to prepare students for a demanding and competitive world ahead. But it is much more than just an academic centre. Students are more than future university students and members of a labour force. Education should prepare the whole person to develop the infinite potential they hold inside in numerous areas and prepare them for a balanced life of engagement with community and environment. A student’s cognitive abilities and talents are much more profound than what is often reflected in standardised test scores. * Inclusive. Each one of us is unique. All students need to be provided rich learning experiences and the opportunities, support and recognition necessary to succeed, all within a safe and nurturing environment. Excellence and equity are not mutually exclusive. Hence, we are committed to teaching all of our students. * Personalised. Students are not standardized, and one size does not fit all in education. There are many ways of learning and all of them are valid. Students should know their unique learning styles and be encouraged to advocate for themselves. Educators should be able to respond to diverse needs. These founding principles are at the heart of a broad and balanced curriculum that offers well-known and respected international academic programmes, as well as opportunities for personal growth and enrichment. Our beliefs and mission are underpinned and lived everyday through the eight foundation blocks. Small class sizes, highly qualified teachers and a broad specialized support team ensure that students are treated as individuals and receive the orientation that each one needs to succeed academically and flourish as
a person. Our “No Bully Zone” stance ensures a caring and safe environment for students to learn, explore and make friends. The development of the whole child---not just academic performance---is at the heart of what we do. CGB offers an exclusive, high quality educational service that is unrivaled by any other school in Colombia. A unique and challenging education for an evolving world!
Maureen Fleming Director
“The development of the whole child, not just academic performance, is at the heart of what we do” 3
Reasons to Choose CGB Because Colegio Gran Bretaña... 1. Believes in a personalised, holistic and international education for all of its students. 2. Offers a dynamic, evolving curriculum that is at the forefront of the latest developments in educational research. 3. Has a highly inclusive philosophy. 4. Offers a safe, caring and multicultural environment. 5. Has a total student population of 550 students and an average class size of 18 pupils. 6. Promotes national and international excursions. 7. Has a student:teacher ratio of 6:1 8. Is a No Bully Zone 9. Is the only school in Colombia with an ICELT accreditation. 10. Offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which opens doors for many universities around the world. 11. Is the only truly international school in Colombia with 39 different nationalities 12. Is the only school in Colombia where the medium of instruction is English as a first language, and the curriculum is delivered by qualified, foreign teachers who are first language English speakers. 13. Offers Spanish and Colombian Social studies at different levels responding to pupils’ diverse needs. 14. Was the first school in Colombia to obtain a double international accreditation: NEASC and CIS, complying with
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international quality standards of education. 15. Offers and innovative co-curricular programme. 16. Is a Round Square School
Admissions Step by Step
Step 1: Getting to know CGB
If you are interested in visiting Colegio Gran Breta単a or if you require additional information about our institution please complete the INQUIRY FORM on our webpage. Informative meetings & tours are usually held twice a week. Appointments to attend these meetings must be scheduled in advance.
Step 2: Applying to CGB
Once you have decided you want to apply to CGB, please complete the APPLICATION FORM on our webpage. An appointment for student/parent interviews and testing at the school must be scheduled with the Admissions Office. All candidates are expected to take an admission test, and both parents must be interviewed by the school psychologist.
Step 3: Final decision and registration
The Admissions Committee will review the application once forms and supporting documents have been submitted, and student/parent interview and testing have taken place.
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We offer an Internationally Recognised Curriculum
PRIMARY YEARS – NURSERY TO YEAR 6 The National Curriculum of England for Literacy and Numeracy The International Primary Curriculum for the Foundation Subjects. www.greatlearning.com/ipc/ KEY STAGE 3 – YEAR 7 to YEAR 9 The International Middle Years Curriculum. www.greatlearning.com/imyc/ KEY STAGE 4 – YEAR 10 & YEAR 11 The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) curriculum from the University of Cambridge, England. www.cie.org.uk/ POST 16 – YEAR 12 & YEAR 13 The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. www.ibo.org/
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The curriculum also complies with the requirements of the Colombian Ministry of Education, offering Spanish and Colombian Social Studies at different levels in order to cater for the needs of our student population.
Advantages of Studying in an International School INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM:
EMPHASIS ON EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
Most international schools follow internationally-recognised curriculum such as the International Baccalaureate program. The IB education model is accepted in almost all continents and smoothens entry into college. So, it gives a winning edge to the child in the real world.
Most international schools place a great deal of emphasis on extra-curricular activities like sports, dramatics and talent shows. The curriculum aims at all-round development, so your child gains a lot of confidence and learns value lessons in competitiveness and sportsmanship.
EXPOSURE TO GLOBAL CULTURE:
A BRIGHT START FOR THE CHILD’S FUTURE:
International schools have students from different nationalities and sometimes even faculty from across the globe. Students are therefore exposed to different cultures and lifestyles. This kind of global exposure is hard to come by in a regular school. This is a very important benefit of enrolling in an international school.
