The Academy International School

The Academy International School prides itself on being a school where JOY and LEARNING go together, hand in hand. Established in 1985 the school highlights and values the importance of each child’s personality and achievements whether it be academically, artistically, in the sports arena or music. Encouraging happy, confident children to develop a lifelong love of learning, is the school ́s major priority.

The beautiful surroundings include a vegetable garden and an orchard, several playgrounds for all year groups, sport fields, an outdoor pool, several ponies and a tortoise.

The school follows the British National Curriculum, is affiliated with the Spanish Ministry of education and as a member of NABSS (National Association of British Schools in Spain) is inspected regularly both by British and Spanish inspectors.

The school caters for students from 2 to 16 years with a number of 318 students in total, all coming from a range of cultural backgrounds, forming a global community and allowing for a rich cultural experience. There are 18 children with 3 teachers in the nursery class, 24 students and 2 teachers in the Reception until Year 2 classes. From Year 3 onwards class sizes are kept to 24 students with a class teacher and teaching and reading assistants rotating between the classes.

Currently, the school is working on the implementation of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme which will be in place for the academic year 2017 and which encourages an even broader cultural awareness and can lead to the highest ranking universities worldwide.

Methodology
Dynamic, project-based, new technologies, enquiry based with much interaction and pupil participation, visual and auditory learning, gradually moving from directed learning towards more independent learning

Entry assessment
Previous year’s school reports required and an informal interview
Key Stage 1: reading test, some English writing and Mathematics
Key Stage 2: reading test, a written test in English and Mathematics
Key Stage 3: written test in English and Mathematics
Key Stage 4: written test in English and Mathematics

Support classes
At an extra cost, intensive English support programme during school hours 3-4x a week

Curriculum/Languages
National British Curriculum,
the main language of instruction is English, Spanish lessons begin in Reception 1 and Catalan lessons commence in Year 2,
German or French languages are taught from Key Stage 2

Special educational needs provision
Individual educational plan provided for students with learning difficulties, IGCSE access arrangements, SEN department for individual support lessons

Parent-teacher communication

Welcome meeting at the beginning of school year – parents meet class teacher and receive an outline of the objectives
Parent-teacher meetings twice a year and additional appointments available
Open day, presentations, school reports, school notice boards, weekly newsletter
PTA-Parent-teacher association

Academic degree
International GCSE after Year 11
IB diploma 2017/2018

Examinations/ assessments
EYFS – Early Years Foundation Stage: based on teacher´s observations
KS1 – Key Stage 1: standardised tests, formative assessment, spelling tests in Year 2
KS2 – Key Stage 2: standardised tests, spelling and table tests, formative assessment
KS3 – Key Stage 3: optional and progress SATs; standardised reading tests; end of unit tests, teacher prepared tests
KS4 – Key Stage 4: end of unit tests, end of term exams and continual assessment of homework and project work, IGCSE external examinations

Timetable
Nursery: Children can be brought to school till 9:30am and picked up at any time
Reception-Year 11: 9:00am till 4:00pm

Student background
50% Spanish/ Half-Spanish
25% British
25% international, from all over the world

Classroom equipment
Interactive whiteboard

Investments
IB programme, new classrooms

Role of…
music: part of the curriculum, introduction to musical theory
sports: pool for swimming lessons, 2 gymnastic halls, a psychomotricity room
art: part oft he curriculum from the very beginning
ICT: part of the curriculum, new technologies used throughout subjects
These subjects play and integral part of the curriculum and are given equal importance as the core subjects of the curriculum.

School fees
Starting at 650€ per month in Nursery