International Boarding School in Penang, Malaysia

Prince of Wales Island International School, Penang:
Founded on the characteristics and ethos of top British boarding schools, the Prince of Wales Island International School is a private boarding school in the township of Botanica in Pulau Penang, Malaysia, that teaches the British secondary school system to children from ages 11 to 18. We do not aim to copy British boarding schools, but use our unique location and the richness of local and international experience to create something more special. Some of our students will live in Penang, others will come from further afield in Malaysia. There will be expatriate children who are resident in Penang and in the region, and students from other countries in South East Asia and the rest of the world.

- Quality British Education
British education has a tradition and of excellence and a world-renowned reputation for consistent quality. Using international syllabuses leading to IGCSE and A level examinations allows students to transfer at any stage to the large number of British International schools worldwide, or indeed to schools in the UK.

- Internationally Recognized Qualifications
In addition to being the traditional requirement for entry into British universities, A levels are accepted in universities in the USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many other countries. With more than 50 years of development and testing behind them, and with established organisations such as Cambridge International Examinations to manage their use internationally, schools including the Prince of Wales Island International School recognise the value of A levels as a passport to tertiary education.

- Flexible Curriculum
Whilst all schools must adhere to certain requirements of the local government departments, international schools have more freedom to modify the design and content of their curriculum than those schools which must follow a national curriculum, whichever country they are in. Such flexibility also allows for inclusion of the best from both local and British curricula as appropriate, such as the inclusion of Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin language teaching in the Prince of Wales Island International School. Teachers are also more free - and encouraged - to use different approaches best suited to the material being taught.

- Stepping-stone to World-Class Universities
From the language, to the style of teaching, to the expectations placed on students, experience of a British international education provides a gentle stepping stone to the different culture students may face when they head off abroad for their University education. If choosing to board is an additional option, the skills and independence so gained are even more valuable as a preparation for life after school, and away from home.

The advantages of a British International education are many and varied, but fall largely into three categories. Firstly with decades of experience and refinement, the British educational system is recognised as one of the best in the world. Secondly an International education leading to British A level qualifications opens doors to all the best universities in the world. Thirdly, such an education not only encourages your child to mix with a diverse group of students, and immerses them in a world where English is the main medium of communication, but also prepares students for an international life. Leading to International GCSE's and A-Levels, our full secondary school curriculum includes:

- English (literature and language)
- Mathematics
- Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)
- Humanities (History, Geography)
- Languages (Bahasa, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish)
- Creative Arts (Art, Design Technology, Informatics)
- Performing Arts (Music, Drama)
- Physical Education (incl Sport and Dance)
- Personal, Social and Health Education (incl Moral Education and Islamic Studies)

The School is very well equipped with sports facilities, including a 6-lane 25 metre swimming pool, football pitch, tennis and netball courts, and a multi-purpose hall equipped for indoor sports including badminton and basketball. There are also extensive facilities for music practice and performance, dance, drama, art, and design; as well as opportunities for many other clubs and activities.

We provide facilities for sports such as football, tennis, badminton, basketball, netball, swimming, water polo, table tennis, shooting, golf, martial arts, dancing and fencing will be available. We hope to extend this list as the School expands and the expertise of our staff increases. We will arrange a very broad range of activities for all pupils during the usual school day and for boarders at weekends. The range of activities we plan to provide is limited only by the expertise of our teaching staff and the enthusiasm of our pupils.

Most pupils will share a twin-bedded room with another student in the same year group. The rooms are spacious, air-conditioned, and furnished with a bed, desk and wardrobe. Soft furnishings such as mattress, bedding and curtains are also provided. Each Hall of Residence will have a Head of Hall whose main responsibility will be the care and supervision of the students in his or her Hall. In addition there will be a matron who will help to look after the pupils, attend to minor illnesses and manage the domestic arrangements of the Hall. Other members of the teaching staff will be allocated to each Hall to provide additional support and supervision. The School has its own cafeteria and catering provision. All meals for boarders will be provided, and lunch for day pupils. The menus will be varied and include Malay, Chinese, Indian and Western dishes. In addition to the services provided for day pupils, boarding fees include all accommodation, meals, laundry and domestic support.