BISM General Information 2020

General Information

Welcome Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions that you can make for your child’s future, so we are delighted that you are considering the British International School of Marbella (BISM).

BISM offers a modern and vibrant education to boys and girls aged 2 to 18. The school serves expatriate and Spanish families looking to provide their children with a private education of the highest standard. We nurture high aspirations for each and every one of our students. Many achieve great academic results while others discover a passion or special talent. Our day-to-day focus is on helping pupils to thrive in their own unique way.

We offer a rich and varied curriculum that allows pupils to explore the breadth and depth of their abilities. Work is underpinned by a highly qualified and dedicated teaching body. Small class sizes and low student to teacher ratios mean that pupils can receive the support they require to make good progress both academically and in their personal development.

BISM has preserved a strong sense of community since its foundation and every member of the school has many opportunities to contribute to the welfare of the school community. We are proud of the role our families play in our school and in turn the role we play in their lives during their time in Marbella.

A printed handbook can only go so far in conveying the ethos and spirit of a school but we hope this brochure can give you some insight into what makes BISM special and unique.

Teaching and Learning BISM combines modern and innovative child-friendly pedagogy with traditional values and high standards. The school balances a nurturing environment that fosters understanding, critical thinking and enthusiasm with a stimulating curriculum.

BISM employs highly qualified teachers with a genuine passion for their profession. Small class sizes help ensure our mission of providing personalised learning and student success.

Teaching and learning at our school is based on three fundamental principles: Stimulating curiosity and nurturing an interest in learning Thinking critically and taking a structured approach to understanding and solving problems Having an open mind and respect for other people and new ideas These principles are supported by lessons that are delivered in an interactive and thought-provoking manner using a wide variety of teaching styles. Lessons are planned to suit a range of abilities allowing every student to benefit and improve upon their skills and knowledge. Our approach to teaching and learning encourages active participation by all pupils.

In addition, Teaching Assitants work alongside the teachers in every year group in Early Years, Primary School and appropriate classes in Secondary School, enabling more attention to be given to each student and closer monitoring of the work.

Curriculum Overview The notion that learning a second language improves your first, or that playing the violin deepens your reasoning skills, or that a game of tennis might even boost your mathematical ability are not naturally intuitive. Yet it is these ideas that are at the very heart of our curriculum. As children, our learning capability is extremely heightened. It is during childhood that we can pick up a second language, learn to play an instrument or develop our athletic ability with an ease that is difficult to match later in life. Our curriculum aims high and relies on exceptional teachers to motivate and inspire pupils to relish in their learning.

Child-Centred

Rigorous

Teaching and learning is aimed at making the most of children’s natural curiosity to learn and inquisitiveness. In Early Years, learning takes place principally through guided play. As work gradually becomes more structured in Primary School, lessons are planned with a view to making them interesting and engaging. As they move into Secondary School children receive teaching by subject specialists.

Pupils who complete their education at BISM will attain a high level of competency across all subjects. Learning is largely enquiry-based, with an emphasis on problem solving, aiming to build up a pupil’s ability to reason and think independently.

Personalised

Global

Teachers plan lessons with differentiated outcomes, allowing for a range of achievements.

This enables teachers to match each lesson as closely as possible to individual needs whilst providing scope for pupils to be stretched academically.

A global vision is embedded throughout the entire curriculum and all subjects extend national borders and become global. Our established network of schools in the Americas, Europe and Asia allows older students to develop crosscultural experiences through exchanges.

Curriculum Overview In addition to a rigorous and challenging academic programme, BSM also runs lively sports, music, arts and drama programmes in which students are presented with many opportunities to develop their skills and interests outside of the classroom.

Sports: Physical Education forms an integral part of the curriculum at the school and is also a major area of extra curricular activity.

It is considered a healthy way to develop pupils’ physical competence and confidence. It also promotes physical coordination, physical development and knowledge of the body in action. From inter-school matches, to House competitions to after school clubs and activities, pupils will always find an activity they can enjoy. The important thing is to join in!

Music: Music has a fundamental place within the curriculum at BSM. In addition to covering the basic National Curriculum requirements, the school runs music and instrumental programmes in Early Years, Primary and Secondary School as well an individual instrumental programme provided by highly trained and qualified music teaching staff. For pupils with a greater interest in music, there are further opportunities to participate in ensembles, orchestras, choirs, plays and other music and drama groups and to perform in venues both at the school and within the community.

Art: Our teachers deliver lessons designed to develop creativity using a variety of media and techniques in art and craftwork. An awareness of colour, shape, balance, focus and proportion are developed alongside the use of symbols to convey ideas and feelings. Students study a wide range of artists, craftspeople and designers. These studies do not remain solely in the classroom as we invite artists every year to hold workshops in their field.

Curriculum Overview Drama: Drama includes dramatic play, story enactment, imagination journeys, theatre games, music and dance. Whilst not every child can be expected to be a natural performer, through plays and performances we aim to help every pupil develop a sense of ease in public situations. Our annual productions contribute to fostering a strong sense of community within the school.

Educational Trips: Educational excursions allow students to learn more about the world around us and provide them with the opportunity to develop their group and social skills in different settings. All pupils, including those in Early Years and Primary School, enjoy regular opportunities to enrich learning through trips out of school, usually relating to an aspect of the curriculum being covered. In the final few years of Primary School, we offer and encourage all students to take part in residential educational trips designed to develop independence and confidence.

Early Years We aim to provide children in Early Years with educational experiences that will help them develop a positive approach to learning. By creating a learning environment where children feel at home, they will be more willing to explore new concepts and ideas. Self-discipline, a sense of responsibility and respect for others are encouraged. Classroom walls are covered with displays of children’s art and craft, as well as language-based information to help them develop literacy skills. Displays of educational material related to topics being studied and an ever-changing role-play area helps further stimulate their enthusiasm.

