Education and Child Matters

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International Schooling & Education

 

WHAT IS AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?

An international school is one where the following children can enrol to study:

  1. Children whose parents permanently live abroad.
  2. Children of expats 
  3. Children of diplomats 

Most international schools will allow local children of the host country where they are based to apply to enrol in the school. 

International schools have the flexibility to set their own term dates and admissions criteria. 

WHAT IS AN EXPAT?

Expat is short for expatriate. An expat is an individual who lives in a different country than where they are a citizen. In some cases, an expat is the term given to an individual who relinquishes their citizenship of their native country and becomes a citizen of another country.

EXAMPLE – A British citizen living and working in Spain/Hong Kong will be referred to as an expat.

WHAT CURRICULUM DOES AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OFFER?

An international school offers an internationally recognised curriculum which focuses on international education. The qualifications gained by the students at the age of 16 years and 18 years will be recognised globally and be valid in other countries.

International schools will teach their students about the different cultures of the world. This prepares the children to enter a globalised multicultural society.

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE ON WHAT IS THE NATIONAL CURRCULUM AND OTHER CURRICULUMS

ARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS FREE TO ATTEND?

Unfortunately no they are not. They are fee paying schools. 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ATTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?

There are many benefits of attending an international school. They are:

  1. These children mix with other children from many different cultures and countries.
  2. They may have more international opportunities
  3. They have access to an international alumni network
  4. Class size can be smaller
  5. They are taught a basic foundation in understanding the different cultures of the world. 
  6. The children often have access to better amenities.
  7. An international school may offer extra extra-curricular activities.
  8. The quality of education is excellent and teaching standards are high.
  9. Teachers will be from different parts of the world.
  10. Depending upon the school, they may be more acceptable to children taking time off for a religious festival.
  11. Depending upon the school, they may be more acceptable to children taking holidays during term time for visiting family back home.
  12. These children have access to the top schools and universities worldwide.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF A CHILD ATTENDING AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?

The negatives of attending an international school are:

  1. Children can move frequently from one school to another. This could be because of their parents’ careers. As a result these children may have to keep making new friends wherever they go.
  2. There could be a high turnover of staff.
  3. Although the school is in a host country, the students may not mix with the locals or immerse themselves in the local culture.
  4. Some students may find the standards of achievement far too high.
  5. Waiting lists may be very long.
  6. Fees may be extremely expensive.
  7. Where a child’s education is being paid for by their parents’ employer, the choice of school may be very narrow.
  8. International schools do employ excellent teachers but they may not have a bachelor’s degree in education (BEd) or a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)

IS EDUCATION TRANSFERABLE ACROSS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS?

Yes, the education provided by one international school is transferable to another.

CAN A CHILD WHO HAS STUDIED IN AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FIT INTO A UK SCHOOL ONCE THEY ARE BACK IN THE COUNTRY?

Yes they can. They should be able to go into the right year group for their age. 

DO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS HELP CHILDREN SETTLE IN?

Yes they do. International schools have children moving in and out of school throughout the whole year so they are conscious of new students enrolling and having to fit in.

WHO ARE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ACCREDITED BY?

There are 6 accreditation bodies for international schools. They are:

  1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
 
  1. The Council of British International Schools (COBIS)

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR COBIS

  1. Council of International Schools (CIS)
 
  1. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

LINK TO WEBSITE FOR WASC

  1. International School Quality Mark Accreditation
 
  1. School Accreditation (ASIC) 
 

Accreditation means that the international school meets the teaching and education standards required.

DO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFER BURSARIES?

Yes some schools do. International schools have their own criteria for awarding bursary payments. 

DO INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS HAVE ENTRANCE EXAMS?

Yes, some international schools have entrance exams. Tests can be taken online or at global test centres. The exams used are the independent school entrance exam (ISEE) and are based on the American based testing systems. The ISEE exams test non-verbal reasoning and maths.