On receiving news of your next foreign assignment, topping your ‘to do’ list, if you have children of school age, will be finding a school in your new location. Maggie Inglis gives you some useful pointers.
International schools: studying the options
On receiving news of your next foreign assignment, topping your ‘to do’ list, if you have children of school age, will be finding a school in your new location. Maggie Inglis gives you some useful pointers.
Many parents who move around the world feel guilty about it, especially when their children claim “you are ruining my life” by uprooting them from familiar surroundings. Nevertheless, there are significant plus factors attached to international schooling. The quality of such education is usually excellent and, as students often come from families in which education is highly prized, this invariably leads to high academic achievement.
Learning to live abroad, often in an international setting, builds confidence and widens horizons. And the friendships children and families make can endure, particular now thanks to the internet which can secure a valuable worldwide network of contacts.
What qualifies as an international school and where do you start looking?
Today, many cities house a Lycée Français, a British School, a Deutsche Schüle, an American School … The education they offer will not necessarily be an exact replica of what is available at home but will have a flavour of the cultural and social life of both home and host country.
The involvement of the home country will also vary. For example, except for British armed forces and EU officials, the UK government neither runs nor funds British education abroad. Similarly, with the exception of arrangements for its military personnel, the US does not operate or control schools in other countries. The French, on the other hand, have a government agency which provides a French public education service outside of France. In some instances, although run as private institutions, German schools abroad do receive funding from the Länder (federal states).
In other countries, the schools will carry the title ‘international school’ and many will be accredited members of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) which, despite its name, is active worldwide.
First, you need a full picture of international schooling in the area to which you have been posted. The ECIS has a useful website – www.ecis.org – click on “search for a school” for a list of schools that are accredited members of ECIS and those which are not.
Accredited schools will have undergone a rigorous accreditation process involving the whole school community. The ‘Standards for Accreditation’ cover all aspects of school organisation, full details of which can be found at www.cois.org; click on “accreditation”.
If possible, visit the schools on offer and do some preparatory work before deciding. Sit down with your family and work out your “must haves”. For example, is it imperative that your eldest child continues to learn German? Do you want a good music programme? How important is sport? Only you know your priorities.
If you are able to visit schools, here are some things to think about:
Atmosphere
Is it friendly, relaxed and welcoming? Is the school’s mission visible, together with pictures of who does what? Is there a sense of purpose throughout the school?
Behaviour. What is the interaction like between students and teachers and between teacher and teacher? Are the classrooms lively places where real learning is in progress? Even if there is a lot of noise, does it appear that someone is ‘in charge’?
Facilities. These will vary enormously and a small school on a city site does not necessarily offer less in the way of education. However, check the classrooms are well supplied with desks and teaching materials, and that there is room to move around comfortably. They should be welcoming places, well lit and ventilated. Are examples of students’ work clearly displayed and does it look fresh and up to date – or has it been stuck on the wall for years? Check on the computer and IT facilities and look at the library collections – books, newspapers, periodicals and electronic media. Are the science laboratories and gyms well equipped? What are the outside playing areas like – does the equipment appear safe and well maintained? Does the whole place look clean and well cared for?
Asking the right questions
Those responsible for showing people around the school should always be prepared to answer questions – it is a key part of their job. Here is a non-exhaustive list as a guide – simply select those areas you really care about.
Programmes
What curriculum is taught and what external examinations are set? What extra curricular activities are available and can parents take part in any classes?
Admissions. Some schools select their students (usually on ability), while others have an open admissions policy. It is important to establish early on exactly what documentation and procedures the school requires to confirm an admission. If there is a waiting list, ask what the policy is.
Fees. Do they cover everything, or do certain services (food, transport, text books) incur an extra cost? If you have to pay the fees yourself, ask whether reduced rates are available.
Students. What is the student/teacher ratio, and is there an optimum class size? What is the turnover of students (likely to be rapid in an international school), and what nationalities are represented – a percentage breakdown is useful.
Academic record. Success in external examinations (both raw numbers and percentages), and details about numbers going on to higher education are a good indication of academic achievement. Ask how the school assesses student progress and what, if any, external measures are used.
Teachers. What is their average length of stay? Remember that some turnover is a good thing – new teachers fresh from university can contribute a lot, although a good mix of youth and experience is important. How does the school ensure that teachers continue their own learning and how do the teachers ensure they continue to do a good job?
Information technology. How is IT used in the school? What is the ratio of students to computers: is there a rolling renewal programme for hard- and software, and access to the network from home?
Parental role. Does the school look on parents as partners in education or is the relationship more at ‘arm’s length’? Are informal avenues of communication in place: for instance, are teachers’ email addresses readily available? Are regular times set aside for parents to hear about their child’s progress? Is it possible for parents to meet teachers of an evening?
Parental organisations. Is there a formal parent/school organisation? If so, is it free and open to all, or is there a membership fee? Are social activities organised by and for parents, and are volunteers welcomed?
Governance. Who runs the school: is it a not-for-profit, does it have a proprietor, or is it run by some other system? Are parents represented on the governing body?
The host country. Is the school totally independent or does it have to be inspected by, or receive subsidies from, the host country? In what ways do the students participate in the social and cultural life of the host country – are local languages taught?
Security. What policies are in place?
Transport. Is the school close to a bus route or a train station? Does it run its own transport system and is there a map showing the areas it covers?
Finally, if your children are unable to accompany you on a visit, find something you can take home to show them – maybe a DVD of the school, a student newspaper, or even an email address of a potential classmate.
Decision time
One of the best ways of finding out about a school is to talk to parents with children already there. This can be relatively easy, as many people take over a job from someone whose children attend a particular international school and, if their children were happy there then it could be fine for your family too. And try to talk to the staff at the school your child is leaving, particularly if it is another international school. They know your child well and may have some useful advice which is particularly relevant to your family. Finally, do not be put off by hearsay – see for yourself and make up your own mind.
Many countries have publications and websites designed with expatriates in mind, so the internet is a good place to start your search for a school to suit your family’s needs.
For further information:
American schools: http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/
British schools: www.cobisec.org
French schools: www.aefe.diplomatie.fr http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/label_france/54/gb/05.html
German schools: www.auswaertiges-amt.de
International schools: www.ecis.org; www.cois.org
Maggie Inglis was the Director of External Relations at the International School of Brussels for eight years. During that time, more than 2,000 families enrolled their children at the school and about the same number left for new horizons. She is now looking forward to working as a freelance in the communications field and to having some spare time to enjoy life as an expat.
