Empowering Better Futures
Welcome to the British School of Houston Students at the British School of Houston love learning, achieve more, and are equipped to participate successfully in an ever-evolving global community. We cultivate a passion for lifelong learning by involving children in their own education, empowering them to understand how they learn best in a fun, challenging environment. Highly-trained UK teachers use an innovative, carefully crafted approach that is used and recognized around the world. Curriculum at all levels is individually tailored to each child, enhancing strengths and addressing areas needing improvement. As a result, British School of Houston students have achieved exceptional results in internationallybenchmarked exams and have been accepted at leading colleges and universities in the US and abroad. With a student body representing more than 45 nationalities, we create opportunities for children to celebrate diversity, break down cultural barriers, and collaborate. An emphasis on social responsibility and community involvement creates a lasting commitment to stewardship. This holistic approach to education shapes young adults who are confident, resilient leaders, ready to meet the challenges of the future.
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World Class
Learning School
Everyone connected with the British School of Houston belongs to our learning community. Every member of staff is focused on improving learning, working in partnership with each other, and with parents, to ensure the success and happiness of the young people in our care. We never accept second best, ensuring everyone is constantly striving to be better so that all our students are able to fulfil their potential. We are a learning-driven school, which means we gauge success by the quality of student learning, not the amount. Our school site is a safe environment in which individuals are able to flourish. Visitors entering a classroom will not only see purposeful learning, but
the development of independent enquiry, helping
activities that will genuinely stretch the students,
them acquire the necessary skills to facilitate a
whether they are designed to acquire or improve
life-long love of learning.
skills, increase knowledge or deepen understanding. In other words, the focus is on learning. This is made possible through the dedication, commitment and selflessness of our staff. They are passionate about learning and about motivating and inspiring our young people to be successful. We prepare our students for life in a rapidly changing world through
What sets our students apart from students at other schools, is their genuine and enthusiastic desire for learning. The questions they ask, from Year 1 to Year 13, are about deepening, broadening and enriching their knowledge and understanding – not just reiterating it. As a result, they keep their teachers challenged and stimulated, keeping their teaching fresh and dynamic, and in the process, they stimulate their own enjoyment of learning.
Our teachers are simply the best! – Student comment
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Commitment
to Excellence Form tutors work closely with parents and students, monitoring the academic, personal and social development of all our students, to ensure they feel safe, secure and happy, and are able to focus on their learning without distractions. This studentcentered approach ensures a positive attitude to school, allowing the students to build on their strengths and develop their talents. Promoting a positive attitude toward learning dovetails with our commitment to excellence in all areas, whether it is academic or sporting, musical or community work. Our academic standards are high, and all our students are challenged to meet them. A prerequisite for teaching at the British School of Houston is that staff are passionate and knowledgeable about their subject and will seek to inspire all our students to succeed. Through a wide range of highquality learning experiences suited to individual needs, every student is encouraged to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in a happy and
At the British School of Houston, every child matters.
caring environment. Our curriculum is relevant and
We provide every student with the opportunity
innovative, creatively engaging students in their
to strive for academic excellence within a caring
work, challenging and motivating each individual
community, but we recognize that at certain times,
to look within themselves to discover their passion
such as when first joining the school, students may
for learning. We also expect students to work with
require additional support.
their teachers to develop and improve our learning programs, which we believe enables them to gain greater insight into the learning process.
I was invited to watch a lesson. Every child was being stretched to achieve something new, something exciting, something that was outside their comfort zone. – Parent comment
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Curriculum for
the 21st Century
We are aware that we live in a rapidly changing
able to adapt to changing circumstances without
world and that we are preparing our students for life
fear or inhibition, enabling and empowering them
in a world where they may be working in jobs that
to meet the demands of 21st century life.
do not currently exist, employing technologies that have not yet been invented. Our curriculum is therefore not focused on content but on the development of personal learning and thinking skills that will result in young people who are flexible and
Throughout the school, at every stage, the curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of our students. We constantly evaluate and adapt our programs to reflect this commitment.
