Maybe we can’t predict the future of our children but we can definetely prepare them for it!
EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY Education is a recognized priority, not only for governments globally, but also for society as a whole. It is the key to preparing a nation for the emergence of the knowledge economy and its increased demands for skills and human capital. Our roles change throughout life according to context and this is a fact. More than ever before there is an urge to focus more closely on the needs, aptitudes and aspirations of individual students, especially through constantly changing times where most educational models are being challenged. As changing social and economic conditions increase the need for learning, education globally changes, so too technological advances alter the way that we learn. Education is the route to equality of opportunity for all and can help people to release their potential not only during their time at school but also throughout their working lives.
WHAT IS SoFIA® School of the Future International Academy (“SoFIA®”) is a unique, carefully designed, awarded and certified educational and administrative model, that achieves excellent academic and operational results. The SoFIA model can be adjusted and embedded in any Local or International educational system. We have developed and implemented an Educational Model which successfully confronts and addresses the challenges and skill requirements for students in the 21st century. Our philosophy focuses on cultivating 21st century competencies through a combination of knowledge, skills and values. Our students expand their knowledge, advance their skills and enhance their values, thus enabling them to create an empowered community, where learning is continuous, adaptive, relevant and effective.
VISION The vision of SoFIA® is to globally share our elite learning transformation educational framework.
MISSION Our mission is to globally share our elite learning transformation educational framework that successfully confronts the continuous educational changes thus preparing students to become “future ready” global citizens. Our purpose is to ignite all school stakeholders helping to form a passionate personal responsibility for educators and students towards learning and inspiring their commitment to active citizenship. We offer a global educational character and a holistic educational model that nurtures the talent, skills and competences of students on a personalized basis envisioning a network of schools that will share excellence.
WHY SoFIA®? • Is a fresh new educational model that improves the way children learn through its unique methodology, offering innovative learning resources, teaching facilities and integrated technological advances, improves the way children learn. • Focuses on the needs, aptitudes and aspirations of individual pupils. • Is based on the fundamental concepts of the most highly recognized international educational systems (UK, USA, Australia, Northern Europe etc) and reputable best practices. • Is able to embrace any local educational system requirements. • Can assist participating schools in becoming part of a wider global learning community, sharing and exchanging knowledge, know – how and management. • Offers a sound, adjustable and comprehensive administration model that assists schools with their daily operations and improves their performance. • Is developed by a highly reputable and leading private school “Recognized for Excellence” by EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) based on the school’s 100 years of experience, know-how and research.
SoFIA® COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES SoFIA® deploys a balanced variety of teaching methods in order to enhance not only the learning experience but also to personalize learning and meet our objectives for every student. These methods are able to considerably enhance the opportunities and professional learning environment of the teacher and create a dynamic and personalized learning environment for the student. • Delivers, achieves and certifies 21st century competencies; • Develops and enhances creativity and innovation; • Offers personalized learning; • Shapes students to become global citizens through local appreciation; • Helps achieve national and international awards; • Shares excellence and best practices through strategic partnerships and standardised procedures; • Is based on a certified model by EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management); • Enhances social responsibility themes; • Greatly supports & builds on the alumni involvement.
SoFIA® CONCEPT The concept offers a more holistic approach for the student but also for the educator and the parent. The school, by using our Educational Model and methodologies becomes more: • Creative: By developing unique learning methods, our students become motivated through team activities and projects and bring out the maximum creative abilities of our educators and students. • Cheerful: Through a unique schooling environment the activities of each class are further developed through the playground motions, school adventures and experiential learning based cultural and athletic events. • Useful: By empowering students with the most appropriate skills and values, properly combined with knowledge acquisition, our students become better equipped to confront their demanding modern lives. • Effective: By achieving our objectives and effectively driving student performance, our students certify their life competencies and succeed in University entry. …thus resulting in a better learning experience.
SoFIA® EDUCATIONAL MODEL Our educational model is based on 3 Axes: • Goals; what kind of students do we want to develop and nurture; • Methodology; how do we achieve our targets; and • Means; what kind of tools do we need in order to support our philosophy and procedures. SoFIA® uses the 1:1 methodology (1 student: 1 PC) effectively and the balanced implementation of a variety of teaching models in order to enhance not only the learning experience but also to personalize learning and meet our learning objectives for every student. The teaching methods that are used interchangeably (and dependent on the learning outcome objective) are the: • Teacher-centered methods • Student-centered methods • Teamwork-centered methods We always aim to exploit and maximise the classroom impact of new technologies by emphasizing motivational contexts, key skills, critical thinking and global awareness.
