Education
The ISST has decided to opt for the IB programmes. All lessons will be in English, except for the other languages. The IB programmes guarantee quality because of their accreditation level. The IB programmes are the most usual for other International schools in the world and will therefore create a much better continuing learning line for the students.
In the mean time the IB has awarded us the first step in accreditation: the candidate status. The approach of inter-disciplinary projects, holistic learning through the areas of interaction and assessment, are also going to play a part in the educational aspects of the bilingual department.
We want to work according to the lesson standard set by the Dutch International Secondary Schools (DISS):
A standard and higher level will be provided.
- Attention to own culture and language
- Attention to Dutch culture and language
- Language A –English
- Second language English, Dutch and in due course at least three other languages
- Individuals and societies: three subjects (economics, geography, history)
- Experimental sciences three subjects (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Mathematics
- Computer science
- Arts—at least 1 subject (combination technology, drawing, crafts)
- PE
- Remedial English as second language
- Remedial; Dutch
- Extra-curricular activities
The Dutch curriculum is known to be very complete, especially where languages are concerned. We want to offer our students the possibility to follow this complete curriculum as much as possible. The curriculum volume for the two diploma years will be as complete as possible but is still to be determined.
In due course we want to look into offering more languages and investigate possibilities for a technical training for talented pupils. There is an increasing demand for students who have abilities in these fields.
At the Zuid campus we have developed an approach to learning which appeals to students who need more structure and those who can study more independently. The number of instruction hours has been reduced to clear more time for study time. During study time teachers, fellow pupils, library and modern media are at the disposal of all the students. The pupils are taught to plan their work and are given more freedom as they show the ability and responsibility to deal with this. Students are encouraged to be tutors to each other where possible.