12 minute read
When Does My Child Start School in the Netherlands?
IS THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
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Right for Your Child?
Choosing the right curriculum for your child can be quite a challenge. Here is a quick guide to the International Baccalaureate to help you decide if it is the right choice for your child, particularly as they enter their very important pre-university years of 16, 17 and 18.
What Is the International Baccalaureate? The International Baccalaureate, commonly referred to as the IB, is a well-respected and comprehensive international curriculum that takes a holistic approach to education, fostering a student’s intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills. The programme aims to develop ‘inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed’. While other curriculums feature textbook-oriented learning, centered on memorisation and examinations, the IB system encourages students to develop their own critical thinking and independent inquiry skills. IB students become collaborative, confident and enthusiastic learners who respond to challenges with optimism and an open mind. In many ways, the IB programme is ideal for any expat or internationally-minded family; the programme has gained recognition from the world’s leading universities and now thousands of schools worldwide offer the IB, meaning students can easily transi
tion to another country and still be confident that they can continue their studies.
The IB Diploma Programme The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is for students aged 16- 19, and the name of the final two years of IB study. Upon successful completion of the IBDP, students are awarded the IB Diploma. At the Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam (NAISR), the IBDP is the high est-level course that is on offer, preparing
16 | the xpat journal | 2020 students for entrance to university and be yond. The IBDP is based on the philosophy that students should be free to question the subjects they are taught, and to apply criti cal thinking skills to real-world situations. The IBDP Curriculum is comprised of six distinct subject groups, with students studying one subject from each group over a two-year period. Three or four of the subjects are taken at Higher Level, and the remaining courses at Standard Level. The choice of subject from each group is determined by the student. Higher Level courses allow students to study subjects that they are personally more interested in, in detail. The six subject groups are as follows: 1. Studies in Language & Literature – The in-depth study of a mother-tongue language 2. Language Acquisition – The study of a foreign language 3. Individuals & Societies – This encompasses Business Management, Economics, Geography, Global Politics, History, Information Technology, Philosophy,
Psychology, Social & Cultural Anthropology, and World Religions 4. Sciences – Subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Design Technology, and Sports & Health Science 5. Mathematics – Subjects include Mathematical Studies, Mathematics and Further Mathematics 6. The Arts* – Subjects include Dance, Music, Film, Theatre and Visual Arts (*students may opt to study an additional subject from Groups 1, 2, 3 or 4 instead of a course in the arts).
In addition to the six subject groups, IBDP students undertake the three Core Subjects. These are the required courses which broad en a student’s educational experience: • Theory of Knowledge (TOK) – in this course on critical thinking, students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we can be sure that we know what we claim to know • The Extended Essay (EE) – an in-depth, self-directed 4,000 word essay in a research area of the student’s choice • Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – students participate in purposeful and challenging community service-based activities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment. CAS acts as an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the other elements of the IBDP.
How Does the IB Diploma Programme Differ from Other Curriculums? The IBDP places an emphasis on selfdirected, independent learning through
• The IB has an emphasis on independent and self-directed learning • The IB encourages a global perspective, strengthening the students’ international-mindedness and cultural understanding – for example, students are required to master a foreign language and learn about other cultures and political systems, among other elements • The IB offers a seamless transition from one IB school to another IB school in any country should the need arise.
research and applying problem-solving skills to real world issues. The diploma certification requires students to engage in a wide variety of activities, and places equal weight on learning inside as well as outside the classroom. The IBDP also offers students the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects, compared to other curriculums, that might encourage students to become specialised in a narrow field of subjects. For these reasons, the IB is becoming increasingly popular amongst Dutch students and expats alike.
What Are the Benefits of Studying the IB Diploma? • Universities in the Netherlands and around the world understand the academic rigour of the IBDP and therefore hold the IB Diploma in high esteem – IBDP graduates are accepted at the best colleges and universities • Students develop life skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, research and time management – which sets them up for success at university and beyond Receiving a Bilingual IB Diploma At Nord Anglia Rotterdam, IB students have the opportunity to gain an IB Di ploma in more than two languages. As an IBDP option, bilingual students can study two language courses from the ‘Studies in Language & Literature’ subject group, to be awarded with the prestigious ‘IB Bilin gual Diploma’. Alternatively, students who score highly in the ‘Studies in Language & Literature’ and in one other subject com pleted in a language other than English, will also receive the ‘IB Bilingual Diplo ma’. This special qualification recognises a student’s high level of multilingual skills and is well-received on university appli cations.
Hopefully, this brief overview gives you a good understanding of the opportunities available to your child at an IB school. If you have any questions, or you would like to learn more about the IB or the Nord Anglia International School Rotterdam, please don’t hesitate to contact their friendly admissions team at admissions@naisr.nl or 010 422 53 51.
When Does My Child Start School in the Netherlands?
AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
To these seemingly simple questions, there are surprisingly no simple answers. In this article we’ll talk you through the procedures and practicalities, to make sure your child gets off to a flying start.