SoFIA® ADMINISTRATION MODEL The educational concept is supported by a sound administrative model which: • Is based on the fundamental concepts of the most highly recognized international quality management models. • Delivers a better, more efficient school operation through its standardized procedures, Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and structured organization. • Embeds the appropriate internal controls for “economy”, “efficiency” and “effectiveness”. • Creates outstanding financial results and increased revenues. • Ensures a sustainable and cost-effective operation, infrastructure and equipment management system.
Embedded into existing educational organizations
Embedded into new educational organizations
International partnerships Consulting and management
Local partnerships
Accreditation of educational organizations
Business partnerships
SoFIA® BUSINESS MODEL SoFIA® is a business opportunity in the education sector. The company is exploring opportunities with: • investors and partners to develop its international organization that will build, organize, manage, consult and certify educational organizations under the SoFIA® education and administration model; • businesses, educational foundations and organizations to form collaborations that will apply its education and administration model in their organization. With the help of educational partners and educational organizations we envision the SoFIA® Academic network as a knowledge hub supported by educational partners and organizations that will support its members continuously by: • • • • •
Sharing best practices; Transferring know – how; Exploring international opportunities; Facilitating as a knowledge hub; Assisting on – going research & development; • Standardising procedures & processes to create economies of scale.
EXAMPLES OF INNOVATION Learning Map The Learning Map is the core of a school’s multidimensional planning, used at every school level. It provides a comprehensive developmental pathway to learning that extends and expands from kindergarten to senior High School. It closely monitors education specifications such as “Common Core Standards” and Competency Based Education. This allows students, teachers and parents to follow the expected progress milestones for each subject area of the curriculum from grade to grade. It dynamically balances knowledge, skills and values towards a better learning experience. Communication, collaboration, critical & creative thinking, information - connecting - sharing, kinesthetic features (among other 21st century skills) are necessary for students to adapt to constantly changing situations and to confront the dynamic nature of our world. Through the Learning Μap, linked horizontally to the knowledge content, we enhance and develop skills needed in the modern world. The development of the student’s emotional intelligence and personality through gaining sensitivities about contemporary ethical and social issues is also one of the aims of SoFIA. The Life Values Program, embedded in the Learning Map, is implemented through a wide range of multifaceted activities that reflect the needs of each age group and focuses on skills important in everyday life (e.g. cultural and environmental awareness, personal development, healthy living, and experiential learning).
Career Counseling The Career Counseling Program is focused on raising awareness in key areas such as: personality traits, skills, values and interests. The reports of the counseling sessions are conducted by psychologists and specialist consultants to make use of specific resources leading to effective career decisions. Young students have a say in their careers and learn how to effectively manage their goals in S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely-bound) measurable terms.
Physical Education “a healthy mind in a healthy body” The expanded Physical Education program aims to develop knowledge and skills relating to healthy and active lifestyles, as well as build self - confidence and social values. From Kindergarten, students are supported to systematically create a lifelong positive approach to healthy activity and living and overcome any movement difficulties. Through robust performance indicators, each student’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated, their fitness level is recorded and the results are reported regularly. Physical Education is correlated directly with the Life Values Program, focusing on interdisciplinary issues such as time management and healthy living.
Cultural Activities Cultural activities promote and enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of culture and its importance on local and global issues as well as social and personal values. Through a variety of themed events such as theatrical presentations, concerts, plays, presentations and other activities, students not only have a chance to appreciate by witnessing, but also by organizing and participating in such events.
The student PC, a dynamic tool (1:1) Students have, from grade 4 onwards, their own lightweight portable ‘electronic schoolbag’ (tablet) and are connected wirelessly to classroom equipment (interactive whiteboard, projector, audio equipment) while enjoying wireless Internet access. All digital educational material, e.g. e-books, notebooks, multimedia sources, general and educational applications, assessment tools etc., is included on every student’s tablet, and also shared in the school’s digital learning environment. Each classroom allows for a safe modular exploitation of space, enabling the teacher to create an environment with alternative set-ups that encourages communication, teamwork and fosters creativity.
