Good schools abroad
Monday December 4, 2006
The international schoolsASIA
India, Japan (and its islands) China, and in particular Hong Kong, have the best and widest range of international schools in the region catering for a large expatriate population. When choosing a school in Bangkok, it?s advisable to consider the distance from home to school because of the heavy traffic.
Tanglin Trust School, Singapore
www.tts.edu.sg
Students must be fluent in English to be accepted in the school and the vast majority of teachers are British, giving Tanglin School a predominantly British feel. It has an excellent academic reputation and a strong emphasis on the performing arts, with well-established choirs, orchestras and concerts. Many students go on to study at leading UK universities.
Campus: Modern teaching blocks with a separate sixth form centre overlooking tropical forest. Swimming pool and spacious outdoor playing fields
Student intake: Of the 2,000 students, about 70% are British citizens.
Curriculum: British curriculum taught in English
Fees: Termly tuition fee from S$4275 (£1,440) to S$7775 (£2,620)
Examination results: In 2006, 95% of students gained GSCE A*-C grades and 82% A-C grades at A level.
Dulwich College International School, China (Shanghai and Beijing)
www.dulwichcollege.cn
A partner of Dulwich College in London with a traditional public school atmosphere. The vast majority of its staff are native English-speakers.
Campus: Excellent sport and music facilities
Student intake: Over 900 students (ages 2-16) at the Shanghai school
Curriculum: British curriculum taught in English with IB offered from September 2007. In Beijing, a Montessori curriculum is offered at pre-school. Spanish and Chinese as a second language classes are available.
Fees: Annual tuition fees from RMB135,100 (£9,000) to RMB186,500 (£12,500)
The Garden International School, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
www.gardenschool.edu.my
The largest international school in Malaysia. It has an academic and friendly atmosphere with an excellent range of extra-curricular actitvities on offer, from modern dance to judo and Mandarin classes.
Campus: Modern and well-resourced teaching blocks with excellent sport facilities
Student intake: Students from over 58 different countries
Curriculum: British.
Fees: Tuition fees per term (three terms in total) from RM6,590 (£950) to RM12,010 (£1,740)
Examination results: In 2006, the percentage of students with A and B passes at A level was over 80%, with almost 60% obtaining grade A.
EUROPE
International School of Geneva, Switzerland
www.ecolint.ch/ecolint/ch/en-ch/index.cfm
This hi-tech flagship IB school with its bilingual international environment, academic excellence and strong emphasis on global issues, feels a bit like the UN headquarters.
Campus: Three separate leafy campuses, including a chateau in the countryside with a lake and mountain views.
Student intake: Over 3,750 students, representing 120 nationalities, including 84 languages
Curriculum: IGSCE, IB and French bac. At secondary school, students can choose to study in French, English or both. SAT (standard assessment tests) can be taken at the school. Palm-held computers are used in some classes.
Fees: Annual tuition fees from CHF19,760 (£8,400) to CHF25,075 (£10,600)
LATIN AMERICA
St Paul?s School, Sao Paulo, Brazil
www.stpauls.br
This Anglo-Brazilian bilingual school is regarded as one of the leading British schools in Latin America. It boasts an excellent academic reputation and is a demanding and challenging environment for students. Many of them go on to study at the top UK and US universities.
Campus: A large, bright and well kept campus set in the leafy suburb of a wealthy residential area
Student intake: Brazilian elite and students from over 30 other countries
Curriculum: IB and school curriculum is a mixture of Brazilian and British national curriculums. IB diploma in theatre and visual arts offered
Fees: Annual tuition fees from £7,600
Examination results: The IGSCE A*-C pass rate was 94.3% (2006). On average 34.5 points were awarded per IB candidate (maximum IB points are 45).
Newton College, Lima, Peru
www.newton.edu.pe
One of the leading British-style, bilingual, international schools in Peru
Campus: A special feature is its field-study centre in the Amazon Jungle used for student research projects.
Student intake: About 85% of its 1,300 students are Peruvian, with a growing international student community.
Curriculum: IB and IGSCE taught in English and Spanish. 80% of classes in kindergarten are taught in English.
Fees: Annual tuition fees from US$3,070 (£1.600) to US$6,280 (£3,300)
Grange School, Santiago, Chile
www.grange.cl
A well-established and renowned bilingual school with a traditional feel
Campus: Boasts plush, landscaped grounds complete with a swimming pool and snow-capped mountain views. 1:1 computer-student ratio.
Student intake: Over 1,700 students, with waiting lists for first school year (pre-kinder).
Curriculum: Integrated British and Chilean national curricula. IGSCE and AS/A2 exams are in English.
Fees: Tuition fees from £150 a month (11 monthly payments)
MIDDLE EAST
St. Christopher's, Bahrain
www.st-chris.net
A welcoming and friendly school with a predominantly British feel
Campus: Modern teaching blocks, swimming pool and a good sixth-form centre
Student intake: 2000 students from around 50 countries
Curriculum: GSCEs and a broad choice of A level options offered, including media and business studies, PE and psychology. The music department enjoys a good reputation.
Fees: Termly tuition fees (three terms) from BD751 (£1,050) to BD1,630 (£2,300)
Examination results: Last year, 42% of students obtained A grades at A Level and 92% obtained A*-C passes at GSCE.
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