Bordeaux International School, Bordeaux:
At Bordeaux International School, in the south west of France, we provide high-quality formal education for international pupils between the ages of 2½ and 18. The school’s reputation for professionalism is indisputable as verified by its full accreditation by the Council of International Schools and its contract with the French Education Nationale.
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Early Learning Section for ages 2½ - 5:
The English-speaking students follow the English National Curriculum, and the French-speaking students, the French National programme, both adapted to serve the needs of an international community. All children spend an equal amount of time in both languages.
The Structure:
For children 2½ : A full morning - half in French and half in English with co-ordinated bilingual activities. Each term follows a number of themes related to the interests of the children and the school project.
From the age of 3 : Four full days with lunch included as a social activity. In this group, the children begin their pre-reading, writing and number activities.
There is continuous assessment on personal development and curriculum targets throughout the school year. A progress report is given each term.
The Objectives:
* To give the children an early start in self-expression by developing listening and speaking skills.
* To provide them with a stimulating environment created by an experienced staff, in which contact with other children and play with
appropriate materials is of major importance.
* To develop their self-confidence, self respect and respect for others, encourage their curiosity, and learn to act on their own initiative.
* To make the first steps in a second language accessible, so moving towards bilingualism and an interest in, and respect for, other languages and cultures.
Primary SCHOOL (6 - 10 years):
Bordeaux International School welcomes approximately 15 nationalities into its primary education section each year, with 50% of the pupils being French. This fusion of world cultures is particularly stimulating for children of this age. Classes are mixed nationality and the teaching is in both French and English, with equal weight given to each language. The school is unique in that pupils not only learn a second language but also learn in that language.
Teachers teach in their mother tongue only and pupils speak to them in that language at all times. After discussion with the head of section on future plans, parents are asked to identify their child's first language for early language and literacy skills. This enables a stable, smooth progression in both languages.
The full teaching team has contact time with every pupil at some point during the school week, which is important for all-round development. The teaching team participates in weekly meetings to discuss progress. There is no host family option for this age group and pupils attend the school as day pupils.
Objectives:
* To develop bilingualism in all pupils
* To facilitate mastery of the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic equally in both languages
* To foster a positive attitude towards learning
* To achieve a balanced progression in all learning areas
* To encourage pupils to take responsibility for their learning
* To prepare pupils sufficiently for secondary education
* To nurtu
re self-confidence, self-discipline, independence, social skills and respect for other people and cultures
Secondary school (12 - 19 years):
Pupils come to Bordeaux International School specifically to complete their secondary education in English. They obtain internationally recognised qualifications that will equip them for higher and further education throughout the world.
Most of our A-level school-leavers attend colleges and universities in Great Britain, Australia and the USA. Those with a satisfactory level in French have the option of attending a French University, building on the language skills they have developed at Bordeaux International School.
Transitional phase:
While the main objective of the Secondary School is to provide an education based on the English education system (or jointly with the French curriculum in the Primary Section and the Middle School), there is a focus on learning French.
In some cases, pupils attend the school for two or three years specifically to acquire sufficient fluency in French to be able to transfer to French “collège”. The content of the English and French curricula are sufficiently similar for pupils to be able to transfer from one to the other, although this is always easier at the earliest possible stage.
The school is one of very few in France offering secondary education mainly in English and following the English syllabus in all academic areas. Most lessons are taught in English, although great emphasis is placed on learning French fluently and naturally. The more creative lessons, such as art and sport, are taught in a combination of both languages.
The school as a whole has a truly international identity with pupils from over 15 different nationalities. The common denominator within the Secondary School is that English is either the mother tongue or spoken to a competent level. We draw on this valuable cultural mix by encouraging pupils to give presentations about their native land or to do themed project work.
Personal tutor:
For many parents, it can be daunting, moving their child to a new school in a new country with a new language and new way of life. To ease the transition, each pupil is assigned a personal tutor whose role is to guide and assist them in settling in happily at the school, and with their peers and host family.
The tutor follows their progress and achievement, co-ordinates their social integration and pastoral care, and liaises closely with their parents. They also assist in resolving any difficulties and provide career advice to help the pupil and parents make decisions regarding which subjects to study.
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