Open Learning Spaces Open Learning Spaces enhance the co-teaching of two or more different educational subjects according to the needs of interdisciplinary projects, thus enhancing collaboration, active participation and project based learning. The equipment, IT and structure arrangement can change according to the class and students’ specific needs and to the educational activity in order to enhance teamwork learning experience. They are equipped with the appropriate technological infrastructure, which allows wireless connection, simultaneous projection on one or more surfaces, appropriate sound and lighting, etc. They are also very useful for open day activities and presentations, attended by parents or visiting schools.
Student Mentoring The Student Mentoring program provides individual guidance and support to all students according to their specific talents, characteristics and needs. Specially prepared educators are trained to serve as mentors to encourage, advise and “challenge� students to set their personal goals and achieve them. Students acquire competences, knowledge and life skills to promote their personal development and to enhance their personality. The relationship between Mentors, Students and Parents is inspired by trust and commitment, creativity and sincere communication.
Teacher Mentoring The Teacher Mentoring program provides individual guidance and support to all teachers so as to take advantage of the infrastructure provided to perform in order to meet students’ highest expectations. With 7 interrelated activities and processes, teachers are better prepared and carry a lifelong learning culture.
Research and Development (R&D) The Research and Development team continuously evaluates international educational systems and carefully scans the latest global trends, the best educational practices and the finest pedagogical methodologies to refine SoFIA’s Framework. At a student level, it is essential to participate in innovative research projects that comply with the most current national, European and global educational priorities. Within the context of research projects, students increase their awareness of new cultures and methods of work, which they integrate in their daily lives not only as students but also as professionals.
Process map Having all educational and administrative procedures depicted in full detail and depth and by continuously monitoring the proper function of all departments and programs assists an organization in sustaining high performance at all levels. The Process Map allows an organization to become more decisive in confronting any organizational change, to minimize running costs, maximize revenues, measure its performance systematically and compare to benchmarks and, finally, discover growth opportunities and identify areas for improvement. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) linked with each procedure assure high performance and constant improvement at all educational and administrative levels.
SoFIA® BRINGS TOGETHER An educational organization is all about taking into consideration a unique set of stakeholders and making them work together towards a common cause. We value collaboration between students, parents and teachers which provides a more holistic approach towards meeting educational objectives.
Students Students work individually or collaborate in teams depending on the nature of the educational objective. They participate actively in their personal learning, creating diverse portfolios which demonstrate character, ambitions and strengths as well as their interests. They construct and manage their unique personalities and competences through knowledge, skills and life values.
Parents
Parents become an active part of their children’s education by participating in school activities. They are frequently informed about their children’s activities and their overall performance in order to be able to effectively support their children. They participate in yearly qualitative and quantitative research along with the teachers and the students, exploring areas relating to the quality of educational services and identifying possible areas for school improvement.
Teachers
Teachers collaborate, monitor, organize, inspire and design hands-on activities. They are also the designers of educational material, having embraced their new role. They are continuously educated, especially on the use of ICT in the educational process. Teachers are assisted by in and out of the classroom equipment. Each classroom allows for a modular exploitation of space, enabling the teacher to create an environment with alternative set-ups that encourages communication, teamwork and fosters creativity.
SOCIETY CHANGES EDUCATION CHANGES Education is a recognized priority Education is the route to equality of opportunity for all Education needs to focus more closely on the needs, aptitudes and aspirations of individual students Education globally changes, so too technological advances alter the way that we learn The Education Sector globally counts numerous bored and drop out students
WHY Is an educational model with unique methodology, improves the way children learn Focuses on personalized learning and goals of individual students Is based on the fundamental concepts of the most highly recognized international educational systems Is able to embrace any local educational system requirements
EDUCATIONAL MODEL Career Counseling Cultural & Physical Activities The Student PC (1:1) Students & Teachers Mentoring Learning Map ADMINISTRATION MODEL 360o Assessment KPI’s Process Map
WHAT HOW
Site Surveys Manuals Best Practices Training Consulting Accreditation
London UK sofianet.org
info@sofianet.org