Lessons incorporate communication, language and literacy, enabling development towards independent speaking, listening, reading and writing. Initially, particular emphasis is placed on speaking and listening and in pre-reading and pre-writing activities.

In Mathematics, children are introduced to important aspects of mathematical understanding and are provided with the foundation for numeracy. This is achieved through practical activities and by using and understanding simple mathematical language.

Children acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of their environment, other people and features of the natural and man-made world. Personal and social development focuses on children learning how to work, play, co-operate with others and function in a group beyond the family.

The physical development programme aims to help children develop physical control, mobility, awareness of space and manipulative skills in indoor and outdoor environments. Children are actively encouraged to establish positive attitudes towards a healthy and active way of life. Opportunities to be expressive and creative are, of course, crucial and offered daily through art, craft, role-play and music.

Primary School The Primary School covers the English National Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2 (ages 5-11). Teachers provide stimulating activities to build up pupil confidence and harness their natural curiosity. Children thereby achieve high levels of knowledge, skills and understanding while enjoying the learning process.

Key Stage 1 Our aim is for children to enjoy their time at school and to develop knowledge, understanding and values in order to reach their full potential in all academic and social areas of school life. Daily focus is given to English Language and Mathematics.

Science, Geography, History, Art and Design are taught through an integrated “topic� approach that enhances pupil learning.

Of course Music, Physical Education, PSHE, Spanish and Computing are also essential aspects of the curriculum.

In Language and Literacy, we aim to provide a rich and stimulating environment in which children find interest and pleasure in communicating in English. They are offered many experiences to develop their interest in reading with fluency, accuracy, understanding and enjoyment.

In Mathematics and Science, we aim to develop a knowledge and understanding of the role of these subjects in everyday life.

Children are encouraged to relate their work to other areas of the curriculum.

Primary School Key Stage 2 In Key Stage 2, we emphasise active investigative methods to facilitate purposeful learning and to encourage independence, while at the same time ensuring that the main requirements of the English National Curriculum are covered.

In line with UK expectations, pupils complete end-of-year assessments that are able to identify progress and achievement very clearly in the “core� areas of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The curriculum also incorporates Science, Geography, History, Art and Design, Music, Physical Education, PSHE, Spanish and additional opportunities to learn languages, as well as Computing.

In general, Primary children work mainly with one class teacher although certain subjects, such as Spanish, Music and PE are taught by specialist teachers. All teaching staff are British nationals or have appropriate teaching qualifications and experience in delivering the English National Curriculum. Each teacher also has the support of a full-time Teaching Assistant.

This approach helps ensure that the highest quality of teaching and learning takes place.

Secondary School Key Stage 3 In Key Stage 3, lessons are taught by a series of subject specialists with the class tutor having the important pastoral role of coordinating all aspects of the pupils’ academic and social development. The class tutor will normally also deliver the PSHE programme, which includes global citizenship and health education.

Specialist teachers deliver a balanced programme based on the English National Curriculum. Students study English, Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Drama, Art, Computing, Music and PE. In addition, students choose to study at least one Modern Foreign Language.

Location and Facilities

The British International School of Marbella is located centrally and in close proximity to the commercial centre of Marbella. The school can be easily accessed from the surrounding areas by the A7 and N340 roads.

Playgrounds The British School has an exceptionally well equipped playground, combining a selection of climbing frames, astro-turf and rubber surfaces and a clear differentiation between children of different ages.

Library BISM has a well resourced library, with a wide selection of books and resources imported from the UK. The Library is complemented with comfortable reading areas to encourage a love of books and reading.

Campus The building offers modern, smart interior and exterior environments, with playgrounds and facilities that are age appropriate, safe and enjoyable. The facilities on offer match that of any top international school, not only in terms of quality, but also in how they enhance the education we provide.

The British Schools Foundation Our school is a member of The British Schools Foundation (BSF), a registered, non-profit organisation that aims to promote quality international education worldwide. BSF has an established history of delivering top quality education in an international setting. BISM is fortunate to be able to draw from that expertise and to attract staff of the highest calibre.

Our established global network of schools is one of the largest in the world with schools in Spain, China, Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, The Philippines, Burma, Uzbekistan, and the USA.

We also enjoy links with other schools in the region and beyond, with our affiliations to many councils and federations set up to support and monitor International Schools. We are also fully accredited by local educational authorities.

The Foundation has established a reputation for high academic, managerial and employment standards.

Admissions Admission to BISM is selective. We are committed to achieving the highest levels of academic and personal attainment, seeking students who thrive in this rigorous and challenging learning environment. We look for students who are all-rounders with strong academic potential, a positive attitude and an interest in extra-curricular activities.

We are committed to ensuring our pupils are able to continue their schooling at the highest level. BISM welcomes individual visits to our school throughout the year and holds open days for parents to visit our campus and learn more about our curriculum.

How do I apply?

Applications for enrolment at the school must be submitted through our online application form. Parents unable to complete an application complete the online application form at BISM with the assistance of our admissions team.

Together with the application form, parents will be required to submit: Signed copy of our Declaration Form Copies of your child’s most recent school report Application Fee Once the application is submitted, a parent meeting and pupil assessment will be scheduled. The school aims to communicate the application outcome within a few days of the assessment date.

For more information, see www.bsm.org.es or call us at (+34) 952779-264.

Calle Jacinto Benavente S/N 29601 Marbella Spain +34 952-779-264 info@bsm.org,es www.bsm.org.es