ICS Secondary
Brenda Murray : Secondary Head Teacher
ICS Secondary school is a community drawn from over fifty countries and as such prides itself on its success in building a ‘community’ based on its diverse cultures, varied linguistic origins and wealth of educational backgrounds. We are a non denominational and inclusive school with a range of school programmes for the ages of 11 to 18 with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) at the heart of the curriculum. Students and staff alike form part of a culture which serves to help each other acclimatise to the learning environment and very often, a new medium of instruction.
In adopting the MYP we are working with a curriculum which shares a philosophy close to that of ICS where programmes are student centred and students are partners in their own education. This takes many forms and reflects students’ needs and abilities. Our classes are small with an average of 15 students per group. The education of the individual takes precedence over the group and affords each student the opportunity to excel in their area of choice. Our programmes are tailored for students who not only wish to prepare for university in the UK or abroad, but are possibly learning English for the first time or have special educational needs.
The MYP programme at ICS has been developed around the ethos of the school and is delivered through 8 subject groups; Mathematics, Technology, Language A/ Mother Tongue, Modern Languages, Performing and Visual Arts, Humanities, Physical Education and Science. Students aged 16-19 can join our A level programme and chart their career paths under the careful supervision and guidance of our A level Programme Director.
Where students have a limited command of English and are unable to access the MYP directly, the Foundation Programme offers an approach which integrates subject and language teaching thereby enabling students to develop academic literacy and master the discourse of school subjects. The programme is overseen by a team of teachers with long experience in language training and a passion for linguistics.
Students with special educational needs are supported by a team of professionals with expertise in educational and child developmental psychology. This team includes teachers, therapists and support assistants. An individualised structured programme is developed for each student and their participation is monitored and regularly evaluated by the Student Support Department.
Extra curricular activities take the form of lunchtime and after-school clubs, a school musical production, International Day, and a whole school Sports Day. Clubs usually include, film, outdoor and team sports, cookery, photography and the performing arts. A Field Studies trip twice a year provides opportunities for students to explore interdisciplinary subject links and an experiential component for all programmes.
The school programme is also enriched by an extensive range of international trips from Paris to Patagonia and one of which, each student is strongly encouraged to participate in, each year.
As an international school, we are proactive in building a sense of ‘community’ by fostering positive attitudes that promote a safe learning environment. Students participate in training workshops which help them develop a greater understanding of diversity and equality issues and provides them with the tools to dispel and challenge myths and stereotypes. Moreover, students are also empowered to lead the response to conflict and enact change supported by the appropriate bodies and forums within the school.
This holistic approach ensures the delivery of a broader curriculum with the student’s academic, social, emotional and psychological well being at the centre while our school philosophy and ethos provide both the context and the medium.
Brenda Murray