Admissions Info

Admissions Information

Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Admissions Process 4 Guide to Year Groups 5 Admissions Criteria 5 Entry Assessments 6 English as an Additional Language and Learning Support 6 Acceptance and Development Contribution 7 Waiting Lists 7 Tuition Fees Academic Year 2014-2015 8 Additional Charges and Deposits 8 Early Notice Payback 9 Payment Dates 9 General Conditions 10 Frequently Asked Questions 12

Admissions Information

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Admission Process Admission to The International School of Moscow is selective, and follows a clear administrative procedure which aspiring students must follow. The process is summarised in the diagram below:

Complete an Online Application Form

Assessment to be scheduled Application Fee + Academic records to be provided

Child is not accepted

Child is accepted Development Contribution required within 5 days

Waiting List (Class is Full) Development Contribution required within 5 days

How to Apply In order to apply for enrolment at the school, prospective parents must submit an ONLINE APPLICATION FORM through our website www.internationalschool.ru. This application form can be easily located on the far right-hand side of the site on a tab that reads ‘Admissions’.

Those parents who are unable to fill in the online application can call the Admissions office and provide the required information over the phone directly to one of our staff. Alternatively, parents can fill in the online application at the school with the assistance of our Admissions team.

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The International School of Moscow

Guide to Year Groups The International School of Moscow follows the English National Curriculum allocating children to year groups in exactly the same way as any school in the UK. The table below provides the age to year group placement as well as an equivalent to the American System/IB. Age as of 1st of September

Year Group UK

Grade Equivalent USA/IB

Key Stage Grouping

3

Nursery

Pre-K

4

Reception

Pre-K

Early Years Foundation Stage (FS)

5

Year 1

Kindergarten

6

Year 2

Grade 1

7

Year 3

Grade 2

8

Year 4

Grade 3

9

Year 5

Grade 4

10

Year 6

Grade 5

11

Year 7

Grade 6

12

Year 8

Grade 7

13

Year 9

Grade 8

14

Year 10

Grade 9

15

Year 11

Grade 10

16

Year 12

Grade 11

17

Year 13

Grade 12

Key Stage 1 (KS1) Key Stage 2 (KS2)

Key Stage 3 (KS3) IGCSE A-Level

Admissions Criteria The principal aim of the school’s admission policy is to ensure students are able to succeed academically, while contributing to school life through sports, arts and social interaction. The level of spoken and written English is a determining factor, though other factors such as standards of behaviour, work ethic and past academic achievement also play a role in the decision whether to accept a child or not. The International School of Moscow also aims to ensure a predominance of native English-speaking students, while providing a balanced and rich cross-section of nationalities.

A visit or assessment will be scheduled with parents shortly after an application has been received.

Parents should expect to bring with them past academic reports (if available), copies of student and parents’ passports, and signed copies of the Conditions and Declaration documents the school has provided to them via email (this document can also be signed at the school). Payment of the application fee is also required.

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Entry Assessments Depending on the Key Stage or year group, different entry requirements are applicable: Early Years Foundation Stage (Ages 2 - 4) Priority will be given to applicants with native/high levels of English, though at these ages more flexibility with the level required is applicable. The assessment involves play-based activities in a classroom setting, and some simple number and letter recognition. Standard of behaviour, confidence and independence in a classroom setting will be taken into account.

Key Stage 1 (Ages 5 – 6) At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have an adequate command of the English language, being able to communicate and receive instructions from teachers. Students would also be expected to read and write independently at this stage. A non-native English speaking student will be invited in the first instance to complete an assessment of their level of English including reading and writing. If the student is successful, he/she will be invited for a second assessment (usually within 5 days). This requires a full day of attendance at school. A written assessment will be undertaken in both mathematics and English. Standards of behaviour and social interaction are also taken into account.

Key Stage 2 (Ages 7 - 10) At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have an adequate command of the English language, being able to communicate and receive instructions from teachers and read and write with confidence. A non-native English speaking student will be invited in the first instance to complete an English language assessment. If the student is successful, he/she will be invited to a second assessment (usually within 5 days). This requires a full day of attendance at school. A written assessment will be undertaken in both English and mathematics, with the expectation to perform at a similar level to peers within the school and in the UK. Key Stage 3, IGCSE and A-Levels (Ages 11 – 18) At these ages it is expected that an applicant will have a very good command of the English language. A non-native English speaking student will be invited in the first instance to complete an English language assessment. If the student is successful, he/she will be invited to a second assessment (usually within 5 days). This requires a full day of attendance at school. A written assessment will be undertaken in both English and mathematics with the expectation to perform at a similar level to peers within the school and in the UK. Students applying for IGCSE or A-Level must demonstrate a potential to succeed in the examinations, with a capacity to reason and handle complex issues and subject matters.

