International Community School (UK)
Encyclopedia
The International Community School (ICS) is a small co-educational independent school located in central London
, providing for over 250 students aged 3 to 18.
was first bestowed on ICS in June 2008 and again in August 2008 with the school receiving full authorisation from the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) for its PYP ‘Primary Years
' and MYP programmes 'Middle Years
'. In April 2010, ICS gained full authorisation to teach the IB Diploma ‘Diploma Programme
' starting in September 2010, so becoming one of only a handful of school's in the United Kingdom authorised to offer all three IB programmes.
, PYP for students aged 3-11 years, the Middle Years Programme
, IBMYP for students aged 11-16 years and the Diploma Programme
, IBDP for students aged 16 and over.
. The Centre provides English language emphasis for children from the age of three to five. Children are introduced to sport, swimming, art, music and basic computer skills in preparation for entry to the Primary School.
. The School programme is based on the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme
(PYP) whilst keeping certain elements of the English National Curriculum, such as the literacy hour and numeracy hour. In addition to the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science the children study Information Technology, Humanities, Drama, Music, Foreign Languages and Art. Other programmes of study include sports, lunchtime activities/sports and after school clubs as well as drama productions and annual concerts. For students in year 4 and above, trips to the school's Outdoor Education Centre campus at Bawdsey
on the Suffolk
coast are provided. Here students focus on field studies and team working.
, central London
, close to Hyde Park and the primary school. The school offers the International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme
, and International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Programme
. The school has a strong pastoral care/welfare focus with classes kept to a maximum of 16 students. There is an established programme of educational, cultural and environmental visits tied in with the curriculum to destinations overseas and within the UK
. Courses in the Middle Years programme are in English Language, Mathematics, Science and Computing with optional courses available in French, Spanish, Mandarin, Art & Design, Drama, Music, Humanities (History and Geography) and English Literature.
At IB Diploma, the school offers courses in English, French/Spanish/Mandarin/Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, Chemistry,Physics, Biology, Visual Art, Music, History, Psychology, Philosophy, and Business & Management.
examinations are offered. Short courses for all ages throughout the year are available, in addition to courses that prepare students for full curriculum
education. An English language school operates throughout the summer months.
department supports students in all areas of the school and works closely with language support staff. In the secondary school the Student Support program also includes a life-skills
programme.
on the Suffolk
Coast where students spend at least a week a year engaged in an outdoor education programme centred on environmental literacy.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, providing for over 250 students aged 3 to 18.
History
Founders Niels Toettcher and Ann Alexander established the International Community School in 1979. The School was set up to teach children English within a full curriculum International School. Since then the School has continued to focus on English language and internationalism and now provides for children and faculty from 50 countries. The status of IB World School International Baccalaureate OrganizationInternational Baccalaureate Organization
The International Baccalaureate , formerly the International Baccalaureate Organization , is an international educational foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and founded in 1968. IB offers three educational programmes for children ages 3–19.The organization's name and logo were changed...
was first bestowed on ICS in June 2008 and again in August 2008 with the school receiving full authorisation from the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) for its PYP ‘Primary Years
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
' and MYP programmes 'Middle Years
IB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
'. In April 2010, ICS gained full authorisation to teach the IB Diploma ‘Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
' starting in September 2010, so becoming one of only a handful of school's in the United Kingdom authorised to offer all three IB programmes.
Curriculum
The curriculum is based on the International Baccalaureate Programmes: International Baccalaureate Primary Years ProgrammeIB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
, PYP for students aged 3-11 years, the Middle Years Programme
IB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
, IBMYP for students aged 11-16 years and the Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
, IBDP for students aged 16 and over.
Early Learning Centre
The early learning centre is located adjacent to Regent’s Park in central LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The Centre provides English language emphasis for children from the age of three to five. Children are introduced to sport, swimming, art, music and basic computer skills in preparation for entry to the Primary School.
Primary School
The Primary (Elementary) School is located adjacent to Regent’s Park in central LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The School programme is based on the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme
IB Primary Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is an educational programme managed by the International Baccalaureate for students aged 3 to 11. While the programme prepares students for the IB Middle Years Programme, it is not a prerequisite for it...
(PYP) whilst keeping certain elements of the English National Curriculum, such as the literacy hour and numeracy hour. In addition to the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science the children study Information Technology, Humanities, Drama, Music, Foreign Languages and Art. Other programmes of study include sports, lunchtime activities/sports and after school clubs as well as drama productions and annual concerts. For students in year 4 and above, trips to the school's Outdoor Education Centre campus at Bawdsey
Bawdsey
Bawdsey is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, eastern England. Located near Felixstowe, it had an estimated population of 340 in 2007.Bawdsey Manor is notable as the place where radar research took place early in World War II, before moving to Worth Matravers, which is four miles to the west of...
on the Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
coast are provided. Here students focus on field studies and team working.
Secondary School
The secondary school is based in PaddingtonPaddington
Paddington is a district within the City of Westminster, in central London, England. Formerly a metropolitan borough, it was integrated with Westminster and Greater London in 1965...
, central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, close to Hyde Park and the primary school. The school offers the International Baccalaureate’s Middle Years Programme
IB Middle Years Programme
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme is an educational programme intended for students aged approximately 11 to 16 . Thus, in the United States the programme is often taught throughout the middle school years and the first two years of high school...
, and International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Programme
IB Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme for students aged 16–19that provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education, and is recognised by universities worldwide. It was developed in the early to mid-1960s in Geneva by...
. The school has a strong pastoral care/welfare focus with classes kept to a maximum of 16 students. There is an established programme of educational, cultural and environmental visits tied in with the curriculum to destinations overseas and within the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Courses in the Middle Years programme are in English Language, Mathematics, Science and Computing with optional courses available in French, Spanish, Mandarin, Art & Design, Drama, Music, Humanities (History and Geography) and English Literature.
At IB Diploma, the school offers courses in English, French/Spanish/Mandarin/Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, Chemistry,Physics, Biology, Visual Art, Music, History, Psychology, Philosophy, and Business & Management.
English Language Courses
The Foundation Course Department provides intensive English support for students aged 3–18. A range of EFLEnglish language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
examinations are offered. Short courses for all ages throughout the year are available, in addition to courses that prepare students for full curriculum
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. Notwithstanding its name, it does not apply to independent schools, which may set their own curricula, but it...
education. An English language school operates throughout the summer months.
Special Educational Needs
A Special Educational NeedsSpecial education
Special education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials,...
department supports students in all areas of the school and works closely with language support staff. In the secondary school the Student Support program also includes a life-skills
Life Skills-Based Education
Life skills have been defined by the World Health Organization as “abilities for adaptive and positive behavior that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life”...
programme.
Field Studies and Outdoor Education
The school owns a field studies and outdoor education centre at BawdseyBawdsey
Bawdsey is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, eastern England. Located near Felixstowe, it had an estimated population of 340 in 2007.Bawdsey Manor is notable as the place where radar research took place early in World War II, before moving to Worth Matravers, which is four miles to the west of...
on the Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
Coast where students spend at least a week a year engaged in an outdoor education programme centred on environmental literacy.