Baleares International College Sa Porassa
BIC Sa Porassa is a British style international school for boys and girls from the age of 3 to 18. The school is situated in Sa Porassa, near Magaluf, in the southwest of Mallorca. BIC has been operating since 1957 and therefore can draw upon more than 50 years of experience.
BIC is part of the Orbital Education Group of schools which is a British company focusing on managing schools around the globe.
The mission statement of the school is: Believe, Inspire, Challenge. Believe in students’ abilities and talents, work hard to inspire in them knowledge and hunger for learning and have high expectations to bring out the best in each and everyone.
The Baleares International College is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education based upon inspection by the British HMI and is a member of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) and also a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). Furthermore, it is a registered examination centre for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
The school has a very high percentage of German speaking students. Therefore, they offer German lessons for native speakers from Year 3, following the German curriculum. This can be particularly helpful if parents are planning to return to their home country in the future.
Parents are welcome to contribute to what is happening in the school. The PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) is a community of volunteers whose aim it is to encourage a sense of community and help built relationships between everyone involved in the school. They may also organise fund raising activities.
Methodology
Nursery and Early Years: educationally stimulating surroundings and activities, encourages pupils to develop their inquisitive nature and learn at own pace, gain knowledge through first hand, multi-sensory experience and through constructive play
Primary: enquiry, project-based learning, develop creative and physical talents, think independently, actively solve problems using own invention and imagination
Entry assessment
BIC is a comprehensive, non-selective school.
New pupils are assessed on arrival at the school to determine their level of English and are grouped accordingly.
Support classes
Support classes offered in English and Maths.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for pupils whose first language is not English and who require additional help with the English language in order to access the curriculum.
The EAL programme operates across all Key Stages and at different levels to cater for pupil’s individual needs and requirements.
Curriculum/Languages
English National Curriculum, the body of skills and knowledge approved by the British government and taught throughout England and Wales
English is the main language of instruction,
German is taught from Y3 – the school has two programmes for teaching German – one for native speakers and one for German as a foreign language learners
Spanish teaching across all Key Stages includes Spanish as a foreign language and Spanish for native speakers
Special educational needs provision
BIC is working towards being an inclusive school. In Primary the school has a SENCO (Special Needs Coordinator) who keeps IEPs (Individual Educational Plans) for children who require support. Support is given in individual or small group settings. In Secondary they have a learning support assistant who works with students who need help.
Parent-teacher communication
Parent-teacher association (PTAS) – organise social events, vote for a class representative,
Intranet portal for parents where they can access all school related data
Regular emails and newsletters go out to parents
School reports sent out to parents 3x a year
Academic degree
international GCSE in Year 11
A-levels in Year 12/13
Examinations/ assessments
In Year 10 and Year 11 (aged 16 years) pupils study between 8 and 10 examination courses which are designed and accredited by the Cambridge International Examination Board and the Edexcel Examination Board of London. On successful completion students gain their IGCSE and then select a smaller number of subjects for their A-level qualifications
Timetable
9am till 4pm
Student background
85% international background (mostly German/ English/ Scandinavian but 35 nationalities in total)
15% Spanish
Classroom equipment
Purpose built school with good sized classrooms, latest technology and excellent facilities
Investments
new classrooms and sporting area, extension investment on site development
Role of…
music: registered examination centre for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
sports: indoor sports centre, playing fields with sports pitches, a swimming pool, all-weather basketball, football and volleyball courts
art: specialist art facilities, art exhibitions
ICT: refitted ICT suite, virtual learning platform, intranet for parents
Fees