English as a Secondary Language and Learning Support The International School of Moscow delivers the curriculum in line with expectations in the UK; therefore, children with very limited levels of English will struggle in class. The school is able to provide specific and targeted support to those students who, although having slightly lower levels of English, have demonstrated a strong learning ability and a desire to advance academically.

These students receive additional support/lessons from our EAL (English as an additional language) 6

The International School of Moscow

specialists, typically in very small groups with other EAL students. These usually take place instead of non-core subjects or Russian language classes. The school expects every student receiving English support to achieve the level of our mainstream students within a year. There will be an additional termly charge for students receiving support for EAL (please refer to price list page 10).

The International School of Moscow limits the number of students requiring additional English support to 20% of any given class.

Through a Special Needs Coordinator, The International School of Moscow is able to accommodate students in need of mild general learning support (SEN). However, the school has capacity for a very limited number of SEN students, and special arrangements and commitments may also be required from parents. It is the policy of the school to not accept students unless we know we can support their needs successfully.

Acceptance and Development Contribution The school will usually communicate the acceptance of a child (either an offer of a place in class or, if the class is full, a place on a waiting list) within a few days of the assessment date. Parents will be required to pay a Development Contribution within 5 days of receiving this communication. Failure to confirm the placement through the payment of the Development Contribution may result in the applicant’s place being offered to another candidate.

Parents who have a child intending to join the school once the academic year has commenced should expect to deliver the Development Contribution together with the corresponding tuition fees and charges.

Waiting Lists Children who have successfully passed the assessment procedure but are unable to enrol at the school as a result of the year group allocated being full will be offered a place on a waiting list.

Priority on the waiting list will be given to: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Siblings of current students (Nationality quotas still apply).

British passport holders with English as first language.

Children transferring from a sister school of the British Schools Foundation.

British passport holders, with age-appropriate English language skills.

Sibling group applications with age-appropriate English language skills.

Other passport holders, with English as first language.

Other passport holders, with age-appropriate English language skills.

Note: Within each category priority is given to students who have the best level of English.

If a child has been on the waiting list for over three months, the school reserves the right to request a reassessment before offering a place in class. This is required in order to ensure appropriate academic levels have been maintained since the previous assessment date.

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Tuition Fees Academic Year 2014-15 Fees below are stated in EURO Year Group

Age on the 1st of September

Fee per Term (3 terms per year)

Yearly Payment

Pre-Nursery and Nursery (half day)

2/3

4,760

13,570

Nursery (full day)

3

5,900

16,815

Reception

4

6,890

19,635

Year 1

5

7,470

21,290

Year 2

6

7,470

21,290

Year 3

7

7,470

21,290

Year 4

8

7,710

21,980

Year 5

9

7,710

21,980

Year 6

10

7,710

21,980

Year 7

11

8,060

22,970

Year 8

12

8,060

22,970

Year 9

13

8,060

22,970

Year 10

14

8,510

24,255

Year 11

15

8,510

24,255

Year 12

16

8,950

25,510

EAL Charge (if required)

1,000 (per term)

For conversion to Rubles, the school will apply the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Russia +3%.

Additional Charges and Enrolment Fee

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Item

Cost (Euro)

Assessment Fee

200

Development Contribution (per family)

7,000

Yearly Bus (Optional)

2,600 (867 per term)

Yearly School Lunch Fees (Compulsory)

1,221 (407 per term)

School Uniforms (Variable depending on Quantity)

Approx. 250

The International School of Moscow

Payment Dates Term

Payment Date

Autumn Term 2014

1st of August 2014

Spring Term 2015

15th of December 2014

Summer Term 2015

1st of April 2015

Yearly payments (or 3 terms advance payment) must be delivered on the dates listed above, depending on the first term the yearly payment is supposed to cover.

Early Notice Payback The school will provide an Early Notice Payback of 1,750 EURO (25% of Development Contribution) to families that provide a 90 days written notice. See General Conditions for details.