The British School offers a global education in a British environment. – Parent comment
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The
International
Primary Curriculum
Through the delivery of the Early Years Program
lifetime of learning without artificial boundaries
and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), our
being imposed between the different aspects of
teachers ensure our youngest students begin their
their development. We nurture these skills through
educational journey purposefully, developing the
a curriculum that balances individual subject
skills and attitudes they will need throughout a
experience and integrated learning opportunities. Learning is planned to be active, in the sense that children must engage with their own learning, sharing responsibility for that learning with their teachers, parents and caregivers. Learning is constructed in such a way that, by the end of the primary years, our students have a passion for enquiry and a thirst for knowledge. These are the essential ingredients for academic success in the next phase of their education.
High-quality, meaningful play is the medium for learning in the early years. – Teacher comment
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The
Secondary
National Curriculum for England
challenge. Students entering Year 10 begin their pre-IB Diploma courses leading to GCSE/IGCSE qualifications in the following subjects: • English & English Literature • Modern Foreign Languages • Humanities subjects (from History, Geography, Business Studies) • Two Sciences (from Biology, Chemistry, Physics) • Mathematics, including the option of Statistics and AS Level Math in Y11 • Arts and Electives (from Art, Drama, Music, Design Technology, ICT, PE, or a third Science, second Language or Humanities subject.) We also recognize that children’s learning must respond to their current and future personal needs. Our secondary curriculum is tailored to achieve this, but also to take advantage of our unique location. We build upon the strengths of the IPC by utilizing the best aspects of the new Secondary National Curriculum, which came into operation in the UK in September 2008. Students study a broad and stimulating range of subjects aimed at developing the academic and high order thinking skills that will equip them for success in our four year senior program. Students are encouraged to see links between subjects and to transfer learning across traditional subject boundaries so that they see learning as varied, rich, interconnected and fun.
We actively encourage students to begin building up their personal profile, for university application, by considering education in its widest sense. We expect them to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular enrichment and enhancement opportunities throughout the four year program including Work Experience, which is an integral part of the Year 10 curriculum. This invaluable week offers our students the opportunity to find out about the world of work and helps to develop their skills and talents in preparation for their future careers. The British School of Houston has a reputation among companies in Houston of providing mature, conscientious young adults to work alongside their full time experienced members
In Year 9, students are expected to talk knowledgeably
of staff. Teacher supervision helps ensure that work
about their own learning and, through high-quality
experience assists students to accept responsibility,
care, guidance and support, begin the process of
take initiative, develop adult relationships, participate
co-constructing their 4 year senior program with
in decision making and acquire valuable employment
their teachers. They are offered a wide range of
skills. On completion of the week, students receive
subjects from which to choose using a ‘pathways’
a report from their employer, which is an excellent
approach, which enables students to focus on their
addition to their personal profile.
particular strengths and talents, and work at a pace which provides the most appropriate individual
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United States Colleges & Universities • Babson College (Massachusetts) • Corcoran College of Art and Design (District of Columbia) • Emerson College (Massachusetts) • Harvard University (Massachusetts) • John Hopkins University (Maryland) • Johnson & Wales University (Rhode Island) • New England College of Communications • New York University (New York) • Oberlin College (Ohio) • Princeton University ( New Jersey) • Sam Houston State University (Texas) • Savannah College of Art and Design (Georgia) • St. Edwards University (California) • Suffolk University (Massachusetts) • Tarlatan State University (Texas) • Temple University (Pennsylvania) • Texas A&M University (Texas) • Trinity University (Texas) • University of California (California) • University of Connecticut (Connecticut) • University of Denver (Colorado) • University of Maryland (Maryland) • University of North Carolina, Charlotte (North Carolina) • University of Notre Dame (Indiana) • University of Oregon (Oregon) • University of San Diego (California) • University of Texas, Austin (Texas) • University of Utah (Utah) • University of Vermont ( Vermont) International Colleges & Universities • Brunel University (England) • Canterbury Christchurch University (England) • Cardiff University (Wales) • Durham University (England) • Keele University (England) • King’s College London (England) • Lancaster University (England) • London School of Economics • Manchester Metropolitan University (England) • Newcastle University (England) • Nottingham Trent University (England) • Oxford Brookes University (St. Hugh’s College) • Queen Mary, University of London (England) • Royal Holloway, University of London (England) • Royal London, School of Pharmacy (England) • Sheffield Hallam University (England) • St. Andrews University (Scotland) • Swansea University (Wales) • University of College London (England) • University of Aberdeen (Scotland) • University of Bath Spa (England) • University of Birmingham (England) • University of Brighton (England) • University of Bristol (England) • University of East Anglia (England) • University of Edinburgh (Scotland) • University of Exeter (England) • University of Glasgow (Scotland) • University of Leeds (England) • University of Liverpool (England) • University of Manchester (England) • University of Oxford (England) • University of Reading (England) • University of Southampton (England) • University of Stirling (Scotland) • University of Strathclyde (Scotland) • University of Surrey (England) • University of Sussex (England) • University of the Arts of London (England) • University of Toronto (Canada) • University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (Wales) • University of West of England (England) • University of York (England)
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The
International
Baccalaureate Diploma
Our GCSE/IGCSE program is designed to lead
profile, because we believe it ensures the develop-
seamlessly into the International Baccalaureate (IB)
ment of young people who are able to offer not
Diploma. This prestigious qualification is recognized
only outstanding levels of academic excellence, but
world-wide as the pre-eminent post-16 program
also that dynamic combination of knowledge, skills,
providing outstanding preparation for higher
independent, critical and creative thought and
education. Our students leave us to study at leading
international-mindedness that are crucial for entry
universities throughout the world.
