INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
places less emphasis on exams. Students remain generalists all the way through secondary (high) school, at the end of which they can apply to college or university with a composite of qualifications: their grades from all four years of high school averaged into a GPA (Grade Point Average), results of various optional but benchmarked examinations, teacher recommendations, and a transcript of personal achievements and activities. For further insights, and comparisons
between the UK and US education systems, see our Guide to International Education & Schools.
ACS Cobham, Boarding House
subjects which have yet to be reformed, such as maths, geography, religious studies, languages or drama. As standards in the state sector rise, independent schools are under increasing pressure to achieve results that justify their fees.
An internationally transferable option The IB is becoming an increasingly popular choice for globally mobile families, thanks to its international transferability, rigour and breadth of study. Taught in thousands of schools in popular relocation destinations worldwide, including many independent and international schools and some state schools in the UK, it covers the full range of ages, from three 1o 19. Richard Parker, principal of the International School of London
Surrey, points out, “The IB is recognised by universities and across the world, and their qualifications are transferable in a way that national qualifications are not. It is also a holistic approach to education and sees different disciplines as complementing each other, rather than being separate. It is a more rounded education, whether you are globally mobile or not.” Another factor parents may consider when choosing a school
is how their native language will be supported. ISL has a strong reputation for its support of students’ mother tongues, which Richard Parker believes is critical to its ability to attract globally mobile families. He says, “Research has shown that fluency in one’s mother tongue has a huge impact on one’s ability to conceptualise in all subjects, and it is therefore a skill that should be nurtured.” On the Relocatewebsite, we share the success stories of some of
the leading independent and international schools, and bring you a wealth of information on school and curriculum choice in key relocation hotspots around the world. See the special education and schools directory in this issue. Access it online for more detail. For in-depth coverage of UK and international school options,
see our highly rated Guide to International Education & Schools and Guide to Education & Schools in the UK.
The US education system In contrast with the UK system, which focuses on exams and leads students towards increased specialisation, the US system
Shifting the focus At a time when parents are worried about the pressure piled on their children as they strive for the exam grades they need to access the best universities, research that makes a strong case for ‘self-efficacy’ has been revealed. Nicola Lambros, deputy head of King’s College The British School of Madrid,
presented at the COBIS National Conference the findings of her research, which should reassure relocating parents. She explained that schools needed to build students’ self-efficacy (defined as a belief in one’s ability to succeed in a situation or accomplish a task), so their belief in both their academic abilities and their self-regulatory capabilities (their ability to organise themselves, stay focused, and be disciplined in their studies) was very important. Building self-efficacy by ensuring young people loved learning
and had “a really strong growth mindset” would result in good grades, she said. Lack of self-efficacy, on the other hand, could lead to a host of problems, including underachievement, childhood depression, dropping out of school and education, and, ultimately, lack of career success. Watch a video interview with Nicola Lambros on our website.
Meeting future skills needs Barnaby Sandow, principal of Brunei’s Jerudong International School, believes that better engagement with employers could help schools to understand future skills needs. “I think that, very often, employers are thinking of what they want in terms of vocational training and the specifics of doing the
Education consultants These experts provide a range of services for relocating parents. Some of the leading consultants are:
Bowker Consulting,
www.bowker.org.uk Crimson Education,
www.crimsoneducation.org Educatus,
www.educatus.org.uk Enjoy Education,
www.enjoyeducation.co.uk Gabbitas Educational Consultants,
www.gabbitas.com New2nl,
www.new2nl.com Mavor Associates,
www.mavorassociates.com Outreach School Search,
www.outreachschoolsearch.co.uk Simply Learning,
www.simplylearningtuition.co.uk
48 | Re:locate | Autumn 2017
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