- What are the school hours ?
- How many pupils are there at British School of Alicante?
- How many pupils are there in each class ?
- What is the ratio of international students at the school ?
- Which curriculum does the school follow?
- Are the teachers British?
- Does British School of Alicante accept students with little or no English ?
- What language do the children speak in the playground ?
- Will my child learn Spanish at British School of Alicante ?
- What other languages are available?
- Is religion part of the curriculum ?
- What sports are available ?
- How much homework is set ?
- What examinations do students take at the school?
- Where do students go after finishing their studies at British School of Alicante ?
- Is it possible to study at British School of Alicante for one term only ?
- How well do new international students adapt to the school?
- How do I go about applying for a place for my child ?
What are the school hours ?
9.00 am to 4.30 pm
How many pupils are there at British School of Alicante?
920
How many pupils are there in each class ?
On average there are 25 pupils per class and two or three classes per year group.>
What is the ratio of international students at the school ?
80% Spanish; 9% British; 11% from other countries including China, Russia, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, France, Holland and others.
Which curriculum does the school follow?
The English National Curriculum.
Are the teachers British?
All academic staff teaching the English National Curriculum are qualified British teachers or, in the case of French, native speakers. Those teaching Spanish language, Spanish validation, Bachillerato and Valencian language are qualified native Spanish teachers.
Does British School of Alicante accept students with little or no English ?
We take children with no English between the ages of 3 and 5 years.
There are a limited number of places for non-English speaking Primary pupils between the ages of 6 and 9 of proven academic ability.
From the age of 10 onwards new pupils must have a high level of English to enter the school.
What language do the children speak in the playground ?
On the whole most of our students speak Spanish in the playground. Because of this we find that new children joining the school with little or no knowledge of the language, pick it up very quickly.
Will my child learn Spanish at British School of Alicante ?
All students at British School of Alicante study Spanish. Spanish pupils are required to take a minimum number of Spanish classes per week, the frequency and number depending on their age. Non-Spanish speakers are taught Spanish as a foreign language at all ages.
What other languages are available?
French to GCSE and GCE A Level.
Is religion part of the curriculum ?
As a multicultural school we introduce our students to different religions and cultures and teach them moral values based on the western Christian tradition but which tend to be common to all religions. At Christmas we celebrate Christian activities such as Nativity plays and Carol singing.
What sports are available ?
The British School of Alicante is able to offer a wide range of sporting activities including football (7 and 5-a-side pitches), basketball,tennis volleyball, hockey, gymnastics, athletics.
There are also optional classes which take place after school, (4.30 - 5.30 pm) and include amongst others tennis, ballet, judo.etc.
How much homework is set ?
This depends on the age of the pupil.
As a general rule, in the Infant Department no homework is set but pupils are expected to take reading books home to share with their parents.
In the Junior Department, from Year 3 onwards pupils use a homework diary to note down any homework tasks they need to remember. Depending on their age they are expected to carry out between 1/2 hour of homework per week in Year 3, to an hour per week plus study at the weekends in Year 6. In addition to this they are encouraged to read in both English and Spanish.
KS1 have weekly reading and spelling with a Maths and Topic homework pack every 5-6 weeks.
In the Secondary Department pupils are set purposeful, relevant homework tasks on a regular basis.
In Years 7, 8 & 9 the time allocated varies from one hour per night to one and a half hours, with four homework assignments at the weekend.
In Years 10 and 11 students receive approximately 2 hours homework per night with assignments at the weekend.
What examinations do students take at the school?
IGCSE, GCE A Level (CIE/EDEXCEL)
Where do students go after finishing their studies at British School of Alicante ?
Who finished their studies in 2010 went on to Universities in the U.K., including St. Martin's College, Sheffield, Brighton and in Spain including Complutense in Madrid, ESADE Barcelona, Alicante, Huesca, etc.
Is it possible to study at British School of Alicante for one term only ?
The minimum time we can normally accept students is for one whole academic year. Note also however that the IGCSE courses in Years 10 & 11 and the A Level (AS & A2) courses in Years 12 and 13 are integral 2 years programmes.
How well do new international students adapt to the school?
Students at British School of Alicante are used to welcoming newcomers and on the whole are very friendly and helpful. The Heads of the different departments make sure that "buddies" are always on hand to show newcomers the ropes at first. However, much depends on the attitude of the new student and how willing he/she is to make new friends and join in with the rest.
How do I go about applying for a place for my child ?
The first step in the admissions process is to send in an application form with full details of the pupil in question. The procedures for admission vary slightly according to the age of the candidate (link to admissions) Infants are required to see the school’s educational psychologist whilst Juniors and Seniors must take entrance examinations in Mathematics and English. School reports for the two years prior to entry are also taken into consideration.