Education is the biggest gift that any parent can give to his child. It’s the foundation for a bright future. Learning and growing in an international school can give your child a really competitive advantage in his life ahead. Bryan Smith slideshare.net
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Accreditation COLEGIO GRAN BRETAÑA HAS BEEN INTERNATIONALLY RE-ACCREDITED WITH CIS AND NEASC IN JANUARY 2015
Philisophy and Objetives Student and Community Life
Curriculum
Accreditation ensures that the school meets rigorous criteria and standards in the following areas:
Resources
www.neasc.org
Governance and Management
http://www.cois.org/ Student Support Services
Staff
“Above all, CGB can be extremely proud of the quality of its students. There are many, many students at CGB who personify the values and Foundation Blocks the School has put in place and, in a school where discipline problems are so rare as to be exceptional, it is to the credit of all the adults in the community that the students are such exemplary ambassadors for those values” “There is much about Colegio Gran Bretaña that is exemplary. Courtesy, professionalism, mutual respect and the best interests of the institution are the markers that show the quality of the relationships between the Junta Directiva, the Advisory Board and the School’s leadership, parents and students. Indeed, these values, and others represented in “The Foundation Blocks” permeate the entire school community” “The School is very clearly driven by its Mission and is committed to the promotion of its own sense of internationalism. The notion of what has been adopted as its definition of “International Mindedness”, that the accreditation protocol terms “internationalism/interculturalism,” is one with which the school has grappled and arrived at a place where it feels truly comfortable”
CIS / NEASC Conclusion Report, January 2015 Re-accreditation Awarded
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Outdoor Education BEYOND THE SUMMIT At CGB learning takes place beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. Students develop new perspectives through first-hand experiences, and acquire skills that cannot easily be attained through formal education. We feel strongly that the field trips have a positive impact on our students by affirming leadership and social skills, teamwork, self-awareness, independence, and self-confidence, amongst others. CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME Through the Co-Curricular programme, balance is promoted, students are encouraged to move out of their comfort zone, experiment with something unknown and develop new interests. Wall climbing, swimming, SCUBA diving, photography, French cooking and robotics are just a few of the activities on offer.
HOUSES & OTHER SPORT ACTIVITIES CGB regularly competes in league sports tournaments against other schools. All students belong to one of the four CGB Houses, which offer a range of events and opportunities for intra-school integration and competition. CGB has a strong tradition in rugby and is a leader in school rugby competition both in locally and nationally.
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Colegio Gran Breta単a by numbers Student Demographics
Total Student Enrolment: 537 students Numbers per section of the school are as follows:
KS2 6-10 years old
150
129
123 KS3 10-14 years old
77
KS4 14-16 years old
58 IB 16-18 years old
FS/KS 3-6 years old
Percentage
of nationalities and languages
10
36
27
36 nationalities represented amongst the student body.
144 (27%) have English as a first language.
59 315 (59%) speak Spanish as a first language.
Demographics Teacher Student Ratio
1:6
Students American 13.59% Argentinian 6.52% Bolivian 0.74% Brazilian 5.40% British 3.54% Canadian 3.35% Chilean 0.93% Chinese 0.56% Colombian 32.40% Costa Rican 0.37% Cuban 0.19%
Staff Dutch 0.37% Ecuadorian 2.23% Egyptian 0.19% French 0.56% German 0.37% Israeli 2.05% Malaysian 0.19% Mexican 5.96% Netherlands 0.56% Nicaraguan 0.74% Pakistan 0.37%
Peruvian 2.05% Panamanian 0.19% Portuguese 1.12% South African 1.68% South Korea 0.19% Spanish 2.05% Swedish 0.19% Swiss 0.19% Uriguayan 0.19% Venezuelan 4.66%
95 members of staff in total 93 full time; 2 part time 3 Psychologists 1 Occupational Therapist 1 Speech Therapist 10 Language Specialists 2 Librarians 15 Teaching Assistants 39 Expats (23 British) 56 Colombians 10 nationalities represented amongst the CGB Staff
University Acceptance
ARGENTINA Universidad de Buenos Aires Universidad Torcuato di Tella AUSTRIA University of Applied Arts
BRASIL Centro Universitário São Camilo CANADA University of British Columbia University of Waterloo CHILE Universidad de Chile SWITZERLAND Franklin College ESPAÑA ESADE Barcelona IED, Barcelona
COLOMBIA Universidad de la Sabana Universidad de los Andes Universidad del Bosque Universidad del Rosario Universidad Javeriana Universidad Nacional
ENGLAND Arts Institute of Boumemouth City University London Kingston University Oxford University University of Sheffield MEXICO TEC Monterrey Universidad Anahuac Universidad de las Américas
UNITED STATES Duquense University Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Florida International Hofstra University Miami Dade University Michigan State University Northeastern University Savannah College of Art & Design Texas A&M Trinity University University of Miami University of North Florida University of South Florida Vanderbilt University Virginia Commonwealth University American University Percentage of students with 11 college offerings 100%
Colegio Gran Bretaña Cra 51 # 215 - 20 Bogotá - Colombia Tel: +571 676-03-91 / 6761847 / Celular: 3156013709 admissions@cgb.edu.co www.cgb.edu.co www.facebook.com/cgb.edu.co