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General Conditions 1. Application Process - Completing an application form does not entitle a student to a placement at the school. A place will not be reserved until all entry requirements are fulfilled, which include an assessment to determine the level of English and academic ability of the child. The school reserves the right to refuse admission after the interview and entrance assessment.

2. Assessment Fee - The assessment fee is payable one time only per child and is non-refundable.

3. Development Contribution - To confirm a reservation of a place (either in class or on the waiting list), parents must deliver a Development Contribution as indicated on the fee list. Only one Development Contribution is required per family. Payment must be made within five working days of confirmation from the school that the student has been accepted. The Development Contribution is not deducted from future school charges.

If a child receives a waiting list offer, the Development Contribution is only refundable should the parents wish to remove the child from the waiting list before an offer of an in-class place is made. The Development Contribution is not refunded should an offer be made and the parents subsequently refuse the offer and wish to remove the child from the waiting list.

4. Early Notice Payback - The school will provide a payback of 25% of the Development Contribution to families of enrolled students with the following overriding conditions (please refer to the Declaration Form provided by the school for additional details): Parents must provide NINETY DAYS written notice of withdrawal before the student is withdrawn from the school. The payback sum assumes that all outstanding fees and charges are settled and all textbooks are returned to the school. The date of withdrawal is that of the last day the student attends the school, and NOT the date the child would have returned at the beginning of the term.

5. Documents Required - The following documents must be provided by parents: (a) A photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents. (b) A photocopy of the student’s passport. (c) Signed Conditions and Declarations Document (provided by the school).

6. Payment and Refund of Fees - The following criteria shall apply for payment and refund of fees and charges: (a) Fees and charges must be paid within the dates specified by the school. (b) No refund of fees can be made for absence due to illness or any other causes. (c) For tuition fees paid termly, no refund is available for early withdrawal. (d) For tuition fees paid yearly, a refund for early withdrawal will be calculated by discounting from the total fees paid, the termly fee for every term attended (irrespective of whether the student has attended any given term partially). (e) At the discretion of the school, late payment of fees will be subject to a 5% surcharge.

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The International School of Moscow

7. Uniform - The uniforms are to be worn by students in accordance with the school’s uniform policy.

8. School Lunches - School Lunches are compulsory for all full-day students. No refund will be provided for absent days. The school regards lunches as an integral part of the education of the child and of school life in general.

9. Buses - The school bus service is optional for parents. No refund will be available for absent days. Parents should notify the school in advance if a child is not going to use the service on any given day.

10. Absence - If a student is absent from school, parents agree to inform the school by telephone or e-mail of the reason as soon as possible. On returning to the school, children must bring a note from their parents explaining the reason for their absence.

11. Temporary Suspension or Expulsion from the School - At the discretion of the Headmaster, the school reserves the right to temporarily suspend or expel a child from school for bad behaviour or non-payment of fees. The same refund policies as absence (in case of temporary suspension) or early withdrawal (in case of expulsion) will apply as those highlighted in point 6 of these General Conditions.

12. Standards of Behaviour and Discipline - Students are expected to behave in a polite and responsible manner throughout their stay at the school, showing respect for their fellow students and the authority of the teachers. Severe disciplinary procedures will be enforced for instances of bullying, racism, general disrespect for others, smoking, possessing or using illegal drugs and drinking alcohol on school premises.

13. School Liability and Medical Insurance - Parents must ensure that the student’s medical insurance covers all medical expenses arising from accidents within the school premises and school trips, or cover for those expenses themselves. The school will not cover any student’s medical expenses. Parents are required to provide all officially stamped doctor certificates and prescriptions confirming the medical condition and providing detailed instructions on medicines and requirements in case of emergency. A notarised translation into Russian of the above documents is required if they are not in Russian. Parents are liable for any deliberate damage caused by the child to school property, or to that belonging to teachers, employees, or other students.

13. School Responsibility - The school has a responsibility towards the educational progress and well being of the student body as a whole. The school provides mainstream education and is not able to cater to children with severe learning difficulties. Any pupil who is not making sufficient progress or whose behavior over time is having a negative effect on the progress of other pupils may be excluded from the school. The decision to exclude a child from school remains solely at the discretion of the Head Teacher.

14. Text and Library Books - The parents of any child that loses or misplaces school books shall be expected to reimburse the school for 150% of the purchase value of the item.