into the top universities around the world.
Our IB offer is rich, diverse, and individually tailored
Graduating students from The British Schools of
every year to meet the needs of each cohort of
America have been accepted to some of the world’s
students. We believe personalizing learning is
most prestigious colleges and universities. The British
essential, and we place great emphasis on critical
School of Washington celebrated its first class of
thinking and the Theory of Knowledge Program.
graduating students in 2005, and the British School
Classes are small, and the teaching is outstanding.
of Houston in 2007. The British School of Boston will
Students are able to specialize in the sciences,
have its first graduating class in 2010, and the British
languages, humanities or the arts, and we make
School of Chicago will celebrate its first graduation
full use of new trans-disciplinary subjects in our
class in 2011. The opposite page has a selection of
curriculum in order to gain maximum flexibility in
just some of the fine Colleges and Universities to
creating our students’ individual programs. Our
which BSA students have been accepted.
Creative, Action, Service (CAS) element is high
The CAS Program my teachers encouraged me to put together was outstanding, and what I learned from it helped me get into my first choice university. – Student comment
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Learning Beyond the Classroom
The learning environment for our students is not
in the Texas State Park as part of the Duke of
confined to the classroom. We offer a wide range of
Edinburgh Award Scheme. This long established
extra-curricular activities that enhance and enrich
program is designed to stretch the students’ abilities
student experience, extending to them opportunities
to cope with difficult scenarios and develop their
to develop individual interests, skills and talents.
commitment to community service. Students
We encourage our students to participate in
attend camp craft and map reading lessons, and
competitions, both internally and with other
experience expeditions where they have to hike for
schools, in fields as diverse as sport, music, maths
up to 15 miles per day, camp for several nights,
and public speaking.
carrying all of their equipment and cooking for
Many trips and visits are organized as part of the curriculum offer. These include day trips to
themselves. They also undertake a personal project within the Houston local community.
complete fieldwork for geography and science in
We promote socially responsive programs so that
and around the Houston area, visits to zoos and
the whole school community is aware that we can
museums, and even a trip to a chocolate factory!
affect positive change in the lives of others and the
There are also many residential and cultural visits
wider community. Students are also encouraged to
to other parts of the United States, including
take responsibility for organizing and participating
Washington, New York, Florida and Philadelphia,
in many charitable activities. We want our students
as well as trips to a variety of locations in Texas,
to have character, be well rounded, reflective,
including visits to a working ranch, and camping
caring young people.
Children have so many opportunities to test out their moral and physical boundaries. – Parent comment
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Athletics
and Sports
The size of our site and range of our facilities means
all students, activities they are more likely to pursue
we are able to offer a wide variety of sporting
as part of an active lifestyle in later life. Dance is an
activities, from football to basketball, from ‘free-
integral part of the Physical Education curriculum,
running’ to athletics. Alongside our nationally
offering students the chance to link physical ability
recognized sports such as netball and soccer, we
and creative performance. We seek to offer this wide
also run less-traditional activities such as Boxercise,
range of sporting activities so that we cater to those
Body Combat and Parkour as part of our Lunchtime
exceling at competitive sport, while promoting
Club Program, recognizing the importance of
healthy and active lifestyles for all from an early
offering activities that are relevant and engaging for
age using a holistic approach.