By Annebet van Mameren M ost children start school the day after their fourth birthday, whenever that is throughout the year. From the first school day of the month after their fifth birthday, a child is obliged to go to school. This is called leerplicht in Dutch. This means that for the first year – when your child is four – you are a bit more flexible in terms of school attendance. You can discuss together with your child’s teacher what works best for your child. Is your son a bit tired after a full day of school? You could maybe keep him home in the afternoons, or every Wednesday, for example. Do you want to go on an extended vacation? You may take your four-year-old daughter out of school without any issues. Of course, you should tell her teacher that she won’t be coming in on those days.
This all changes, however, once your child turns five. The Dutch school attendance law – the leerplichtwet – is very strict. Children are only allowed to miss school because of very specific reasons, for example, an important family celebration or emergency, or if you can prove that your job doesn’t allow you to take time off during the school vacations. Before you ask for permission, make sure you understand the rules very well. Par
ents risk getting a fine if their children are out of school without permission. You can request an absence permission form from your school’s admin department, or it may be available on the school’s website. You can read more about this subject in my article www.xpat.nl/uncategorized/dutchschool-attendance-law/. There is one exception not many parents are aware of: while your child is still five years old, you may keep him or her home for a maximum of five hours per week. This is called Vrijstelling leerplicht kinderen van 5 jaar. The Ministry of Education has put this exception in place to prevent young children becoming overburdened. You should inform the principal of your school that you’re making use of this rule, but you don’t need to ask for permission. I’m sorry, but you cannot accumulate these hours… If you feel that your 5-year-old needs even more rest, you may ask for permission to keep them home for a maximum of ten hours per week. In this case, you should explain your situation to the principal and make the necessary arrangements.
So, your child is about to turn 4 and will be starting school. A big step! What is going to happen next? Most teachers invite the parents for an intake meeting about one month before the start of school. Here they will tell you what your child should bring to school, how the school days are structured and other things you’ll need to know. Make sure you are clear about exactly which date they are expecting your child, in order to avoid your child arriving all excited on a teacher training day, or while the class is on a school trip. Often schools don’t let new children start just before the Christmas and summer vacations, as these periods are just too busy.
It is very common that a new child starts school with an orientation period. This means that for one or two weeks they only go to school in the mornings. Even for children who are used to full-time daycare, the first days of ‘big school’ can be overwhelming. They need to get used to their teacher, all their new classmates, the new rules, the structure of the day, the building, and many
other things. This can be very tiring for your little one. The teacher and parents decide together when your child is ready to go to school full days. So, make room in your agenda, or arrange for someone else to pick up your child around noon.
Once your child is fully adjusted to their new school life, what happens next? Most schools combine groups 1 and 2 in the same class, for children aged 4 and 5. This is called the kleuterklas, and the chil dren are called kleuters. During these two years, they focus on learning through play, social skills, sharing, waiting their turn, Dutch language acquisition, gross and fine motor skills, independence, structure, and gradual preparation for reading, writ ing, and math. They work with themes, go on excursions, and there is a lot of repeti tion. If they don’t understand something the first time, they probably will the second or third time. Each child develops at their own pace. It is all ok.
Most schools use January 1 as their cut-off date for the kleuters. This means that children who are born before this date stay in the kleuterklas less than two years, while children born after January 1 are a kleuter for a bit longer than two years. Children born between October and the beginning of January often find themselves in a bit of a gray area. Apart from the date
of birth, the teacher also looks at how mature a child is, how socially strong they are, whether they already show interest in reading and writing, and whether they are ready for the more formal learning in group 3. If a child doesn’t speak fluent Dutch yet, this may also play a role in the decision. They look at every child individually and also talk with the parents about how they view their child’s development. In any case, staying in the kleuterklas longer is not seen as repeating a year, and there is no stigma on children who do have to repeat. Sometimes it is needed for a child to ma ture or to understand the subject matters more thoroughly. This happened to my son, who was born at the beginning of January. Two-and-a-half years in the kleuterklas was very good for him, especially in terms of self-confidence. What next? Formal reading and writing starts in group 3, at the age of 6. Maybe this sounds a bit late to you. A lot of research has shown that it is better not to introduce reading and writing until the child is completely ready for it. Putting too much pressure on reading and writing at a too early stage can lead to frustration, taking away the pleasure in reading and also resulting in a higher school drop-out rate at a later stage.
Most schools use a method where the group 3 pupils learn a new letter every two days, starting with the most common letters in Dutch, so they can already proudly write some new words very quickly. By Christmas they have learned all the letters, which some schools celebrate by throwing a letter party, and then they have completely caught up with their peers in other countries who have started the process earlier.
So – now you should be more familiar with the school and their rules, regulations and quirks. I hope that your child’s school career goes very smoothly, and that you will be able to follow it all and enjoy it.
Would you like to discuss which type of school would be most suitable to your family? Contact Annebet van Mameren from New2nl at annebet@new2nl.com.