15. Student Photographs - Parents agree to the use of photographs of their child(ren) on the school website, advertising and/or the school’s printed materials as may be required for school publicity purposes.

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Frequently Asked Questions Why Choose a British School?

British education, at both the school and university level, has achieved a worldwide reputation for quality.

The reputation of the British educational tradition is due in part to the reputation and academic excellence of institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge and, at the school level, renowned independent schools such as Eton, Harrow, and Winchester. British education is focused on processes and outcomes - what should a child know and be able to do at any given age - as opposed to emphasising the acquisition of specific knowledge. The English National Curriculum takes a progressive approach; from the ages of 2 to 18+, each stage builds upon what has come before. Certain key principles, starting from the early years, run through the whole of the education system: the notion that each child is unique and that this is important; an emphasis on developing positive relationships (with teachers, parents, peers); a focus on enabling environments (learning does not happen exclusively in the classroom); and, finally, learning and development through looking at outcomes and results, but only as one facet of a child’s education.

A British education emphasises the development of the whole student, and particularly at the primary level there is a great deal of scope for creativity and individuality in the classroom. When all of this is considered alongside the continuity and transferability offered by a British education around the world, together with the fact that British institutions offer qualifications that are recognised internationally, it is little wonder that the success of British schools abroad continues to flourish and expand.

The popularity of British education can be seen in the huge number of British schools outside of the UK. There are more than 2000 schools outside of Britain teaching elements of the English National Curriculum, and more are opening every year. Students from these schools account for a significant percentage of the overseas students doing undergraduate degrees at UK universities.

Choosing a British international school not only gives students the benefit of a British education, but it is also eminently transferrable. The structure and consistency of the National Curriculum allows students to move easily between British schools in various countries, including the UK, and facilitates progression to universities in the UK or elsewhere in the world.

At the International School of Moscow, we provide an enhanced British-style education that takes the best of the English National Curriculum and reinforces it with enhanced extracurricular and instrumental programmes. We also add strong Russian language programmes to reflect the growing importance of Russian as a world language. Our students sit the same public tests and examinations that are administered in England and will typically perform well above the UK average attainment levels. At ISM we recognise that academic achievement is central to school life, but rather than focus on preparing for tests we believe that a broad and vibrant curriculum creates the enthusiasm for learning that will lead to success. Good examination results simply follow.

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The International School of Moscow

Is the curriculum taught at the school recognised by other international schools and universities?

The International School of Moscow delivers the English National Curriculum as it would be delivered by any top independent school in the UK (with small curriculum adaptations to cater for the fact that we are located in Russia). Students attending our school will have their studies accepted by other reputable British and international schools as well as universities in the UK and worldwide.

The International School of Moscow is part of The British Schools Foundation, is an active member of reputable British school associations of COBIS, and is fully licensed by the Russian authorities.

Our IGCSE programme is fully recognised and accredited by the Cambridge University International Examination Board (CIE).

Are your teachers UK qualified?

All our classroom-led teachers are fully UK qualified and/or experienced, with over 90% of them being British nationals. The school devotes a great deal of time and resources to recruit top candidates, who are mostly interviewed in the UK or through our network of schools. Obvious exceptions to this rule are our Russian language teachers and some specialist teachers, who might have qualifications from other countries.

What are your class sizes?

For the Nursery classes the maximum is 15 per class. Reception classes are a maximum of 18 students per class. For primary and secondary classrooms, the maximum is 20. School policy allows for these maximums to be extended by 2 students at the absolute discretion of the Headmaster in order to accommodate native English speakers or high-achieving students who are deemed to add quality to the class.

I am applying from overseas and my child(ren) cannot attend an assessment at the school?

Parents who are applying from overseas will be required to send by fax or email, copies of the latest academic transcripts for all applying children (usually only for children aged 4 or above). There will be a link to an online questionnaire sent by the admissions team by email which will need to be completed and submitted. The admissions team will also require the contact details within the applicant’s current school and will make contact directly in order to request further documentation.

Depending on the information provided, the school will reply with three possible outcomes: • In very exceptional circumstances, the child is accepted unconditionally. This is mainly limited to native English speakers, with exceptional academic transcripts/references normally from an English National Curriculum school.