There are opportunities for everyone to shine. – Parent comment
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The
Performing
and Creative Arts develop their emotional intelligence and confidence, and providing the opportunities for creative expression that foster and nurture individuality. The Creative Arts Faculty is particularly strong, offering students the opportunity to experience the use of a wide range of media, materials, techniques and processes. Students are given challenging and stimulating activities designed to ensure they fulfil their potential. Our Visual Arts and Design Technology teachers work closely together to offer students tremendous scope for creativity, and to foster the development of skill, innovation and inventiveness. The Art Faculty teaches the fundamentals of drawing, with students developing these skills alongside painting, sculpture, printmaking and 3D work. In Design and Technology, students attempt problem solving activities which develop their design, presentation and practical skills.
The British School of Houston has a fast growing
Students then ‘manufacture’ their ideas using
reputation for excellence in performing and creative
appropriate materials, tools and techniques as well
arts. Art, Drama and Music are popular curriculum
as learning about design principles and processes.
subjects. Orchestras, groups and choirs engage in a wide spectrum of musical performance from a cappella singing to rock bands, from jazz to hip-hop. Our dedicated teachers are all professional musicians who are passionately committed to inspiring and developing the musicians of tomorrow. Drama and performance opportunities, both within and beyond the curriculum, involve students in all aspects of production, which range from classic musicals to contemporary theater. These subjects are critical elements throughout our curriculum, allowing our young people the opportunity to
The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument have helped me in all my subjects by giving me self-discipline. – Student comment
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Leaders
of Tomorrow
Students at the British School of Houston have a voice in their school community through the School Council. Students from all year groups meet regularly to discuss issues of importance, sharing and acting upon the results with the school Leadership Team and other members of our school community. Our students are open minded and principled. They reflect upon issues and, after ensuring they have all the facts, act accordingly. They are enterprising, seeking opportunities to realize their own potential
Methodist Church, helping disadvantaged families
to fulfil their dreams. Our students have won many
in Houston, The Salvation Army and the Make-a-Wish
awards in competitions such as Young Inventors and
Foundation.
in Public Debating. They organize their own charity work to aid the local community as well as our global community, taking part, for example, in model United Nations Conferences. Our students have led the school’s involvement with a wide range of charitable institutions, including the United
As a learning community, we believe that learning should not be a passive experience; therefore, we encourage action and independent thinking. We want our students to express their own opinions, which they do in a confident, articulate manner. We value communication with all members of our community and we have both a school newsletter and a student initiated one through which our young people are able to showcase their skills and express their views.
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Our
Community
Our school is not a building: it is a community of
All members of the school community work together
people with a shared vision, working together to
in close collaboration. Parental contribution is
achieve excellence in every field. We recognize the
valued, and we expect our parents to take a keen
importance of interdependence – that we cannot
interest in their children’s education, welcoming
operate in isolation. Therefore we have developed
them into the school regularly to discuss progress.
close links with our sister schools within the British
We are committed to working closely with parents
Schools of America, with local schools throughout
to provide high-quality education for our students,
Houston and its surrounding area, and with other
confident in our ability to develop in our young
organizations such as the British American Business
people a true foundation for life-long learning,
Council and the Houston Mayor’s Office.
the desire to pursue excellence, and a recognition and appreciation of the importance of quality in every aspect of their lives.
At the end of her first day, my daughter felt welcomed and valued. – Parent comment We feel a valued part of our school community. – Parent comment
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The British School of Houston is a proud supporter of: American Red Cross Citizens for Animal Protection The Manna Project Operation Smile Race for the Cure Salvation Army Star of Hope Texas Children’s Hospital World Wildlife Fund
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速 4211 Watonga Blvd. Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713.290.9025 Fax: 713.290.9014 www.britishschoolofhouston.org
International 25 Buckingham Gate London, SW1E 6LD, United Kingdom www.wclgroup.com North America 4211 Watonga Blvd. Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713.290.9041 www.wclgroup.com