• The school sends to the parents a copy of the assessment paper for the child to complete under a controlled environment (normally their current school). A probationary offer may be made on the basis of the result of the test.

• A probationary offer is granted, pending an assessment upon the child’s arrival in Moscow. The school will provide an opinion as to the chances of success, to indicate a level of certainty to parents.

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Frequently Asked Questions My child has very limited English. Can I apply to the school?

The International School of Moscow delivers its curriculum in English. In order for students to be academically successful they must have a high level of both written and spoken English. The demands on the level of English increase depending on the age of the child, typically being less demanding during early years and more demanding in our secondary school. The school is able to provide language support, but only for a very limited number of students and always with the confidence that this support is only required for a limited time. Typically, a child with no English ability above the age of 5 will not gain admission to the school.

School policy limits the number of children requiring English support (EAL) to a maximum of 20% per class.

Can my child enrol at the school throughout the academic year?

Yes. Being in a dynamic city like Moscow, the school is open to receiving students throughout the academic year and special attention is given to ensure new arrivals feel welcome and integrated into the class. The fact that our students are used to interacting with children from many nationalities and from varying backgrounds makes the process of creating new friends and bonds all that much easier.

What is your nationality breakdown?

Our largest group of students are from the UK, with Russian, American, Dutch, Korean, Australian and German being other prevailing nationalities in the school.

To ensure diversity of cultures and a predominance of the English language in class and during play time, the school has a policy of never having more than 30% of students within a class from the same non-native English-speaking nationality.

Is the Development Contribution deducted from the fees?

No. The Development Contribution is an independent item from fees and charges. It must be delivered in addition to other charges.

Will my child be able to transfer to another school within your network of schools?

Yes. Students from any of the schools in the British Schools Foundation can transfer to any other school within the group providing there are class places available. Administrative and admissions procedures are greatly simplified, though fees and charges will vary accordingly.

What is a school’s typical weekly timetable?

School runs from Monday to Friday, starting at 8.30am and ending at 3.30pm. On two days a week (Usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays) school finishes an hour later at 4.30pm to account for 14

The International School of Moscow

after school activities. Students enjoy a 30 min break/playtime in the morning and have another break in the mid afternoon of approximately 50 minutes that incorporates lunch. Depending on the year group, students have a further break of 15min in the late afternoon. Students usually spend their break times outside (including during the winter months). If temperatures are extremely low outside, students spend their break times indoors.

How many hours of Russian language do you offer a week?

The International School of Moscow is committed to offering as much Russian language as possible, within the constraints and demands of the curriculum. Students in Nursery to Year 5 study two 50-minute Russian classes a week. Years 6-9 study three 50-minute Russian classes a week. These lessons are delivered at beginner, intermediate and native-speaking levels so that all students can be accommodated.

Do students sit the Standard Assessment Test to benchmark with other British schools?

Yes. Every child from Year 2 to Year 6 sits the SATs examinations. These exams test the student’s writing, reading, and mathematics. Parents will be able to determine the ability and progress of their children and benchmark them against UK National averages. In Key Stage 3, Optional SATs papers form part of the assessment criteria while, in Year 9, students sit the Cambridge Checkpoint tests prior to entry for IGCSE courses.

Will you provide a bus service to where we live?

The school has a comprehensive bus service, and strives to ensure children spend the least amount of time possible travelling to and from school. Our routes cover most of the typical expatriate residential compounds, and routes are often created or adapted to provide the maximum flexibility possible. However, parents living in remote or untypical residential areas with no other students living in the vicinity might find that we are unable to provide a bus service. Please contact our bus coordinator for more details.

Do I need to pay anything extra for school excursions?

No, all school excursions are included in the Tuition Fees, but residential trips are an extra charge of approximately 1000-1200 Euros paid by the parents.

All students in Years 5 to 10 are encouraged to attend Residential trips in UK, Russia or Europe annually.

My child is starting IGCSE or A-Levels. Do I need to pay anything extra for the one-to-one laptop programme?

No, laptops are provided free of charge. Laptops will remain the property of the school. Students leaving will be given the possibility of buying the laptop at a discounted rate, and A-Level graduates will keep the laptop for free.

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Buildings 5 & 6, Krylatskaya Street 12, Krylatskoe, Moscow. 121552 Tel: +7 (499) 922 44 00, Fax: +7 (499) 922 44 00 Ext.4 www.internationalschool.ru